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?
Claudia Cardianle is one of my all time favorites as far as elegance, charm and sheer beauty are concerned. As I speak french, the word that comes to my mind is “piquante”.
Who can come close? I really like Charlotte Gainsbourg, with a totally different style.
And forever, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
My favourite “Old Hollywood” beauties are both from the “Golden Age” – Gene Tierney and Veronica Lake.
Although I’ve never seen Angelina in anything I consider “good” I have to admit that her presence is enchanting and she is extremely interesting to look at. Marion Cotillard is my current fave. And say what you will about Nicole Kidman, she’s a classy babe.
I do agree though that the way of the true bombshell is gone.
I’ve seen Claudia in many movies; she was beautiful and she could act. Her dance with Burt Lancaster in “The Leopard” is unforgettable. All the actresses mentioned by SW were curvy, and some would be probably called “fat” in today’s tabloids. I think Angelina is shrinking in every movie.
How about men – do we have stars like Gregory Peck, Burt, Clark Gable, young Marlon Brando etc.?
Modern Day…I think Penelope Cruz is movie star glamorous…and she has Bardem…that sexy beast of a man.
She is an absolute stunner! I’m a big Sharon Tate girl, especially in ‘The Fearless Vampire Killers’, but I do get sad whenever I think about her.
I agree about Penelope Cruz, she has a very Bardot-esque vibe about her.
My dad pointed out Claudia Cardinale to me also – men must ‘ve loved her.
Other candidates;
Anne Bancroft, Diane Keeton, Michell Pfeiffer & Nicole Kidman. All managed beautifully to transcend several decades on the screen – not easy to do.
I liked Nicole Kidman much more with her original face.
Cate Blanchett (Heburnesque)
Tilda Swinton (Garboesque)
– if this posts twice can you delete one Sister W?
Oh, I think Penélope Cruz is a beauty for the ages, as is Marion Cotillard. Interestingly, though, their best work has not been in Hollywood, Inception and Vicky Cristina Barcelona notwithstanding- they’re a million times better in Spanish and French.
And yet, I really do like the looks of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kirsten Dunst- two relatively unconventional beauties by Hollywood standards, who are celebrated for that difference.
I really don’t know whether I should be talking about this at all, Sister- I’m more likely to remember Summer Glau or Morena Baccarin in twenty years’ time than any person from the big-time movies.
natural “gone with the wind” : Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, BB, marlene dietrich, Claudia Cardinale, Catherine Deneuve, Romi Schneider, Gina Lollobrigida etc..
not natural: A. Jolie…
Monica Bellucci, Nathalie Portman and Charlize Theron seem to be the best looking today
Nicole Kidman: wtf? NO.
Penelope Cruz: yes! yes! yes!
Angelina: I don’t get it. She’s too unhealthy looking to be sexy. And her bloody lips are too big (sorry).
Apart from Penelope, I think Monica Bellucci, Sophie Marceau and Kristin Scott Thomas each exude powerful feminine sexuality that’s almost dangerous and yet always dignified.
Note: None of my ladies are Americans. I don’t think Hollywood ladies are far too waxed and sprayed and starved to be able to authentically enjoy being female.
Shit!
I meant to say: I think Hollywood ladies are far too waxed and sprayed and starved to be able to authentically enjoy being female.
In my opinion, no one can touch Audrey Hepburn. As for recent times, my two favorites are Milla Jovovich and Claire Forlani. I think Violante Placido is really lovely as well.
Ooooh, more for my bombshell list: Charlotte Rampling, Gong Li, and Eva Green.
also, I agree with annemarie- Nicole Kidman is far too stiff to hold any appeal for me (and I am probably the only person in the world who thought Moulin Rouge was rubbish), though she does look better redheaded than blonde.
Monica Bellucci…clap, clap, clap!!
Apparently Nicole Kidman is DONE with botox!
Who can ignore her alabaster perfection in Cold Mountain?
Dru- I forgot about Gong Li, she is stunning.
Gong Li, Penelope Cruz, Eva Mendes, are the ones I think of. Angelina is certainly star quality but she lacks something and I have to say she was exceedingly thin in The Tourist whereas she used to be toned and honed but had a decent level of plumpness. I think it is hard to compare today’s crop with the hey day of Hollywood and the star system. Independence breeds anything goes and also I agree with annemarie – I agree with annemaire a lot I should speak to her on the phone we could chat for hours!
Charlize Theron. Totally a classic beauty. And a fantastic actress
Isabel Lucas: Not the best actress. but her looks are undeniable- she’s got the 60s 70s look down!
Monica Bellluci – Timeless beauty
Kerri Washington – amazingly beautiful . . . and those cheekbones!
Cricket9- no idea which of today’s Hollywood menfolk would really hold up as long-term greats besides Johnny Depp and Colin Firth, but I’ve always thought Heath Ledger was an amazing actor- it’s a tragedy that he died so young. And I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt has potential, too- he’s a fantastic actor who looks like pure sex in a three-piece suit.
In fact, the hottest actor I can think of who I’m pretty sure will not be forgotten in twenty years’ time, is someone who doesn’t even work in Hollywood- Gael Garcia Bernal (look up pictures if you don’t believe me)
Disclaimer: I fancy(ied) all the above rotten as a teenager, so might be biased- but I really do believe they are all brilliant.
Dru, I tend to agree; I have an ongoing crush on Johnny Depp (although I hear that his work in “The Tourist” is only so-so), yes to Gael Garcia Bernal, Heath Ledger and Colin Firth. One I don’t get is Colin Farrell…
Javier Bardem too!
And Maggie Gylenlenhall, she always comes across as intelligent and self assured, and of course she is beautiful.
Nowadays I think the only two ladies with the “old glamorous” Hollywood style are Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. They are not the prettiest, but they have the old touch, the charm. Charlize Theron is quite elegant and charming, I really like her, but something is missing in her in my opinion to look like the old Holywood stars. Nicole Kidman used to have it, but the plastic surgery ruined it. Angelina is the person who is closer to the “old beauty”, like Ava Gardner or Lauren Bacall, but she is too skinny and sometines doesn´t look good. Penelope is elegant, sexy and original, I love her (she is Spanish as me), but she is not in the top league, I dont think she is on the style level of Cate and Tilda.
The other in general are all terrible for me, some very spectacular like Jessica Alba or Megan Fox, but they look tacky and bland, without personality.
I think Guy Pearce is fantastic. Agreed with others on Gael Garcia Bernal (oh!), Johnny Depp, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Colin Firth.
Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Tilda Swinton are the first three that come to mind when I think of strikingly beautiful actresses today. Vikoria Winge is a lesser known favorite of mine, too.
I agree with Annemarie that today’s stars are overdone. The ones I think will last all have some uniqueness instead of trying to change their appearances completely (though past icons like Rita Hayworth did that, too) to look more alike.
I remember seeing Claudia Cardinale in murky black and white Italian “art” films back in the 50’s when I was trying to find my “style” and thinking European was the way to go. She was stunningly beautiful and, on seeing one of her early films a few months ago, probably a better actress than I gave her credit for at the time.
My all time favourite and the most beautiful female I have ever seen was Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones.
I have seen that movie at least 10 times just to see her divine beauty.
She had such a sad life that ended tragically.
But check out her photos.
Another vote for Claudia Cardinale
Sophia Loren. I remember watching her movies with my mum when I was
a child, ohhh sophia heavenly blessed beauty whos beauty is ever lasting
Mae West! Mae West forever. The young Elizabeth Taylor. Nigella Lawson
before she starting fucking with her face, I liked her big nose and unperfect teeth
Men = Clark Gable, young Marlon Brando, Keanu Reeves, Robert downey junior
Audrey hepburn has always annoyed me/never found her attractive or special
Shes kind of boring. But each to there own. Johnny depp looks to much like my dad
Depp never really did it for me anyway, but the day I realise he’s a younger version
of my dad just ruined it completely.
I’m always a bit ‘meh’ with Angelina, then I see her in a movie and i’m amazed at her beauty. Although I think she looks better with a few extra pounds…
I admire Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, Jean Serberg, Franka Potente, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli.
I don’t think the old type of beauty is extinct. I think you just have to dig a little deeper to find it amongst the overdone stars of today.
Men, hmmmmmmmmm. I’ve always liked ‘northern rough’ blokes like Albert Finney and Christopher Eccleston. They seem like the type who’d roger you senseless and then buy you a pint!
Christopher Eccleston!!! I’m hoping that you watch Doctor Who as well Esme!
But my soft spot is for Matt Smith despite his odd shaped face.
I personally think timeless beauty means intelligence so Natalie Portman gets top marks along with Cate Blanchett. French actresses win big for their French womanly ways. Monica Bellucci radiates female sexuality.
What’s the general consensus on models-turned actresses like Charlize Theron?
I can’t think of a good example aside from her.
I’ve never heard of this Claudia Cardinale woman before, but I googled her. I don’t think she’s at all attractive. Maybe in motion she’s pretty, but in pictures.. not so much. She doesn’t remind me of Angelina Jolie at all.
Although, I don’t think Angelina Jolie is all that pretty- striking yes, but not really pretty.
The French still have beautiful actresses, including the old ladies, like Emmanuelle Beart and Isabelle Huppert.
i agree with Angelina being too thin. She woud look amazing with more weight on her.
Also love Penelope, Tilda, Cate, Marion and Julianne Moore and Audrey Tatoo. If you haven’t seen A Very Long Engagement, you have to. Noth Marion and Audrey are in it and it is beautiful and well made with some surprisingly humorous parts. It’s also terribly romantic and sentimental. One of my favorites ever.
Also Isabella Rosellini. But she is the daughter of Ingrid Bergman so that is too easy.
I think Jennifer Lopez is really clasically pretty but she doesn’t play it up well. I love that she is not a stick figure.
And Maggie Gylenhall and Samantha Morton.
I agree with the votes for Cate Blanchett, too- she is spectacular. Ditto Tilda.
Also Audrey Tautou, she’s just mesmerising to look at onscreen.
erika- I remember that movie, so well! I loved both Marion and Audrey, to those of you who haven’t seen it M is pretty spectacular- at one point she uses a mirrored ceiling to commit a murder. Great stuff.
Acting skills aside, Monica Belluci, Salma Hayek, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and not an actress, Dita Von Teese.
And I will throw in Scarlett Johansson as well.
More for the consideration: Anjelica Huston, Pam Grier and Uma Thurman (two words: Kill Bill).
Elaine- models-turned-actresses are fine by me if they can act, or at least make halfway entertaining movies. And several of them do. Christina Hendricks used to be a high-fashion model before quitting to become an actress, and I’d say she’s a pretty decent one, too.
Kate Winslet!!
Another Old Biddy – I love both of them too.
BUT I don’t love Penelope Cruz! I feel bad about this, but I just don’t like her.
Dru – GONG LI, yes, she is so beautiful. She is a grade A Beauty.
Andra – Oh god, Dorothy Dandridge is gorgeous, I had no idea!!
annemarie – I don’t know why Angelina had to be so thin. Something is wrong with her, I think.
Ana – YES!!!!!!!! I forgot about Kate Winslet, but you’re right, she is a classic Film Star beauty. She is magnificent.
monica bellucci and gong li are both ridiculously beautiful. also, her me-me-me personality aside, i think tyra banks has an incredible face, as has mrs. david bowie, iman.
and don’t kill me for this, guys, but whenever i see a pic of that vapid kim kardashian without her pounds and pounds of make up on, i’m convinced that she is a real, 1950s old school movie star beauty. she is forbidden to talk, though, or to bring her family.
I think it’s style of make-up, bearing, roles played and mystique more than a type of face or woman that’s been lost. There are a lot more actresses – especially a lot more ‘famous’ actresses now, and a lot more films. A far wider range of genres and film styles, too.. a lot of/most films that come out now just aren’t old-world classy. It’s hard to compare top actresses when they’re in completely different professional context.
My favourite woman of all time is Jane Birkin.
But I agree with Claire, i do think women in the public eye are less beautiful now we just see more of them and the mystique is simply gone. Totally different contexts.
Correction “Not Think”
Goodness me, how could I forget Kate Winslet?
Faye Dunaway. Susan Sarandon. Winona Ryder.
Al Pacino, Roy Scheider, Richard Chamberlain.
Monica Vitti.
Julie Christie in Billy Liar…
Anjelica Huston. but she’s basically passed the test already (I think?)
Claudia from the original inside cover of Blond on Blond, the image was removed in 68 and is missing from all subsequent issues.
http://www.searchingforagem.com/1960s/blonde.htm
I’m sick of Tilda Swinton! No: I am sick of Americans professing their love for her! Is it because she embodies a kind of anti-plastic look that is not seen in Hollywood? Or is it because, as this article states, she is “an icon of ancient pedigree”?
http://www.lagarconne.com/store/feature/Tilda_Swinton.html
I nearly vomited when I read that. I think there’s something very repulsive about aristophilia, especially in America. Of course, it’s not poor Tilda’s fault. However, she was in the movie I AM LOVE, which is probably the silliest film ever made. She’s a good actress though, I’ll say that for her- she had the shittest non-script to work with and still somehow managed to make you care for her. And she also is very striking. But I refuse to worship her because she’s considered posh, or stylish, or “other-worldly.”
annemarie: I’m not American, and I love her anyway. The lagarconne entry says nothing about her pedigree, though (weird word- I always tend to think of it more in connection with dogs, cats and racehorses than human beings).
Also, in this day and age, talent is at a bit of a premium- people who look as striking as she does and can actually act are a bit rare, to put it mildly. I’d much rather look at her than at the nth blonde starlet Anna Wintour decides to turn into her pet project of the year.