Forum Banners 2014

[Barbara]

Just wanted to thank everyone who commented on the banner, and especially Bryan, who always seems to keep the banners fun and exciting. Such a fun place to check in and see our favorite girl. I know I tend to be a little over the top fan of Doris, and every time I think about backing off a bit, I get a sweet letter from her, like the one that came in yesterday.
So what can you say, they just don't make em like her anymore.

[webmaster]

Thanks Barbara, and all.

Here's another one.



Which is a version of Doris' stylish shampoo ad from the fifties:

[Barbara]

Love this banner Bryan, I can remember this Shampoo.

[melancholy]

Lovely Dorissy banner!

[howard]

One of the best!

[webmaster]

Thanks.

A brief goodbye to Lauren Bacall - I always liked her, I must admit. She's getting a good send off on the TV channels in the UK. Someone asked if she was the last of the great Hollywood leading ladies, to which the reply was, 'No, Doris Day and Joan Fontaine are still with us'. Aren't there any more? !!

[puck]

Great banners Bryan, it's sad news about Lauren Bacall, she was a great actrice and a beautiful woman.

[Jas1]

The current banner is just perfect - RIP Lauren Bacall.

Bryan - to answer your question, isn't Arlene Dahl still with us, and of course my own Maureen O'Hara. Joanne Woodward is too and must be getting up there well into her 80s?

[jmichael]

Bryan,

Joan Fontaine died late last year; however, her older sister, Olivia DeHavilland is still alive, as are Maureen O'Hara, Arlene Dahl, Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Joanne Woodward, Polly Bergen, Janis Paige, Dorothy Malone and who-know-who. Forgive me if overlooked any other leading ladies from the golden era of Hollywood who are still among us. I know I've overlooked someone.

Michael

[howard]

Gloria DeHaven, and Sophia Loren.

[paul]

104 year old, two-time Oscar winner for Best Actress, Luise Rainer.

[jmichael]

Thanks Howard and I also forgot Shirley MacLaine.

Michael

[howard]

She was a biggie if anybody was! Always enjoyed Shirl!

[webmaster]

Thanks Michael - forgot Debbie - I think they may have been talking 'old hollywood' in mentioning Lauren Bacall's peers - not sure how that works out. Doris was a 'young entry' to that group, Sophia even younger - not sure if it would include Kim Novak but don't see why not. Not sure if Janice Paige was a leading lady? Ditto Joanne Woodward? But glad that we still have many with us. Oh yes, Shirley MaClaine.

[howard]

I'd definitely call Joanne Woodward a leading lady, but not Janis Paige.

[jmichael]

I was being kind.

Michael

[jmichael]

My parameter was anyone who starred in major Hollywood films during the golden era which I define as the 1930's, 40's and 50's. My cut off was anyone who became a star after the 50's or thereabouts. This isn't scientific, it it?

Michael

[Barbara]

All our news here in the US has been about Robin Williams that committed suicide Aug 11th, has been non stop on the news, so sad. Just wish he could have gotten some help before this happen. As far as Lauren Becall, She will be missed and was a pretty good actress. She just kind of impressed me with a personality that was kind of cool and aloof. And I think I read somewhere when she was young, she was real shy and just developed this personality to help cover up her shyness, and it came across even in her acting on the screen, said she was real nervous in her first picture, and this was a way she use to cover up from being so nervous. She use a real husky voice and kind of a sultry look to go with it. If you like that kind of personality that is OK, but I will take Doris personality 10 times over any day of the week.

[Doris Martin]

All our news here in the US has been about Robin Williams that committed suicide Aug 11th, has been non stop on the news, so sad. Just wish he could have gotten some help before this happen. As far as Lauren Becall, She will be missed and was a pretty good actress. She just kind of impressed me with a personality that was kind of cool and aloof. And I think I read somewhere when she was young, she was real shy and just developed this personality to help cover up her shyness, and it came across even in her acting on the screen, said she was real nervous in her first picture, and this was a way she use to cover up from being so nervous. She use a real husky voice and kind of a sultry look to go with it. If you like that kind of personality that is OK, but I will take Doris personality 10 times over any day of the week.

I do feel the same...

[webmaster]

Via Howard:

Lauren Bacall interview with Charlie Rose 1994:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsR62eNHUdM

[webmaster]

My parameter was anyone who starred in major Hollywood films during the golden era which I define as the 1930's, 40's and 50's. My cut off was anyone who became a star after the 50's or thereabouts. This isn't scientific, it it?

Sounds a good definition, Michael. That would include our own Joan Collins (born 23 May 1933), who "made her Hollywood debut in Howard Hawks' box office disaster, Land of the Pharaohs (1955)" (Wikipedia).
Or would it?

I just remembered Mitzi Gaynor.

[Ania]

Wonderful banner♥ She left a great star and a legend of cinema[*]
Bacall's parents were Jewish immigrants of Polish-Romanian roots, and she was a relative of the former President of Israel Shimon Peres, who was born in Poland.


Ania

[jmichael]

I have a lot of respect for Bacall. She was smart, liberal, assertive and no victim. She did not suffer fools gladly and she managed to keep working well into her 80's. She wrote several best selling autobiographies and starred in several successful stage productions, winning multiple Tony awards in the process. There are many stories out there about how she could be brusque and dismissive. I witnessed her behave that way once in a public setting. But she really was an original and she had a unique allure that was all her own.

Take a look at the current crop of film stars and tell me if you see anyone quite like her.

I didn't think so.

Michael

[Jas1]

I agree Michael.

[melancholy]

And Betty White (92),Zsa Zsa Gabor who turned 97!