Before there was Angelina Jolie, there was Claudia Cardinale. She reminds me of Angelina, but Claudia is earthier, more sensual, more European. Less otherworldly but so much sexier.
I first saw her in the Pink Panther when I was a little kid, and I was mesmerized by her. (So was my dad, who pointed out her attributes.)
I think Angelina comes closest to the old ideal of movie star beauty. Who else is there that will linger in the memories of today’s young moviegoers like Brigitte Bardo, Vivian Leigh, Sophia Loren, or Ava Gardner?
Are film stars less strikingly beautiful, or just less conventionally attractive? Is the old kind of beauty extinct?
What’s your opinion? And who are your candidates for passing the test of time?
I think Halle Berry will stand the test of time and Meryl Streep is probably already there.
Going way back:
Hedy Lamar
Paulette Goddard
Sophia.. after she had her nose made smaller than her boobs..
Tuesday Weld
..who was more beautiful than Ingrid Bergman???
Nobody mentioned Catherine Z and Salma H.. too vain and in your face? I say hubba hubba..
Apologies Dru! I actually think Tilda herself is cool.
However, I’ve noticed that over here in the united snakes she has suddenly become the thinking hipster’s number one celeb. They like to talk about how avant-garde she is (?) and invoke her wonderful aristocratic lineage (La Garconne does describe her as an “icon of ancient pedigree” in that article, btw). Nearly every piece I’ve read about Tilda Swinton online has had in it some undercurrent of snobbery and Eurocentrism (I can’t think of one Hispanic or African-American artist that has inspired the same sort of gushing praise).
So it’s not her, it’s just the particular tone of the worship she inspires over here that gets my goat.
Perhaps this is because where I’m from (Ireland; I just have the misfortune of living here) English aristocrats are commonly considered a bunch of useless, inbred cunts. I don’t know why anyone would invoke that as one of the reasons why somebody is cool, unless they are harboring some unconscious beliefs of ethnic supremacy.
Again, I may be just touchy on this subject because of where I’m from. And also again, I do like Tilda, I just don’t like all the references to her fucking pedigree!
annemarie- no need to apologise, really. But I swear, there’s no reference to Tilda’s pedigree anywhere on that page, maybe they changed the line or there’s a continuation of it that I missed.
I’m with you on the subject of hyped-up aristocrats, btw (Mitfords aside, and even that seemed largely because of the fact that there were so many of them than because they were posh)
Gene Tierney is mesmerising. Her gorgeous eyes stopped me channel flicking one day. I need to see more of her movies. Marilyn Munroe seems like a cliche, but when she’s on screen I can’t take my eyes off of her.
Most old Hollywood actresses were far more primed and preened than there current day contemporaries, so I don’t understand that criticism.
Current day, studios have less control over their actors image; Shots of someone jogging in the park, sweaty, hair pulled back, kind of kill the fantasy.
Then you have the fact that stars are far less chic. I guess when you don’t have the genius of Edith Head sewing you into something super stylish and sexy, then you’re going to pale in comparison.
Favourites: Lauren Bacall and Loretta Young
Vanessa Paradis, Natalie Portman and Louise Brooks all have faces to remember
Perhaps this is because where I’m from (Ireland; I just have the misfortune of living here) English aristocrats are commonly considered a bunch of useless, inbred cunts. I don’t know why anyone would invoke that as one of the reasons why somebody is cool, unless they are harboring some unconscious beliefs of ethnic supremacy.
Americans are fucked up about two things. One is race, and the other is class. For all the palaver about Progress and egalitarianism and self-made men (and women), there has ALWAYS been that fascination with the Old World, a misplaced nostalgia for some king of prelapsarian world inhabited by blue-blooded gentility, so different from the rough-and-tumble Americans!
*kind*
She pretty. Angie too pouty. And addicted to babies.
I like Tilda because she was the White Witch in the Narnia movie. She was perfect. Also she doesn’t wear a lot of makeup.
Helena Bonham Carter is also amazing. I’ve admired her forever, she has this great old fashioned look about her.
Love Claudia, such a gorgeous woman and so much better sexier then Angelina, who I recently heard from an amazing source, is a complete bitch
Erika – Yes, Tilda was a perfect witch.
I think the word you’re looking for, that best describes Bonham Carter’s look, is Dusty. Every time I see her I get the urge to whack her with one of those “old fashioned”, curly, wooden rug beaters.
myrna loy.
Agreed. Stone. Cold. Fox.
MW. x
When it will come to skin care surgical procedure which is truly solely required to increase appearance and self-image, you should most likely not be capable to rely on your insurance coverage. That is when your surgeon turns into over just a doctor.
I adore Angelina!
Marion Cotillard is stunning. It is effortless beauty. She never looks like she is trying to hard but I cant take my eyes off of her.
I’m not gay.
In my Mila Kunis just oozes SEX! Ridiculous?? Yes, it may be!