Out of the Past

Friday, June 13, 2008

Get Your Read On

Since I work in the book industry, I feel a responsibility to talk about the wealth of great books out there on classic films. Yes! Everything from actor biographies, classic film studies to the personal film experience. Here are a few upcoming books that I would like to point out as potentially of interest to classic film fans. What better way to spend that stimulus check and buy some of these books from your local independent bookstore? The links below are all directed to a great local indie, Brookline Booksmith. Enjoy.

Ernie: The Autobiography
by Ernest Borgnine
9780806529417
Kensington/Citadel
$24.95
August 2008

Steve McQueen: A Life in Pictures
9781862058149
Anova Books
$40.00
July 2008

Choking on Marlon Brando
by Antonia Quirke
9781590200544
Overlook Press
$13.95
June 2008

Doris Day: The Untold Story of the Girl Next Door
9781905264308
Virgin Books Limited
$29.95
June 2008

True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess
9780312381943
St. Martin's Press
$14.95
June 2008

The Loveliest Woman in America: A Tragic Actress, Her Lost Diaries, and Her Granddaughter's Search for Home
9780060857707
William Morrow & Company
$26.95
June 2008

Carole Landis: A Most Beautiful Girl

9781604730135

University of Mississippi Press

$30.00

June 2008

(also check out the other books in the University of Mississippi Press' Hollywood Legends Series)

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Partying Norma Shearer Style

My good friend Kevin had his 30th Birthday party on Saturday night. On his invitation, it suggested that people dress as their favorite movie character. I decided to dress up as Norma Shearer when she played Jerry in The Divorcee (1930). There was one particular outfit she had on that I wanted to try to duplicate. It was a silk v-neck blouse with long sleeves (I'm guessing it's cream) and a high-waisted skirt. She also sports a cocktail ring and an art-deco necklace. And of course, her crown of curls which was Queen Norma Shearer's trademark. I like to think that my version was a contemporary take on that one outfit. I even had my hair done and don red lipstick to complete the ensemble. I'm happy to say that lots of other people joined in. Of those who were there included Clifton Webb, Carmen Miranda, one of the Slapshot Hanson brothers, Elaine Page's Juno, Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra, Faye Dunaway's Bonnie and Warren Beatty's Clyde, and even Johnny Depp's. One of my favorites was Olivia Newton-John's Kira from Xanadu.

Below is my original inspiration as well as me and Kevin (he's dressed up as James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause).