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“You just put your lips together…and blow”
Long time readers of my drivel will realise I just love using a title that will immediately cause panic in Amanda’s hacienda…..allow me these small indulgences ladies.
My subject today is Women In Film, here on International Women’s Day which celebrates all of us too wherever we are on the girlie spectrum.
I adore a femme fatale…or a slightly shady lady in film and particularly film noir. I’m going to give you a list of actresses and their roles that have really impressed my, or inspired me somehow, and I’d love to hear yours as well. I’ve have my favourites in order of preference here but really I love them all for different reasons:
1. Lauren Bacall as Marie “Slim” Browning in “To Have And Have Not“. Emma’s Notes: Whenever I am being coquettish, which is often, I have her in my head, standing in a doorway lighting a cigarette when she looks waspishly at Humphrey Bogart and says “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and … blow …”
2. Marlene Dietrich as Lola Lola in “The Blue Angel“. Emma’s Notes: In this role Ms Dietrich is absolutely sex-on-a-stick. I think it was made in around 1929/1930 but the sexual tension is rampant in it…courtesy of the great Dietrich. Do yourself a favour and listen carefully to the words of “Falling In Love Again” and tell me it does not resonate with many of you. I’m also thinking of adapting her other song from the movie “They Call Me Naughty Lola” as my theme song.
3. Jamie Lee Curtis as Helen Tasker in “True Lies“. Emma’s Notes: I could have actually written “Jamie Lee Curtis in…Absolutely everything”. She is a stunning looking woman and who among you has not imagined yourself doing that dance scene?
4. Anjelica Huston as Mae-Rose Prizzi in “Prizzi’s Honor“. Emma’s Notes: Has there ever been an actress who looks so much like a first class transvestite who actually isn’t? Anjelica is certainly tall and beautiful with slightly mannish features. Tall tgirls could do worse than model themselves on her and she oozes class in this gangster revisionist drama. Check it out ladies if you’re looking for an A Grade “look”.
5. Lynda Carter as Diana Prince in “Wonder Woman“:. Emma’s Notes: Yes I know it was a TV show BUT it was filmed so I am claiming it on this list. I have watched every episode of this series several times yet can not tell you the plot lines of any of them. I saw her recently on Danoz Celebrity Home Shopping and she is still gorgeous. If only…..
6. Lauren Bacall (again) as Vivian Sternwood Rutledge in “The Big Sleep“. Emma’s Notes: Yes, she made it again, and again playing with Bogart in a thriller. She is dame not to be messed with, a liar, a gambler, and she walks over anyone in her way. Just fabulous!
7. Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens in “To Catch A Thief”. Emma’s Notes: As many now know, Alfred Hitchcock was a dirty old perve who loved blonde seductive actresses like Tippi Hedren, Eva Marie Saint, and of course Grace Kelly. She is the perfect foil to Cary Grant’s urbane retired cat burglar as the spoiled rich American girl looking for thrills in Monte Carlo.
8. Danny La Rue as Fred Wimbush in “Our Miss Fred“. Emma’s Notes: I actually watched this yesterday on 9Gem. I know this is a very contentious entry but Danny La Rue looks absolutely stunning in this 1970’s very British comedy.
9. (Dame) Diana Rigg as Portia in “Julius Ceasar“:. Emma’s Notes: Well before Mr Gravity took hold, Diana Rigg, in my humble opinion, was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Seeing her ponce about in tight sheets in Julius Ceasar was about the only way you would have got me to watch any Shakespeare back in the day and I love Shakespeare now because of it. She was so ****ing hot as Emma Peel in The Avengers, as many will recall, so much so that I took her character’s first name as my own.
10. Ursula Andress as Honey Rider in “Dr No“. Emma’s Notes: She makes it purely for that scene walking out of the water in that white bikini. She can’t act to save herself but who cares?
So there you go. That’s my list straight off the top of my head….who do you think makes the grade?
Oh and Happy Birthday Amanda for yesterday!! (You probably thought you’d slipped that one past me hey?)
xxxxxxx
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10 Replies
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Well Ms Emma !!
That’s an impressive list of some of the most beautiful women who have ever lit up the screen with their presence.
I share your views on them especially the adorable Diana Rigg, not only for her extreme gorgeousness but also that sublime voice.
Anyway thanks for making me think about putting together a similar list
xxx
Caroline -
Emma
Your list was an extraordinary group and to compile a new list of 10 was rather difficult but here goes. I clearly remember, as a kid seeing many movies with the first three as stars and thought they were just the most beautiful women imaginable. A few more contemporary Actresses from then on to complete the list.1. RITA HAYWORTH :- A 40’s era “Love Goddess” who was the most popular pin up Girl during WWII , I think her gorgeous body adorned the nose section of some B17 or B 25 bombers. She was Fred Astaires favourite dance partner and considered herself the antithesis of the characters she played.
2. MAUREEN O’HARA a fiery red head who starred alongside John Wayne in many movies and was called the “ Queen of Technicolor”
3. GREER GARSON another 40’s screen goddess who had five consecutive Best Actress nominations. Her movie with Walter Pidgeon “Madame Curie” about the discovery of Radium set me on my path to a career in Chemistry.
4. SALLY KELLERMAN . aka Hot Lips Houlihan in the movie MASH . Pure, Extreme Sexiness!!
5. JANE FONDA as Barbarella and so many other movies where she is just stunning!
6. CANDICE BERGEN noted for her roles playing outspoken feminists. “A Glacial Beauty
like Grace Kelly.7. DARYL HANNAH aka Elle Driver in KILL BILL or Pris in Blade Runner Original movie
absolutely awesome looking woman in both roles.8. UMA THURMAN Gorgeously tall star of Kill Bill and PULP FICTION and her ourfit in
that movie is just mindnumblingly sublime and a match for Diana Rigg dare I say !!.9. ROSAMUND PIKE the star of “ Gone Girl” .Id never seen her before until that movie but
her icy cool character was unforgettable. A deleriously Beautiful Woman.10. JOANNA LUMLEY more a TV star than Movies but her character in AB FAB as Patsy .
What Transwoman didn’t want to look like her at least at some time ?Lots more but I think a fair limit is 10.
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How can I disagree with people with such good taste as Emma and Caroline?
Marlene Dietrich was amazingly attractive her whole life and a wonderful and courageous woman.. My personal favourite is when she played an older film star and foil to Jimmy Stewart (Theordore Honey) in a movie that was my inspiration for my career No Highway in the Sky
How about:
Karen Black, especially as a transwoman in Come back to the five and dime, Jimmy Dean Jimmy Deam. Also playing next to Cher too.
Dominique Sanda with a voice like an espresso martini in 1900 and The Conformist. And, please, a nod to the recently departed Max von Sydow who starred with her in Steppenwolf.
Where to start and stop with the presence of Charlotte Rampling? Her look, ‘mysterious, sensitive, and ultimately tragic’ according to Dirk Bogarde.
Another woman who has been amazing and gorgeous for such a long time is Catherine Deneuve. Let’s not forget Juliette Binoche. It was impossible to take my eyes off her all through The clouds of Sils Maria.
Penelope Cruz with sizzling sexuality and energy, say for example ‘Pain and Glory‘
Maggie Cheung filled out a catsuit just as well as Ms Peel in Irma Vep and was drop dead gorgeous in 2046.
Time to stop now. Where is Lorraine when you need her for all things cinematic?
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Excellent submissions ladies…and me being I cannot help but add some comments:
Caroline – OMG you reminded me of so many screen stars that hadn’t even crossed my mind! Rita Hayworth was a Goddess…breathtakingly beautiful…and Greer Garson!! Maureen O’Hara in “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” and one of my favourite films “The Quiet Man”. Oh and here’s a fun fact: a really good friend of mine is a bestie of Joanna Lumley! She’s hugged her (often) and I’ve hugged her (often)! So hug me and you’re one degree away from hugging Joanna
Just a thought…
And Paula you clearly love the art house scene as I do….Charlotte Rampling OMG! Have you seen “Zardoz”? I hope you have because I sometimes think I’m the only person on earth who has seen it and it is fabulous xx -
Be prepared for a big hug next time we meet! and I’ll imagine you are Joanna.
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So interesting Emma. Many of the female actors (us old people sometimes call them actresses even if it is politically up some people’s noses) I watched were definitely heart throbs of mine.
1. Eva Marie Saint may have been the first, starring in Hitchcock’s “North by North West” (1959). This platinum blonde blew me away; I wanted to marry this woman!
2. Jackie Weaver wearing miniskirts in some Australian TV series in the 60’s was awesome. I wanted to marry this woman!
3. Julie Christie appeared in one of her first roles in a British TV series called “A for Andromeda” and I was hooked. I am not sure what the show was about; I just wanted to see her in it and I wanted to marry this woman!
4. Kathleen Turner whom I loved in her films in the 80’s with that Douglas guy: Romancing the Stone, War of the Roses, Jewel of the Nile. I wanted to marry this woman, but by then I was already taken (sigh).Other actresses that I admired, but did not propose to, included:
5. Lauren Bacall in those lovely films with hubby Humphrey.
6. Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca” (Bacall did the narration but only later became romantically linked to Bogart.)
7. Grace Kelly in “High Noon”
8. Katharine Hepburn in “The African Queen” with the ubiquitous Mr Bogart.
9. Brigitte Bardot. I never saw her in a film but she was damn sexy!
10.Cate Blanchett who I first saw in “Elizabeth” and subsequently in many other great films, and which is the name of my hairdresser.
There may be others, but those are my Top Ten. A special mention goes to Joanna Lumley whom I admire immensely especially as she has great legs and is not afraid to show them! -
My dear ladies.
I’m totally surprised the crème de la crème didn’t even have a mention.
Audrey Hepburn. An all round amazing woman. Who hasn’t endeavoured to model themselves on AH, both men and ladies. An amazing person; fluent in both English and Danish, an absolute thorn in the sides of the Nazis during WW2, some of her family lost their lives during WW2. Possessed gorgeous looks, absolute style, a real lady. I’m reliably told AH wasn’t a bad actress either. Who wouldn’t have married AH given half the chance; if you could afford her. An ambassador to the United Nations, can’t remember just what for, but I think centred around children and young people. A great human being indeed. By the way, AH was also a ballerina of some repute; this I may add gave her poise. All those women already mentioned had merit, but non could match AH, she was a stunner. Looks is one thing, however AH was an all round resplendent woman. -
I’ll be Purdey for you anytime Caroline
Love your list Martina! Casablanca is my favourite film of all time and I’ve watched it many many times..it has everything: Bogart (swoon), Bergman (delicate but with steely determination), Peter Litre (brief role but WHAT impact!), The Blue Parrot, Claude Rains (swoon at as in!), Nazis, Free French, etc etc Fabulous! I shall daydream of being Ilsa once again in that last scene at the airport…..sigh
Liz you are quite right in What you say about Audrey Hepburn however these are individual lists and we all have our favourites…..I couldn’t even squeeze Barbara Carrerra or Phyllis Coates (my first live) in to mine x
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Yes, Emma, I too have watched Casablanca umpteen times and loved it every time. I think that puts us in the Incurable Romantics basket, or perhaps some other basket which I won’t mention!
PS I think you meant Peter Lorre; perhaps your spell checker needs a kick in the bollocks! -
Perhaps I should have put my glasses on too Martina? The Pope is right you do go blind.
I can see you and I arm-in-arm walking off, backs to the camera, with you saying “You know Louie...(my middle name is Louise sis did you know that?)….”this could be the start of a beautiful friendship”
