Golden Age of Hollywood
Audrey Hepburn: Too Beautiful for Words!
How can you manage to be both lovely and adorable at the same time – while pretending to yawn no less!? I’m halfway positive it’s a feat only Audrey Hepburn could pull off.
I have always loved this particular photo of Audrey. In fact, I think I love it MORE each time I see it. It’s a promotional pic for her wonderful film with Gregory Peck, Roman Holiday (Amazon DVD link).
The Audrey Hepburn Collection (HD Remastering) includes Audrey’s five best movies… I’d also throw in Charade:
Breakfast At Tiffany’s (Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen)
Struggling writer Paul Varjak moves into a New York apartment building and becomes intrigued by his pretty, quirky neighbor Holly Golightly. Holly’s lifestyle confuses and fascinates Paul; in public she flits through parties with a sexy, sophisticated air, but when they’re alone she changes into a sweetly vulnerable bundle of neuroses.
Funny Face (Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire)
An impromptu fashion shoot at a bookstore brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk.
Roman Holiday (Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert)
A young princess, tired of the constraints her position brings, runs away. She does not know the man who befriends her is a reporter out for her story.
War And Peace (Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Mel Ferrer)
By 1812, Napoleon’s forces controlled much of Europe. Russia, one of the few countries still unconquered, prepares to face Napoleon’s troops together with Austria. Among the soldiers are Count Nicolas Rostov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. Count Pierre Bezukhov, a friend of Andrei’s and self-styled intellectual who is not interested in fighting. Pierre’s life changes when his father dies, leaving him a vast inheritance.
Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, William Holden)
Bogie and Holden are the mega-rich Larrabee brothers of Long Island. Bogie’s all work, Holden’s all playboy. But when Sabrina, daughter of the family’s chauffeur, returns from Paris all grown up and glamorous, the stage is set for some family fireworks as the brothers fall under the spell of Hepburn’s delightful charms.
This excellent collection is a must have for any lovers of Old Hollywood. It’d also be a perfect gift idea.
I’ve added quite a few books to my Golden Age of Hollywood collection already this year (I’d have ever so much more money in my purse if I’d stay off Amazon and out of bookstores!) and you’re looking at one of my favorites. Audrey Hepburn in Words and Pictures is the sort of visually beautiful book she deserves.
Through discussions of her films, charity work, reminiscences from friends, and photographs of her looks over the years Audrey Hepburn reveals the woman and the icon.
Nearly two decades after her final film appearance, film star, style icon, and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn continues to captivate the world with her beauty, grace, image, and activism. One of the most successful and popular actress in the world, some of the greatest leading men in Hollywood shared the screen with Audrey. She was also one of the first activist stars as the public face of UNICEF for over twenty years.
Yet her life was not a complete fairy tale. She endured early life in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, and saw many children her own age shipped off to concentration camps. She suffered miscarriages and failed marriages, yet throughout maintained her grace and dignity as a public figure.
Audrey Hepburn explores her amazing life, with a special focus on her iconic films and fashion styles.
While the beautiful pictures are extraordinary, I also love all of the information about Audrey Hepburn, her movies, her wonderful charity work, and (of course) the always inspiring Audrey Hepburn quotes.
Speaking of the gorgeous photographs, there are many candids and behind the scenes photos I have, personally, never seen before… and this from someone who has been obsessed with Audrey Hepburn since the crib!
Audrey Hepburn in Words and Pictures is a stunning celebration of an incredible woman and activist – someone who left the world a better place. I found my copy at my local Books a Million, but you can also click the links within this post for more information AND buying information.
Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars
As I said in my last post, I’m an avid collector of all things “Old Hollywood” – books, dvds, magazines, photos, artwork, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, dolls… Books are something I add to my collection almost weekly. What can I say? Books are as big of an obsession for me as old movies are, so combine the two and I can’t stop myself or even slow myself down!
The book you see here, Movie Star Chronicles is one of the newest ones to join my collection. Naturally, my beloved Audrey caught my eye and into the cart it went. I LOVE that the publisher put three of “our” stars on the cover – Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando.
Beautifully done!
Audrey Hepburn’s Photo Spread
Many stars (“our” stars as well as modern-day stars) are featured in photo spreads like the one Audrey has (above). The stars have a “timeline” that features their filmography, including release dates and genres.
While I love the information, the gorgeous pictures are my favorite thing about this one. Look at the stunning photo of Greta Garbo below. Wouldn’t this photo make a gorgeous art print?!
Greta Garbo as Elizabeth Dohna
Book Description from Amazon:
Movie Star Chronicles promises to satisfy the curiosity of moviegoers, cinephiles, and the Hollywood-hungry fans that fuel today’s entertainment news industry. For film students, it is a practical reference to the most important actors in cinematic history.
Entries illustrated with film and television stills and other archival material chart the careers of 330 actors from the era of silent film to today’s blockbusters. Expert text gives an entertaining overview and color-coded timelines provide an at-a-glance guide to the actor’s career, their roles, movie release dates, earnings and awards.
With 576 pages and more than 2,500 illustrations for only $29.95, Movie Star Chronicles is an outstanding value. It includes:
- A to Z coverage of 330 movie stars, with extended entries for 100
- 20 feature articles on popular movie trends, including vampires; western heroes; singers turned actors; femmes fatales; saints and sinners; acting dynasties; combat stars; cops and more
- 30 lavish double-page photo spreads showing cinema’s most influential stars at work and how film has evolved from silent black- and-white to color 3-D
- 20 illustrated features on genres and trends, such as Superheroes, Acting Dynasties, Screen Sirens, and Movie Villains
- Color-coded timelines showing the arc of an actor’s career, including release dates and types of features, such as Criminal, Romantic Drama, and Thriller
- Best Actor awards: Oscars, BAFTA, Cesar (France), Goya (Spain), David Di Donatello (Italy), Golden Horse (Asia), Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance.
Covering Hollywood, Bollywood and world cinema, Movie Star Chronicles is truly international and comprehensive. Sure to attract a wide readership, it is an essential purchase.
Audrey Hepburn Timeline (continued on the next page in the book)
This big, beautiful book is an excellent coffee table book – one guests would love to lose themselves in. It would also make a gorgeous and much-appreciated gift, whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas.
Greta Garbo’s Photo Spread
I found my copy at the Ollie’s in town but I haven’t seen this one in any bookstores. They do have it on Amazon, of course, however. Pretty sure they have everything.
Take a closer look at Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars on Amazon. I highly recommend it.
I guess it has something to do with the fact that she’s so elegant and refined and the print, by comparison, is totally unexpected. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t just speak to me, it screams!
The print is available in many different sizes.
From Amazon:
Click here for a closer look!
Ever see something that is just SO in your wheelhouse that you feel like it was created with YOU in mind? I love Audrey Hepburn, I am obsessed with and even collect quotes (I have countless notebooks filled with favorites), and I have fallen hard for adult coloring books.
An Audrey Hepburn Quote Coloring Book?
Yep… pretty sure they had me in mind when they created this one.
Audrey Hepburn remains one of Hollywood’s most memorable and beloved actresses. A fashion icon and symbol of femininity and poise, she was more than just a pretty face, and her enduring wisdom and musings carry across generations. In this coloring book, you’ll find her words displayed as elegantly as they were spoken through stylish art to color.
Audrey Hepburn Quotes include:
“The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.”
“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles.”
“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.”
“Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.”
“There is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don’t need a bedroom to prove my womanliness. I can convey just as much sex appeal picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain.”
See She Said it Best: Audrey Hepburn Wit and Wisdom to Color and Display for more information.
The gorgeous Audrey Hepburn Tiffany’s Pillow Case above is just the thing an Audrey Hepburn fans wants… no, NEEDS in their home. You can buy your insert straight from Amazon or any department store (pillow inserts are blissfully cheap).
There is a second Audrey pattern available – but I personally think this one is perfectly irresistible!
See Audrey Hepburn Tiffany’s Pillow Case for more information.
When I was growing up, I loved dolls of every size and shape – Barbies, doll babies, paper dolls…. Still do, if we’re being completely honest. I mean, I try not to move them around and talk for them anymore, but my love of dolls has never ceased.
I never realized just how the love of dolls still resonated with me until I saw these paper dolls on Amazon and promptly threw each into the cart.
The Golden Age of Hollywood Paper Dolls (pictured at the top) was the first to catch my eye. This collection depicts 16 stars of the silver screen, each with a sparkling costume enhanced by a dash of glitter: Marilyn Monroe, Kim Novak, Gina Lollobrigida, Rita Hayworth, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and more.
The one pictured above is Glamorous Movie Stars of the 1950’s Thiscollection features Doris Day, Ava Gardner, Susan Hayward, Jane Russell, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, and Elizabeth Taylor. 8 dolls, 24 costumes. (many more paper doll collections are pictured below)
More Paper Dolls on Amazons for Collectors (or fellow doll fanatics who never quite grew up!):
Below are 4 more Golden Age of Hollywood Paper Dolls – Marilyn Monroe, Loretta Young, Rita Hayworth…
Below are 4 Paper Doll Collections for fans and collectors of Gone With the Wind and Vivien Leigh…
Below are even more beautiful paper dolls for collectors…
See Audrey Hepburn Quote Pillow for a closer look at this beauty. This would make a great gift idea – though, admittedly, I’m picturing it on my bed rather than in a gift bag… but that’s just me and my Audrey Hepburn infatuation talking...
I am absolutely loving the new “Handmade” department on Amazon. The talent of these artists is otherworldly – including the creative artist behind this beauty, “Audrey Rocks.”
See Audrey Rocks Poster
While on the page, be sure to check out the artists other works. Phenomenal.
The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name.
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.
Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)
We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)
The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)
The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)
The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)
Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)
El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)
Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)
Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)
The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)
Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)
To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)
Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)
Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)
The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)
More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews
I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn, A Personal Biography
Steps in Time (Fred Astaire)
Enchantment (Audrey Hepburn)
Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…
Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!
