After getting some very warm feedback on my facebook page, I've opted to include movie reviews in my style blog, since so much of what I do is influenced by my love for Classic Films. Something you need to know about me: I watch movies for escapism. Therefore, for the most part, I prefer films that lift the spirit and are somewhat life affirming. Yes, there are many beautiful movies out there that are termed 'classics' due to the wonderful construction ,but that have a very heavy handed and all around depressing subject matter...and as you will see, I don't necessarily gravitate to those films. That will no doubt be reflected in my reviews, so keep that in mind. I also plan to start incorporating a 'style factor' into my reviews, to further blend them with the theme of this blog. But at first, I may be using some of the reviews I've previously written on another blog and which may be a bit more lengthy than what I plan to do in the future. Either way, I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for all your support,
Ashley

Episode Three of the Diamonds and Dames series was in response to a request I receieved to do Dorothy Dandridge's hairstyle from the 1957 film, Island in the Sun. The hairstyle is very simple, for someone with layers, but proved difficult to replicate since my bangs are a u-shaped 'Bettie Page' variety. I overcame this somewhat, by aiming my bangs away from my face after I showered and parting them in the middle, using bobby pins to hold them in place. I also used a good amount of Layrite Hair Gel to prevent flyaways. Then I rolled the hair all over in sponge rollers,using the smallest sized rollers on the bangs and aiming them away from the center part. Once the hair was set, it was relatively simple to brush it out and achieve a similar look to Margot's, in the movie.


Film Synopsis:
Island In the Sun (1957)
Directed By: Robert Rossen
Starring: Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge
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The story follows several key players during an important election on the fictional island of Santa Marta. An extremely rich plantantion owner named Maxwell Fleury is running for office against a young black man (David Boyeur played by Harry Belafonte) who is also emerging as a powerful politician. During the course of the racially charged election, the two main characters interract and collide with one another as well as several other important supporting characters. There is Margot Seaton, a beautiful black woman who is a longtime friend of Boyeur but who herself falls inlove with a white man from the ruling class. There is Joceylyn, Maxwell's younger sister, who is on the cusp of true happiness with a wealthy war hero but begins to question her own heritage and how it may affect their union. All of this social drama erupts into something even more serious, however, when a murder is commited and several important people are suspected.

Would you guys like to see classic film reviews here? I've had a film review blog for a long while now but I haven't posted anything, recently. On that blog, I do both old and new movie reviews, some of which are in-depth (and super wordy) and some of which are 'mini reviews. I'll provide the link below. But I was thinking I might start posting some classic film reviews here as well. This is a fashion blog so I might include a few words about the general 'style' of the film....I dunno. But I am on the fence about this so any input will be appreciated.

http://www.movinpitchers.blogspot.com/

I got the idea for this entry from one of my favorite blogs, "I'll Take the Snap Out of Your Garters". There, the general 'mood' of the last few (highly entertaining) posts has been an unguarded, brutally honest critique of her favorite and least favorite actresses, both in beauty and general appeal. This got me thinking about my own favorite ladies of classic cinema as well as giving deliberate attention to what I know of my husband's tastes. While I naturally gravitate toward ladies of the 1940's and 1950's, I can't deny that my husband is solidly based in the sixties, when it comes to the gals that he finds most attractive. It was the natural curviness of the early part of that decade that 'moves' him, I think, but also the long hair and eyelashes (a fact I don't think he would admit or even perceive, on his own). I didnt ask his opinion before posting this because I didnt want him to put any thought into it...instead, I'm basing these choices on comments I've heard him make (many times) as well as a general 17 year knowledge of the guy. As our marriage approaches 15 years, I have to assume that he still loves me in spite of the fact that I won't wear a bumpit or magically shrink my waist down to 20 inches. *Chuckle*
So without further ado...here are the ladies that float our respective boats:

His
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1. Jane Fonda-Okay okay...so I happen to be with him on this one. When Jane was first bursting onto the scene in the sixties, there was no denying her appeal. Not only was the body one of the best ever commited to celluloid (just check out the opening sequence of Barbarella, to see what I mean), but she had an inherent likeability that most men would be drawn to, in any woman. Her performances in films like 'Cat Ballou' and (our hands down favorite) 'Barefoot in the Park', showcased the fact that she could effortlessly combine sex appeal and boyish charm..and in a way that most men appreciate. She's like that girl next door that played w/ your comic book action figures and then suddenly became one.


2. Linda Harrison- Let's face it, seeing her run around w/ apes in the original 'Planet of the Apes' already gave her an upper hand in the looks department. Charlton Heston and his rock of a jaw was bound to also add to her general feminine appeal. But in spite of these facts, as well as the fact that she never speaks, I don't think my husband would deny that she is one of the main reasons he watches the movie repeatedly. Actually, perhaps the latter is one of the points of interest? Either way, the long glorious hair, beautiful face, and tiny bodacious body didnt need a lasting film career. The strategically cut skins she sported as Nova, will place her forever in the Pin Up history books.



3.Tina Louise-Gilligan's Island is one of my husband's favorite shows of all time. So he was always kind of torn between Mary Ann and Ginger. I don't know which he'd SAY he prefers, but I think the scales are slightly tipped at Tina. She was notoriously hot, it's true, and I'm definitely a fan of the red hair. Could she act? No way. But did it really matter, when she managed to look that fantastic in her island evening wear and perfectly positioned ...er...'coconuts'?



4.Michele Carey-The old man is also an avid fan of Elvis Presley movies. I have never liked them much. But 'Live a Little Love a Little' is a particularly mediocre offering so I know that the real draw for him has to be the precocious over-acting and goddess looks of Michele Carey. Her little baby-doll dresses that show off those phenomenal gams, the long overpowering hair in a creepy monotone that blends with her skin, and of course the slightly raspy voice that he seems to enjoy...yeah, that's the stuff that keeps him coming back to such a lame flick.



5.Lorrie Collins- The only fifties gal to make this list, Lorrie was not really an 'actress' per-say. But since she DID appear in one episode of Ozzie and Harriet, I'm including her based on the sheer magnitude of his attraction . Lorrie is the hotter half of the incredibly entertaining rockabilly duo, The Collins Kids, in which she performed with her little brother, Larry.

But she was also Ricky Nelson's first real-life girlfriend, in addition to playing that part on the famous fifties sit-com. She is undeniably lovely and also oozed a sexy cuteness that lots of guys, including mine, adore. Plus, her vocals could be both sweet and sassy, which gave her a little bit of an edge.




Now for the girls that have long been the victim of my own adoring 'crush':
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1.Ginger Rogers-sits at the top of the heap. She has long been the ideal, for me, when it comes to fashion sense. I love her tomboyishness that never attempted to hide her blatant femininity. I love the coquettish smile, the slammin' body, the perfect feet, the incredible hairstyles...and of course, the talent. She was always so natural in her performances, so unique and easy with which to identify. But most of all, she was healthy looking and effortlessly glamorous.


2.Grace Kelly-I know, I know. Prdictable choice. But there is a reason she is an icon for fashion and class, even today. It wasnt just the fact that she KNEW how to wear clothes. I loved her brevity, when it came to choosing roles, and her sense of humour. Her hair was always gorgeous, her makeup pefectly applied, and her posture enviable. I love the honey of her voice, the way she she pondered screen shots with her directors, and the generosity she exhibited, even after she became a princess.




3.Cyd Charisse-To me, she's an amped up version of Ava Gardner. They have a similar exotic quality that I love. But where Ava was a better actress, Cyd had just about everything else in her favor. That body was deady...the gorgeous legs, the tiny waist, the elegant neck, the fluid hands. Watching her move is almost euphoric. But she also had a beautiful face and a pleasing voice that only added to the warmth of her personality, offscreen. Mostly, she was cast as the 'femme fatale' and didnt have an opportunity to show how 'real' she could be. But in films like 'It's Always Fair Weather', the real Cyd shows through and she is one of my favorite ladies to watch.


4.Priscilla Lane-I am a sucker for a gal with a sweet face. But Priscilla Lane was also a firecracker with a contagious spirit and a great ability. She could act certainly, and that husky voice of her's could be sultry or saucy, by turn. Her hair was always beautiful and she looked fantastic in a hat. But she gave the impression that her lovely face and hair were hiding far more interesting things beneath them. I can't get enough of her!




5.Paulette Goddard-Paulette will always be the true Scarlet O'Hara, in my eyes. Though Vivien Leigh did a bang-up job, the fact still remains that the studio execs cast Paulette in the part first...and it was based on her talent, not her looks. But looks she did have, and I am pretty obsessed with her. I adore the eyes, the legs, the wink she made famous,the cattiness, and even the sometimes frizzy hair. Watching her movies makes me high...it just does. I thought she was phenomenal opposite Charlie Chaplin, stunning as a sex-kitten, and just had a face that couldnt be lost in the suffle. Not enough people know or love Paulette Goddard...she needs to be recognized.

As most of you know, we are 'two-deep' into the series entitled "Diamonds and Dames", which provides me an opportunity, not only to share my limited knowledge of vintage hairstyle replications, but to spout off about another passion of mine-Classic Cinema. This series is, of course, based on YOUR requests. But I love the fact that I have a new excuse to watch my favorite movies again and discover new ones, this time looking closely at the hairstyles.

Today's style was a relatively easy one for my hair texture and length, but also can be quite easily achieved for most hair types. The style is very curly but also flat at the crown (which is indicative of the time period) and it is unusual in that is sports a girlish bang, well before the time of Bettie Page. I used sponge rollers to achieve the curls, after parting my damp hair in the middle, and I slept on them overnight. The result was not quite as volume-packed as Joyce Compton's, but still had a similar effect. I also used a favorite pair of floral hair combs to dress up the style.

Film Synopsis:
THe Awful Truth (1937)
Directed By: Leo McCarey
Starring: Cary Grant and Irene Dunn
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Lucy and Jerry Warriner (Dunn and Grant) are a high society couple with a troubled relationship. Both of them have a pension for 'stepping out' w/ the opposite sex and tend to lie their way out of many sticky situations. But when the evening approaches that both parties are 'caught'(the truth of their infidelity is kept purposely vague) red-handed, the marriage finally looks as if it has met its match. During the course of a drawn out and well-publicized divorce, Jerry and Lucy attempt to find new romance while at the same time gaining a little satisfaction in causing the other same pain. Jerry strikes out with simple-minded show-girl 'Dixie Belle Lee', before finally settling into an engagement with society snob, Barbara. Lucy, coming out of a failed relationship w/a likewise dull-witted fellow (Ralph Bellamy as a wealthy Texas rancher), realizes at last that Jerry is indeed the one for her. She therefore goes about using all of her feminine wiles to wreck his current relationship, before their divorce is declared final.

I don't think enough people realize the options out there for reproduction clothing that is actually custom sewn to fit! My favorite of such sites is Whirling Turban.

Let me tell you about my experience: Katherine of Whirling Turban was an absolute DEAR, when I ordered my first dress. She helped me select the style (I chose the Hawaiian Heaven, mainly due to the clean line of the bodice) and fabric, keeping in mind the 1940's aesthetic I love, and made it very clear to me what I needed to do in order to get the proper fit. The website describes the measuring process in great detail (the company is based out of Bali, which is why they can offter custom creations like this, for only a fraction of what such companies in the US Market would charge) and let me tell you, it can be a humbling experience. What you are doing, in photographing yourself in your skivvies and trustingly sending said photos off to total strangers, is providing the dressmakers with an old fashioned 'dossier', befitting a Hollywood Starlet. The brilliant ladies will now have all of your measurements for future dresses/outfits and you have only done minimal work to provide them w/ those numbers. In the future, unless weight gain or loss is drastic, only minimal information will be needed in order to get your dress started and on its way.




The fabrics are available in a wide range of colors and textures; all of which are of the highest quality and impressively unique. The prints are STUNNING, to say the least. I chose a teal on navy floral motif, very Hawaiian...very Vintage. After my fabric was chosen and my measurements turned in, I received a gentle note from Katherine and Honey (another associate), informing me that they had all the necessary information and that I should now be patient while they do their 'stuff'. To be honest, the short weeks that passed were hardly noticeable...probably since it's starting to get cold here and the dress won't really be in season for some months.




Whirling Turban's Dresses are all impeccably designed. The Shaheen Dream, a tribute to fabulous designer-Alfred Shaheen, is one of their most popular designs. It beautifully and lovingly mimics his gorgeous sarong style wrap dress of the 1950's, also paying glorious attention to the curves of the female form. The dress can be customized w/ a full skirt, petal bust bodice, and removeable halter strap. Accessories like a coordinating wrap or bolero jacket (which I chose and psychotically love) are also available. The Hawaiian Heaven is a twist on the Shaheen style but has a simpler bodice instead of the wrap details accross the front. There are also 'Chinese Bombshell' options, featuring exquisite brocades that rival any I've seen. In addition, the ladies at WT offer seperates, darling playsuits, mens' shirts, and even sequin/rhinestone trims for a more glamorous look. Their wedding shoppe is phenomenal as well; don't overlook them if you are planning your own.


When I received my dress, I was first exhilarated by the sheer fact that it came in a BOX...a clean flat box-just like the dresses the ladies brought home in my favorite classic films! No bags for Whirling Turban. I felt instantly spoiled as I removed the ribbon. The dress was gorgeous...everything I thought it would be and more. I ran into my room to try it on and uh-oh...a problem! I couldnt get the thing zipped! I was almost devastated, to say the least, but I held back tears, held my breath, and looked more closely at the dress' construction. The zipper is extremely sturdy and the elastic panels at the sides of the design made it clear that there was plenty of give. So crossing my fingers (difficult while grasping a zipper), I tried again. It zipped! And amazingly, everything just kind of 'sucked' into place! My breasts sat obediently in their designated cups (nicely lined and super supportive, even w/out a bra), my waist was enviably small, my hips sleek and smooth. And here's the kicker: NO EVIDENCE that the dress was too tight or ill fitted. No rolls, no pinched areas...nothing. Is it difficult to breathe? A little. Do I care? Not a fig!

Incidentally, when I told Katherine about the fears I had when I tried on the dress, she stated there is supposed to be a sheet of paper included w/ the dress, explaining the possible necessity of having someone ELSE zip up the frock. Mine wasnt including that information, that I know of, so naturally I was a little worried.



In closing, I'll just say that I have yet to be as happy w/ any item of clothing I've worn...including my wedding dress. I feel so feminine, so desired by my husband, and SO thankful to Katherine and the girls for making all this possible! Look for a hairstyle inspired by my dress on my channel, Lisa Freemont Street, within the next two weeks.

'I've died and gone to Whirling Turban'.

The Diamonds and Dames series, for those of you who haven't been visiting my Youtube channel lately, is a series devoted entirely to your requests. The hairstyles will be based on movie characters from the past or from current retro-styled movies...and Mary Haines was the first challenge.

My hair is currently a little past shoulder length, so this very short style (a style using the 'shingle' haircut ) was difficult to mimic. However, I think we've come up w/ a somewhat successful alternative. The style was achieved using sponge rollers that will significantly draw up the length of hair. I alternated the sponge rollers (small to medium sized rollers) so that the curls would have more of a 'stacked' and natural appearance. Bobby Pins were used to additionally shorten the hair.




I hope you all enjoy it...and following is a synopsis of the film Mary Haines appears in...The Women.


The Women-1939
Directed by George Cukor
Starring Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford.
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The Women is an all-female account of marital infidelity, told in a sometimes comical, sometimes heartbreaking manner. Mary Haines is one of the social elite but unlike most of her peers, she happens to be in a very healthy and happy marriage as well. She and her husband Stephen have a daughter, little Mary, as well as material prosperity, social status, and love. Mary's 'paradise' begins to crumble however, when her conniving girlfriend Sylvia (scenery chewing Rosalind Russell), hears from a manicurist that Stephen Haines is 'stepping out on Mary'. Syliva and her friends spread the gossip mercilessly, which inevitably results in heartbreak. After a hurried divorce, Stephen resignedly marries the spiteful cat who led him astray, Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford). But Mary soon realizes that her love for her ex-husband is still strong enough to surmount any obstacle, including the world's disdain and her own pride. Along with her loyal friends and supportive mother, she goes on a mission to regain the relationship she cast aside and bring her family back together.