Classic Hollywood Beauties

[wondergirl9847]

I've never seen GWTW (don't care to, either), but I've seen Streetcar (one of my fave movies). Vivian was pretty, but I'm sticking with Grace....the Princess.

[heyjupiter678]

Originally Posted by dissention

She was considered a great beauty and a great actress.

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by dissention

She is. Katharine was stunning back in her day. She was considered one of the big gets for any movie, they used to call her The First Lady of Cinema. She was at the height of her beauty in Woman of the Year, IMO. They actually wanted her for Gone With the Wind instead of Vivian Leigh.

Katharine Hepburn campaigned for the part, but Selznick wasn't convinced. Probably Cukor would have preferred her who was a dear friend, since from day 1 to be on the set with Vivien Leigh was a hell (Gable hated him too), and he had to resign. The only serious opponent to Vivien Leigh had been Paulette Godard, but they couldn't hire her because she was Charlie Chaplin's companion and they weren't married. Actually their story was already over, but Hollywood preferred not to risk.

Romy

[amber]

Originally Posted by dissention

That's alright because it just proves you're wrong.

She was considered a great beauty and a great actress.

No, that doesn't prove i'm wrong. weak try, though!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Serrart

Katharine Hepburn campaigned for the part, but Selznick wasn't convinced. Probably Cukor would have preferred her who was a dear friend, since from day 1 to be on the set with Vivien Leigh was a hell (Gable hated him too), and he had to resign. The only serious opponent to Vivien Leigh had been Paulette Godard, but they couldn't hire her because she was Charlie Chaplin's companion and they weren't married. Actually their story was already over, but Hollywood preferred not to risk.

Romy

Also, wasn't this during the time when Katharine had quite a few bombs? She only had about two hits from '36-'40 and even Bringing Up Baby didn't do so hot, even though it's now considered a classic. I think her first big comeback was The Philadelphia Story, but I could be wrong.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by heyjupiter678

What a stunning photograph!!!

Everytime someone mentions Katherine Hepburn - I just see her all old and shaky....so thanks for posting that - she was indeed a great beauty

btw...I still think Vivien Leigh is more beautiful

[amber]

Originally Posted by Serrart

Katharine Hepburn campaigned for the part, but Selznick wasn't convinced. Probably Cukor would have preferred her who was a dear friend, since from day 1 to be on the set with Vivien Leigh was a hell (Gable hated him too), and he had to resign. The only serious opponent to Vivien Leigh had been Paulette Godard, but they couldn't hire her because she was Charlie Chaplin's companion and they weren't married. Actually their story was already over, but Hollywood preferred not to risk.

Romy

Selznick was also not convinced Bette Davis was pretty enough. had the same concerns with Katherine Hepburn.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by amber

No, that doesn't prove i'm wrong. weak try, though!

Regardless if you think she looked like a horse or not, it's simply a fact that she was considered a screen beauty. Her unconventional looks are what made her one. Same for actresses like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, they weren't beautiful in the traditional sense of the word, but they were when you saw them onscreen.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

I always wanted the dolls...never got them though

Then one Christmas I had this best friend right - and her parents always gave her everything her little heart desired...well I was MEGA into GWTW - and she sort of liked it - well - she asked her parents for all this GWTW stuff...and of course got it ALL - a music box, posters, movie = all sorts of stuff...and all I got was the movie....she didn't even truly LOVE the film..I was SO jealous lol...she's since given away all the stuff (and NOT to me...) so annoying

This is not an old one but an anniversary edition. Unfortunately something bad happened to it in my Dad's attic and the green dress is no longer green

That's too bad that your friend did not give you any of her GWTW stuff, I'm sure she knew how much you loved it too, that %#*@%

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by dissention

Also, wasn't this during the time when Katharine had quite a few bombs? She only had about two hits from '36-'40 and even Bringing Up Baby didn't do so hot, even though it's now considered a classic. I think her first big comeback was The Philadelphia Story, but I could be wrong.

As far as I know, you're right. She was starting to be considered box office poison so preferred to come back to theatre where had a huge success in The Philadelphia Story alongside Van Heflin (they also had a little fling). When the movie version was going to be produced she wanted Spencer Tracy (my all time favourite, by the way ) in Dexter part; she was craving to work with him since she had watched Captains Courageous. He couldn't accept the role, though, because was still shooting Stanley and Livingstone. So she opted for Cary Grant. Van Heflin was sure to have Connor role but she and Grant asked for James Stewart.

Sorry for rambling but I love Hollywood history.

Romy

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Serrart

As far as I know, you're right. She was starting to be considered box office poison so preferred to come back to theatre where had a huge success in The Philadelphia Story alongside Van Heflin (they also had a little fling). When the movie version was going to be produced she wanted Spencer Tracy (my all time favourite, by the way ) in Dexter part; she was craving to work with him since she had watched Captains Courageous. He couldn't accept the role, though, because was still shooting Stanley and Livingstone. So she opted for Cary Grant. Van Heflin was sure to have Connor role but she and Grant asked for James Stewart.

Sorry for rambling but I love Hollywood history.

Romy

Well, when she went back to the stage after a few film bombs, she was vilified by critics AND fans, and her plays went belly-up at first. This was when stories were starting to leak out about her haughty behavior on film sets and there was a backlash regarding her "masculinity." Thankfully, she came back with a vengeance. I'm still amazed at how big of a comeback she masterminded. She won Oscars in the 60s, for cripes sake!

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by dissention

Well, when she went back to the stage after a few film bombs, she was vilified by critics AND fans, and her plays went belly-up at first. This was when stories were starting to leak out about her haughty behavior on film sets and there was a backlash regarding her "masculinity." Thankfully, she came back with a vengeance. I'm still amazed at how big of a comeback she masterminded. She won Oscars in the 60s, for cripes sake!

According to the reviewers in the early thirties her style of acting was too stiff for theatre. Dorothy Parker didn't help her either, writing in a review that in a certain play she ran the whole gamut of emotions from A to B.

The Philadelphia Story, and shortly after The Woman Of The Year, have been the turning points. Tracy, IMO helped her a lot to gain more confidence and be more realaxed in front of the camera. He was also the reason why she didn't have any serious trouble with the Committee for Anti-American Activities, after that Adolphe Menjou (the j**k ) had strongly recommended to investigate on her.

Romy

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Serrart

According to the reviewers in the early thirties her style of acting was too stiff for theatre. Dorothy Parker didn't help her either, writing in a review that in a certain play she ran the whole gamut of emotions from A to B.

Yeah, but there have been lots of stories floating around that the reviewers were just ticked off at her for going hitting the stage. The reports of her supposedly bad behavior were pretty widespread and they kind of viewed it as 'Who does this Hollywood bitch thinks she is, leave the stage to actors.'

Originally Posted by Serrart

The Philadelphia Story, and shortly after The Woman Of The Year, have been the turning points. Tracy, IMO helped her a lot to gain more confidence and be more realaxed in front of the camera. He was also the reason why she didn't have any serious trouble with the Committee for Anti-American Activities, after that Adolphe Menjou (the j**k ) had strongly recommended to investigate on her.

Romy

Many people hated her in Hollywood because she was so outspoken and if she didn't like you, she made it a point to let you and everyone else know. The lack of make-up and the pantsuits didn't help, either. TPS and WOTY are both fantastic films, though I have a greater affection for WOTY. I used to watch that one every day when I was little.

[David]

Originally Posted by Serrart

Katharine Hepburn campaigned for the part, but Selznick wasn't convinced. Probably Cukor would have preferred her who was a dear friend, since from day 1 to be on the set with Vivien Leigh was a hell (Gable hated him too) and he had to resign.

Romy, actually Cukor was by all accounts firmly in favor of casting Leigh once he met her. His resignation (a firing, really) had nothing to do with Leigh. He & she remained really close friends for the rest of her life. He was part of her inner circle.

[amber]

Originally Posted by dissention

Regardless if you think she looked like a horse or not, it's simply a fact that she was considered a screen beauty. Her unconventional looks are what made her one. Same for actresses like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, they weren't beautiful in the traditional sense of the word, but they were when you saw them onscreen.

I'm not speaking about what i think of her, i'm saying she wasn't really considered a great beauty. We disagree. ATD!