Work outfit: Betty-spiration

The inspiration

Did you know that Betty was featured this month in Vanity Fair? I felt that the interview was a bit exploitive. But she did agree to it! Betty still knows what she’s doing.

My find

You can buy this top on Modcloth.

It’s one of those “hand wash in cold ONLY” deals. Extremely delicate 100% polyester. (At least I’m not breaking my own “stay away from mystery fabric/blends” rule. )

Bing Crosby w/ Bogart & Bacall – Bold Fisherman

Bing Crosby, Humphrey Bogart, and his wife Lauren Bacall sing “Bold Fisherman” for Bing Crosby’s Chesterfield Show, Aired February 13th, 1952.

This is why Old Hollywood stars are better than everyone else.

Romantic mush from film noir

Movie poster for "Dark Passage"

Hands down, Humphrey Bogart is my favorite actor (I’ve written about it before). Last year, I wrote a fan letter to his wife Lauren Bacall and got her autograph.

Those two were other-worldly together… I imagine that Bogie is waiting up in heaven for her, with his hat in his hands and when that day happens, he’ll say something corny like “Baby, I’ve missed you. Let me make you a martini.“

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so I thought I would post my favorite movie ending of all time. It’s from “Dark Passage” made in 1947.
In context, it’s amazingly romantic dialog, so bear with me!

This is Allan.

Where are you? Are you all right?

Are you alone?

Yes.

Well, it was Madge who killed them both, but I’ll never be able to prove it.I went up there for a showdown, and she admitted it, but she stumbled and fell through the window. It’ll be in the afternoon papers. You’ll read that I pushed her out…but I want you to know how it really was.

I know how it was.

Do I hear music?

Yes, I picked it out on the jukebox.

You didn’t just call me to tell me about Madge. There’s something else you want me to know.

I never could fool you, could I?
I’m just beginning to realize, it’s better to have something to look forward to. Can you get a map of South America?

I’ll find one.

Look up Peru. There’s a little town on the coast called Paita.
Say it. Tell me where it is.

Paita, in Peru.

Good. Now listen. I won’t write. We’ve got to wait. We’ve got to give it plenty of time. Maybe they’ll get a lead on you or keep an eye on you for a while.

I’ll be careful. Go on.

Meanwhile, if God’s good to me and I manage to make it down there, I’ll be waiting for you. There’s a little café right on the bay. If you could see your way clear… Listen to all those ”ifs.”

We’ll skip all the ”ifs.” I get the idea, and that’s all I need.
Now hang up on me. Just like that. Hang up, darling.

 

If you’re curious, here’s the original movie trailer to “Dark Passage”.

This trailer was made by Fox Classics movie channel a few years ago.

Vintage pic of the day: The Chess Champ

"Here, Baby, watch me checkmate this guy."

Today’s picture: Bogie, holding Baby’s wrist as he decides his next move.

(He usually called Bacall “Baby,” even when referring to her in conversations with other people!)

He played tournament chess, one level below master level, and often played with crew members and cast off his movie sets.

Fan-mail Noir

DVD cover of "Dark Passage"

I’m crazy.

Admitting that fact is easy!

Last month, I got up the nerve to write a fan letter to my favorite actress, Lauren Bacall. (And yes, she is still alive and making movies!)

I wrote this mother-of-all-letter and mailed to her home in NYC. She lives at the Dakota Building and she was there the night that John Lennon was murder.

Andrew thought I was crazy to mail it to her home. I didn’t dare tell any of my friends.

Well…

Much to my suprise, this was in the mail for me today.

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge

Wow, she’s an amazing woman!