Lauren Bacall 1925 - 2014
She was, to my father who first introduced her to me, one of
the greatest lookers of all time. About
her and Suzanne Pleschette he’d wink and say “she could hurt ya”. To me, she was the original sexy chick.
The world first laid eyes on her in 1944’s “To Have and Have Not”
opposite Humphrey Bogart. They married a
year later, and were together only 12 years before he died of cancer. It was a great and true love
that by her own admission was far too short, and indeed, the things Hollywood
legends are made of. "She often referred
to it as the happiest period of her life".*
She was sultry, sassy, sexy, and playful. "With an insinuating pose and a seductive,
throaty voice — her simplest remark sounded like a jungle mating call, one
critic said"*. Indeed.
Check out these pictures: Now you know why people thought smoking was glamorous...
The 2 minute video below is a favorite of mine and a little treat on its own. If you've never seen it before, watch it to the end (so grab your ipad or laptop because sadly it doesn't appear on an iphone). It’s the scene she’s the most famous for, and a piece of movie history--the precise moment she went from relative unknown to cinematic superstar. All of 19 years old, purring like a kitten to the biggest star in Hollywood. No chemistry between these two. Nope.
Members of the sexy chicks club, we lost our President
yesterday. Let’s raise our martini glasses to Lauren Bacall. There’s never been another like her before,
during, or since, and there never will be again in our lifetime. I’ll drink to that.
* The New York Times, 8.13.14
Love this! Glad you remembered her, as her death was overshadowed somewhat by Robin Williams. Like that you are into older films, what's your favorite? Mine is "All About Eve"
ReplyDeleteGood choice! Bette Davis is never better than Margo Channing, cattily warning us to "fasten our seatbelts...", and who doesn't love revenge in the form of karma?? If you haven't already, check out a book called All About All About Eve, it's the go-to for this movie and a really fun read :)
DeleteCan't pick just one favorite, but on the list for sure are:
Casablanca, The African Queen, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (the original from 1941 with Robert Montgomery), Bringing Up Baby, My Favorite Wife, The Thin Man, Topper, The Odd Couple,West Side Story, Gypsy, Jaws, anything by John Hughes, Dirty Dancing, and The Notebook. If pressed though, I'd have to say my favorite movie is American Graffiti.
Thanks for asking and keep checking back. I'd love to do more posts like this.