Disturbing Visages

Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls (2004)

Yikes!!!

I'm not one for internet memes, but there's a vid of Lindsay Lohan aging, from childhood to today, 25 years, compelling in its creepiness. It actually pains me to see this darling child morph over the years, looking more my age than her own.

In any case, the video is like a modern day vanitas. Here it is:

Disturbing. . . here's to hoping for happiness and good health for Lindsay and all of us poor mortals, suffering from the ravages of time.

It's Going to be a Bumpy Night

Bette Davis in Jezebel (1938)

One of my all time favorite actresses, Bette Davis, was born on April 5, 1908.

I've previously written about my adoration for her, but it's a topic about which I can endlessly discuss. Her sharp and snappy characters, so full of passion and vivacity, were always compelling, even if only in a "love to hate" sort of way. And her unique look, with those unforgettable eyes, had a commanding quality, a strange beauty.

All About Eve is one of my favorite movies. Bette Davis delivers on a perfect performance as Margo Channing. The manner in which she conveys subtle psychological nuances, in counterpoint to her overt "drama queen" campiness, brings about a rich appreciation for the character and her sad situation.

Bette Davis in All About Eve (1950)

So, let's take a moment to celebrate the wonderful artistry of this legend of Classic Hollywood.

Tomorrow Is Another Day

Vivien Leigh as Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)


It's been a while since I posted about a cinematic topic, but Vivien Leigh, one of the most breathtakingly beautiful women to grace the silver screen, was born on this day in 1913.

There is a cliche that great beauties are not great actresses, a sentiment that receives ample anecdotal evidence in the eye candy fluff churned out by the modern movie industry, but this fallacy crashes and burns when applied to Vivien. Two Oscars and a Tony Award are proof of her ability, as are the iconic performances that become immortalized in Hollywood history.

Were all of her performances great? No. She would occasionally let her looks carry the dramatic weight. Other times, it seemed as if the directing was showcasing the "pretty" and undercutting her acting abilities. Regardless, Vivien brought more stage presence and dramatic sensibility in her right eyebrow than you could draw out of a bevy of contemporary beauties.

Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind (1939)

So, let's take a moment to think about the many wonderful memories and images that Vivien Leigh has left us. What are your favorite scenes or lines?

Backwards and in High Heels

Today we celebrate the birth date of Ginger Rogers, born in 1911. Not only was Ginger one of the beauties of the classic silver screen, but she was hands down the best film dancer of her era. Yeah, that includes Fred. ;-P

I'm not a big fan of musicals, but a well choreographed dance number can grab my attention. And whenever Ginger is on stage, she will make even the most uninspired arrangement look like genius. With grace and poise, she sweeps the viewer away in captivating movement.

I can go on and on, but it's Saturday afternoon. And Ginger's moves can defend themselves better than even the most epic blog post that I can offer.

Bigger Than Life

Thirty years ago, Kim Carnes was dominating the Billboard Hot 100 with "Bette Davis Eyes". It would spend a total of nine weeks at the top spot and win the Grammy for Song of the Year. The song is about an aggressively sexual woman, with undercurrents of deception and objectification. Behind her external charms, she's a manipulative person, willing to use you for her own gratification.

"She'll take a tumble on you

Roll you like you were dice

Until you come up blue

She's got Bette Davis eyes."

Here's the original vid:

A great deal can be said for the vocal qualities of the performance or the engaging rhythm, but I think that the thing that makes this song stand out is the evocative qualities associated with the primary cultural reference, the "Bette Davis" eyes.