Hollywood Glamour

Hollywood Goes Kierkegaard

August 9, 2012 by Robert J. Avrech 9 Comments

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.”

1932: Actress Jean Harlow (1911 - 1937) takes a breather between greens on the golf course dressed in a striped summer dress. (Photo by Clarence Sinclair Bull) — 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

Hollywood on Trial

August 2, 2012 by Robert J. Avrech 5 Comments

There is nothing Hollywood fears as much as a messy public trial.

For movie stars, civil or criminal charges often spell the end of reputation and livelihood. In 1921, the false rape and murder charges against the wonderful knock-about comedian, Roscoe Arbuckle, destroyed his brilliant career—in pre-income tax dollars he earned a million a year—and subsequently drove him to drink and an early grave.

Numerous stars paraded into court in law suits ranging from bigamy to paternity and, of course, ugly divorces, fraud and financial improprieties.

The court photos and breathless newspaper coverage were less than flattering, reducing silver screen legends to a frail, if not sordid, human dimension.

[Read more…] about Hollywood on Trial

Friday Photos: The Not So Glamorous Family

July 27, 2012 by Robert J. Avrech 5 Comments

automotivator(105) — Jean Harlow as Hollywood wanted her to be seen.

Hollywood’s Golden Age, from the 20’s to the late thirties, was a dream factory.

And glamour was the dream that was sold in every frame of every film. Studios tightly controlled the image of the stars they groomed and promoted, presenting them as glittering jewels, untouched and unsullied by the daily concerns of ordinary life.

When Mickey Rooney informed MGM chief L.B. Mayer that he was going to marry a young starlet named Ava Gardner, Mayer’s anger was incandescent. Rooney was destroying the Andy Hardy brand. Never mind that Rooney was notorious for partying with high-priced call girls, Mayer understood that the carefully cultivated image of a clean living American boy was the reality for millions of movie fans.

Fans imagined their favorite stars as immaculate beings from heaven. And nothing could more quickly dispel this fantasy than the reality of a star with all too human parents.

Here are a few photos the studios did not want the public to see.

Friday Photos: A Star Is Created

June 29, 2012 by Robert J. Avrech 10 Comments

automotivator(102) — Brigitte Bardot before she became Brigitte Bardot. This photo was taken when she was a 15 year-old model for Elle magazine.

Stars are not born; they are created through a long and tortuous process of trial and error.

When conjuring our favorite star we remember an iconic image that captures that personae. When we think of Jean Harlow we see her glowing platinum hair, a fetching body draped in silk, and a come hither look that melts the soul.

We want to believe that stars were born fully formed. And when that image is challenged we feel disoriented if not slightly betrayed.

In truth, the best kept secret in Hollywood is how hard everyone works to perfect the images that are projected. I can testify from years of experience on location that we spend 80% of our prep time making sure the leading lady looks exactly as she should.

Friday Fashion: The Female Animal

June 15, 2012 by Robert J. Avrech 7 Comments

automotivator(100) — George Hurrell's legendary photo of Jean Harlow on a bearskin rug is the iconic image of the female animal.

In last week’s Friday Fashion post we observed that designers frequently clothe women utilizing fur, feathers and animal patterns.

For as long as fashion has existed, animal metaphors have been an indispensible part of the designer’s lexicon. Hollywood, during its golden age, a leading arbiter of taste, heightened and refined the animal analogy with brilliant costume designers turning ravishing movie stars into expressions of animal desire.