Hollywood stars are rarely known for their introspection. Most are working so hard at getting the right roles, staying on top, and being glamorous, there’s precious little time for self-reflection.
For years, Seraphic Secret has collected choice quotes from a few thoughtful actors, and dropped them in a file labeled: “Hollywood Goes Kierkegaard.”
Jean Harlow
“Men like me because I don’t wear a brassiere. Women like me because I don’t look like a girl who would steal a husband. At least not for long.”
—Jean Harlow
Kim Novak in “Vertigo.”
“I loved acting, which was never about money, the fame. It was about a search for meaning. It was painful.”
—Kim Novak
Susan Hayward
“I learned at a very early age that life is a battle. My family was poor, my neighborhood was poor. The only way that I could get away from the awfulness of life, at that time, was at the movies. There I decided that my big aim was to make money. And it was there that I became a very determined woman.”
—Susan Hayward
Marilyn Monroe
“I used to think as I looked out on the Hollywood night, there must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a movie star. But I’m not going to worry about them. I’m dreaming the hardest.”
—Marilyn Monroe
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
9 Comments
The Harlow quote is wickedly funny but so perfect, I can’t help but wonder if it was written for her. Monroe’s quote rings too true.
‘Some Like It Hot’ was on network teev here last week, afterwards I ruminated a point that has occupied me for many years and that Norma Jean symbolises all too well, when does the joy of the audience balance out the misery of the performer?
Is one person’s pain worth it because they produce art that inspires and entertains millions?
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All are very interesting studies, I’ve been wanting to see My Week With Marilyn to see if it’s any good. The problem with those sorts of movies is that they don’t give you a look at the real Marilyn, just someone’s view of how she should look and act.
While not stellar actresses — I think it’s fascinating to look at the battle among the blond-bombshells: Jean Harlow, Marylin Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren, Diana Dors… the list goes on. They were very popular until the skinny-girl phenomenon took over in the 60′s. Hourglass figures had been replaced by Twiggy and Penelope Tree. *sigh* Jayne was noted for having a Mensa-level IQ, even though she sought to gain fame and fortune from her blonde hair and ample cleavage (not the first woman, nor the last). She was considered the epitome of the “dumb blonde” although she reportedly had an IQ around 160.
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The IQ story was pure PR. Sadly, Mansfield made some incredibly dumb financial and professional decisions that put her, finally, below the D-list.
Harlow developed into a stellar screwball comedienne. Her work in “Bombshell” 1933 is outstanding as are her performances in “Red Dust,” 1932, and “Dinner at Eight,” 1933. Diana Dors gives an unbelievably great dramatic performance in “The Unholy Wife, 1957.” Jayne Mansfield is wonderful in “The Girl Can’t Help It” 1956. Ann MM, though a complete basket case, projected such a powerful personae that no matter how many Oscars Meryl Streep wins, MM will go down in history as a far greater star.
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‘Red Dust’ is one of my alltime faves, Harlow and Gable are the best couple in cinema. Absolute dynamite!
‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ is not a rock and roll movie , but was nonetheless pivotal, featuring, in glorious technicolour, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, The Platters, Eddie Fontaine, The Treniers, Fats Domino, Julie London, Little Richard.
If I may quote myself, from a piece I wrote about rock and roll movies: “With this 1956 release, rock and roll grabbed a foothold in popular culture. No longer confined to regional radio and the occasional 30 second grab in a cheapie exploitation flick, teenagers across the English-speaking world saw it, got it, and went out and formed bands, bands like The Beatles.”
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I could not disgree with you more re the stellar actress comment. If a performer is able to impose their personality on the world, then they are indeed stellar. Even Mamie Van Doren, whose career was more limited than the others, was quite effective. See Teacher’s Pet.
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Jean Harlow’s quotation reminds one that not being bookish — and most Hollywood types aren’t — doesn’t mean lacking in common sense or native intelligence.
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Bookworm:
Harlow was a down to earth young woman who was nothing like her screen personae. Unfortunately, her mother and her mother’s gigolo husband controlled Jean’s finances and robbed her blind. Jean also chose badly when it came to men. Very sad.
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One has to wonder – if we could step back 50 years ago this year, if Marilyn would say if her dream-come-true was all that she thought it would be.
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Bill:
MM was a pretty unhappy woman who was also quite self-aware. Stardom is a devil’s pact that cannot be denied.
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