A Film Noir Saga

On March 30, 2016September 26, 2016 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Film Noir, Movie Magic, Now and then, Romantic interludes

She waited alone on the doorstep. A tattered suitcase her only friend.

Just waited for someone to blame.

He came toward her from out of the dark and somehow she knew his name.

She knew that he was on the run.

But that he did not care who knew.

She also knew she loved another and he was running too.

But this one had a wife just as lovely as she.

Maybe this other woman had the other key …..

Or maybe the man in the dark, the man with the name …

had called in yet another dame …

She glammed herself up, put a smirk on her face…

Then simply vanished without a trace.

A tribute to Lizabeth Scott, Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Burt Lanchaster and Ava Garner. Film stills from ‘Dark City’, ‘Dead Reckoning’, ‘To Have and To Have Not’ and ‘The Killers’

Story teaser by Wanda Way Awrf

A Susan Hayward Hail To Hillary Clinton

On March 18, 2016November 10, 2016 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then

make up Susan Hayward In the 1950s Susan Hayward made a film , ‘Ada’ 1961,with Dean Martin, believe it or not, in the role as governor. Susan Hayward played his First Lady. A First Lady with a past. A past which she makes no attempt to hide and this is why the newly elected governor marries her. He recognises her grit and determination and admires her for her courage. Turns out he was pretty clever in his choice of bride and she does indeed make a worthy power partner. In fact she is so good at being First Lady that the governor’s office become’s wary of her. After all the governor is just there to sign papers and do what he’s told. The last thing those working alongside him want is a man who thinks for himself and asks questions about the way the office is run. Let alone a First Lady who challenges the status quo at every turn and is not afraid to stand up for what is right. When she demands to be sworn in as Lieutenant Governor and there is an attempt on her husband’s life the gloves are off. Of course they try to tear her down by bringing up her past and exposing her in the media but even this she manages to rise above. She become’s acting governor while her husband recuperates in hospital, sacks the trouble making office staff, and maintains her dignity. Now we all know Hillary did not have a past that she needed to cover up. Her husband was the one in the naughty corner. On the contrary she should have been shouting about her achievements to the roof tops. Hillary is responsible for so many firsts that it beggers belief. She is a powerhouse for social justice, women’s rights, and better conditions for all in health and education. She even refused Bill Clinton more than once when he proposed marriage for fear she would lose her identity and therefore the ability to advocate for change. Yet she campaigned for him, finally married him and forgave him his indiscretions. Yes she is power hungry but it is power for the good. Come on women you should be applauding her merits and supporting her belief in your rights to be treated as equals. Maybe she is not perfect but who is?

Hillary Clinton is still a Winner.

10/11/2016

Hollywood Phone Call.

On March 10, 2016October 30, 2016 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then

In old Hollywood films the phone was an essential form of communication just like it is now. It was , however, a little more glamorous. The pay phone was the favourite port of call for the gangster type because the calls could not be traced. The guy making the call usually kept wore a trench coat, looked around furtively before, during and after the call and spoke in a muffled voice. It was also convenient for the dedicated journalist ( Clark Gable ) rushing to get his story to the paper before the competition. Funny they also favoured trench coats. The car phone is not exactly a new idea either. In fact Bogie had lot’s of calls to make as he was always a very busy man no matter which side he was on. There were films that were all about the phone call too and it’s necessity as a life line to the outside world especially if one was in a scary situation like Barbara Stanwyck in ‘Sorry Wrong Number’. The phone was a real game changer then as now only no -one had a phone plan. Poor Stanwyck was the frantic bed bound woman who couldn’t walk being stalked by a killer. What about Mildred Pierce ( Joan Crawford ) on the verge of reporting her own daughter to the police for murder. What a dilemma? The daughter she has loved and spoiled and sacrificed everything for is having an affair with Mildred’s playboy hubby.There was also the dual phone conversation where people talked on the phone at the same time as having a conversation with each other. Oh look it’s Bogie again. This time with Cagney. In fact the stars were often on the phone in the movies but guess what? They had something to say. Not mindless verbal drivel for the sake of appearing to be popular , although the star always had to play the star, but still had real conversations. Phones were just as important then as they are now but face to face back then meant real communication with a real person. A phone was just a phone not a replacement for human contact. As such it was there for a reason and in the movies it had style. By 1956 they had even invented the T.V. phone where you could see the person on the other end. And you thought Skype was a revelation. Well guess what it’s all been done before.

Streep out of Africa

On February 17, 2016March 8, 2016 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Now and then

We know what she means? Meryl Streep is speaking out on behalf of diversity in Hollywood at The Oscars. According to Meryl we all came from Africa originally.But even if we did all start from the same place does that mean we were all given the same evolutionary tenure? Hattie Mcdaniel speaks

Definitely a loaded question. Let’s look at the black stars of Hollywood who have been acknowledged for their amazing contributions.

Shirley and Bo 3 Shirley and Bo in colour

Lena Horne

They are but a handful but oh what amazing talent. Bo Jangles, Hattie Macdaniel and the incredible Lena Horne. All typecast of course with Hattie generally playing the tough talking house maid with the heart of gold and Bo Jangles the dancing butler. Hattie actually won an oscar and was the first black actress to do so. Lena Horne was at least given solo numbers but was not given main roles despite the fact that she looked a million bucks and could sing up a storm as well as any white studio star. Therese Harris and Stanwyck friends Therese Harris-' Baby Face'; jpg

As was the case with Therese Harris who did manage to co star with Barbara Stanwyck in ‘Baby Face.’

Then there was the gorgeous Dorothy Daindridge and Harry Belefonte who even starred together in ‘Carmen Jones’

Dandridge and harrybelafonte Carmen Jones

There was Sammy Davis Junior and Sydney Poitier both trail bazers for very different reasons. The former being skilled in all the performing arts bar none and the latter being devastatingly handsome and so very real on the screen that the audience hung on his every move and every word. Now there are so many more who are deserving of the accolades but who are still being overlooked. C’mon Hollywood it’s all there in black and white really.

Porky and Bess Dorothy Dandridge SidneyPoiterwithOscar