Harlean Carpenter was born on March 3, 1911 in Kansas City Missouri. Her father was a successful dentist but her mother was an aspiring actress and eventually, she left the security of that marriage to pursue a career in Hollywood, taking her daughter along. Fearing his influence over the child, Mother Jean forbade Harlean to see her father. However, the girl continued to sneak in visits with him throughout her life and thus maintained a good relationship with her father. While Harlean was still a child, Mother Jean remarried and the newly formed family moved to Chicago where the girl attended high school.

Harlean married a 23 year old Chicago man when she was just 16. Her true aspiration was to be a wife and mother but to please Mother Jean, she sought out extra work in the movies and eventually changed her name to Jean Harlow. The marriage between she and Charles Mcgrew lasted only two years but the couple had since moved to Beverly Hills and Jean was therefore in prime condition to pounce on an opportunity to take her acting career more seriously. Howard Hughes cast her as an infamous sex symbol in the film 'Hell's Angels', which catapulted her to the ranks of super-star.

Over her 10 year acting career, she made 36 films. She was labeled a screen siren due to her sensational costumes and racey dialogue and she found a formidable leading man in Clark Gable, with whom she made 6 films.

To be such a vixen onscreen, her love life was surprisingly stable for an actress of that day. After she split with Charles in 1930, she married cinematographer Harold Rossson in 1933, a union that only lasted a few months. However, she seemed to find the love of her life in actor William Powell, to whom she was engaged at the time of her death.

In 1937, while filming the film 'Saratoga', she suffered uremic poisioning which could have been related to a childhood bout of Scarlet Fever. She died on June 7th. The world was shocked at the news since she was at the height of her popularity and was only 26 years old. Clark Gable was reported to have said that in completing the film,'Saratoga', by using long shots and an acting double in Jean's place, he felt as if he were 'in the arms of a ghost'.

Though she died young, there is no doubt that her career was heading for legendary status anyway. She would undoubtedly have had a long and fruitful career on the screen and considering the love she and Powell had for each other, her personal life could have been fulfilling as well. As it stands, we will never forget her and she continues to make her mark on Hollywood actresses today.

Greta Garbo will always be remembered for her dramatic roles and severe beauty. But few really know her history, due to her inscrutable private life.

Greta Gustafsson was born in Stockholm Sweden in 1905, to a loving home. She was particularly close to her father, who unforunately died when Greta was 14 years old. After working as a clerk and a model, Greta started to develop aspirations for the stage and eventually for film. Her first role as 'Greta Garbo' (a name conceived by director, Mauritz Stiller) was in the 1924 silent film entitled 'The Story of Gosta Berling', for which she won critical acclaim. The performance brought her to the attention of Louis B Mayer (MGM pictures).

In 1930, Greta starred in the much publicized (and well received) film 'Anna Christie', which was advertised with the slogan 'Garbo Talks!'. The film was a huge achievement and led to many other films that were equally popular among the public. Garbo's success as a silent film star paled into insignificance when compared with her victory in talking pictures. The film 'Camille' (1936) was her most critically acclaimed performance and many still feel it was her finest work, though there are those who stand by 'Ninotchka' (in which Garbo first 'laughed' without restraint) and 'Queen Christina' as her best. The latter is my personal favorite, and a film that I believe set the bar for all actresses of her generation.

It is often debated as to why Garbo left the cinema. Many feel that it is due to the world's need for 'lighter' films with the onset of WWII. Greta's proclivity for dramatic roles and the poor box office returns for her last comedy, 'Two Faced Woman', may well have contributed to her decision to retire from acting. She gradually withdrew from the world of entertainment altogether, entering a secluded life in NYC and refusing to make public appearances.

Though her most popular quote of 'I want to be alone' followed her to her death, Garbo was not desirous of being known for that notorious bit of dialogue from 'Grand Hotel'. She actually corrected those who used it in her presence stating: 'The line is 'I want to be let alone. There lies the difference'. That could very well sum up her entire attitude at the end of her career.

After leaving John Gilbert, her co-star in the silent film 'Flesh and the Devil', at the altar, Greta entered into a series of short lived love affairs that never resulted in much publicity. Some stated that she was indeed bi-sexual but this has never been officially confirmed. There have also been reports of severe depression that may have led her to become more and more reclusive as her life progressed. Whatever the case may be, when she finally died of renal failure in 1990, the movie industry suffered a severe blow. She was and remains one of the best.

I placed a quick blurb in video form on my channel, about this great little hobby magazine due out in the fall. It will be a hit, I'm sure, and I'm so proud to be a part of it. The magazine will deal with all things nostalgic, from movies and music to fashion and lifestyle. I hope all of you will visit this classy little website and subscribe! We're super excited about it!

www.vintagelifemagazine.com

As I do my Starlet Series on Youtube, I thought I'd post a celebratory post for each of the ladies we visit.

Clara Bow was the 'it' girl of the 1920's...in fact, she might have coined the phrase. Before the rise of women in the workplace, she was the first 'blue collar' screen siren-often being cast in the role of a waitress, a salesgirl, or even a sassy manicurist. Her pretty face held just the right mix of childish innocence and vampish vixen to make her especially memorable. Though her lack of education and raw presence may have caused her to be looked down upon in the high society of the day, she clearly deserves to be in the ranks of both Gish and Garbo.

Clara was born in 1905, among dire circumstances. She was unwanted and inconsequential to both her mother and father. There was not even trouble taken to file a birth certificate since her mother was certain the baby would eventually die of heat exhaustion. Mother and Grandmother both suffered from mental illness and therefore could hardly be counted upon to give the child a proper upbringing. Clara's fater was a wastrel and her mother resorted to selling herself in order to provide for her daughter. The terrified child reportedly hid in closets during these 'visits'. It is no wonder she grew up with a speech impediment and a sad lack of companionship.

Except for the movies. They were her best friends and watching actresses like Theda Bara was the catalyst she needed to enter a fan magazine contest and eventually win her way into the film business. At sixteen, her range of emotion and startling beauty were exquisitely captured on film. After several unsuccessful efforts, Clara finally broke into the mainstream by performing a series of films for Preferred Pictures, at the rate of 50.00 a week.

She had a knack for showing any demanded emotion, almost at the drop of a hat, and without any apparent concentration. 'Ya want me to cry?', she'd ask...and upon receiving an affirmative response, was known to park her gum behind her ear and immediately dissolve into a river of tears. This command of dramatic acting was evident in roles that called for it, but it was Flapper roles that won her popularity, as well as her much publicized love affairs.

This publicity may have led her to downfall, as an actress, when media attention eventually overshadowed her success as an onscreen personality. A series of flops as well as a nervous breakdown during the filming of 'Kick In', her final Paramount feature, resulted in her making a drastic decision-it was time to stop making movies.

Over the years, revivals have brought her back into the public eye and champions of her talents, like Hugh Hefner, have worked hard to get her catalogue of films restored and available to the masses. In spite of her wild reputation, Clara was a gifted actress and deserves recognition for her contribution to film.



“All the time the flapper is laughin’ and dancin’, there’s a feelin’ of tragedy underneath…” ~Clara Bow

There is nothing worse than deciding you want the classic Bettie Page style u-shaped bangs and being unable to get your stylist to cut it. I went through a series of awful 'fringes' before someone finally got it right and when I look back on photos of me w/ a 'bad bang-job', I still get irritated. The Bettie Bangs are u-shaped, not straight accross as they may appear to be and almost always, they are nipped under w/ a flat or curling iron to achieve that traditional look.

Through trial and error (lots of error), I have finally discovered the best way to get your perfect 'Bettie'. Cut them yourself! Below are some the steps I take to achieve the bangs I want. I like to have versatility so I tend to go a bit longer w/ my bangs but if you want them shorter, just take some more hair off.

You will need:
Hair Cutting Shears (For goodness sake DON'T use paper cutting scissors or meat shears, people! I bought a good quality pair of shears at Wal mart for about eight dollars. They are FROMM brand but not as pricey as some of their professional grade shears that you can find at Sally's. If you can spring for the more expensive ones, it will be a worthy investment. So I recommend it)

Hair Gel (For taming down fly-aways that you don't want to get in the way as you work)

A fine toothed rat tailed comb (for sectioning off the part you want to cut and combing out any snarls)

A ponytail elastic (if your hair is long)

A magnifying mirror (a good choice so you can see clearly...also make sure you are working in well lit area)
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Step one: Using your comb, section off the ammount of hair you want to be your fringe-paying careful attention to symmetry as you do so. Slick back the remainder of your hair w/ gel and a ponytail holder, so as to avoid its getting in your way as you work. Make sure hair is combed flat and is completely dry since wet hair will have a tendency to draw up and leave you w/ bangs shorter than you want.

Step two: Cut the hair straight accross at first, using your eyebrows as a guide and again, keeping in mind that you will probably be nipping them under, which will make them appear even shorter. I cut mine to just beneath my eyebrows initially.

Step three: Now, take a gander at that center point of your bangs, right between the brows. Taking one side of your straight fringe, cut *down* to that point. Eyeball where the end of your bangs hits, in relation to your ear, so that you have a good idea of where the other side should end as well. You can make the U as severe or as subtle as you like. Some people make a guide out of a paper plate or even use a bowl to get their perfect curve. Some gals opt for a straight up 'V' instead of a 'U' shape. Discover what works best for you.

Step Four: Now, cut *up* to the other side of the curve from the center point. Always err on the side of caution and keep the bangs longer than you want them initially. You can take away but you *can't* 'add to', after all. After you have a good shape going, take away miniscule ammounts of hair to perfect that shape.

If your hand is unsteady or you feel that your bangs are not to your liking, remember that curling them under can be very forgiving and there is always next time!

There is alot to be said for gorgeous undies. They 'lift' more on a woman than the obvious...they lift her spirits too, and make her feel 'put together'. When you are wearing beautiful 'foundation garments', your clothes fit better and you are likely to have better posture. Vintage clothing especially, needs to have the proper undergarments worn beneath them to achieve that traditional 'hour glass' figure that women so desired. If you did not have womanly curves, these items served to give you those curves and if you had a little too much 'extra', they also helped in that department.

While vintage clothing can be a wonderful investment, the same cannot be said of vintage undergarments...heh heh. Therefore, companies like the following ones, are lifesavers for 'dame-fashion'-addicts.

1. My Bay Jo (mybabyjo.com)-



My Baby Jo is one stop shopping for retro inspired clothing. They also have a great selection of undergarments, accessories, and hats. The pictured waist-cincher is a glorious investment and makes all fourties/fifties style dresses look their best. Plus, it's very reasonably priced. In the 'skivvies' deparment, they also carry traditional stockings, bullet bras, and corselettes in a variety of colors.

2. What Katie Did (www.whatkatiedid.com)-

This UK based vintage inspired lingerie company has some of the best quality items of this type anywhere. The stockings fit wonderfully and the shapewear is not only extremely high quality but comes in a great variety of styles. They carry saucy little bra/knicker sets like the one above and also some of the most gorgeously detailed corsets you can find.

3. Isabella Corsetry (www.corsetmaker.com)-




I first discovered this company at Viva Las Vegas in 2008. They had some of the prettiest oriental underbust corsets I'd ever seen and the styling options they presented, such as wearing it over a favorite dress, were new to me. I love the idea of wearing these beauties out and about town, but in a modest fashion that still has a measure of class. Though a good quality corset will set you back a few bucks, it is a worthy investment indeed.


4. Faire Frou Frou (www.fairefroufrou.com)-A new discovery courtesy of Amy B of Askmemakeup (on youtube). This site is full of decadent and indulgent bra and panty sets as well as nightgowns, bustiers, and hosiery. Some of the designs are quite pricey but truly beautiful and unique.

There are many other companies along these lines out there but these are the ones I am currently most excited about. Needless to say, I won't be shopping Frederick's again. ;-)

The Middy Haircut was a staple of the 1940's. It was an economical haircut that spoke of the times and the country's adaptation to the wartime cause. Ivan Anderson, a prominent hairstylist for Warner Brothers Studios, was the creator of the cut. He realized the need for a haircut that provided a good basis for the elaborate hairstyles of the time, without showing disregard for the war effort and the world's need for simplicity. Thus 'the middy' was born. It is a layered cut that creates a rounded shape and a proper showcase for the curled sets that were so indicative of Hollywood Glamour in the 40's.

My hair has lately been in a modified middy, which means it doesnt follow a diagram to the letter, but it does work for the vintage hairstyles I love. I usually just tell my stylist to cut my hair the same length all over...sometimes seven, sometimes ten inch layers. However, today I decided to put my trusty scissor-girl to the test by actually giving her a vintage middy diagram and putting her to work. She did a fantastic job. I opted for the "middy-long" which is six inches at its longest point (the lowest nape area) and isn't 'long' at all. But it will look great w/ many of the shorter vintage styles I've been trying to replicate.

So those of you who eye these diagrams and feel they look too complicated....or those who take the diagram to a stylist who says that is 'impossible'...DON'T BELIEVE IT. According to the owner of the small-town Salon I visited, this is standard 'beauty-school' stuff and anyone who WANTS to, can do it.

The middy is still going strong!