The Barefoot Contessa (1954)

***This post contains spoilers***



I haven’t seen the film The Barefoot Contessa (1954) in years. The film stars the wonderful Ava Gardner and the legendary Humphrey Bogart. I was discussing this particular movie with a friend the other day because of Bogart. We actually started talking about the film Sabrina (1954) and how Bogart was perfect for the role of Linus Larrabee. Yes, 1954 was a great year for this very talented man.



Joseph Leo Mankiewicz, the writer and director of The Barefoot Contessa, created a film that was by no means original; it was essentially a Cinderella story with a tragic ending. However, I loved that he created a character like Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner), a dancer from Madrid who becomes an international star almost overnight.



I had issues with various elements of the film, including Ava’s performance. However, there is no question that she was perfect as Maria Vargas. She was sensational! The film is unconventional in a lot of ways. For example, it deals with sexual dysfunction and female sexuality, topics that, I’m sure, were rarely addressed on film in the 50s. Maria uses her beauty and star power to full advantage. Sure, the film sexually objectifies Ava’s Maria Vargas. But Maria is always in control of her sexuality, and it’s that freedom that leads to her death at the hands of a jealous husband.



Another great thing about the film was the participation of the Italian actor Rossano Brazzi. He played Maria’s husband, Count Vincenzo Torlato-Favriniin, in the film. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; I love Mediterranean men. I found Brazzi’s performance quite effective.



Ah, Rossano, if only I had a time machine.

Fashion Icon: Audrey Hepburn

The TLC special The Greatest Fashion Icons in Film ranked various legendary movie stars and compared them to contemporary actors (see previous post). They gave the title of most fashionable goddess of the silver screen to Audrey Hepburn. They also declared that no contemporary actor can compare to this phenomenal woman. I couldn’t agree more.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Below are a handful of pictures of Audrey Hepburn, one of the silver screen’s greatest beauties. Her unique beauty and sophisticated demeanor are difficult to imitate. I could go on and on about how amazing she is, but I’ll just let these images speak for themselves. My favorite Hepburn films are Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Sabrina. I should review these films at some point, and I will if time permits.

Fashion Icons, Past and Present

About a month ago, TLC aired a program called The Greatest Fashion Icons in Film. Apparently, they got a team of experts to rank the most fashionable icons in cinema, and they also listed contemporary actors that resemble these iconic stars. I found some of these comparisons quite accurate. Or, at least, they felt right for some reason or another. For example, they compared Madonna to Marlene Dietrich. Good call!



To give another example, Leonardo DiCaprio was anointed the new James Dean by these folks. Ok, that makes sense.


Here’s Cary Grant and George Clooney. I can see it.


Of course, I didn’t agree with some of their comparisons. I cannot believe they likened Gwyneth Paltrow to Grace Kelly. I can see a few similarities, but these women are on different levels. Grace, of course, is a Hollywood legend, and Gwyneth is, um, a successful American actor. Yeah, she’s an Academy Award winning actor, but that doesn’t make her Grace Kelly.


I also don’t think Catherine Zeta-Jones is the new Elizabeth Taylor. Don’t get me wrong; Catherine is a beautiful woman, but she’s no Elizabeth Taylor.


I was ambivalent about most of their other comparisons. They declared Scarlett Johanssen the new Marilyn Monroe. Well, ScarJo does have some things in common with Norma Jeane (curves and breasts!), but she’s also quite different in a lot of ways.






Here are a few more pictures of other stars—Brigitte Bardot-Halle Barry and Greta Garbo-Hilary Swank.




For a more complete list visit the Cinefille Blog.

Timeless Beauty: Elizabeth Taylor

Thank goodness for TMC and AMC, two cable channels that show commercial-free classic movies. A few days ago, while channel surfing, I stumbled upon the 1951 Oscar-winning film "A Place in the Sun.” I hadn’t seen it in ages. I must say, Elizabeth Taylor is without question a Hollywood icon. What a stunning beauty. And Montgomery Clift is a great leading man.









Montgomery looks a little like Julian McMahon in this picture. Actually, I think it’s the other way around; Julian looks like Montgomery. Hot!