The Life, Times and Thoughts of a Classic Filmfan

Stockholm, meeting Maureen O'Hara, there ARE some changes made & a temporary goodbye

2010-09-01T17:38:00.013+02:00

As much as I tried to prevent my blog from becoming like my old diary ("Oh yes, by the way, it's not 1998 anymore, it's the year 2000 now!") I have to say: it's been a while, now isn't it?
I have left you all on the brink of going to Stockholm and Ireland, to meet up with three friends I made because of Youtube. So, I'd like to turn back the clock about two months (a while indeed!) and tell you about my journeys.

Stockholm was really fun. I loved the city, and talking about classics with Sara. I was a bit nervous at first but it turned out to be that it wasn't necessary at all because we could get along very well. And we watched seventeen (!) movies in ten days -- starting off with 'An Affair to Remember', accompanied by.. pink champain (Only real classics fan know why this should be the common way of watching 'An affair' -- and 'All About Eve' with a martini or a milkshake, for example)!

Together we headed to Dublin and met up with Ilaria. After two days of discovering the city we went to the airport where our travelling group would be completed by Karin. After a short flight we raced to Glengarriff with our rented car, because we were invited to a party at the golfclub Maureen O'Hara is the president of and which Maureen herself (!) would attend as well. We made it on time (despite taking one wrong turn and having to dress up -- what do you wear when meeting a movie legend?!) and there we finally were..

I believe I kind of squeaked and grabbed Ilaria's arm while murmuring "Oh my, I can't believe this" when we walked into the golf club and saw Maureen sitting there and looking amazing.
She was so nice and interested when we all introduced ourselves. Before she left, people had and wanted to have their picture taken with her, and they said to us we could have our picture moment tomorrow. But then Maureen looked at us and said: "They don't have a picture yet!" and started moving towards us so we could have a photo with her. It was a great night.

The next morning, however, I got a call. It was my mum, telling me that my dad, a heart patient, was brought to the hospital, that his condition was critical and that I had to come home as soon as possible. Suddenly it was like my life had turned into a bad soap opera. The girls were very sweet, comforted me and arranged a flight for that same day. I have never been so scared and wanted to go home so badly in my entire life, I can tell you.

After arriving home, my family and I experienced a few nerve-racking days. My dad had to have an operation, not without risks. But thank goodness, he made it. Altough he had to stay in the hospital for eight weeks and it will take much longer to revalidate, he made it and that's the only thing that matters. And since a week, he's home again! Finally, a happy ending to this summer.

It's no coincidence that I decided to write something here again today, because exactly one year ago, I posted my very first blogpost in here. I wanted to make a few changes in my life -- being more creative, spending more time with my friends and simply take a few new roads to break through the daily treadmill. And there are some changes made! In about two weeks, I'm going to England for five months as an exchange student -- something I'm very excited about! Also, because of this blog, I've been able to practice my writing (in English) a little. Another great thing about having this blog was the feedback and compliments on all of my drawings, which was such a motivation for me to draw more!

(speaking of my drawings, after I left Ireland, the other girls gave Maureen the drawing I had made for her, and took this picture for me:

And oh yes, and did I already mention that it's SIGNED?!)

I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with this blog now. As much as I enjoyed mainly focussing on classic hollywood and mixing that with writing about my life, I feel like it's not enough and beyond my abilities to keep a whole blog on. It also feels like lots of things I've posted here aren't that well written and/or interesting.. I do have lots of other interests besides Classic Hollywood (although classic film is an important part of me), but I wonder if that would be too much a random mix of subjects for one blog, haha.
Perhaps I just need a fresh start.. erase the old posts, change the title and url.. I need to figure out how, what and when again, just like one year ago.
But writing here again after two months also made me realize that I love blogging and that it wouldn't be good to quit doing it forever. Or even for about one year. So you'll see me around again on blogger (:

Before I finish this 'temporary goodbye-speech' of mine, I just wanted to say that I never, ever expected my blog to be read by so many people. Getting over fifty followers. All those nice, interesting, supportive and funny comments -- the idea that people take the time to read what I have to write and even enjoy it.. it's fantastic. So thank you. Thank you so very much for everything.

-- Loes.

Tickets to a Classic Summer

2010-06-14T02:49:00.004+02:00

It's about four in the morning. My Microsoft Word screen shows a freshly finished essay (the last one of the bunch) yet to be submitted, and on my floor lies an open suitcase yet to be fully packed! The last few weeks all I've been doing is writing like crazy, feeling like Hildy Johnson again, but now I slowly feel the 'His Girl Friday'-esque stress flowing out of me. Freedom for now!
Tomorrow (or actually, later today..) I have to submit the essay, arrange a couple of things at uni and head straight to the airport from there. Yes: *imaginary happytapdance* The Airport.

I'm going to STOCKHOLM to meet Sara, a friend of mine! I got to know her about a year and a half because of Youtube: I commented on her classic film tributes, she sent me a message, I replied and it wasn't until long that our mails became "as long as 'Gone with the Wind' ". We did find out that we are ridiculously similar in so many ways, and talked on MSN messenger for hours. The fact that this summer, there's a festival in Stockholm because of the Royal Wedding, made a pretty good extra 'excuse' to finally meet up in real life. :D I'm very, very excited about this, and you know what?

This isn't even ALL yet!

After spending ten days in Stockholm, we will head to IRELAND together. There we will meet up with two other Youtube-classic moviefriends, Ilaria and Karin. Then the four of us will tour through Ireland and go to the MAUREEN O'HARA FILM FESTIVAL, where Maureen herself will attend (!!!) some of the film screenings.

Doesn't this whole holiday sound like a classic movie fan's dream? It sure does to me. I can't wait. :D

Movies watched this year: 37 (For some reason I think this amount will somewhat... increase this summer, hihi)
Last Movie: The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2

More things you should NEVER say to a classic movie fan

2010-05-04T00:28:00.007+02:00

And when I say never, I mean, really... never :P

"Oh yes, Howard Hawks.. he was a great actor."

" 'The Women'? Is a film from two years ago considered a classic as well then?"

"I think they should colorize all of these oldies, it will make them look much more cheerful!"

"Katherine Hepburn? Oh my, did Audrey have a SISTER?!"

"I don't think 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' has a really clear plot."

"This guy wearing a trenchcoat and playing in that boring war movie.. you know, what's his name.."

"Why did they talk so much and so fast?! And chasing a leopard? That was so.. unrealistic."

"I love classic movies! I mean, Jurassic Park I is one of my favorite movies ever."

"Of course I know Marilyn Monroe: She's the actress portrayed in these colourful paintings."

"So yeah, the movie was about a guy in a wheelchair, looking at his neighbours and discovers a murder -- that's about it, actually."

Have you heard it? They will make a great new film starring George Clooney! It's called 'The Birds'..."

*desperate gesture towards heaven*

Movies watched this year: 32
Last Movie: Prospero's Books

Something you do not expect to find in a psychoanalytical-related book

2010-04-27T21:39:00.001+02:00

Last week I had to give a presentation about a text I did not understand at all. And when I say not at all, I mean it like.. in the "not understanding why Ted Turner colorized 'Casablanca' "-kind of way. Yes, I was that puzzled.

So, as every desperate-yet-geeky --or the other way around-- student would do, I headed to the library for explanatory books about the psychoanalytical theory I had to *shiver* talk about. I did find the books, and although they cleared up things for me a little, I still wasn't able to really grasp the text. Thank goodness, in the lecture, it turned out to be that it simply is a difficult text and that it wasn't just me being stupid ;D

One of the books I borrowed explained the theory with the help of illustrations, and one of the illustrations I simply HAVE to share with you:

Seriously, randomly finding Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart during these desperate research hours was the best thing that happened to me in that day, haha. I mean, it's a book that has nothing to do with anything classic film-related issues whatsoever!
What intigues me the most about this illustration though, is not the fact that it's in the book, but that the setting is 'Casablanca'-themed, and for some reason the person who has made the image, has used a photo of Lauren rather than Ingrid!

I guess this person knew that Lauren and Bogie were married? Perhaps the illustrator was a fan of them as a couple? (But then again, how couldn't one be? :D) It could've been that (s)he liked both Lauren and 'Casablanca' and wanted both these element to grace the illustration? Or maybe the illustrator wasn't a classic Hollywood connaisseur at all and mixed up Ingrid and Lauren? But no, it's too much of a coincidence that (s)he picked exactly the actress Bogie really loved instead of Ingrid, isn't it?

Hum. Maybe I'm putting way too much thought in this fact, but really, these are the first questions that hopped into my mind when I noticed the image ;D And I am still wondering -- oh, the mysteries one faces in this world!

Movies watched this year: 31
Last Movie: Four Weddings and a Funeral

Quotes and a Drawing IV: Sophia Loren

2010-04-23T03:18:00.001+02:00

Wise words by Sophia Loren, drawing made by me!

“If you can learn to use your mind as well as your powder puff, you will become more truly beautiful.”

“I really don't care much about the weather, because when you are surrounded by very nice people and the people you love, you don't really care about the weather, do you?”

“I've never tried to block out the memories of the past, even though some are painful. I don't understand people who hide from their past. Everything you live through helps to make you the person you are now.”

“I’m convinced that outward beauty is directly connected with inward beauty. Eyes are not simply beautiful because they are big and wide set, but also because they express something that radiates form the inner woman.”

“Clothes make me vulnerable and beautiful, shy and daring. With clothes you can - just like your mood - take every turn.”

“Success, I would find out, is interior. It has to do with self-fulfillment and the joy of living.”

“My life has been almost completely fulfilled. I said 'almost' but I have no regrets. I'm proud of what I've done with myself.”

“When the lights went down and I was alone with Rita or Linda or Tyrone, I was suffused with the feeling that that's what I was put on earth to do, to act, to express myself, to let out whatever feelings I had inside.”

“It's better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.”

“Styles go in and out of fashion, fads appear and disappear, gowns are short, then long, and then short again. There is nothing solid on which one can rely. The only really concrete things on which you can depend, although they may seem abstract, are your relationship with your surroundings, your estimation of yourself, and the feeling you have of what kind of person you want to be.”

“The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking: love, for those you are cooking for.”
“I always wake up early and jump out of bed – sometimes not wanting to, because one can always find an alibi not to exercise – and then I take a walk for an hour. And as I walk round the park I always think, 'Maybe round the corner I am going to find something beautiful.' ”

“Style must be adapted to the woman and not vice versa. The same can be said of clothes.”

Movies watched this year: 31
Last Movie: Four Weddings and a Funeral

Rivers and Films do have something in common

2010-04-18T00:11:00.001+02:00

"What I love most about rivers is: You can't step in the same river twice" is wat Pocahontas --to keep up with the Disney theme-- sings in the song 'Just around the Riverbend'. I honestly believe that with films, it's exactly the same: You can't watch the same movie twice.

When you watch a motion picture for the second (third/fourth/fifteenthhumIguessIhavewatchedCasablancaaboutthatmanytimescough) time, the way you experience it will never be the same as the first time you've watched it.
The most obvious reason is that you know (parts of) the plot by now; you'll probably remember when the suspense, kisses and that one snappy conversation you really loved take place, and you can recall when the leading actor has his "No, don't move to the other side of the world with your new fiancee, because I've loved you all along this film, but I couldn't tell you this right from the start for the sake of giving the viewers a film in the first place!"-moment too.

I also think that it really matters how you feel and how life's going when you watch a film again.
For instance: when one of the characters feels happy, does a tapdance and fitting music seems to come from somewhere out of the sky, it's not only likely that you're watching a musical, but also that the way you perceive this particular moment depends on whether you're sad or happy. When you weren't feeling great the first time you've watched the musical, you might have been thinking: "Snap, I'm jealous; wish my life was all about tapping and singing in unison, instead of climbing mountains of homework.." -- However, when you were feeling great the second time, your thoughts could've looked like: "Woohoo, this is EXACTLY how I feel too! I love this character, (s)he's just like me!"
The way you look at a film depends on how you feel -- your mood influences which quotes, soundtracks and moments, just to list some examples, stand out. (Sidenote/yellow post-it paper kind of remark/by the way: This all also goes, in my opinion, for watching a movie for the first time).

The song I've started this post with is actually the cause of me writing this, because as I wrote before, it made me realize that fifteen years after I first listened to it, It has a different meaning for me now --it's more meaningful, if you will. (: While I thought about this fact, I came to the conclusion that this isn't only the case with this song from 'Pocahontas', but with the film in general. And with all other movies I've seen twice or um, even more often.. So age sure plays a part as well in the way you interpret a film!

All the points mentioned above are only a few things that will make watching a film again a different experience every single time. If you watch a film either at night or when it's broad daylight influences the experience too, and so does the weather (No, I'm so not kidding in here -- seriously, try watching the same film noir both during a dark, dreary night and a bright sunshiny day ;D), if you watch a film when you're in love or not, with others or alone, on a big silver screen or on Youtube. Knowing more about the genre, actor, actress, era than the first time you've watched it.. the list of things that will play a part in seeing a film diferently the next time could go on and on.

The sentence "The water's always changing, always flowing" follows after the first line of 'Just around the Riverbend' -- films really are like this streaming water. And no, of course nothing changes inside the film itself, the film seems (a little/lot) different, because by the time you watch the film again, you and the circumstances have changed.

Movies watched this year: 30
Last Movie: An Education (And it was really great :D)

Disney's Jazz

2010-04-10T02:13:00.003+02:00

Because of writing my last post and the comments I got on it afterwards, Classic Disney film-related thoughts were happily flowing in my mind for the last couple of days, and in particular the songs in Classic Disney films.
I always thought that I started to know and like swing/jazz after my first encounter with Frank Sinatra's voice and Gershwin tunes -- but I've discovered that this isn't true at all. Oooh no. I think it's all because of Disney; just watch and listen to this, this and this.. and this too! (Oh, aren't hyperlinks great? They are like screwball comedies, you never know where you're going to end up. Therefore they are the perfect way to RickRoll somebody.. But, I would never do that! *I swear* It's safe to click, really: never gonna let you down ;D)

A reminder: In the good ol'days of the 1990s and videos, one wasn't able to choose a language from a menu with languages from all over the world; you simply bought a tape (subtitled) in your first language. Since Disney -- and other children's films as well -- are always dubbed, I never got to know the English versions of the Disney songs in the pre-internet/Youtube days. Now you might think: "I know that Loes, and why are you bringing this up in the first place?" Well, because after hearing the English versions later in life, I figured that some of the voices did sound so... familiar to me.

Of course: Disney always picked the best actors, actresses and singers to work with, but HOW swell is it that in the 1955 film 'Lady and the Tramp' the character Peg was created for nobody less than Peggy Lee? (And what about the fact she co-wrote the lyrics of six (!!) songs in that movie too?) That Phil --The Jack Benny Show-- Harris did the voices of both Baloo in 'Jungle Book' and Thomas O'Malley in 'The Aristocats'? That the voice of Duchess in the latter belongs to Eva Gabor, and Louis Prima did the voice of King Louie in 'Jungle Book'?

Seriously, I never really realized classic actors/singers I listen to or know now, were voice actors and singers in Disney Classics as well! Altough I didn't hear them singing in the versions I've watched as a child, the music was the same, and the Dutch singers did truly wonderful renditions of the songs too (I dislike dubbing, except when it's done in children's movies. And Disney always does a great job with picking the voices). So, I guess that watching lots and lots of these films as a child unintentionally yet obviously layed the foundation for my love for old time songs.. (;

Movies watched this year: 28
Last movie: Monster-In-Law (Yeees. Sometimes I just feel like watching movies like this, okay ;D)

Movie memories

2010-04-05T20:24:00.002+02:00

Let's picture the setting the biggest part of this particular blog is placed in. The year? A day in 1995. The place? A cinema somewhere in The Netherlands. The event? A little girl going in that certain year to the pictures for the first time in her life.

Haha, okay, it's not too hard to guess that girl is me. Altough I was only five years old, I do remember the cinema that was once a theatre, chairs furnished with thick red velvet and ditto curtains draped alongside the screen. Everything was impressive and big, which had certainly nothing to do with the fact of me being small. Of course I wasn't stepping through this new place in my life alone, I was there with my mother, the girl-next-door and my best friend in-one (she still is) and her mother.

The film? Disney's 'Pocahontas'.

I can't recall the exact thoughts I had during the film, only that I really enjoyed it (and that one of the mum's had brought lollipops, yellow-pink ones -- the selective memory of a five-year-old is clearly evident at this point!). I also do remember that my friend was crying at the ending of the film. Which is totally logical, since the film is romantic and the ending is like a sadder version of 'An Affair to Remember'!

Something I do not remember myself anymore, but which is a typical "I'm-your-mother-and-I-remember-this-for-you-so-you-can-use-it-as-an-anecdote-in-your-later-life" thing I'm told, is that all the way through home, I was singing a medley of the songs in 'Pocahontas', filling in the words I couldn't exactly remember with my fantasy. Out loud. And I wasn't an exuberant kid at all, so the film really must have made a big impression on me ;D

I still love Disney's 'Pocahontas'. I haven't seen the film since our VHS player broke, which is.. quite a few years ago, but I do have some of the songs on my MP3 player -- just like writing this post, they do bring back fond memories of my chilhood! (When they released the film on video, I have watched the tape many, many times after my first trip to the cinema). I also appreciate the songs in another way, now I really listen to ánd fully understand the lyrics. 'Just around the Riverbend' (linking to the version I grew up with.. ;P): for example, is about longing for more in life, taking risks, being curious what the future brings, the hardships of making decisions.. I can totally relate to that right now.

No matter what your age is, whether you're five, or twenty... I have discovered that Disney sort of grows with you. And so did some other childhood favorites of mine -- It was, for example, still nice to watch 'A Little Princess'. Okay, this isn't the case with all Children's movies, but watching some of these films again in later life, made me see and get even more than I did when I was a kid. Clever dialogue, meaningful quotes and songs: you're never "too old" for Disney.

Movies watched this year: 26
Last movie: Born Yesterday

An Award!

2010-04-02T20:20:00.002+02:00

Yay! The reason for this exclamation is that Pearl from Hung in the Imbalanced also nominated my blog for the:
Thank you very much! I truly feel honoured :D

Now there are a few things left for me to do as a part of receiving the Award:
-Thank the person who gave you the award.
-Share 7 things about yourself.
-Pass the award to 15 bloggers, who you have recently discovered, and who you think are fantastic.
-Contact the Bloggers you picked and let them know about the award.

Seven Random Facts about me (Easy, since 'Random' is practically my middle name -- just look at the tags in the sidebar... yes ;D):
1) I love to read quotes! (AND. I can even quote a famous film star to explain why: "I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself." - Marlene Dietrich)
2) My favorite font to write in is Georgia (obviously, haha) and I use it whenever I'm allowed.
3) I follow drawing classes at the nearby zoo for ten years now and still enjoy it as much as I did when I first started!
4) A few weeks ago, a big lock of my hair got stuck in a comb, and the only solution was cutting part of it off.. and now I can (unintentionally) have a self-made bang when I decide to neglect my beloved bobbypins ;D
5) Birds are my favorite animals, I think they are adorable.
6) I'm Dutch! (Hence the grammatical errors in some *all?* of my posts ;D)
7) The only perfume I wear (since I'm fifteen) is 'Pure Poison' by Dior -- J'adore it (;

Now we come to another fun part of receiving this award: Passing it on to fifteen people who deserve one too, of course!
*drumroll*
1) Kallim from Spectacular Cinema: From the Classics and into the Beyond
2) Tharwa from Classic Gal
3) Sarah from And...scene!
4) Alexis from Ingrid Bergman Life and Films
5) Kate Gabrielle from Scathingly Brilliant
6) Dawn and Paul2 from Gene Tierney Movie Page
7) 50sGal from 50s times
8) Francy from Pixie Drive-In
9) KC from Classic Movies
10) Camille from Pick yourself up
11) Maria from Let Yourself Go
12) Janet from Writing little mademoiselle.
13) Ricki from Beauty is a thing of the past
14) Monty from All Good Things
15) Lauren from Grayscale

There you are -- I sure hope you all will like it! (:

Movies watched this year: 26!
Last movie: Born Yesterday

JANE RUSSELL in 'Gentlemen prefer Blondes'

2010-04-01T02:14:00.009+02:00

College-free week at uni has just ended for me -- and before this name makes you think that I've had sort of a holiday the past week, I have to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, they better change that word into: "You don't have lectures but have to write a gazillion essays and study for an exam and therefore you'll only sleep three hours a night and eat too much comfort food and drink too much caffeinated soda and almost use your keyboard as a pillow-week", but I guess that was too long (and lacked a certain motivational spirit). Anyhoo, I passed the exam (yay!) but wasn't able to write the fourth and last essay (okay, so it weren't a gazillion essays, but it certainly felt like it), and I have to do that later, but then I won't have a re-examination anymore *shivers*. I submitted a quite.. bad paper too ;D BUT: I have a good feeling about the two other essays nevertheless. Now you might think: "Well, this is all good and well, thanks for sharing -- but when is this post going to live up to its title?" And you also may have a point there. So, I'm sorry dear reader, it is now! ;D

'Gentlemen prefer Blondes' is the only Jane Russel-film I've ever seen, *confession of the day* but I think she's really good in it. For some reason, before watching 'GpB' I thought Jane was always only.. another actress the studios used to decorate a scene. But, I was wrong -- how wrong I was!
Jane has a great comic timing: the way she delivers her lines is so funny, with a hint of the typical 1940s Hawksian (Hawksian? Is that a word? Either way.. I mean, an actress in an Howard Hawks film *Insert a quick writing-break in here because of me Googeling 'Hawksian'* Oh goodness. The word even has its own Wikipedia page! Okay. So I didn't just made it up! Yay ;D) femme fatale. It seems like Mr. Hawks must have thought while directing: "Okay, so my Hawksian (Yes, now I know it's an official word I'm going to use it!) woman works great in the Film Noirs I've made, so let's transport her to a cheery, technicolored musical!" Which was, for sure, a very good decision.

But. There is one thing I have to get off my chest: I think her performance is a little underrated nowadays: When I was looking for the song 'Bye Bye Baby' on YouTube (which I consider, judging from my own experience, as a very influential website when it comes to getting to know classic films, actors and actresses) because I wanted to favorite it on my page (I mean, come on: it's such a swell and catchy song :D), the first videos one sees are almost all titled "MARILYN MONROE sings 'Bye Bye Baby' "or "Gentlemen prefer Blondes: Marilyn singing..." etcetera (you'll even find a Spongebob musical-version of the song, but that aside).
Having said this, I immediately want to state that I having absolutely nothing against Marilyn: I like her films, I think she's a fine actress and not just 'playing herself' as some people like to argue. And I know that part of the reason why Jane's 'tough-yet-really-hilarious' remarks do work so well is because they're placed opposite to the 'selective-smart-blonde' behaviour of Marilyn's character. They complement each other perfectly.
I just wanted to put emphasis on the fact that I think Jane is really good in 'GpB' as well, and that she deserves it to be in the spotlight (just as much as Marilyn) when it comes to that film. Period. (:

Movies watched this year: (still) 25 (But that's going to change soon, because I think I deserve a day without doing anything uni-ish and enjoy a good film instead. :D)
Last movie: Lost in Translation

"You are an Ingrid!"

2010-03-23T14:19:00.005+01:00

Most magazines contain at least one. They can be about every subject and often they are like a romantic comedy: kind of predictable, but you want to see and hear the exact ending for yourself nevertheless. Aaaanyway. So much for today's metaphores ;D
I am (of course, hum) talking about quizzes! I like taking them. So when I noticed Tharwa's (Classic Gal) classic film-related quiz result in the 'Blogs I'm Following-List', my inner Sherlock Holmes took over - I became very curious and wanted to find out what my result possibly could be! And I have to tell you, with this quiz, I honestly had no clue which classic star I'd bear the most resemblance to when it comes to character...

(Insert a quiz master à la John Charles Daly in here for the sphere, plus a fitting quizzy tune)

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me
* Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
* Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
* Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
* Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
* Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid
* my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
* my ability to establish warm connections with people
* admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
* my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
* being unique and being seen as unique by others
* having aesthetic sensibilities
* being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid
* experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
* feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
* feeling guilty when I disappoint people
* feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
* expecting too much from myself and life
* fearing being abandoned
* obsessing over resentments
* longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often
* have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
* are very sensitive
* feel that they don't fit in
* believe they are missing something that other people have
* attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
* become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
* feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents
* help their children become who they really are
* support their children's creativity and originality
* are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
* are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
* are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

"And ClassicFilmFan, what do you say about being an Ingrid?"
-- "Well, John Charles Daly-ish quiz master, I have to admit that most of these points really do fit me!"
Hahaha, no, but seriously - although I can't say anything about myself as a parent right now, it's striking that a simple quiz like this can be so... right. And, it's always swell to know you're a little bit like one of your favorite actresses, of course!

(P.s: You can take the quiz yourself right here. If you want to, let me know in a comment or at your blog 'who you are', and if you agree with the result! (: )

Movies watched this year: 25 (Too busy with uni to watch films! Oh dear.)
Last movie: Lost in Translation

Quotes and a Drawing III: Casablanca

2010-03-21T23:03:00.001+01:00

I've made the drawing, and quotes and dialogues are (of course) from one of the best films EVER made! (:

Ilsa Lund: But what about us?
Rick Blaine: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca.
Ilsa Lund: When I said I would never leave you.
Rick Blaine: And you never will.

Ilsa Lund: Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake.

Captain Louis Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick Blaine: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Captain Louis Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert!
Rick Blaine: I was misinformed.

Rick Blaine: Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Major Strasser: We have a complete dossier on you: Richard Blaine, American, age 37. Cannot return to his country. The reason is a little vague. We also know what you did in Paris, Mr. Blaine, and also we know why you left Paris.
(Gives the passport to Rick) Don't worry, we are not going to broadcast it.
Rick Blaine (reads it) : Are my eyes really brown?

Ilsa Lund: You knew how much I love you. How much I still love you.

Ilsa Lund: A franc for your thoughts.
Rick Blaine: In America they'd bring only a penny, and, huh, I guess that's about all they're worth.
Ilsa Lund: Well, I'm willing to be overcharged. Tell me.
Rick Blaine: Well, I was wondering...
Ilsa Lund: Yes?
Rick Blaine: Why I'm so lucky. Why I should find you waiting for me to come along.
Ilsa Lund: Why there's no other man in my life?

Rick Blaine: Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

Ilsa Lund: Can I tell you a story, Rick?
Rick Blaine: Has it got a wild finish?
Ilsa Lund: I don't know the finish yet.

Rick Blaine: Here's looking at you, kid.

Rick Blaine: I'm sorry for asking. I forgot we said no questions.
Ilsa Lund: Well, only one answer can take care of all our questions.
(They kiss)

Ilsa Lund: With the whole world crumbling, we pick this time to fall in love.

Ilsa Lund: Let's see the last time we met.
Rick Blaine: It was La Belle Aurore.
Ilsa Lund: How nice, you remembered. But of course that was the day the Germans marched into Paris.
Rick Blaine: Not an easy day to forget.
Ilsa Lund: No.
Rick Blaine: I remember every detail: the Germans wore grey, you wore blue.
Ilsa Lund: Yes, I've put that dress away. When the Germans march out, I'll wear it again.

Movies watched this year: 25
Last movie: Lost in Translation

Life is like a film.. sometimes.

2010-03-14T21:23:00.010+01:00

Does one of you ever feel like a moment in your life is movie-ish? Like you're playing a scene or something? I actually do have that feeling from time to time ;D Not that my life is spectacular in the average "Follow that taxi!"-Hollywood plot-kind of way, but sometimes I can almost hear the laughing sound from a comedy when someone makes a joke. Or the background music (okay, it does help that I always listen to my MP3-player when i'm going somewhere) coming from nowhere in movies - you know, that scene in the film (or the beginning) where someone is about to do something important, and there's no or just a little dialogue, and fitting music to accompany the clip. Sometimes I can almost see the 'trailer' of a certain period of my life as well.. haha, I hope this doesn't sound too weird. Maybe I really do watch to many movies? (;
Anyway, A few days ago, I was talking about film with my parents, and asked them if they ever feel like they're in a movie scene - sort of already expecting them to say yes.

I was wrong.

"You mean, you seriously never feel like that?" I asked them, semi-desperate. "I never thought of life in such a way." My mother answered. "Well, I do feel this is sort of a dialogue from a play, the non-understanding parents!" My dad joked. "But you seem to have a feeling for it."

Hmmm. I guess he's right. But seriously, I really think life can be seen as a film, a mix of all sorts of genres: comedy, romance, drama, and yes, even screwball and a touch of film noir (although in my case the latter only fits in terms of me wearing a trenchcoat ;D). I think it's fair to say that film is often a selection of things a person can experience in life, crammed into two, three hours, requiring a little suspension of disbelief. Because no, not everything is that likely to happen like it's shown on the silver screen. But the fact of, for example, changes in a movie characters life being more dramatic, a clear plot (I mean, can you figure out the plot of your life already?), romances being more romantic than is the case in daily life, all accompanied by the usual euphorical/sad music, is what makes film... film - and enjoyable.

Life and film aren't two interchangeable words, but sometimes life is quite similar to film, because "the inspiration for films partly comes from daily life", like I heard in one of the lectures at uni lately. Maybe it's a simple statement, but I had to keep myself from jumping up and yelling something like: "Oh my goodness. That is so true! Hear, hear!" So I guess, when keeping that quote in mind, that my film-related feelings aren't that strange after all..

Movies watched this year: 22
Last movie: Goldfinger

Meryl Streep should play Arlene Francis

2010-03-10T23:38:00.001+01:00

Now, before everybody who loves/knows Arlene Francis (and if you don't, stop reading my blog now - yes, I mean NOW. And go to YouTube to watch this. Because she's too amazing not to know) goes like: "Whaaat?! Is there going to be a movie about Arlene Francis' life?" I have to tell you that there's not. But hey, I think there really could come one once - Yes, even a historical geek like me looks ahead every now and then.. (;

The thought that happens to be the title of this random post occured to me a while ago when I was sitting in an airplaine (a totally irrelevant detail, just for you to paint a more vivid picture of the moment when I got this hunch) watching 'Julie&Julia'. Somehow, the vintage setting of the 'Julie-storyline' in the film, Meryl's smile and the thought of other films like 'Mamma Mia' suddenly brought me to Arlene. It's not just because I admire them both, Meryl reminds me of Arlene in some way. Not actually Meryl as Julia, but aspects of her in some other films and when she's not acting, in interviews for example. (Maybe it's just me, but I just really felt like sharing this random thought!)

Like I already wrote, I think they share the same kind of smile, and the laugh! Besides that, I think there are a little more similarities in their looks, but for me it's mainly Arlene's "I love life"-attitude Meryl seems to have as well. That contented, confident look. The playful-ishness and the ability to be silly, having fun and making jokes in a ladylike way. They also both seem so witty and smart.

Not that I have ever met either Meryl Streep or Arlene Francis (I WISH! That would've been even cooler than the way Hitchcock portrayed Grace Kelly in his films), but judging from the way I 'know' them, the films and footage I've seen, I think that when the moment occurs that somebody has to play Arlene, it's GOT to be Meryl and nobody else!

Movies watched this year: 19
Last movie: High Society

I think I'm going to start a Grace Kelly library

2010-02-24T21:33:00.009+01:00

I have a lot of Grace Kelly-related books. And by a lot, I, umm, actually mean four ;P It's perhaps a small amount compared to all of the books one does own, but the other classic film actresses joining Grace on the shelve I have only one book of.
One reason why I have more books about her than for example about Lauren Bacall or Ingrid Bergman, is that Grace is the first actress I really became a big fan of when I just discovered classic movies, about five years ago now (gee, time sure does fly!).

The little book collection and being a fan started with the Dutch pocket book 'Prinses Gracia' to bee seen in the upper right corner of the photo, which I actually got for free (!) in the vintage bookstore *I had a lucky day! :D*. This was because the pages with photos were about to let loose - which isn't that strange, since the book is from 1958. Seriously, how SWELL is that? (Someone in the 1950s has actually read this book as well. I don't know, I just like that idea (; ) Anyway, it was nice to get to know something about Grace and Hollywood in the fifties, and to read something written in this cute and happy 50s-style.
The book isn't very detailed though, and, so it seemed after I got to know a little more about her after some Internet reasearch, not everything in it is true and likely. It describes Grace's life as perfect: Grown up in a happy, supportive family, no obstacles in the way to become an actress and leading her own life, never a fling ("Her only 'companion' in her house was the cheerful parakeet she bought, which gave her rise every now and then to a somewhat limited conversation.") till she met prince Rainier.. it's the kind of book that would've made the MGM-people do a happydance.
Reading the last sentences made me feel sad, "A sweet, devoted wife and mother has found her destiny in Monaco. Her fairytale did become the unassailable reality. May it stay this way." because I already knew it all wasn't that rose-coloured.

What I also wanted to know, was how her life after 1958 looked like, and to get a clearer picture of her younger, pre-Hollywood years. One reason why I like reading (auto)biographies, is that it's comforting and helpful to read how someone you admire has dealed with different kinds of situations in life.
So that's where the books 'Grace Kelly' by James Spada (1987, Dutch translation) and 'Grace' by Robert Lacey (1994, In English) came in. ( The Taschen Icon's book wasn't for the bibliographical information of course, but for the photo's (; - I really want to draw one of these once!).
These two books generally do tell the same story, though they describe some parts a little differently. It was good to read them both because biographies always have to be taken with a pinch of salt, and the choice of words *for example* and highlighting a certain part of Grace's life can change one's interpretation.
It was very, very interesting and fun to read these books, it gave me the idea that I got to know this graceful, classic actress I really do like in films a little more.

Movies watched this year: 15
Last movie: Georgia Rule

Introducing people to classic films..

2010-02-20T01:23:00.004+01:00

..is something that one needs to do with care. As we know, lots of people already have certain prejudices when it comes to 'old' movies without ever really having watched one (fragments at school and Disney films don't count), and when they don't enjoy the first - or second, perhaps - classic they truly watch, then you might have a small problem ;D Because:
1) this person probably won't believe that with classic films it's exactly the same case as with modern ones: you can't like all of them, and
2) you'll still receive the blank stares/rolling eyes/"Oh no, there (s)he rambles again about these ancient films" in the future.

A good way to introduce people to classics: I 've been thinking a lot about this subject, because honestly, I can imagine how swell it would be if (more of) your family members/friends/classmates/etc. know that when you say "fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy night" (I mean, a situation in which you are able to actually use this sentence can occur, you never know) you are quoting from 'All about Eve', and when you say that you'd love to have that black dress Ingrid wears in 'Notorious' they will nod knowingly.

But, how to make them nod knowingly when you talk about Ingrid's dress?

To me, it seems like a good idea to pick a classic film as close as possible to the kind of film the 'person-who-doesn't-watch-classics-yet' normally watches. You have to find a classic equivalent of one of their favorite films. I realize this sounds simple, and maybe it is :P But I really think this tactic has a good chance to succeed.
One thing you shouldn't do, is introducing the 'pwdwcy' to classic movies with a silent film. These films are simply too different from what most 'pwdwcy's' are used to. Okay, I guess there are persons who fell in love with classics by watching a silent movie. Maybe you are one of them. But, I dare to bet that these persons are in the minority (and keep in mind that often, people are already hestitant when it comes to watching a black and white film..).
Back to the talkies! So, when your best friend often watches really romantic drama's, then it might be a logical decision to give her the DVD of 'An Affair to Remember', for instance.
And to give you some other ideas, I created a little list:

Films to introduce 'pwdwcy's' (and if you happen to be one yourself, and you just accidentally ended up here reading my classic geek-ish posts: feel adressed! And please, just watch one of these!! You won't regret it. I promise (; ) to the swell world of Classic Cinema:
- Romance/Drama: 'An Affair to Remember', 'Casablanca, 'Now, Voyager', 'Houseboat', 'Notorious', 'All about Eve'
- 'Action': 'North by Northwest' (I think this is a great film to introduce guys/men/a mixed group of people to classics, because the film has it 'all': romance, suspense, action..), early James Bond-films, 'Dark Passage'
- Musical: 'High Society', 'Gentlemen prefer blondes', 'Shall we Dance', 'The Sound of Music'
- Comedy: 'His Girl Friday', 'Vivacious Lady'
- Audrey Hepburn: (I decided to make her a seperate category, because - especially with girls - Audrey is a really good choice when you want to introduce someone to classics. Most people already know and like her.) 'Roman Holiday', 'Sabrina', 'How to steal a million', 'Charade', 'Funny Face', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'

I know people are very different, and that it's quite impossible to list a proper suggestion for every kind of 'moviegoer'. I also realize this is far from complete - I'm for example a 'pwdwwy' (*Person who doesn't watch westerns yet, so I can't list these) - but this is just for a little inspiration! Other suggestions are very welcome, of course :D

Movies watched this year: 14
Last movie: Gentlemen prefer blondes

Quotes and a Drawing II: To Catch a Thief

2010-02-17T15:09:00.013+01:00

Quotes and dialogues from Mr. Hitchcock's film 'To Catch a Thief', drawing of a publicity still for the film with Grace and Cary made by me ;D

John Robie: "Miss Stevens, I must say you are a girl in a million."
Frances Stevens: "That's a routine compliment - but i'll accept it."

Frances Stevens: "Mother, the book you're reading is upside down!"

John Robie: "Well, we only met a couple of minutes ago."
Danielle Foussard: "That's right, only a few minutes ago."
Frances Stevens: "Only a few minutes ago? And you talk like old friends... Ah, well, that's warm, friendly France for you."
John Robie: "I was asking about renting some waterskis - would you like me to teach you how to waterski?"
Frances Stevens: "Thank you, but I was women's champion at Sarasota, Florida last season."
John Robie:"It was just an idea."
Frances Stevens: "Are you sure you were talking about water skis? From where I sat it looked as though you were conjugating some irregular verbs."

Frances Stevens: "My nerves could stand a drink."
Jessie Stevens: "Your nerves and your mother!"

John Robie: "I haven't got a decent watch."
Francis Stevens: "Steal one."

John Robie: "Oh, it's good, it's quite good. You know what you want. You go out after it and nothing stops you from getting it."
Francis Stevens: "You make it sound corny."
John Robie: "Oh no, you're a jackpot of admirable character traits."
Francis Stevens: "I already knew that."
John Robie: "Yes, I will say you do things with dispatch. No wasted preliminaries. Not only did I enjoy that kiss last night, I was awed by the efficiency behind it."
Francis Stevens: "Well, I'm a great believer of getting down to essentials."

John Robie: "You know as well as I do: this necklace is imitation."
Frances Stevens: "Well, I'm not."

Movies watched this year: 12
Last movie: No Time for Comedy

Pleasantville

2010-02-15T15:19:00.009+01:00

Isn't it the dream of every classic film/golden era fan to end up somewhere in the, say, 1950s world for a while in some magical (how else? ;D) way? I know I would love that! Either way, this is exactly what happens in the film 'Pleasantville'.
I woke up with a headache this morning and didn't feel like going to uni at all, but my sense of responsibility won it from my comfortable bed (I was impressed as well :P). And I'm glad I went, because - you might have already guessed it - the trailer of this film was shown in class. I had never heard of the film before, but immediately felt like watching it. So, when I came home, I flopped down with a Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ben & Jerry's to watch the film online! Once again: thank you, YouTube.

'Pleasantville' is a film about a teenage boy, David, and his sister Jennifer, living in the 1990s (1998, to be precise). They are total opposites: Jennifer is flirtatious and popular, while David is the geeky one, loving classic television and especially 'Pleasantville'. This fictional black and white series from the 1950s about a happy, flawless family - mother, father ("Honey, I'm home!") and their childeren Mary Sue and Bud - has everything his own life lacks, and he watches the reruns of the episodes over and over again to escape from the daily imperfections.
One day (this is where the magical part comes in), David and Jennifer are zapped into Pleasantville, taking the places of Bud and Mary Sue.

"We're supposed to be in COLOR"

At first, life seems to be perfect in the world where people still use words and expressions as gee whiz (I personally love this one, didn't know it before today ;D), keen and swell, but they soon discover that the residents don't know anything outside of Pleasantville. All the books are empty, there are no water closets, there is no rain, no fire, no double beds.. in short: things that aren't mentioned or simply never occur in the series don't exist for them.
David (who knows every little detail about the series) tells Jennifer they aren't allowed to alter anything in the storylines, so they have to play along. Wittingly and unwittingly, they change things nevertheless: suddenly there literally appears a little colour in Pleasantville's shades of grey as the 50s and 90s values start to mingle. Colour is used as a metaphor for modernization, and change in general. And changes in the script are taking place because of David and Jennifer, and of course this has consequences for everybody...

"What's it like, out there?"
-"Well, it's louder, and scarier I guess, And it's, um, a lot more dangerous."
"Sounds fantastic."

I'm not going to spill the beans, but I can assure you that if you tend to be a little nostalgic and critical, you'll find this a very interesting film! Of course there are the usual gorgeous hairstyles and clothes (sigh, how elegant and neat the daily wear was) and these are very enjoyable to watch, but there's more to this film.
It shows a clear contrast between the values of the 1950s (television) and 1990s - 'Pleasantville' both questions and looks for the good things in 'our' time and the past.
Anyway, I enjoyed watching this film, especially loved the creative plot and the importantness of (and special attention the filmmakers called to) both the colour and black and white - it's beautifully done, kind of 'Wizard of Oz'-ish. And and gee whiz, that's sure is a good thing!

Movies watched this year: 11
Last movie: Pleasantville

Things you should NEVER say to a classic movie fan

2010-02-13T23:24:00.003+01:00

And with you, I mean the 'you' in general. Obviously ;D

"It would look nicer if the film were in colour."

"I don't like to watch an old film, because I don't like it when I don't know the actors and actresses."

"People only watch old films because they want to be 'cultural'. "

"Grace Kelly? ..oh, yes, I love that song!"

"Old movies are always so slow and boring."

"I don't want to watch a film noir, French cinema isn't really my piece of cake."

"Why watching such an old film if they still make movies nowadays?"

"I don't think I'd really like a classic, I mean, I prefer movies with sound, you know."

"Alfred who?"

"All classic movies are the same."

"I have never seen the film, but I love Audrey's clothes in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'."

*facepalm*

Movies watched this year: 9
Last movie: To Catch a Thief (one of my favorite Hitchcock-films. :D )

The course is about Bond, James Bond.

2010-02-10T00:37:00.005+01:00

Last night, i've finally, finally, FINALLY (strange word, finally) finished and turned it my second essay. After nights with a serious lack of sleep, researching for hours and motivational talks with a friend ("I'm tired..." *it was about three in the morning* "But, you can do it!" -"You too, let's talk again in half an hour and tell each other what we've achieved!") who was in the same boat as me, the writing stress is over for a couple of weeks! Don't get me wrong, I really do like writing. I mean, I have a blog. But when you need a gazillion academic resources, an academic lay-out AND uni's second semester has already started... well.
Anyway, i'm finally (sorry, lack of synonyms) able to participate in the second part of the college year now without having the weight of belated essay homework on my shoulders (seriously, move over Atlas! Hihi. Oh my, geek humor), and can fully concentrate on the brand new courses.
If you thought that the Scandinavian Literature course I followed last semester was kind of random (I thought so at least, but loved it too), then you're probably not going to believe what kind of class I follow now.

*insert drumroll in here*

One of my courses is fully about Bond. James Bond.
When I noticed that this was a serious course my uni offered, my first reaction was: "...wait, have I really read this correctly?" (This was also my second and third reaction. After that, I signed up for it) In this course, we're going to read five James Bond books, and then watch three of the films. Although I've only had two classes so far, I can tell you that this doesn't feel that much like homework! Aaaand: swell thing I just have to tell here: the teacher told us how these 'secret agent-books' proceeded from detective novels and film noir. "You know, the hard boiled detective - Humphrey Bogart wearing a trenchcoat." (My heart made little happy jumps at this point).
I can also tell you, that reading a 007-book is a totally different experience from watching a Bond film. It's strange that you know exactly what James' thoughts are, for instance.

Funny thing is, when watching JB films and after seeing 'North by Northwest' I always thought about how wonderful it would have been if Cary Grant played James Bond at least once. (And I'm still wondering if Hitch has read one of Fleming's books!) Aww, come on now, it's so easy to picture him in that role - Cary that is, not Hitch or Fleming - and hear him say "Shaken, not Stirred".

I have heard that Fleming had Cary in mind when he wrote the James Bond series, but while reading 'Casino Royale' last week (never read a James Bond book before), I couldn't picture Cary as James at all. The 'movie-Bonds' are more sympathetic, and the Cary we know in 'North by Northwest', 'Charade', and other films that approach the 007-ones, is also much more a gentleman, more sensitive, likeable and romantic than the Bond ("women are for recreation") described on paper by Mr. Fleming.
But, I like reading the books nevertheless, and I STILL think that Cary would've made a fantastic film Bond. Siiigh.

Movies watched this year: (still, because of writing stress) 7
Last movie: Vivacious Lady

Feeling like Hildy Johnson

2010-01-31T01:37:00.002+01:00

Okay, my deadlines (Februari the 5th and 8th) are not a matter of life and death, I'm not a journalist, I'm not wearing a fabulous hat right now, and i'm not writing on a typewriter (although my computer is so ancient, he and the typerwriter are close relatives), but I start identifying myself with Rosalind Russell in 'His Girl Friday' a LOT lately nevertheless.

For days i've been typing and staring at my screen - mostly staring at my screen, I don't make that much progress - trying to work hard and write down two decent essays (and snap, still failing for two other courses this semester). At the same time, I also wanted to get other things in my life, like socializing with friends, doing a little shopping and watching movies/series in between, fixed as well. Because without the latter my life would be more uneventful than it already is lately - as contradictory as it may sound with the stress. But: I kind of forgot in my planning that uni starts again next Monday, and as a logical result of that, I'll have to go to lectures again, read texts for these lectures (note to the self: BEFORE you attend them), go to bed before it's almost time to get up... In short: next week I won't be able to write when I feel like it anymore.

"What? I need even more academic resources in my essay?"

Yes, maybe, perhaps, it COULD have been that I, um, have done just un petit peu more about fixing the 'other things' in my life than fixing writing essays.
And that's why i'm feeling Hildy-ish right now, and can picture myself already writing-while having msn conversations (typing very fast, and exchanging snappy/sarcastic/funny/screwball-worthy remarks all the time, of course) going on -making tea-thinking about what to wear tomorrow-going like this the next couple of days to come.

Or when I get really stressed out, like this:
Hildy Johnson: [speaking to Walter on the phone] Did you hear that? That's the story I just wrote. Yes, yes, I know we had a bargain. I just said I'd write it, I didn't say I wouldn't tear it up! It's all in little pieces now, Walter, and I hope to do the same for you some day!
[hangs up emphatically]
Hildy Johnson: [to the other reporters] And that, my friends, is my farewell to the newspaper game.

Hmm.

I think I'm going to continue working on my essays now!

Movies watched this year: 7
Last movie: Vivacious Lady (Ginger and Jimmy ftw! Oh goodness. I can't believe I just wrote 'ftw' )

Quotes and a Drawing I: Lauren

2010-01-24T17:13:00.014+01:00

Quotes and anectdotes by the wonderful Lauren Bacall, drawing made by me!

[On leaving for Los Angeles to start her movie career]: "I sat back in my large seat, looking at myself in the small mirror opposite me me, and said: 'Well Betty Bacall, this is it. This train is taking you on a new adventure, totally different from anything you've ever known. Take a deep breath.' It was not so much an ending after all. It was a beginning."

"If my dream would only come true, then I would know how to behave, then things would fall into place - wouldn't they?"

[On following lessons at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts]: "In Mrs Parke's class she would say: 'Be a teapot.' You have to think very carefully, feeling a complete fool, then be one. (Imagine being her; standing at the head of the class looking at twenty teapots. Hysterical!)"

"Rehearsal time in a play is unique. Your life becomes the play, the character - all else is secondary."

"I remember him handing me my Christmas present, saying: 'I got tired of seeing all that tobacco in your bag '. He was shy. The gift was a beautiful gold cigarette case with a ruby clasp and the inscription 'For Mrs Me who never needs whistle for Bogie.' Out of the corner of his eye, he watched me open it, and when we looked at each other, trumpets sounded, rockets went off."

[On Humphrey Bogart]"No one has ever written a romance better than we lived it"

"The pictures I have in my head from those early days are very clear to me: running down Beverly Drive in Berverly Hills, arms held wide, green three-quarters coat flying, toward Bogie waiting for me on the corner with James Gleason at four in the morning; Bogie walking up Highway 101 in espadrilles, huge sunflower in jacket lapel at six in the morning as I found him in my 1940 Plymouth - the headiest romance imaginable."

"Through the years I have become aware that aimlessness does not suit me."

"They [her childeren] all have wit and a sense of humor and, thank God, I have hung on to mine."

[On seeing Katherine Hepburn on stage in 'The Philadelphia Story']: "Would I be ever able to do that? I thought. It was one thing to make people in a room laugh, especially relatives. But to do the same for strangers was quite another. Katherine Hepburn that afternoon made me glad to be alive - and sure being an actress was the only goal in life."

"Imagination is the highest kite that can fly. When you have nothing but dreams, that's all you think about, all that matters, all that takes you away from humdrummery -"

[Source used: Bacall, Lauren. By Myself and Then Some. Headline Book Publishing, London, 2005.]

Movies watched this year: 5
Last movie: Random Harvest (For the second time, but it felt like the first. Such an amazing movie)

A lady never makes use of a revolving door without helping pushing it

2010-01-18T19:52:00.016+01:00

About two years ago after a flea market, my mother came home with an old, big, yellow book. This big yellow book somehow didn't end up in my parents' bookshelves, but in mine, because I have inherited her love for things (these things don't necessarily have to be either books, big nor yellow) from the good ol'days. Everything that looks like it comes from the 1930s till 60s always immediately gets my attention. And so does everything inspired by this period in history.
Anyway, the book belongs in the first category, it's about etiquette ( "a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group", thus far Wikipedia) and it's called 'Hoe hoort het eigenlijk?'. The best - and only.. - translation that hops into my mind right now is: 'What is proper'?.

This object of my attention, written by Amy Groskamp-ten Have, indeed looks like it comes from the period I just mentioned, but to be honest, I had absolutely no idea of the precise time it was written in until a few minutes ago.
According to Wikipedia, the first print dates from 1939 - Am I that much of a Classic Film Geek when the first thing I thought of was "Hey, that's the year 'Gone with the Wind' premiered"?
My (okay, my mums!) copy however, is the twelfth print and dates from 1957 ('An Affair to Remember', 'Funny Face', 'Designing Woman'..), which I consider as really swell 's well.

As the title already suggest, in the book one can find what is the proper behaviour or way to write in almost every situation. From Answering Questions to White Lies: it's all in there, provided with really adorable drawings like this:

Some of the advices in the book may be a little dated and have to be seen in the light of the time they are written in, but others are timeless and/or simply forgotten these days.

What surprised me the most, was the addition to the original 1939s foreword in 'my' edition, which says: "Times and shifting of values presently do move so fast, that which was ordinary and habitual yesterday and was considered as respectable, is seen as ridiculously old-fashioned and exaggerated nowadays."
Can you imagine this was written in nineteen-fifty-seven? I know I'm perceiving the classic era from a 'born and grown up in the 1990s, living in the 21th century now'-point of view. When I watch tv-shows or listen to radio programmes from back then, it always strikes me how polite people are to each other, adressing each other with 'mister' or 'madam'. How well people articulate. That people are able to make jokes without swearing or being offensive.
Somehow, men wearing fedora's and women dressed in hourglass-shaped dresses covered with flowers don't go together with impoliteness for me.

Let's stick to the latter for now! Not surprisingly, the book also has got a section called: Lady. According to 'What is proper?', a Lady looks clean and neat. Though, clothes are not of the biggest importance, because a Lady mostly is: "a woman with subtleness and good manners under all circumstances, who also in old and worn out clothing permanently wears the imprint of the inner civilization".

The things a real Lady should mind as well are wearing clothing without stains or tears and having polished nails and ditto haircut. She also needs to have a decent pronunciation and tone of voice. Blatant clothes, cheap perfume and an unnatural looking permanent wave aren't ladylike.

Right after this description, the author gives examples of Things A Lady Will Never Do:
- Leaving the tram without paying when the conductor has missed her out
- Keeping other people's laundry that ended up amongst her laundry by mistake
- Ordering the most expensive dish or wine on the menu when she's asked as a guest
- Saying to a collector of donetions: "Oh, i've already given something" when this is not true
- Remaining silent when a saleslady makes the mistake of packing too much, or a bigger or more expensive article than is declared on the sales slip
- Smoking in the streets
- Placing her shopping bag on the only chair of the shop
- Talking when the national anthem is playing
- Making use of a revolving door without helping pushing it
- Fixing her hair in a train, tram or restaurant
- Chatting for a long time when having a baby carriage with her or wheeling her bicycle and taking up the whole sidewalk - etcetera, etcetera.

I can't say that I'm living up to all these things that one expected back then of a lady: I've fixed my hair many times in the public transport, because it was sagging after a sprint to the tram - a lady never comes late either, right? (; but, most of the things mentioned still do apply for women 53 years later. For me, being a (modern) Lady doesn't have anything to do with giving up your perfume when there's no Dior or Chanel label on it, but with taking the best of the classic era's etiquette to this time.

Movies watched this year: 4
Last movie: The Challenge (I know. Don't judge me ;D )

A new lay-out, The Barefoot Contessa and postponing homework

2010-01-15T00:21:00.017+01:00

Since the beginning of a new year - DECADE! - is the time to make resolutions again, and to make a fresh start: hence the new lay out! Okay, and because I just felt like making a new one. And needed a legitimate reason not to resume making my homework yet.. (one needs "creative development" in life too, isn't it? Yes, I thought so as well ;D )

Another thing I did to avoid writing essays and relax was watching 'The Barefoot Contessa' (1954) with Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner in the leading roles. I bought the DVD a while ago, but never got the chance to watch it until the day before yesterday. (And didn't blogged about it earlier because yesterday, I was way too busy- as in: reading magazines in bed and watching 'Mean Girls').

(even the DVD itself looks pretty!)

First of all, big yaaay to the fact of having Bogie and Ava TOGETHER in one film. Although they're not involved with each other in the traditional romantic way, they really have a sort of 'best friends-chemistry' going on.
Funny was the fact that although the film is in colour, I still felt like I was watching a Film Noir from time to time! Maybe it's because of the voice-overs that keep coming back through the movie, maybe it's because from the start on you want to know how something happened - which gives the film that mysterious noir-ish touch.
Or maybe it's just because it's Bogie in a trenchcoat (;

Anyhoo! Another funny thing is that the film reflects on film itself a few times, for example:
"Life, every now and then, behaves as though it had seen too many bad movies, when everything fits too well - the beginning, the middle, the end - from fade-in to fade-out."
This criticism doesn't go for this film, though. With unexpected flash-backs and through the narration of different men in the film, the pieces of the puzzle start to fit.. but not too well. (;

Movies watched this year: 3
Last movie: Mean Girls

A Wonderful Time

2010-01-12T12:28:00.022+01:00

When sitting in a comfortable chair at the poolside and taking a good look around me, I often expected a director popping up from behind a palm tree, yelling `..and CUT! It´s a wrap!`or something similar. Really, being in Bali was like being in a technicolor movie scene. The island and my family´s house was so beautiful, and it was wonderful to be out of my stress-covered daily life for three weeks. But, let me start at the beginning..

In the plane, I was seated next to a normal person, an English fella who felt like having a small talk every now and then. My seat was front row, close to the business class so I could almost wave to my grandmother over there. I amused myself with reading in 'Random Harvest', Glamour magazine and listening to my MP3 player. The latter came in use pretty well when I was trying (with the emphasis on trying) to go to sleep. With classical music and radio plays from the 1940s I had a bit of a shut-eye, but couldn´t catch real sleep.
At about 4 in the morning, a stewardess came past with noodles for insomniacs like me. Funny thing was that she didn´t gave Western cutlery with it, so at this early hour, I was catching up on my chopstick skills with snoring people around me.

It was great to wake up at about seven, and hear the pilot announcing that we just passed the border of Malaysia. Like I told you all before, this was the first time I went on a holiday out of Europe, and it´s such a strange idea that while you´re asleep (or eating noodles with chopsticks) the plane crosses half the earth.
We had an intermediate landing in Singapore. The airport was quite big, flowers everywhere and such versatile people walking around. Here we would also meet our ´Bali Family´, my uncle, aunt and twelve year old cousin. Suddenly, we noticed them amongst the crowd and had our own little reunion. It was really great to see them again and fly the last part to Bali together.

Being there, the warmth fell over me like a blanket, the air faintly smelling sweet and rainforest-ish, like incense, cooked rice, flowers and plants.
Like my first alinea already revealed, their house looked great. Spacious, a mix of modern furniture and traditional Indonesian accesoires and influences. Decorated with mainly black and white. Pillows with black and white checked cushions, which one sees everywhere around the Island. Blankets like that wrapped around trees, for example. My aunt thinks it has something to do with protection against ´evil spirits´and such.

The Balinese people are Hindu, and according to their calendar, there are good days, and bad days. On the good days, weddings and cremations take place. They also believe that everything that in life, everything that happens has a good and bad side. When you walk on the streets, the big amount of small offerings in little plaited dishes in front of stores and little temples tell one how important their belief is in daily life. Next to the guestroom (with two kingsize beds for us!), in the garden of my family's house, there even was a little temple so the maids and the gardeners could offer any time they needed to.
Speaking of the house again, they also have a genius dog there, a golden doodle who likes to take a dive into the pool.

The first evening we've had a musical soiree at the neighbour's, and with Christmas we ate in a restaurant under the stars. Sadly, my other cousins plane was cancelled so she couldn't be there, and we had to wait a couple of days before she finally arrived.
Monday, after the Christmas days, we crossed the Island and went to a holiday park, to celebrate New Year. Before we arrived there, we visited a big market and some cute little shops. My aunt bought two pretty cane baskets for my cousin and me.

The park was really pretty as well, with little holiday homes all over. But the first night we´ve had a powercut, and when we went into the bathroom, a giant insect sneaked around... a cockroach!! Eek (to put it mildly). Thank goodness we could move into another house nearby without any unwanted guests in it. A very good thing was that there even was a little SPA in the park. So my cousin and I went there the second night for a Balinese/hot stone massage. Our zen-ish mood was a little bit disturbed because of a man getting a massage nearby, who gave us the idea we ended up in a Herbal Essences commercial. We really had to prevent ourselves from laughing. But apart from that, the massage was really relaxing.

The last day of 2009, we went to waterfalls hidden in rainforestlike territory. First a local drove us as close to them as possible, but the road was very bumpy (So I had to follow Margo Channings advice...fasten your searbelts!!) and narrow. And the walking-tour through the rainforest wasn´t that easy, because the paths were slippery. But the environment and waterfalls where more than worth the journey. When looking at them, I felt like I was looking at a National Geographic magazine cover or something smilar. So beautiful! We went into the water, very close to the waterfalls and really, it literally and figuratively took our breath away. It´s unbelievable how powerful a waterfall is. We agreed that standing there felt like ´washing away 2009´ and getting ready for a new decade.

At night with our dinner there was Balinese dancing and music for all of the guests, as well traditional as the modern kind of shows. Before and after midnight with the New Year wishes, my oldest cousin and I went dancing, and the next morning, after relaxing at the poolside, we went to the spa again, quite a good way to start 2010!

When we got back to my family´s house again after a few days, we stopped at the Tanah Lot temple in the water, which was quite pretty, but alas... VERY touristic. After that trip, we spent some days relaxing at the beach, my cousin and I experimenting with bleaching our hair with 'air jeruk lenggis'. And we also had an unwanted visitor in our room again (yep, the price you have to pay for being in the tropics). We first thought it was a cockroach and were quite worried because it sneaked away and we had to go to sleep! Some minutes later, we found the insect in the bathroom, hiding in a closet roll. Thank goodness it was ´only´ a large beetle. We still wanted to catch it anyway, so we made up a plan: I would hit the roll so mr. Beetle would get out, and my grandmother would kill him with her shoe. But when I made him move out of the roll, my grandmother missed him. I guess the image of me yelling encouraging: "Hit him, HIT HIM!" and grandmother using her shoe in vain would've not been unbecoming in a screwball comedy.

A few days later, we decided to do something a little more sportive and went bodybording in Kuta, a quite busy place. But the waves there were brilliant! My grandmother didn´t dare to swim in the sea, but my uncle, aunt, youngest cousin and I all concquered the breakers. The secret of bodyboarding is to get on top of a strong wave, and when you succeed, the wave carries you with an infernal speed to the shore. Amazing.

Two days later, we went to the Bali Bird Park, which I absolutely ADORED, since birds are my favorite animals. The park had a large, impressive collection of all kinds of colourful birds. Suddenly a little bird landed on my grandmothers neck. Her reaction to this small parrot-ish creature quite beated my reaction to the cockroach! I took the bird away from her, and played with it him, which was too cute! The park also had a lot of Bird Shows, where they flew over us on command, catched pieces of food out of the sky, and so on. It was really swell!

My last whole day in Bali came way too soon. We went bodyboarding again, and had a 'goodbye-dinner' in a restaurant. It's funny how you can bond with family even more when you're on a holiday together, because most of the time, family meetings are only for half a day or so. I said goodbye to them with a big lump in my throat, but with lots of great memories in my mind and the hope I can come back some time!

To Catch a Plane

2009-12-22T03:06:00.010+01:00

In a few hours, i'll be.. *building up the suspense* ..sitting in an airplane! I'm going to Indonesia for three weeks with my grandmother, to celebrate the holiday season with my uncle, aunt and cousins who temporary live over there - and i'm so much looking forward to it!

It feels quite strange to pack summerdresses and t-shirts when seeing snow falling down if you look outside your window, and I can't imagine (but i'm quite certain I love it) Christmas time when the weather is tropical! Not that The Netherlands is always as Christmas card-ish looking as it is right now, but.. still, haha. I've never ravelled outside of Europe and it will also be the first time at this time of the year without my parents and brother (okay, technically not the first time without the latter, since i'm three years older!) but I am happy to see my other family again too, and i'm very thankful that this year, I've had (and will have) the chance to go on a holiday with both my grandmothers.

Speaking of my family: it seems like they have a general tendency to miss Dutch supermarket-specialties.. remember I had to take four jars of peanut butter to Portugal? Well, this time, my aunt asked me if I could possibly take along liquorice (typically Dutch), chocolates and.. *hold on* 6 (!) packs of pancake mix (typically my aunt)! Well again, if my suitcase is overweight, I blame the pancake mix this time!

Speaking of luggage: i'm going to take the novel 'Random Harvest' with me - being a classics fan everywhere? Oh yes! Plus:It's useful because I have to read it again for my study.. I'm not planning on studying when i'm actually there, of course, but the flight will take 16 (!) hours so that's plenty of time to spend. Also, my grandmother isn't travelling economy, so help me hoping i'll be sitting next to a nice person!

And last but certainly not least, I wish you all a very merry and classy Christmas in advance!

Enjoy the holiday season (:

Happy Birthday, Gone with the Wind!

2009-12-15T20:10:00.006+01:00

Today, exactly seventy years ago, on December 15, 1939, 'Gone With the Wind' premiered in Atlanta. Can you believe it's already been seventy years since this film first graced the silver screen in its glorious technicolor? But then again, can you think of the history of motion pictures without thinking of 'Gone with the Wind'?

The movie is without a doubt epic - and so is everything around it. The making took so long, the actors had to come back after the 'it's a wrap!', some of the sceneries are painted (no, I couldn't believe that either when I heard that for the first time), the book itself, the costumes, quotes, historical background, the long search for the perfect cast that almost took as long as the making of the whole film, and in particular finding Scarlett O'Hara (So weird to think about the fact Margaret Mitchell first named her main character Pansy..). About every self-respecting Hollywood actress of that time auditioned fo that role, recognized some of Scarlett's characteristics in herself.

But I think that they've done a really great job in the end, and it's quite impossible to read the book without thinking of Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable now!

It's been a while since i've seen the film, and i'm actually extremely busy and stressed because of my study at the moment, but tonight a friend and I are going to watch 'Gone with the Wind'. University? Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn! Everybody needs to relax once in a while. And it's good to remember that after all, tomorrow is another day. (;

Random Harvest Homework

2009-12-14T20:46:00.009+01:00

Things i've learned today:

1) Decorating the Christmas tree is even more fun while listening to Christmas songs
2) Our canary loves Christmas songs
3) I'm a philosophy failure and have to do the course again next year
4) Knäckebröd with camembert and honey tastes pretty good
5) I happen to be good at guessing in which literary period a novel belongs during my last 'Introduction to the Scandinavian Literature' exam.
6) It's really cold enough outside to start wearing gloves
7) I'm good at making outlines for 'literature and film course' essays (but then again: I'm going to write about 'Random Harvest' (!) - which is going to make my homework swell for a change, and with that, so much easier).

Yes, that's correct, i'll 'have to' read and watch 'Random Harvest' again for a course. We were allowed to pick a filmed novel ourselves! Can you imagine better homework? I can't! So when i'm dreaming away while watching Greer Garson and Ronald Colman on my (computer) screen while times are ridiculously busy, I have a good excuse. Yay!

We also had to think of a title for our essay-to-be, and mine is: 'The camera that knew too much'.

Guess on which aspect of the film and novel i'm going to focus? (;

Born in the wrong Era with the right inventions

2009-12-12T20:13:00.012+01:00

I don't think i'm born in the wrong Era, I simply know it. When scientists will ever invent a time machine i'll be there to take a ride (or flight? How would these things work?) right back to the 1950s or end 1940s to stay there for a while.
Imagine living during the Golden Era, with all the - what we now do consider, classic - actors and actresses actually being around and in their heydays, busy making the best motion pictures the relatively short history of film has known so far. Going to the nearby cinema to see the "newest Alfred Hitchcock picture." Buying a magazine and read an article about "upcoming Hollywoodstar Grace Kelly." Turning on the radio on sunday night at seven only to hear the 'Jack Benny Program' with Deborah Kerr as a guest star. Watching 'What's my Line?' live from your little black and white television set. Oh, my.

For the people living back then, it must have been 'normal' to have all this, they probably couldn't imagine their entertainment being any other way, but when you're a huge classic film geek in a period when these days are over, then the idea of spending some time in the past seems like.. heaven. Yep, I keep my hopes up for the time machine, haha! (Told my mother this, she laughed, and made a remark like: "We know when a time machine is going to be invented when people from the future are visiting us." Pretty clever, right?)

So although I think i'd feel more at home in the past, I am grateful for living now for various reasons. Think about women's rights and oppertunities, for example. Another of the reasons is the medium i'm using now: the internet.
When I would have been young and a classics fan in say, the 1980s, it would have been so much harder to have access to the world of classic cinema. Not only would I have to wait until one of the television channels perhaps broadcasts a classic film when they feel like it, I also would have a much more difficult time to find the movies on VHS tapes - I guess there simply were less classics released. And what about getting to know more about the life of your favorite star? The eighties-answer would have possibly been: books.

The internet is such a rich source of information about Classic Hollywood. Every single classic actor or actress has his/her own fan page, there are thousands of websites about the Golden Era in general with photos, trivia, biographies, quotations, an alphabethical list of movies, websites where you can order books and other classics related merchandise.. you name it, it's there. And because I believe in central places for fans to gather together, I help administrating a brand new classics forum now for classic picture lovers from all over the world.

Thanks to Youtube, I have seen more classic films than I could have ever imagined. Thanks to Youtube, classic movie websites and blogs (why do I assume lots of people feel addressed right now? (; ), I found such nice fellow classics fans (also people my age!), and even real friendship. The people I know in real life are really wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I can't make them, and expect them to, love classics as much as I do.
Thanks to the internet, I won't ever feel alone with my interests anymore! And I truly hope my blog will contribute a little to this feeling for others as well. (:

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

2009-12-10T20:09:00.015+01:00

... *continues humming the song*. Haha yes, needless to say: it's that time of the year again! Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' is the first Christmas song i've heard on the radio this year, and if you ask me, I think it's a wonderful start-off.
(And it's kind of true in my case: I AM dreaming of a White Christmas, but then white as in.. white sand. Because i'm going to family in INDONESIA (!) - Super excited about that!!! Just a little background information between the parenthesis..)
Soon, you can't walk into a store anymore without hearing Mariah Carey's 'All I want for Christmas is youuuu' and WHAM! singing about their 'Last Christmas'.
I mean, can you imagine the holiday season without hearing one of these at least once? I can't, and as a matter of fact: I like traditions and I like the songs. I'm actually the only person in the household who seriously, really does like Christmas music, and listens to things like 'The Christmas top 100', to give you an idea. Because the same songs come back every year, they make me think of Christmasses from the past years. The melodies and lyrics bring back little memory snippets and make me feel a little more Christmas-ish. And nostalgic from time to time.

Speaking of nostalgia!
The fact that the very well-know Christmas songs provide that Christmasslike (is this even a word? haha) feeling, doesn't mean that the less known ones don't. Just like classic movies, classic Christmas songs contain warmth and that typical 'Classic Era'-feeling that is hard to describe, but what you experience when watching a classic or listen to a song from that time.
That is why I took a plunge in the Youtubely vaults and found some songs/renditions sung by my favorite performers from back then that may be less familiar, and made a little 'hyperlink jukebox':
-------
Dinah Shore ~ You meet the Nicest People
Frank Sinatra ~ I Believe
Doris Day ~ Toy Land
Andrews Sisters ~ I'd like to hitch a ride with Santa Claus
Fred Astaire ~ Santa Claus is coming to Town
Julie London ~ I'd like You for Christmas
Rosemary Clooney ~ Let it snow!
-------

Enjoy!! (:

Dress up in technicolor

2009-12-06T18:42:00.028+01:00

Remember Mrs Constance Wibaut's 'Fashion and Style' book I wrote about last month? Well, because of that post I started reading in it again, and bumped upon tips on picking clothes in colours that suit (Haha, this could be meant as a wordplay, but I actually typed the word without thinking about it. I swear! Not that I'm never being a little corny like that, mind you...) you best.
Although the book is originally written for ladies, I think that nowadays gentlemen can put these tips into practice as well. So, without further ado, here is a little more 1958's style wisdom for you all:

Black hair - light skin colour.

All warm colours, on condition that they aren't too bright. No orange, no pink, no flaming red. Blue, navy and turquoise will give your skin more warmth, as well as grey and black. Beige and brown ask for good make-up.

Black hair - warm brown skin tone.

This woman can wear practically every colour. The warm shades will look good in combination with her dark hair, the cool shades accentuate her warm complexion. Wearing black will give her a golden tint, light colours an exotic look.

Brown hair - dark complexion.

The same colours as the former, only a little more moderate. White, lilac, pink, lavender, beige, brown.

Brown hair - light skin.

Warm shades in covered nuances, for example cognac brown, English red, soft yellow. Black with a single bright detail. Clear blue, royal blue, beige, brown, all shades of grey and grey-ish green. With good make-up also light blue and lavender.

Dark blonde hair - warm skin tone.

All shades of blue, also the bright ones. Green, navy, black, bordeaux red, dark brown and beige.

Dark blonde hair - cool-pale complexion.

Be careful with bright colours, you'd better keep on the safe side. Blue, from navy to baby blue, all kinds of grey, grey-ish green, lavender, black when combined with white or a pasteltint. Avoid brown or beige.

Light golden blonde hair - tanned skin.

This type can wear lots of cheerful colours, but no red, orange or bright green. She should wear royal blue, ice blue, actually every kind of blue. And pastel colours as much as she pleases. Black, navy, dark green, dark grey and a very dark shade of red are very flattering as well.

Light golden blonde hair - pale complexion.

Avoid all warm colours, as well as beige and pink. Other pastel colours will do, preferably tending towards blue. Light yellow as well. White is possible, but only when it's combined with black or navy. Dark brown and brown-ish purple are good, but ask for make-up. Dark blue and dark green are very suitable.

Ash blonde hair - cool-pale skin.

This woman almost isn't able to wear other colours than light blue, grey-ish green, grey and lavender. Black, marine and navy if necessary, provided that she is wearing good maquillage. But all warm and bright colours will make her complexion look more pale. There's nothing to do about that, it can't be altered. Even though she is longing to wear a bright red sweater or a grass-green coat, she will have to give up that wish.

Red hair (natural).

Goes with a very pale skin tone most of the time, and therefore only can take grey, grey-ish shades of green, black, dark brown, dark green.

Red hair (dyed).

Can take rather bright colours, at least with a warm complexion.

[Grey hair. It's the best to take the original hair colour as starting point, and avoid the bright colours of the younger years.]

I have to say that some colour suggestions have to be taken with a pinch of salt. Mrs Wibaut writes, for example, that women with natural red or ash blonde hair shouldn't wear warm colours. But perhaps some of you remember the fabulous dress Deborah Kerr wears when she first meets Cary Grant in 'An Affair to Remember'? Or Eva Marie Saints lovely orange creation in which she is running away from the villains with Cary Grant (gee, he really played in lots of wonderful films!) in 'North by Northwest'? [sidenote: the last hyperlink contains spoilers]
These colours do indeed accentuate their complexion and hair colour.. in a very good way.
Mrs Wibaut points out herself as well that 'there should be space for your personal taste and ideas' - the chapter in her book is merely meant as a guideline.
So, I hope that next time when you go shopping, you'll find clothes in colours you thought you'd never wear, but look absolutely amazing on you! (:

[Source: Wibaut, Constance. Mode en Stijl. C. A. J. Van Dishoeck, Bussum, 1958]

Kisses in Classic Cinema

2009-11-26T00:27:00.012+01:00

For a good thirty minutes, you are watching the hero and his leading lady on screen now. It's already obvious that they're attracted to each other, belong together and should live happily ever after. They don't seem to know it themselves yet, or don't dare to show it, whatever you yell at your screen. But then it happens: they've escaped the crowd, the leading man says something sweet/funny, violin music stars to play, swells.. and they kiss - finally! It's one of the romantic highlights of most classic films, often happening before the drama starts they have to concquer, or just before the ending credits start to roll.
Nowadays, some movie makers seem to think the audiences don't have any imagination of their own anymore, and show off things way too much and being very.. well, let's just say, explicit.
But how different it was in the Golden Era! There are, of course, still romantic love scenes in films made these days, and maybe it's just me, but kisses in classic film do seem always just a little more romantic.

Strange to think how many rules there were for kissing scenes. I can already imagine very earnest looking censors, brilliantine in their coiffures, horn rimmed-glasses (I just think these people wore horn rimmed-glasses) and with a stopwatch in their hands: "Mister Hitchcock, your leading actor and actress kissed each other exactly 3 and a half seconds too long. You have to do something about that." Luckily for them and us, they were dealing with one of the geniusses of the last century when it comes to directing films. The Bergman & Grant kiss(es) in 'Notorious' - need I say more? - is a wonderful three-minute example of being creative with the 1940s rules. The scene shows much more how attracted the main characters are to each other, than when it was 'just' a peck lasting a few seconds.

Heartbreaking are the 'goodbye'-kisses, where the actor and actress we've sympathized with during the whole film, have to part (permanently). "Kiss me as if it were the last time." Ingrid Bergman says to Humphrey Bogart in 'Casablanca'. He kisses her, and indeed, for the last time. As much as we want them to end up together building up a life after the war, the noble ending decides otherwise. And when Gregory Peck kisses Audrey Hepburn goodbye in 'Roman Holiday', he does so because it says more than words at the moment.
But in the case of both films, you know that they will always cherish the memory of the moments we've seen.. as time goes by.

It's also interesting when the kiss isn't written in a sugary sweet script, but takes place in film noir, in between chasing cars and hiding for bullets. The 'I love you but i'm a femme fatale/hard boiled detective so I can't say I love you, but I want to show it nevertheless'- ones. The mixture of humour, sarcasm and attraction really does work, think of Bogie and Bacall in 'To Have and Have Not', after Laurens' character Slim kissed Steve (Bogart):
Steve: What did you do that for?
Slim: I've been wondering if I'd like it.
Steve: What's the decision?
Slim: I don't know yet.
- She kisses him again -
Slim: It's even better when you help.

And a kiss can even be romantic when you don't really see it: for example the 'behind the door'-kiss Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers share in 'Swing Time'. Or what about the first kiss of Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant in 'An Affair to Remember'?

These are just a few examples of the many kisses on screen. Yes, there are lots of ways to show the love between two people. All creative, all romantic and making the viewer happy.
"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous." Ingrid Bergman once remarked. She is right, and it's obvious that the classic script writers and directors knew that too.

Ingrid Quiz!

2009-11-23T22:17:00.015+01:00

Just noticed the quiz on the Ingrid Bergman Life and Films blog! First thought: I love Ingrid! Second thought: I love filling in quizzes as well... Third thought: I need a break from making homework! So guess what I'm going to do now?

1. What's your favorite Ingrid film?
'Casablanca'! And 'Notorious'! Is sharing the no.1 position an option? (;

2. Who's your favorite leading man from a film with Ingrid?
Cary Grant. Definitely.

3. Who would you LOVE to see her with?
Hard question, since she actually has made movies with three certain fellas - named Bogie, Cary AND Gregory (; ( such a lucky lady, wasn't she?), all favorite actors of mine.
*Wait, spontaneous idea coming up:* She might have made a good screen couple with Ronald Colman! In a romantic drama à la 'Random Harvest'.. yes, I can totally picture that (:

4. What action film would you cast Ingrid in?
'Charade'! Although I'm a fan of Audrey Hepburn too, i'd love to see Ingrid and Cary together for a third time. (I mean, seriously. How adorable are they together! And their chemistry! Did I already mention their adorableness?)

5. In which current/classic TV show would she have been a great cast member?
Oh my, I seldom watch nowadays television, haha. So maybe a 'Golden Girls'-ish programme.. Or as a guest panellist in 'What's my Line?' - I bet she and Arlene Francis would have become friends!

6. Long hair Ingrid or short?
Short!

7. Ingrid in Sweden, Italy or U.S.?
U.S.

8. Who's your favorite of her children?
I'd go for Isabella (and I STILL can't get over how much she looks like Ingrid).

9. Favorite photo of Ingrid?
I love these natural (okay, Ingrid always does look natural.. perhaps I should say, out-of-the set? *Semi-*candid? ) photo's!

And this one is cute as well:

*note to the self: the question was photo. Not photos!* Sorry (; I hope - and assume! - nobody will mind more photo's though*

10. If you had to write a book report on Ingrid, what would it be titled?
"We'll always have Ingrid"!

How it all started

2009-11-20T12:10:00.012+01:00

"Classic movies." a friend of mine once repeated, after asking what kind of movies I like best. She wasn't immediately sure what I was talking about, but then Thomas Edison's invention seemed to pop up above her head, because she asked quite insecure: "Oh wait, you mean, like... movies with Marilyn Monroe, right?"
"Classic movies?" older people ask, while giving me a surprised look. "Really? How does a girl your age got to like these kind of films?"

The first example is a common reaction when I try to talk with peers about films made between the 1920s and 60s. The second is actually a good and understandable question, (Isn't at least one of these situations identifiable for the young classic film fans here?) considering the reaction of the teenagers who belong in the first category. Lots of people who were young adults (or born in the) 1950s simply don't expect this generation still liking what they liked back then, probably thinking the films are seen as 'old-fashioned' and 'boring' anno 2009.
Well, we all know that is a big misunderstanding! But I have to admit that a most of my other real life friends (yes, I have made friends and met great people who are big classic film fans because of the internet, obviously) aren't that much into classics, or simply never thought about watching one.
So indeed, how did a girl my age ended up loving classic films so much?

If we jump about eleven years back in time, we will find me home, looking for something Disney to put into the VHS player - yep, ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about the nineties now! (: Suddenly a recorded tape caught my eye. With clear black letters there was 'Casablanca' written on it. Casablanca? I had no idea what it was (didn't even associate it with the city in Morocco), but it sounded interesting to me. Soon black and white images were floating all over the screen. I do remember finding it fascinating, but only watched a fragment though, because it was english, not subtitled and hey... I was only eight!
After this brief encounter, my only classic movie experiences consisted of watching 'Grease' at childeren's parties, and 'The Sound of Music' around the 25th of December, (I don't know if it's the case at other countries too, but here they broadcast the latter EVERY Christmas!) and that was that.

Until... *roll of drums* the summer of 2005. I was following tap classes, and very much into it: I went to the tapdance/Gershwin musical 'Crazy for You' three (really) times, just to give an example. One day, my mother said, before she left the house to do some shopping: "Loes, the BBC is broadcasting a tapdance film. You should watch it, maybe you'll like it."
The tapdance film turned out to be 'Shall we Dance?' with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
I didn't like it.
I LOVED it.
The tapdancing (even on rollerskates!), the Gershwin music I knew because of 'Crazy for You', the funny lines, a romantic plot, black and white, Fred and Ginger together, the whole sphere.. it was wonderful.

I had to see more movies like 'Shall we Dance?'! But were there more movies like this? After some googeling, I found out that the answer was positive. I also found a biography in a vintage book store about Grace Kelly, that described the sphere of the days I just started to discover very well. And then, sort of a snowball effect started: Every film lead me to other great actors and actresses, which made me watch some of their films, getting to know genres like Screwball Comedies and Film Noir.
I also remembered the name 'Casablanca' again, and since our VHS was (still is) broken, I bought the DVD. (But we still have the tape! Look! Here it is!

Aw, don't you just adore video's? I have the same affection for grammophones, music on audio cassettes and so on, haha) Watching the film eight-year-old me didn't get, was the last film it took to made me unconditionally and permanently fall in love with classics. "We'll always have Paris".. *sigh*. Up until today, it's still one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking films i've ever seen.

I still go to the cinema, and although there are good movies to be seen in there every now and then, nothing beats watching a good classic. They just don't make 'em like that anymore, but I am glad they once did. And that I will KNOW they did for the rest of my life!

Rear Window & A Room of One's Own.

2009-11-17T22:33:00.013+01:00

[Notes: I have written this essay last year for uni. Except for the quotations, I have translated it from Dutch to English. If you want to use it, make sure to link back to me as a source. And, last but not least: this article contains SPOILERS - so if you haven't seen 'Rear Window' yet... go do that now/first! Because you're missing out a lot (; ]

Through all the ages, the mostly complicated relationship between men and women has been an important theme in a big amount of novels, plays and later, in films. Therefore, also in the work of the author Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), and film director Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980).
One of the common themes in Hitchcock’s films, is the men’s power complex, the struggle he has maintaining the patriarchal society and dealing with females physically or mentally stronger than himself. Lots of films Hitchcock has directed, show how the relationship between men and women gets affected in the modernizing world of the 20th century, in which women get more assertive and the traditional male/female roles start to fade. This theme is clearly present in his film ‘Rear Window’ from 1954. Hence, this is the film I will discuss in my essay.

Virginia Woolf, on the contrary, perceives the changing society from the female perspective. She focuses on the women’s struggle to establish a creative identity (by having a job or being an artist, for example) of her own in a male dominated world. She would love to see this world changing to the advantage of women. Woolf makes this point of view very clear in her essay ‘A Room of One’s Own’ from 1929.

Although Hitchcock and Woolf study society from the point of view of their own gender, they have in common that they are both interested in what effect the male dominated society has on the creativity and right of self-determination of women, and what impact the loss of power has on the men’s ego.
That is why in this essay, I will study how the male/female relationship and roles defined in Woolf’s Essay ‘A Room of One’s Own’, are equally or differently pictured in Hitchcock’s film ‘Rear Window’. I will also look at the changing society of the 1950’s.

In ‘Rear Window’, photographer L.B ‘Jeff’ Jefferies (James Stewart), is temporary handicapped because of a broken leg and chained to his wheel chair because of an accident. Out of boredom, he starts to observe his neighbours all day long with full attention. He names a lonely, middle-aged women “Miss Lonelyhearts” and the semi-professional dancer “Miss Torso”. Jeff watches the life and times of a newly wedded couple, a struggling composer, an older couple accompanied by a dog, and a husband and wife quarrelling all the time. After a while, he begins to suspect that this man, Lars Thorwald, living right across his house murdered his bedridden wife. When he has convinced his girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) and Nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) that he is right, the three of them make a plan to prove Thorwalds guilt.

The shots of the neighbours are mainly filmed from Jeff’s perspective, so we as viewer watch along with him, and become voyeurs as well. Jeff observes a situation, we see what he sees, and his reaction to what happens in the neighbourhood.
A comparison to film and television is easily made. The observed neighbours all represent a film genre, or different channels Jeff is zapping through. It is striking that all these subplots in ‘Rear Window’ have something to do with married life and or (the lack of) love.
These subplots are alternative scenarios for Lisa and Jeff’s life. They make relationship clearer to the viewer, or show what could happen to them in the future when they stay together or decide to break up.

While observing, Jeff and Lisa mirror themselves to the neighbours. They compare the neighbours’ lives with their own, and are commenting on their actions, just like the moviegoers do with the actors and actresses they see on the silver screen.
Both Lisa and Jeff use the neighbours as reason to talk about their feelings for each other; Jeff compares Lisa with Miss Torso, who is very popular by men, for example. He states about the latter: “She's like a queen bee with her pick of the drones”, on which Lisa answers: “I'd say she's doing a woman's hardest job: juggling wolves”, and returns his hidden insult.
One of the examples that prove that the neighbours do reflect Lisa and Jeff’s relationship is that Miss Lonelyhearts and Miss Torso often wear the same colour or kind of clothes as Lisa does. Thorwalds wife even looks like Lisa in physical appearance!

Jeff does not observe the neighbours just because he is bored; it is also a way to get back his sense of control and power, something that he feels like he has lost in his relationship with Lisa. Jeff does not want to marry her, though splitting up is not what the wants either; he likes to hang on to the status quo.
Lisa, on the contrary, wants their relationship to be more serious, and criticizes the fact that Jeff arranges his life as if he is a bachelor. His fickle life as a photographer consists making lots of trips abroad, which is not conductive to their relationship.

Lisa suggests Jeff to start a photo studio of his own in the neighbourhood, and adds the fact that she, as a mannequin, could make sure that he would have enough customers. Jeff’s only answer to this plan is a sarcastic laugh. When the offended Lisa says that she really could arrange this all for him, Jeff answers “That’s what I’m afraid of.” He does not want Lisa – a woman! – To be responsible for his (future) success; that would mean that she is superior to him.
After all, a common thought in the 1950’s still was that a woman ‘belongs in the kitchen’ and should be there to take care of her husband and boost his ego:

“Women have served all these years as looking-glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its size.” (Woolf, 35) [..] “Whatever may be their use in civilized societies, mirrors are essential to all violent and heroic action. That is why Napoleon and Mussolini both insist so empathically on the inferiority of women, for if they were not inferior they would cease to enlarge.”(A Room of One’s Own, Woolf, 36)

Jeff is, in a way, frightened of the perfect Lisa, who tends to outshine him in his superiority. She is successful and assertive herself, and does not function as the for men desired ‘looking-glass’ Woolf describes.
The scene where Lisa is introduced already shows how assertive and confident she is. The first thing we see of Lisa is her shadow falling over the sleeping Jeff, followed by a close-up of her flawless face. She arises above him and wakes him up with a kiss. To enlarge the contrast with the disabled Jeff, Lisa is often seen walking or striking a pose in the scenes; she is physically superior. This way of filming underlines the almost ‘female’ position Jeff is temporary in.

Which gives hand as well, is the fact that the visit Lisa pays Jeff takes place after one of her productive and long working day? She comes ‘home’ in a way that was, in those days, only allocated to men. In fact, Lisa represents the increasing opportunities for modern women to get a job and be active out-of-doors.
In ‘Rear Window’ Jeff is de one who has to stay home, (although it is temporary) and Lisa is not the kind of apron-wearing housewife, who waits for her husband with dinner ready to be served. Lisa does want to please Jeff though, so she arranges that a waiter working at the distinguished restaurant ’21’ delivers a dinner complete with lobster and wine.
Expensive dinners are not the only thing Lisa can afford to buy: she wears ‘haute couture’. If Jeff is impressed of the price of Lisa’s dress, she happily answers that she would even buy it “Just for the occasion”.
It may be clear that Lisa is fully independent when it comes to finances, which has an intimidating effect on Jeff.

Virginia Woolf already wrote: “– a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction […]” (Woolf, 6) Being able to afford to become a full-time author (or in Lisa’s case, a mannequin) can be seen as being independent from a man.

Lisa’s successful job is a violation to the superiority Jeff, according to the 1950’s discourse, ‘should’ have. To compensate this fact, Jeff dwells on his manly lifestyle (“Ever try to keep warm in a C-54, at fifteen thousand feet, at twenty below zero?”) and belittles Lisa’s job.
To Stella, however, Jeff complains that everything about Lisa is simply too polished and perfect for him, and that she will never be capable to accompany him on one of his future trips. This is one of the reasons why Jeff doesn’t want to marry Lisa as well, and the thought makes Jeff moan: “If only she was ordinary”.
Lisa’s interests and things involved with her job (fashion, events, to list a few) are seen as inferior to Jeff’s ‘manly interests’ and achievements. He looks, moulded by the patriarchal ideas baked in society, down on women’s creative achievements and hobby’s – it is something that does not have to be taken seriously:

“But it is obvious that the values of women differ very often from the values which have been made by the other sex; naturally, this is so. Yet it is the masculine values that prevail. Speaking crudely, football and sport are "important"; the worship of fashion, the buying of clothes "trivial." And these values are inevitably transferred from life to fiction.” (Woolf, 70)

Lisa en Jeff’s relationship runs the risk of going totally wrong, but having to team up to prove what Thorwald has done to his wife, seems to be 'a perfect godsend'.
Jeff gets back his sense of control (after all, HE is the one that noticed Thorwalds strange behaviour), and the lead by commanding Lisa to find out more about Thorwald. When she succeeds, she even asks Jeff “for the next assignment”. Lisa confirms Jeff’s control over the situation. He puts her to the test, and she obeys to win his love again.

Jeff decides to write Thorwald a letter with the text “What have you done with her?” to look at his reaction. Lisa is the one that has to post the letter, and sees to sneak away in a nick of time to prevent Thorwald from seeing her.
The fact that Lisa went to the same area Jeff has observed during the last days, means a revival for their relationship. When she returns from posting the letter and enthusiastically asks Jeff how Thorwald reacted, Jeff looks at her in admiration and with love.

Now all they need is touchable evidence, which makes that Jeff calls Thorwald and tells him he knows everything, and asks him to come to a nearby bar. Lisa takes a chance and breaks into Thorwalds apartment to look for proof that he murdered his wife. Just when Lisa has found Mrs Thorwalds wedding ring, Mr Thorwald arrives back home. The only thing Jeff and Stella can do from preventing that Thorwald hurts Lisa, is calling the police. When the policemen come in and arrest Lisa for ‘robbery’, she points at her ring finger in front of Thorwalds window to show Jeff she is wearing the proof; Mrs. Thorwalds wedding ring.
Only Thorwald sees this gentle hint, and he realizes that Jeff sees through him, and knows everything. When Stella leaves to bail Lisa out, Thorwald breaks into Jeff’s apartment and pushes him out of the Window. Stella, Lisa and Doyle are back just in time to break Jeff’s fall and arrest Thorwald.

In the final scene, Lisa is the one observing: she throws Jeff a content look. The latter has two broken legs now because of the fall, and is even more dependent than before. Lisa has changed from fancy dresses to jeans (she is literally ‘wearing the trousers’ as well!) and a plain blouse. Jeff is asleep, so the coast is clear to do whatever she wants without disappointing or frighten him with her interests. That’s why Lisa changes the travel book 'Beyond the high Himalayas' she is reading for the latest edition of a fashion magazine. It seems like she has found a balance between being a suitable, good wife for Jeff, and staying true to herself.

We can conclude that Lisa, because of her brave, almost manly deeds did not escape out of the grip of the patriarchal society. Her courageous behaviour is one of the reasons that took care of the fact that Jeff is not afraid anymore to marry Lisa. She proved that she is able to adjust her lifestyle to his. Lisa will have to give up her career: in the 1950s it was common that a woman was fired or simply stopped working when she got married. She will kind of end up in the dependent position Virginia Woolf criticizes in her essay, but Lisa seems to be at peace with it. She truly loves Jeff and never wanted anything else than a married life with him.
Jeff, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be afraid anymore that Lisa’s will outshine him with her career – the for him intimidating success of her modelling career and the days of expensive dresses are a part of the past. This is not the case with Lisa’s interest in fashion though, as soon as she sees that Jeff is asleep, she starts reading 'Harper’s Bazaar'.

Virginia Woolf wrote the following about the dominant position of the man: “With the exception of the fog he seemed to control everything.” (Woolf, 34.) But the thoughts and pastime of women seem to be unable to control as well. Lisa changes her life a little for Jeff, but she doesn’t give up what really interest her. What she does, is trying to strike the golden mean amongst the two things in life that are the most important for her: being with Jeff the rest of her life, and her hobbies.
It looks like Jeff has a big part of his control back because of everything that has happened: He can continue his life as a travelling photographer, this time with his wife by his side. The travelling book Lisa is reading can be seen as a "a preview of coming attractions”. It’s a preparation for one of the trips Jeff and Lisa will make soon – when Jeff’s legs are out of the gypsum plaster mould.

Works Cited:
REAR WINDOW. Reg. Alfred Hitchcock. Paramount Pictures, 1954.

Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One’s Own. Frogmore, St Albans: Triad/Panther Books, 1977.

Grace Patricia Kelly

2009-11-12T02:05:00.008+01:00

Some people know her for the films she has made. Some people see her as a great style icon. Some people think of a song by Mika when hearing her name. Some people see her as the American princess of Monaco. Fans know all of this, and I assume, even more.
I love and admire Grace Kelly very much, she was the first classic actress I became a fan of, shortly after discovering the amazingness of classic film that would have a huge impact on - and consequences for - my life.

I haven’t had the chance yet to see all of her movies yet (but that certainly will happen one day (: ) but ADORED every single one i’ve seen. Grace is perfectly casted as Linda Nordley, very different and convincing in her oscar winning rol as a bitter wife, funny in the musical 'High Society', showing the public she’s more than the aloof Hitchcock blonde. His films with Grace are amazing. Lisa Carol Freemont is from top to bottom a fitting role for Grace Kelly. The scriptwriter was even told by Hitch himself to spend some time with her, to make sure the role hightlighted Grace’s fascinating chacteristics. And ‘To Catch a Thief’... what can I say about that film without falling in enthousiastic adjectives even more than i’m already doing now? I can’t! Grace Kelly in the French technicolored Rivièra, plus Cary Grant, plus a story with suspense, snappy conversations and romance, plus Hitch’ directing will make the film an addition sum that every real movie fan will, at least, like!

To be perfectly honest, I’ve read Grace’s life story before even having seen her on the celluloid, and was immediately caught by it. Such an unusual life, partly a fairy tale, partly the darkness of the pages in a closed book. I don’t think any scriptwriter would’ve had enough fantasy and skill to write a story like this (okay, the writers of ‘The Swan’ are coming pretty close!) in a convincing way, without Louis B. Mayer or David O. Selznick raising an eyebrow and saying:
“Well well, a girl from Philadephia, brought up in a wealthy, sportive family she doesn’t really fit in, becoming an actress, wins an oscar, having flings with fellow actors and.. marries the prince of Monaco after all this?! Do you think the audience will ever believe such a story?”

The audience did, and loved it. Grace didn’t like every scene she had to play, missing her family and friends, her marriage not always being what she expected it to be, missing the acting and having a hard time learning Rainiers first language. (Reporter: “Miss Kelly, how’s your French?” Grace: "Hmm.. Comme Ci, Comme Ça!”) She really loved being a mother though, raising her childeren Caroline, Albert and Stéphanie. She also got the chance to be creative by making collages out of flowers, reading poetry and filming several documentaries, fitting with the lifestyle of a princess.

And, not to forget, she always knew what kind of clothes to wear. A tweed skirt, low heeled shoes, Ray Ban-ish sunglasses and white gloves were some of her trademark items. We’ll always have the Hermès Kelly bag, which Grace used to prevent the press from noticing she was pregnant. Rolling up your hair at the back of your head is nowadays known as the ‘Grace Kelly roll’. Designers like Helen Rose and Oleg Cassini (with whom she was engaged for a while) created the most gorgeous dresses for her to flaunt at the red carpet and the Monegaskian palace. Grace didn’t only gave the 1950s American moviebuisiness something of her style and (no pun intended) gracefulness, she did the same for Monaco.

She should’ve been able to do this and give the world something of her creativity much longer, but at the 13th of September 1982, disaster strikes. When Grace is driving in her car with Stéphanie, at the hairpin bends she once drove when filming ‘To Catch a Thief’, Grace loses the control over the wheel, probably having a stroke, the car slips and falls down. Stéphanie is still able to get out of the car, Grace is severly injured and in a coma. She passes away the next day, Rainier, Caroline and Albert being on her side.

Today would’ve been Grace’s 80th birthday, the birthday of an inimitable woman with the ability to behold her own, original personality and look all of her life, but being at the same time described as “an empty canvas on which everyone can paint a dream on.” Jimmy Stewart stated that “she has class”, and the daughter of screenwriter and director George Seaton (‘The Country Girl') said: “She was my ideal. She was always the perfect lady. [...] I thought of her as one of the most elegant, warm-hearted, amiable women i’ll ever know in my life.” All Grace wished, however, was to be remembered as “a decent human being”. We will remember you that way, Grace. And for much, much more.

Top Hats

2009-11-05T22:23:00.013+01:00

“People should not confuse a hat with protective headwear. Caps and bonnets are protective headwear, mainly worn as a protection of the head and eyes against sun, coldness and rain. But for a hat is protecting the least important of its many functions. A hat can serve as a sign of dignity, distinguishing one’s profession, as a religious requisite, as a decoration and as a sign of mourning or happiness.”

States – a translated from Dutch by me - Constance Wibaut, author of the 1958’s book ‘Mode en Stijl’ (Fashion and Style). It seems like we have found equivalents for the functions of the hat, since the nowadays street scene mainly shows people wearing protective headwear.
But until about the first half of the 20th century, wearing a hat was as normal as wearing a coat in the winter. In fact: ‘Fashionably seen, a hat is desirable with every daily outfit, but absolutely necessary at dressed occasions such as receptions, lunches and cocktail parties,” thus far Mrs Wibaut.

The only people wearing hats these days are the Royal families, and the ‘High Society’, I guess – but mainly when attending one of the latter three examples listed.
But why aren’t there more people following their example again? We seriously should go back to wearing hats. You can correct the flaws of your face when wearing the right hat, and make a simple dress look elegant. It can make your appearance more refined. This also goes for men – I think a hat gives a man that distinguished, gentlemen-ish look from (alas) far-off days, as if he just stepped out of a black and white movie and is ready for a lively, romantic conversation while having a cocktail at Ciro’s. It makes a man (or guy) look much more handsome. I mean, simply look at these classic actors:

Did this emphasized my argument? I think so. Swooon.

And what about women, or shall I say, ladies in relation to hats? Of course i’ll give some examples of some of the beloved classic actresses looking fabulous avec une hat:

If you’re planning to start wearing a hat (again) during the cold winter days, or to look swell at a christmas party to come, there are some useful tips from the classy fifties written in Constance Wibaut’s book:
- The shape of the hat must be as simple as possible. Avoid bows sticking out, high feathers and other decorations, in brief everything that spoils the natural shape of a hat.
- The colour may be in contrast with the rest of your outfit, on condition that the same nuance will be repeated once again, for example in your shawl or blouse. But not in the shoes please! A hat in the same colour as the coat is seldom succesful, unless both are black and with a colourful accent somewhere else.
- And last but not least: A hat may never be more narrow than the widest part of your face, as shown at the drawing in the book. The left one’s are the wrong chosen hats, the right drawings are, indeed, right:

So, hang on to your hats, because I swear, you’ll look absolutely swell with one! (:

[source used: Wibaut, Constance. Mode en Stijl. C. A. J. Van Dishoeck, Bussum, 1958]

It rained so hard even Gene Kelly wouldn't go out singin'

2009-11-01T17:53:00.008+01:00

It felt like the weather was mocking me today, by making the rain look innocent and not asking for an umbrella seen from out of my window. It turned out to be quite shower-ish when actually being outside. But there was no turning back: I was on my way to the library again, and discovered too late that even wearing my shawl as a headscarf à la Grace Kelly wouldn't help to prevent me from looking like I've just had a swim. It started to pour even harder when I was half-way on the route: even Gene Kelly wouldn't go out singin' in the rain today! I took some inspiration out of this famous 1950s musical nevertheless and figured that the radio on my MP3 player would make me feel better. When I almost arrived at the place to be for reading and studying, the radio channel I was listening to had its commercial break - starting off with a commercial for showers. A man enthousiastically declared that he likes to sing in the shower, and the company happened to have a slogan that was something like: "Enjoy the water!" Thanks for the moral support, fellas. In the library I cheered myself up by borrowing a novel to read at home, written by Cissy van Marxveldt, one of my favorite authors. Marking important phrases in the book 'Philosophy of science for humanities' wasn't that comfortable with dripping hair (now I think of it, reading that book is never comfortable), so after an hour I gave up studying and decided to go home. The amount of water coming from the sky was still the same, but since being soaking wet isn't that bad when going home, I decided to enjoy the rain as much as possible. I turned to my MP3 player again, and clicked on shuffle. The first song that played was 'Rainy days and Mondays' by the Carpenters.

Saudade

2009-10-30T01:30:00.018+01:00

The moment I walked into the house, it felt like home again, as if it hadn’t been a year since I was in Portugal. The kitchen with the blue cabinets, the familiar paintings on the walls, the huge wooden table on which we always play scrabble, the room that was ‘mine’ for a week, the Portugese/Indonesian/Dutch/random look and interior of the house... the place simply breathes warmth and calmness. It was swell to be reunited over there with my aunts and their cute cat Ranja - his name comes from the Portugese word ‘Laranja’, which means ‘orange’ - who bears a striking resemblance to the cat from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’! We got a warm welcome with the traditional pumpkin soup, and I gave the four jars of peanut butter, which caused some hilarity and a bag that only weighed (it’s all in the details) 10.7 kilos (which is, in my humble opinion, not much!) at the airport.

The next day we immediately moved over to another tradition I really do like: picking olives from my aunts' land. I love to put on a hat and boots and shake off my daily city life. Having the sun, the beautiful, wide outstretched landscape around you while climbing (yes, climbing) and sitting in a tree (Ranja even joined me for a while, but quickly seemed to decided that olives weren’t his piece of cake), throwing olives in a bucket and see how it gets filled – it’s almost meditative.
“Life is like an olive tree”, my aunt said to a harvesting me while she was standing on a ladder to pick some hidden olives. “You have to stand at a distance to see the whole and the different angles.” I agreed, and thought more about the metaphor. When you want to grab too many olives at once, they slip out of your hand. When you’re staying at one spot, the time will come there’s nothing left over there. Every tree has rotten olives, and perfectly ripe ones. Who knew one could gather such wisdom from gathering olives? We ended up with 83 kilo of the green and dark ovals and brought them to a small factory, where they dissapeared in something that looked like a huge funnel. After two months, there will be about 8 (!) liters of olive oil waiting for my aunts.

Besides mingling in the olive buisiness, i’ve had to learn a little for my exam coming up, but it seemed easier in a sunny environment, a place where I rediscovered how good it can be to go to sleep and get up early (because it feels like a waste to stay in bed too long there) or with the prospect of watching a film at night. To my great surprise, my aunts do like musicals AND classic film! So we watched ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Some like it Hot’ together – my grandmother really liked the fact that the latter two films starred actors and actresses she knows from her younger years.
We also went on little trips to nearby villages, having dinner at a restaurant where they played jazz, drinking coffee sitting on a square in Silves and Santa Lucia (which is the ‘Portugese version’ of my name - The latter, not the 'Santa'!), going to Tavira and head with an adorable little train to the beach...

Last week really was like having eight days of summer again. Language is limited, it’s hard to describe how light and relaxed I felt last week, how mediterranean countries never fail to be holiday-ish for me. I hope the photo’s I took may take care of that. I hope I’m able to keep a part of the relaxed attitude from over there up in my busy and stressful university-life here. And most of all, I hope we'll be back next year!

My motivation is gone with the wind

2009-10-17T21:55:00.013+02:00

Right now, there are little heaps of academical papers at one side of me, (which, if you would pile them all up, would make a heap thicker than Margaret Mitchells famous novel and the Dutch dictionary together) and a half-packed travelling bag at the other side. A perfectly literally reflection of the two things mainly occuping my mind right now.
From time to time, I leave my essay-to-be for what it is, and sort out some clothes and random things I see as essential for my stay. I just called my grandmother to ask her what time she wants to leave for the airport, and the conversation naturally flowed towards luggage:

"If I have some things that don't fit in my suitcase anymore, I can drop them with your belongings, isn't it?" she cheerfully said, "because you always seem to have such a lightweight little bag."
I replied that this was the first time anybody ever said a thing like that about my luggage. I always seem to have the heaviest bag of my family (I still think they're just taking little with them), and my father never fails to ask if i'm planning to travel around the world. I can't deny that I do set value on being prepared (to dress) for lots of situations though.
I mean, what if the people your family decided to travel with seem to have sportive tendencies and happen to be passionate alpinists? (Which was the case this year!)
What if it happens to be a lot warmer or more rainy than the weather report predicted? (Both options happened more than once)
What if you and your family get invitations for a very chique lunch at the yacht of a millionaire? (Okay, this never happened, but you never know)
And, this year my aunt asked if I could take low calorie Dutch Calvé peanut butter with me, because the Portugese supermarkets don't sell it - so now my mother has bought four jars for me to give! If my bag is overweight this year, I blame the peanut butter, haha!

I would also blame the paperworks I have to take as well, because except for the summer holidays, I can't (alas!) go on a holiday without homework anymore. I have to work on a 'Literature and Film' essay (the deadline is the Thursday after I arrived home again). I actually should be working on it right ehh, well.. now *cough*, but I really haven't got the motivation. I know I should be grateful I've succesfully finished good ol' high school and never have to do mathematical assigments again, and can write about things like (classic) movies and novels. But I intensly dislike some very complicated texts and books I barely understand, and have to read and use when writing. Every time things get too stressful, I feel like saying: "okay guys, I quit! I'm going to attend a theatre/art school or become a fashion designer!" Sigh. I also have to learn for a Scandinavian Literature (which is a really likeable course) exam and read books. I won't be able to make two exams, and have to do resits, but so be it. Oui, I'm a student, but when looking back on this period in my later life, I don't want to remember myself studying 24/7 and giving everything up for it. There are more important things in life, like the family and friends, whom I dearly love. (:

Library Geek.

2009-10-13T13:15:00.008+02:00

I love the library. I don’t only go there when I’m in need of books; I spend my afternoons there as well when I have to catch up on studying.
I even love the walk TO the library. To arrive there, one must walk alongside the water, where people have anchored boats they live on, bearing names as ‘Avontuur’ (adventure) and ‘Met de Noorderzon’ (The French Leave). These kinds of names always make me think of a swell radio play my favourite classic couple Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall have recorded in the 1950s. (“ ‘Bold Venture’... Adventure, intrigue, mystery, romance in the sultry settings of tropical Havana and the mysterious islands of the Caribbean!”)
It also makes me wish sometimes that I lived on a boat. Even when you don’t intend to leave any time soon, it’s enough to know that it’s possible to do so.
Moving past this little harbour, you have to walk over a bridge where the wind never fails to blow a little harder than anywhere else on the route to the library. I don’t mind, I’m not the “oh dear, the world falls apart because my coiffure’s messed up!”- kind of girl. The contrast between a stormy breeze in your face, listening to your MP3 player simultaneously and the enclosed, fairly calm atmosphere of the library is likable.

It’s a gigantic place, a building with ten floors, including a terrace/dinner place, books, sheet music (why can't I play an instrument?), CD’s and DVD’s present in every genre. The fourth floor has even got a movie section, with plenty of books dedicated to classic films, directors, actors and actresses – it’s superfluous to note that I’m really happy with these shelves. It’s wonderful (No, I’m not hired by the library do write this, I don’t get paid!) to see how many different kinds of books there are. Not only the well-known ones, the classics or the bad ones that happen to be in vogue, but also really random works. The thought of millions packages of paper and ink surrounding me, and the thought that there must be a lot amongst them I’ll enjoy in the future is great.

But: these days I’m there simply to study.

I love to flop down in a chair as close as possible to one of the huge windows, so I can pause my study every now and then to look outside, watch from the 2nd floor how pedestrians and traffic are conquering the rain I only hear the ticking of. If I were a character in a novel, the scenery beneath me would probably symbolize the fact that I’m sitting still, stuck at one point in my life, while the rest of the world keeps moving on.

Aaanyway. Another thing that I like to do, is observing the people in the library during my tour through the shelves. I’ve seen an older man with a rollator happily browsing in science fiction books – isn’t that adorable? And noisy boys and girls just being there because schools have decided that there should be something like an obligatory reading list. And women searching for a true love only existing in printed words. And ma’s, pa’s and their little kids looking for new fiction to read at bedtime.

Never a dull moment when you look around. I think I’m going there again tomorrow to (indeed) study again before I leave for Portugal (Yes! PORTUGAL :D woohoo! My yearly trip with grandma to family living there <3 ), because somehow I feel I have better and much more fun things to do over there than just learning for exams coming up. I’m very, very much looking forward to go back to a sunny place that feels so much like home. And to bring back the subject of books.. there will be some in my hand luggage!

De-Lovely, Audrey and an 18-shaped rainbow cake

2009-10-09T14:30:00.014+02:00

For me, the last weeks meant lots of reading for uni, trying to understand lectures, assignments, things to organize besides college and appointments with friends to attend. The kind of period one is only able to survive with an unreasonable amount of caffeine, and some little movie pauses in between. (unintentionally rhyming!)

One of the films i've seen was 'De-Lovely' (2004) , a biography about the life of songwriter and composer Cole Porter.

"They love your song." - Linda Porter (Ashley Judd) to Cole Porter (Kevin Kline)

In the film, we look back with Cole to his life from the moment he has met Linda (the future Mrs. Porter), and get to know all their (and his personal) ups and downs. What's, amongst other aspects, so special about 'De-Lovely' is the fact that Cole's most famous songs are included, in accordance with events in his life. They are sung by the leading actors, or nowadays artists like Robbie Williams and Diana Krall (I really love their recordings, they do know how to get into the 'swing' from back then) which makes the film a succesful blend between a serious biopic and a musical. An example of the latter is a wonderful and moving scene in the film when Cole sings 'So in Love' for Linda. The bittersweet melody and lyrics do fit the moment perfectly.
Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd really do a terrific job, as well in the happier and 'i'm in need of a Kleenex right now!' kind of parts, that show us that the Porters' marriage wasn't all roses and moonbeams, but that they truly loved each other nevertheless.

"There are no little memories with you." - Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) to Linda (Ashley Judd)

For example, one of the dancing scenes in Paris at the beginning is really romantic and adorable (also shown in the trailer, by the way!). They and the film fully capture the Golden Era-ish sphere.. (Girly sidenote: This is also because of the clothes, which are really gorgeous. I wish people still dressed that way!) ..in short: The film truly lives up to its title, and I'm TOTALLY going to watch it again soon!

Another biography I've seen lately was 'The Audrey Hepburn Story' , a miniseries from 2000 with Jennifer Love Hewitt starring as Audrey Hepburn.

"Sometimes life has other ideas about what we should do" - Audrey's mother Ella van Heemstra (Frances Fisher)

The series show part of Audrey's life (early childhood until the last day of filming 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'-set.) in flashbacks 'Audrey' has on the set of BAT.
Before watching the whole thing, i've only seen the first two minutes and did read some of the comments on YouTube, which weren't really (or really weren't) encouraging people to watch it. I can understand that if you've only seen that little part, showing Jennifer playing Audrey playing Holly Golightly (still getting me? haha). This scene kind of makes Audrey look like a diva. JLH's accent is also a little off, but when the film develops, you'll get used to it, and doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore.
The rest of 'The Audrey Hepburn Story' is actually much better than this weak start. It's interesting to see Audrey's childhood (some World War II scenes are so heartbreaking) and get to know more about her.

"I don't want the to be the cute young girl forever. I want my life to mean something." - Audrey Hepburn (Jennifer Love Hewitt)

No, of course nobody can be just as beautiful, elegant, funny and Audrey-ish as Audrey herself was. Yes, sometimes JLH portrays Audrey as one of the roles the real Audrey played. And yes, it's a sugar-coated version of Audrey's life (but once in a while you are in need of such a film.. aren't you? At least, I know I am)
If you want the whole Audrey Hepburn lifestory, it's indeed better buy a biography written about her - but this miniseries is worth watching as well. And i'll watch it again some time as well for sure!

A last random note: you, attentive blogreader, might wonder what's with the cake I've mentioned in the title? Well, besides the hours I spent in lectures and with watching films, I had some time left to bake and decorate a cake for one of my friend's (needless to say which) birthday:

She loved it and not unimportantly, it was de-licious (This must be read in the melody of a certain song). And something I simply had to share as well before the curtain falls for now (:
See you next time!

Colorizing, Dubbing, Remaking.

2009-09-19T23:04:00.008+02:00

Being a huge Classic Film Geek, I see these three verbs mentioned in the title as committing serious crimes, listed in order of seriousness. To me, colorizing a classic film, is like giving a five-year-old some crayons, putting the kid in front of Rembrandts Nightwatchers and say: “The painting is okay, but it still needs a finishing touch, so: go ahead and have fun!” It’s (Colorizing that is, and dubbing plus remaking too, actually) adding some things to something that doesn’t NEED anything added to it because it’s already perfect the way it is.
And yet some film restorers/revisionists have this tendency to colorize black and white movies. This is not very disturbing when watching a romantic comedy, but colorizing a film noir... that’s so silly.
Lots of talented people have spent lots of time thinking about the light, shadows, black and white contrasts, and then some bored person decides that Sam should play ‘As time goes by’ wearing a golden jacket.
Film noir needs to be withour colour because it fits the plot, adds to the mysterious sphere. And then again, it’s called film NOIR. (French: noir, ~e1 /nwar/ adjective gen; black).

I don’t really get why people dub movies either. Okay, I get why people dub childeren’s movies, because young childeren aren’t able to read subtitles yet. But do some older/adult people really choose the comfort of their own language over originality? It seems like it. I’m so glad dubbing isn’t common here in The Netherlands, but in lots of other European countries (France, Italy, Spain and Germany, to list a few) they feel like letting Cary Grant declare his love to a (lucky!) actress by saying “Je t’aime”. And although I have to admit that sounds quite romantic as well, the voice of the person dubbing for the actor/actress in the film doesn’t sound right most of the time. The voice doesn’t fit the person, or it just sounds fake because the ‘dubber’ isn’t the one originally playing the scene on location and completely entering him/herself into a part. It’s a person standing in a studio afterwards, and it’s rare that this person can live the same emotions. And besides: I just want to hear the actors/actresses OWN voice! Often the original voice isn’t only the best, but essential: think Bette Davis as Margo Channing, being sarcastic and funny with her intonation as only she's able to be. And even when i’m watching a film set in the Himalaya Mountains with all the actors speaking some Chinese dialect (I’ve never seen such a movie, but just for the idea) I still want to hear their voices. Not to mention, a Chinese person in the Himalaya speaking Dutch wouldn’t be too believable.

And remaking, that’s like someone else than Da Vinci painting the Mona Lisa: (variation in my examples!) something that can only turn out as a bad (or rather funny) parody.
There are a few exceptions, for example when: 1) Both the original film and the remake are made in The Golden Era, like ‘An Affair to Remember’ (a remake from ‘Love Affair’ ) or 2) when the nowaday’s director/actors&actresses–combination turns out to be a lucky shot, which was the case with, for example, the movie ‘The Parent Trap’. The latter is a chance of 1 out of, say, a gazillion though.
But let’s go back to the painting example and think about Hitchcocks ‘Rear Window’ now, Hitch being Da Vinci, Grace Kelly being (Mona) Lisa. Who can replace them? NOBODY can. Nobody will ever be able to do that. And still there are directors with too much ego who are stealing Hitch’ ideas (not only remaking his films is a crime, the thought of someone considering a remake of ‘Casablanca’ or ‘The Sound of Music’ is enough to make me shiver as well.), or even the whole film. They are planning to remake ‘The Birds’ now, which gloriously wins the prize for the worst film idea of the year, if such a prize would exist. If you want to contribute a little to prevent this remake from being made, please sign this petition.

So.. why do people let things like this happen? In museums, there always are these snarky guards present, protecting paintings with all their energy from tourists snapping their photos too close. Why isn’t there an equivalent of them (the snarky guards, not the tourists) for protecting classic films from colorizing, dubbing and remaking? Because the classics are so, fully worth it.

A Scandinavian Intermezzo

2009-09-15T19:30:00.010+02:00

This semester, every Tuesday i’ll be diving into the world of the singing and sacred landscapes, several Gods, Ibsen, Andersens fairytales, vikings (something tells me this is not in chronological order) Strindberg... In short, i’m getting introduced to ‘The Scandinavian Literature’, which has to be the most random course on my schedule. Besides concerning the practical fact that after these weeks, i’ll totally win Triviant questions about Scandinavia in the near future, it’s actually fun!

The first lecture I sat front row, yawning (9 in the morning, only one cup of coffee!), not knowing what to expect. Then the professor walked in: a Swedish/German woman, sandals, glasses, knitted vest and illustrating her personal anecdotes by throwing in Swedish sentences. I immediately decided to like her. Last week and today, another professor gave the lecture; a moustached man getting incredibly happy by talking about the runic alphabet, which was adorable. Plus, they're also telling us random and fun trivia you don't expect to hear. When thinking about vikings, for example, I picture men with horned helmets running around – yes, I know.. watched too much movies! – in the forest. But then professor moustache nuanced that view a little by telling us how people discovered a love poem carved in runic letters on a women’s comb. So every time this woman fixed her hair, she read the poem written by her husband! How romantic is that?
Athough not every historical period *cough, Middle Ages, cough* we’re getting lectures about equally peeks my interest, these people are so enthousiastic that they make me pay full attention. Even during the less interesting parts. I’m looking forward to the rest of the course and especially reaching the 20th century. This is the beginning of some great knowledge!

When going home, still being in a Scandinavian mood and in need to relax before two hours -which seriously feels as long as the making of 'Gone with the Wind' - of philosophy in the evening, I realized there was only one thing I could do to combine both feelings.
Watching 'Intermezzo' (Sara, I owe you something! :D < 3 ). So I snuggled up with lots of pillows, accompanied by milk, Oreo cookies (maybe a little more American than Scandinavian :P) and the 1939’s remake that made Ingrid famous in Hollywood. And now I know why. Ingrid is really lovely and believable as the talented piano player Anita Hoffman, who falls in love with the father of her pupil. Ingrids facial expressions and smile glow through the black and white - just look at this scene! I don’t want to spill the beans for those who read this and haven’t seen 'Intermezzo' yet, so i’ll simply say: Add some more classical music in mind as well, Leslie – Ashley in GWTW – Howard, his cute ‘daughter’, an adorable dog and you’ve got a movie to recommend!

Maybe I should look for some scenes out of the Swedish version as well; Ingrid speaking her native language! And it's an ejoyable way to pick up some Swedish words - it might be useful for lectures, who knows? (;

På återseende!

Life should be a musical

2009-09-10T01:41:00.011+02:00

When waiting for the bus to arrive, listening to a boring lecture, standing in line in the supermarket or the post office and in much other uneventful situations one is bound to do once in a while, I often think about how much more fun these things would be if life were like a musical. How much more fun everything would be.

Imagine the sight of the employee's in that post office, when they suddenly jump up, start tapdancing on their desks - they simply wear tap shoes on daily basis, okay? - as good as Fred and Ginger and singing a song about stamps.
Just think about the philosophy professor looking like Captain von Trapp, singing about Aristotle, while you and your fellow students are being the background choir and educationally repeat it. This all accompanied by a guitar.
Or picture yourself walking down the street on a sunny day (or on a rainy day, if you prefer dancing with umbrella's), loving the weather and being in a happy mood. Suddenly, music starts to play from an unidentified place and before you realize what's going on, you find yourself singing aloud about your feelings. And you know what? Nobody seems to think of it as strange.
In fact, all the men, women and childeren who are walking down the street as well happen to feel the same, because they're singing your perfectly rhyming lyrics along with you in unison. They're wearing clothes in matching or strategically clashing colours, and you're forming a happy harmonizing group on the street together. When the music starts to swell, announcing the refrain to come, you and your comrades do the steps of a random dance everybody seems to know. Right after you all hitted that long last note everybody stands still, smiling at one direction as if it were prearranged. Then the talking starts again and you and the other people continue with what you were doing. But only till the next moment arises that just asks for a three-minute musical break.

Yes, it would be swell if days passed by like that, even though I really can't sing (but if life were a musical, I could! Right?).
And now I think of it, there actually are little musical-ish moments hidden in life.
Okay, so maybe is a lovely spontaneous outburst à la 'Mamma Mia!' a tiny bit too much to ask for. But: once in a while, my mother and I do sing a random Dutch song about having coffee (when we're - surprise, surprise - pouring coffee in our cups). Sometimes when walking home I hear someone practicing piano out of an open window, I can't resist making a few little tapdance steps. And last but certainly not least: even if life isn't a full-time musical, we can always rely on our DVD's and the nearby theatre!

There'll be some changes made

2009-09-01T00:01:00.008+02:00

New Year's Eve isn't the only moment for making resolutions; the last day of your summer holiday is just as suitable for doing that. It inevitably marks the time of clearing out the bags you've taken with you on your last vacation, and fill another one with a pencase and books yet to be stuffed with post-its. Even though the last number of the date won't change yet, it is the start of a new period. Who can think of any moment more encouraging for realizing and writing down what you want to change, and trying to live up to the resolutions you think about on random days the year round?

A few days ago was such a random day. While staring out of my window (which probably sounds much more poetic than the moment actually was) through a bunch of window stickers ten-year-old me has made in a creative outburst, I realized that my mind is often set in the past. This is partly a wonderful thing, because it made me like history in general and got me very interested in the 1940s and 1950s in particular.

It made me absolutely LOVE classic films and anything to do with it. I get happy when titles like 'Casablanca', 'An Affair to Remember', 'All About Eve', 'High Society' and 'To Have and Have Not' are only mentioned by someone, to give you an idea. (;

But: (isn't there always a but?) sometimes I do forget that I have to create my own history as well. With that, I do not mean my name has to be mentioned with a bold font in schoolbooks some day, or that people will name, say, a street after me. It just means that I have to invest more time in things that are important and fun in life, so I can be proud of myself and will have a history or yesterday to look back on with a smile.

I have this tension to be too lazy/easy going (synonyms, anyone?!) about friendships, and things (drawing, writing, acting) I really like to do, and, who knows, might have a future in.

Uni proved to be quite, well.. okay last year, but going to college is just not fulfilling enough. I need to balance the academical hours I spend listening, taking notes and writing essays with much more creativity and having a good time with friends than was the case last school year.

So, this is the part where Peggy Lee hops into my mind singing a certain song that a certain blog title is named after. I'm not planning to put all the changes in the lyrics into practice (i'm not going to change my name, though i'd really love to go to London, Paris, Stockholm and Vienna) but there will be some changes made for my resolutions sake.

I will spend more time with my friends - I see some of them way too little since leaving high school and all following different kinds of courses - being with them or just simply chatting on MSN messenger always means having a great time. I will give in more often to my creative outbursts (except if one of these outbursts will ever have anything to do with making window stickers). To pursue my resolutions i've already taken some small steps, and starting to blog again is one of them!

Yours writingly,
-- Loes (: