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Post by Doghouse6 on Jan 11, 2018 23:56:15 GMT
Doghouse6 re: the 9 faces .. does it say anywhere in the books (which I, btw, do not have  ) how the author came to choose those particular lovely ladies to feature ? It might be an interesting thing to know, with all the many incredible faces of the time period, how /why those ?
You have but to ask, and voilà! Author Larry Carr on Swanson, Garbo, Crawford and Dietrich in "Four Fabulous Faces" introduction: "Why these Four Fabulous Faces? Why this choice? Because more than any other of their contemporaries, these four living legends have lasted longest, endured best and still are outstanding and shining examples of beauty and glamour, continuing to possess those qualities which still attract and fascinate, and still command attention, enthusiasm and appreciation."Author Larry Carr on Davis, Hepburn, Del Rio, Lombard and Loy in "More Fabulous Faces" introduction: "The choice of these five subjects was achieved only after looking at literally thousands of photographs of faces that once lit up the screen. Some had beauty that lasted for just a short time. Others were photographed only from certain angles and thus had a tiring sameness. The truly Great Faces were those that endured but changed with the times, possessing a variety of looks, moods and expressions. The five faces presented here are unique, and each is a striking contrast to the other four."However one feels about his choices and rationales, I can't think of a thing to add. |
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Post by BATouttaheck on Jan 12, 2018 0:11:36 GMT
Doghouse6as always .. thanks ! I really like the longevity and lack of sameness rationale behind his great choices. did i mention that i don't have the books ?  I have to think about who I might include in such a book if I were to make such a book ...
aha ... thread idea ^^^^^ ! Anyone who wants it can have it .. free .. gratis ... New Year's Present.
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Post by mikef6 on Jan 12, 2018 2:02:28 GMT
I don’t think the quotation about being “big” is finished until Joe gets his response:
Joe: Wait a minute, haven’t I seen you before? I know your face
Norma: Get out! Or shall I call my servant?
Joe: You’re Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures – you used to be big.
Norma: I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.
Joe: Uh-huh. I knew there was something wrong.
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Post by mikef6 on Jan 12, 2018 2:03:53 GMT
Ed Sikov’s book on Wilder, “On Sunset Boulevard: The Life and Times of Billy Wilder” (1998) talks about the search for Norma. At one point, Wilder said that he had thought about a Hollywood comedy for a long time. “God help me, I wanted Mae West and Marlon Brando.” It seems he never took steps toward this. Wilder had Garbo over to his house and had several comeback movies pitched to her. None of them was SB, but there was one where her character would narrate after her death. Garbo wasn’t interested. Wilder phoned Pola Negri but her accent was too thick so it didn’t go farther than the phone call. Wilder and writer Charles Brackett went over to Pickfair to talk to Mary Pickford. Brackett was telling her the plot when Wilder stopped him saying, “I’m sorry but it’s no use. The story gets very vulgar.” Wilder asked George Cukor for his advice. Cukor recommended Swanson.
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Gubbio
Sophomore
@gubbio
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Post by Gubbio on Jan 12, 2018 13:30:50 GMT
"Alright Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up" |
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Jan 13, 2018 16:41:52 GMT
Some "Nora Desmond" skits from The Carol Burnett Show, enjoy!  |
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