1001 Movies List in a Pandemic
In the monthly round-up, I examine modern headlines through a classic Hollywood lens. Featured products are independently selected and linked to for practicality. If you buy something using a link on this page, She Wore Stars may receive a small share of that sale.
Summer is on! I hope you are all catching a bit of sun, even if it is in your own backyard. In these challenging times, I have personally been finding a lot of comfort in cinema—I have been consuming a menagerie of films from the 1001 Movies to See Before You Die List and let me tell you, that has been keeping me busy!
A lot of the films are pulled from the silver screen, and I have been learning a lot about classic film directors. A few of my recent favorites include 42nd Street with its Busby Berkeley choreographed dance routines that are out of this world, Make Way for Tomorrow with its depression-era setting, and Brief Encounter with its tragic romance. Warning, the latter two are def tear-jerkers.
Recently, I watched The Bitter Tea of General Yen with my husband. Although the movie takes place in China (he's Vietnamese), a lot of the stereotypes made him cringe. It was interesting to learn that at the time, the film was scolded for having a mixed race romance—my hubby and I would have fit into that category! Today, it is considered cringe-worthy (or downright offensive) because a Swedish actor played the part of the Chinese protagonist. Watching these classic movies through the lens of current events has been another experience altogether, and I am learning something new every time.
All of this to say, there’s a lot going on out there, and I hope everyone is staying safe and encouraged. In these times of uncertainty, the wise words of one inspiring actress extraordinaire come to mind…
The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. — Audrey Hepburn
January Monthly Roundup of Classic Hollywood News
A CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR QUARANTINE BEDTIME, LUCILLE BALL MAKEUP LINE, AND A LITTLE TRIP dOWN HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
Audrey Hepburn’s grandkids wrote a new childrens book about her, and it looks like the perfect antidote to a gloomy quarantine day…
The last photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe is being made into a L’Agence fashion line. And speaking of Marilyn, if you are looking for a hardy rose to add to your garden, this gorgeous “Marilyn Monroe” rose might be just the thing.
Lucille Ball is getting a new makeup line of her own as well. Besame Cosmetics just launched a line of Lucille Ball honoring makeup that is adorably named things like “Love that Redhead” and “What a Peach.” While I haven’t tried the colors, I am a fan of the names already!
I was reading recently about the Hollywood Boulevard’s goddess gazebo, which features statuettes of four prominent, ground-breaking female stars, including Dorothy Dandridge (the others are Mae West, Dolores del Rio, and Anna May Wong). Dorothy was the first woman of color to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. I recently watched her in Carmen Jones, which, if you haven’t seen (and especially if you are a fan of opera) is def worth a watch!
And while you are enjoying a movie or two starring the classic movie stars we mentioned here, you might be in need of a good drink to sip. But with staying healthy more important than ever, why not try a mocktail? It’s easier than you think!
That's all for now, folks!
xoxo -- Stefanie
...
here's a few more things you may have missed from She Wore Stars!
The other day, my husband randomly asked me, “Is Doris Day still alive?” As many of you know, we lost Doris last year, May 13, 2019. She lived a long full life, though. She was 97 years old, and in those 97 years, Doris work embodied that of the All-American girl. Her legendary career included numerous hit singles, many classic movies, The Doris Day Show, and her passionate advocacy for animals.