Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The last Hollywood movie star



I miss the old days of Hollywood glamour and mystique. The golden years, so to speak. I never lived through them (obviously) but I miss them.

There was something so impossibly fabulous about Hollywood in the first half of the century. Southern California was a dream world filled with movie star bungalows, palm trees, Rolls Royce convertibles, picturesque beaches amidst a coastline of mountains, and the sparkling Hollywood sign.

Those things might still be there today, but it’s different. It’s crowded. It’s crime-ridden. It’s filled with reality television wannabes desperate for a 15 minutes of fame they don’t deserve but receive anyways. It has lost its sparkle.

And I feel the same about the movie stars of today. While women like Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, and Cameron Diaz are undoubtedly beautiful, they are nothing compared to the dazzling silver screen stars of the early 20th century.

Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly are icons. No one today comes close.

One of the last real movie stars who I absolutely adore is Elizabeth Taylor.



I recently saw her as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Looking breathtakingly sexy in her silky slip, Elizabeth hisses to her on-screen husband, Paul Newman, “I’m not living with you. We occupy the same cage, that’s all!” Meeeyow! Liz’s ability to crack a whip with her lips is a talent that’s hard to match.

Whenever I see one of her old films—Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, in particular—I am always intrigued by the vulnerability and strength depicted in her acting. And every time she bats her legendary violet eyes, I feel myself sucked into a world where my own problems and disappointments don’t exist.

She might not have been a perfect person when it came to marriage and putting down the bottle, but when it came to being a movie star, La Liz knew exactly what she was doing.













Who is your favorite Hollywood star, past or present?

45 comments:

Leah said...

I agree with you... gone were the days of real Hollywood glamour. I love Liz Taylor too... and Audrey Hepburn.

Have a great day! xoxo

OneCraftyFox said...

Oh, you are fab!! I am totally in love with old hollywood glam. I'm not trying to self promote or spam (I promise) but in my Etsy shop I have an entire section dedicated to the ladies of that film era.

Hope you are having a great and relaxing weekend!

Sherin said...

I love the look of Old Hollywood Glamour as well. It was so pretty and all the actresses were truely beautiful!

little luxury list said...

Elizabeth Taylor was simply stunning. I can't really think of too many Hollwood glamour type of stars - is it because there are too many? There were quite a few knockouts at the Oscars - Penelope Cruz, Rachel McAdams, Kristen Stewart. Perhaps there's still time!

www.janetteria.com said...

Just J'ADORE! :)

Vix said...

What a lovely post! Liz Taylor was a stunner.
I think part of the old school glamour was the mystique, no intrusive papparazi shots or heartfelt reveal-alls about relationship break-ups and so forth.
Lady GaGa was being interviewed on the BBC last week and said that she loved her fans and wanted to show her respect by always wearing make-up and making an effort with her appearance - what a star.
Vix
xxx

Etrapar said...

I would def chose Vivien Leigh ^.^
kisses&take.care

JoaNNa said...

Wow she looks gorgeous in those pics! I love Audrey Hepburn too ;) In the present I like Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston ;)

Iulia Romana said...

Past,for sure.
Love the photos with feathers arounf her neck !

COCAMIA said...

There will never be another Elizabeth...EVER!

Imogen said...

I love this post because you are so right. Hollywood glamour is absolutely stunning and I agree with you about Elizabeth Taylor.

yiqin; said...

Liz taylor is stunning.

Cafe Fashionista said...

Oh, I am far too obsessed with Old Hollywood Glamour...this post is just phenomenal, Jen!

I've always adored Liz Taylor, as well; though I find that Bonita Granville has always struck a chord with me. She played the original "Nancy Drew" back in the 30s. I will forever adore her!! :)

daisychain said...

Best post I've read all week x

Josie said...

Absolutely agree -- old Hollywood is my love. Audrey Hepburn is my absolute favorite -- such beauty and class.
xxoo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

oh how i love to live those days back again. the glamour is legendary.

xx,
betz
http://herarmoire.blogspot.com

FASHION CHALET said...

You know mine is AUDREY ;)

but I also love the sweetness of Sandra Dee.

I miss how women were portrayed in film before. Feminine, classy, reserved, but smart. Now it's just skin and sexy dressing. I miss the hairstyles and lovely clothing from before...


xx

Melanie's Randomness said...

Jen I can't agree with you more!! So true. Hollywood has become so "The Scene" & your right that 5 minutes of fame. The presence those ladies had, like Liz taylor is remarkable. Also not one of the hollywood glamour days had any CGI, it was their acting that made the films so great. I miss those days too!! =)

Amber Lucas A Mused Blog said...

I'm reading her biography right now!

My favorite actor ever is Humphrey Bogart.

Amber
ambersmouthwash

Nubia Mejia said...

She's so pretty and classy and your totally right about how they use to have that certain mystery

Nikosmommy said...

I've always been a fan of Lauren Bacall. I lurve her smoldering eyes...
And Liz is a true hollywood legend..and maybe even more so because of her tumultuous personal life!

Chicago Chic said...

I so agree with you!!! Old hollywood is gone forever I do believe, and hollywood today is dirty and crime-ridden...nowadays it is not the sparkly setting that is portrayed on TV. You are awesome for posting this, we should always remember the beauty of a wonderful past era! :)

xo
Rachel

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

She was so beautiful! Those pictures are iconic.

perfectionishuman said...

Old Hollywood just seems a little.. sinister to me :/ idk why. Other than the usual audrey/grace/marilyn/ holy trio.. I'm obssesed with Lillian Gish.

Ton Amour said...

Sophia Loren/Jean Seberg.

SabinePsynopsis said...

Yeap, she was quite a stunner, Liz was; and I guess her presence as an actor had something to do with the intensity she lived her life. My alltime hollywood goddess is still Lauren Bacall, the coolest lady ever!

Sierra said...

Elizabeth Taylor is gorgeous, I loved Princess Grace and many of the other timeless stars, great pictures!

Hope you are doing well!

Couture Carrie said...

I "miss" those years, too, darling!
Gorgeous post!

xoxox,
CC

Treacle said...

Grace Kelly all the way.

Most movie stars just don't have the same class, elegance, or presence as those glamorous ladies of yesteryear. It's kind of sad really...

bryna said...

nice post. there's definitely something very striking about elizabeth taylor.

Unknown said...

Audrey hepburn hands down!!!

And I totally agree with you, I LOVE old movies. So much more meaning and just wonderful!

Hope you had a great weekend, and HAPPY MONDAY girl!

Hope all is well!

Tina Tang said...

I must agree that the old Hollywood glamour is gone. Elizabeth Taylor looks breath taking in those photos!

Heather Taylor said...

Amen to that! Liz was a fierce, strong woman in the acting world. She held her own ground and didn't let anyone tell her what to do. I admire her wholeheartedly...actresses today are just not as talented. Except for Kate Winslet. She's an exception.

Ela said...

Her eyes kill me. They're so beautiful. And you're so right, nowadays the stars are more like little strumpets, LOL.

I adore Audrey Hepburn.

MariahSmile said...

I know what you mean. Audrey Hepburn is my absolute favorite!

o said...

i'm with ya, i love the old hollywood glamour. liz taylor is absolutely gorgeous! hope u had a great weekend!

TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

My mom adores her...even bought all her perfumes! I love Lana Turner!
Hope you have a lovely week J!
xo as always*

JoaNNa said...

a blogger award for you!
http://rainbowinthegloomysky.blogspot.com/2010/03/muchas-gracias.html

xoxo

Tights Lover said...

Great post, I couldn't agree with you more. Hollywood just isn't the same anymore. I have this argument with one of my friends at least once a week...hahaha!

Audrey Hepburn is definitely my favorite...by quite a wide distance, too!

Iva Messy said...

she really has that old hollywood glamor!!

Gorgeous Glam said...

I did a post on La Liz a month or so back too! she is stunning. I totally agree with you on the the Hollywood movie star thing. It's not the same anymore. And the reality tv stars are running fame thru the mud. I long for the old days of glamour and poise. Like Swanson and Garbo! There's always hope...xoxo

Glam Girl said...

I miss those times too! I love Audrey Hepbrun, she's a true fashion icon!

http://keepingupwithglamfashion.blogspot.com/

amy said...

Elizabeth Taylor is absolutely stunning. She takes my breath away with all her pictures of youth.


I love your thoughts
So real and true,
glad someone sees it the same way as me


love always :)
hope to hear from you

xo amyy!

WendyB said...

She was so GORGEOUS! I always think my mother looked a bit like Liz back in the day :-)

Unknown said...

love the old time glamour. fashion these days could never match it.

Missy
For everything about fashion:
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com