Chin Deep Beauty

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Below is a bizarre article where an anonymous “leading Hollywood director” who is obsessed with chins, comments on the best chins in the industry. He explains that without a lovely chin-line, the effect of all the other features is lost because the chin is the seat of character.

Though Irene Dunne’s nose and mouth are beautiful, it is her firm, yet feminine chin which makes her exceptionally attractive.
Claudette Colbert’s chin is not classic, but it is tops in piquancy.
Gail Patrick has the perfect chin for a tall girl. It is neither too weak or too firm.
Miriam Hopkins is noted because her chin has marked individuality and yet is beautiful.

This chin-loving director then gives some advice on how to keep your chin line firm:

• Practice holding your head high at all times
• It is a good idea when you are alone, to exaggerate your chin-up attitude
• Even when reading, see to it that your head is not bent over in an unattractive manner
• Perfect posture is most important in having and keeping a good chin contour, an excellent way to achieve perfect posture is to stand with your back to the wall of a room and try to have every part of the body – head, shoulder, back, and legs – touch the wall surface

Source: Beauty Brevities, The Spokesman Review, Nov 7 1937, Page 44

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1949 Stars Reveal Their Favorites

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

What do you think was the greatest performance in the history of motion pictures?

Gene Autry

The one I remember the most is Greta Garbo in Camille. I don’t think that will ever be topped.

Lucille Ball

Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind. It’s a difficult role and she did a great job. I have seen it eight times and try to catch it every year.

Fred MacMurray

It’s hard to pick one, but I think Barbara Stanwyck in Stella Dallas left the biggest impression with me.

Claudette Colbert

I’ll never forget Helen Hayes in The Sin of Madelon Claudet. I cried and cried.

Robert Young

John Barrymore was outstanding in anything… To name one, Topaz. And Lawrence Olivier‘s job in Hamlet was one of the best of all time.

Joan Bennett

Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind.

Irene Dunne

Diana Wynward in Cavalcade stays in my memory as the best. She was fascinating.

Alan Ladd

Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind. That was the most perfect casting in history.

Jimmy Stewart

I think maybe Fredrick March in Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. It was a frightening thing to watch.

Marie Wilson

Charles Coburn in More the Merrier was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, especially the scene where he lost his pants.

Rosalind Russell

Cary Grant in None But the Lonely Heart. I had always considered him an expert comedian, but my opinion of him went up a hundred-fold when I saw him in this dramatic role.

Diana Lynn

Garbo in Camille or anything.

Erich Von Stroheim

This may sound like immodesty, because I directed her, but I would pick Zasu Pitts in, Greed. A great tragedienne.

Gloria Swanson

I don’t see many pictures but the best performance I can think of is Van Heflin in Johnny Eager.

Gregory Peck

Charlie Chaplin in everything: he’s the greatest of actors. He can make you laugh one  minute, cry the next. For the actresses, Garbo – especially in Camille.

James Cagney

For an all-round lawless performance, I’d pick J.M. Kerrigan in The Informer. There was nothing you could find wrong with it.

Source: Hollywood Highlights, Spokane Daily Chronicle, Jun 1 1949, Page 42

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