juliette binoche

the very french and phenomenal actress

myth of the mermaid

photos: actress marion cotillard in jean paul gaultier's gorgeous mermaid gown/early 20th century illustration

cornell woolrich 1903-1968

this excellent writer died just shy of the release of 'mississippi mermaid', the french film based on one of his books. his most celebrated movie credit comes from writing the short story which became hitchcock's 'rear window.'
after a brief marriage, the master at tales of suspense moved into the residential hotel in harlem where his mother lived. they shared this address for 35 years.

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song of the siren

long before 'splash' and darling eco-minded daryl hannah's real sea siren, there was 'mississippi mermaid.' the film is based on the great suspense novelist cornell woolrich's beautifully named book, 'waltz into darkness.' francois truffaut, one of the pioneers in france's new wave of cinema, cast catherine deneuve as the mail order bride of innocent jean-paul belmondo (man of the awesome visage) in the murder mystery he renamed 'mississippi mermaid.'
upon picking his new bride up at the dock, the hopeful husband sees that she looks nothing like the little snapshot of the woman he sent away for. but she does look like catherine deneuve! no problem, yet.
there is much to enjoy in one of woolrich's great stories. beauty abounds as one's sympathies are aroused.

by way of illustration

what's not to love?

ballet dancer, stage/screen actress, impeccable taste. considering her slight frame, when audrey hepburn drank her concoction of god's gift, it must have been concentrate. after years as a dancer, when she was told by nijinsky's teacher that her height would be a detriment to her ballet career, this belgian born enchantress turned her sights to the stage. the beloved french novelist colette took a look at her and found her 'gigi.' from 'gigi' to hollywood and the arms of gary cooper. four years later came 'funny face.'
filmed in 1957 in paris, this charming cinderella tale of a bookstore clerk turned into fashions next big thing is perfect for audrey. she and fred astaire sing, dance, laugh and love their way in and out of cafes. paris sizzles and so do they.

the new spirit of the 20th century

frances marion began her professional career as a screenwriter in 1912. this woman has over 160 film credits! tucked into this mountain of excellence is the script for 'dinner at eight.' this alone would secure her place as one of the greatest writers ever. it is the funniest, brightest, and most heartfelt dialogue you can imagine.
during the silent era she wrote as many as fifteen screenplays a year. in 1920 her screenplay 'the flapper' starred olive thomas and this film alone is credited with creating the craze that danced itself right into the jazz age. it introduced a new spirit in women that included shorter skirts, shorter hair, smoking and a more casual approach to sex.

the golden age of illustrations

a few stunning works of art from the silent era.

the original flapper olive thomas

someone had to be. after a brief marriage she made at 16, the unknown olive thomas left pennsylvania for new york and began working in a department store in harlem. her beauty opened one door after another. upon winning the contest to find the most beautiful girl in new york city, she became a favorite model which led to her star turns in the famous ziegfeld follies. silent filmmakers came calling and within four years, this woman who was now considered the most beautiful in the world was at the top of the ladder in hollywood, even marrying into the reigning dynasty of the pickford family.
the one film that is readily available to see is called 'the flapper.' several years older than her schoolgirl role, she is a refreshingly cheerful sight. even more amazing to me are the magazine drawings of her from the golden age of illustration.
at the age of 25, when her career was absolutely on top, she met her death in paris. silent films are a new adventure for me but i see what a lovely and easy spirit she brought to the screen.

dianne and edward

all she wants to do is help.

drama queen

dianne wiest is so special. her sweetness is just enough left of center to never be square. of all the films i have seen her in, her performance in woody allen's 'bullets over broadway' is tops. she had already worked in many of woody's films and they must have had a great time making this story of a young writer forced to deal with the mob. among the interesting cast of characters (jennifer tilly is super as a moll with acting dreams) is dianne wiest as a stage diva who loves to quote italian actress anna magnani's famous line, 'don't speak' as often as possible. she is really funny and won an oscar for this.
if one were to name woody's films that make the strongest impression, i feel sure this would be right up there.