Showing posts with label Vivien Leigh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vivien Leigh. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Movie of the Moment - Anna Karenina



Last night I watched the 1948 version of the classic Tolstoy novel "Anna Karenina" and was absolutely moved to tears. Such a glorious adaption of an out and out heart wrenching story of love, society, marriage, choices and, one of my favourite topics at the moment, the tender frailty of the human spirit. I chose to borrow this film from my local library because I ADORE Vivien Leigh, but I ended up loving this film as a movie in its own right.

Having said that, Vivien is her thoroughly captivating self, acting with perfect timing and sensitivity to the title character, and mesmerising her audience with her unfathomable beauty. In a review of the earlier Greta Garbo version of the story, it was said that "Garbo herself, (was) perhaps a bit too self-possessed and headstrong, (and) could never represent the character of Anna, a woman carried away on passion, lust and impending tragedy." Certainly Vivien could carry such a role, as her own life showed all the elements of passion, sensitivity and human frailty that epitomised the tragic heroine, Anna Karenina.

The costuming in this film, by Cecil Beaton and set in the late 1800's, is breathtaking, extravagant and stunning. The sets impressive, in places stark, elegant and cold as fits the subject. The supporting actors are astute and, of course, the story is brilliant. This tale has been billed as the greatest love story of all time.
 
If you are after a beautiful, cosy night in, then chase down a copy of this film. You most certainly wont regret it.
 
Below are some costume stills from Anna Karenina - I couldn't resist sharing them with you all, they are so divine!
 
4.5 Choc Tops

Sunday, January 24, 2010

To blonde or not to blonde? That IS the question.......

I have been tossing too and fro in my head the idea of going blonde lately. I have never really been any other colour than (natural) brunette, and have always advocated the sophistication and general classiness of brunettes over blondes. However, hubby recently suggested trying it before 'time runs out to be able to pull it off' - and he does have a point ! So, I have compiled a list of pro's and con's to going blonde, and thrown in a few glamerous ideals for both sides of the story........what are your thoughts on the whole blonde vs brunette debate?

Advantages to going blonde:

It would be fun to try the whole 'Hitchcock Blonde look' at least once in my life! (I am certianly no platnum blonde bombshell!!)......

Would prefer to try the blonde look while my face still has a bit of youth in it....

Blondes do seem to get noticed more....

Blonde seems to lend a face a bit more youth....

If I dont like it I can always dye it back again (although it will loose some condition, I know).....



Disadvantages:

Seems silly to dye my hair when there arnt too many greys in it yet....

Have just learnt to love the look I have been born with (ie. Dita Von Tease look pale skin and dark hair). Not everyone in Australia needs to have that sun kissed, bleached look !

Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance !

I have very pale skin - will it look stuipd?

Health concerns with chemical bleaches?........


They are my arguments......now for the inspiration........

To Blonde .........




The incomparable Marilyn




Breathtaking Mamie Van Doren




Ever charming Doris Day




Jane Fonda in one of my fav. movies - Cat Ballou




Perfect Hitchcock Blonde Grace Kelly



Ever lovely Lana Turner




Enchanting Zsa Zsa Gabor



Deadly blonde bombshell Diana Dors



Unmistakeable blonde Bridget Bardot

And not to Blonde........



The amazing Dita Von Tease



Exquisit Gene Tierney



A young and beautiful Elizabeth Taylor




Darling French actress Capucine




Beautiful perfection - Vivien Leigh




Modern Classic Beauty - Catherine Zeta Jones





Beautiful and oh so tragic Judy Tyler (died in a car crash after completing the film Jailhouse Rock with Elvis)



Magical Cyd Charisse - dancer extrodinair (and exquisitly beautiful as well!)



And the now imortally beautiful Jean Simmons.

History of hair dye:
(from ehow)

"In the Dark Ages, red hair first appeared as the result of a genetic mistake. For many years, people with natural red hair were subjected to suspicions of witchcraft. However, in the 16th Century, Queen Elizabeth I's natural vibrant red hair made red hair more acceptable, and soon hair was being reddened with items such as henna, which dated back to the ancient Egyptians. During the Baroque period, when elaborate powdered wigs were popular, the colors ran the gamut of pastels, from pinks and yellow, to even blue. Blond hair continued to be desirable, with potassium lye or caustic soda being use to bleach the hair. Victorian women used large hats with an open top to expose their treated hair to the strong sun. At the same time, gray hair was popular, bringing back hair powder to heighten the affect. For a time, silver nitrate was used to darken hair until overuse resulted in a purple color. It was this purple result that would eventually lead to the creation of the first synthetic hair dye.


In the 1800s, chemists discovered para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and its use in the creation of synthetic dye. At the same time, it was found that hydrogen peroxide was a gentler and safer chemical for hair bleaching. These two discoveries paved the way for Eugene Schueller, who created the first commercial chemical hair dye, which he christened "Aureole." That product would go on to be known as "L'Oreal." The double-process for dying hair blond soon followed, and in 1932 hair dye was further refined by Lawrence Gelb who created hair dye that actually penetrated the shaft of the hair. His company would be called "Clairol." Later, in 1950, he would introduce the first one-step hair dye product that actually lightened hair without bleach. This ushered in the modern era of hair dye, including the ability for hair to be dyed at home. "


Well.......should I or shouldnt I? What do you think?

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Vintage Movie Club


So much looking forward to this months movie !! The Tennessee Williams classic 'A streetcar named desire' from 1951 starring the incomparable Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando. I remember studying this play back in highschool, but about the only thing I remember about it is that Leigh's character, Blanche, stays away from bright lights to hide her age !!! What a thing to remember (probably something I need to start applying to my own life !!!!) !!!


Anyhow, the play not only won the Pulitzer Prize, but the film went on to have 12 Oscar nominations, of which it won 4 ! (Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White; Best Leading Actress; Best Supporting Actress; Best Supporting Actor)


This is deffinatly one not to be missed. Contact me through the comments page of this post if you would like more info about meeting times and places etc. We meet the third thursday of each month (Nov.19th) and this will be our final film for 2009, so we hope to see you there !!!
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