Vivien Leigh - A unique creature, not a typically Hollywood actress she defies category, really. Except as the woman who snagged the most coveted role in film. And winning Oscars for portraying two sides of the ever fascinating Southern Belle. Her own demons and tragedy feed into a great many of her performances, which makes frequent watching difficult. And I am not a fan of "unhappy endings". Yet I love her for the bewitching sprite underneath the tears.
Favorite films:
GWTW, The Hamilton Woman, The Sidewalks of London, Waterloo Bridge, A Yank at Oxford, Anna Karenina
Myrna Loy - Such a gracious, funny, smart and saucy lady, I wish I could
be her persona on film. She's never, ever heavy, strident or vulgar and yet she's honest and never a bore! What a miracle that is, so very rare. While I most adore her with Bill Powell, I also am crazy for her movies with Gable, and I think she was one of his best leading ladies, particularly in
Test Pilot.
Favorite films:
The Thin Man, Penthouse, Manhattan Melodrama, Libeled Lady, 13 Women, The Barbarian, Test Pilot, Too Hot to Handle, Wife vs. Secretary, When Ladies Meet, Topaze, Men in White, Stamboul Quest
Marilyn Monroe - She's been a kindred spirit in many ways. I have traveled a few roads similar to her own, so she's very easy to understand, and she even helped me get work in L.A. as a model (some photographer was cockeyed enough to think I looked like the young Norma Jean---I only did with the grace of skillful make-up and clever lighting, but it was one of the hi-lights of my shortlived career) and her last complete film,
The Misfits, is the inspiration for one of my screenplays and I even wrote Arthur Miller about it. He was gracious enough to reply encouragingly. I've never seen anything like MM's affinity for the camera, it continues to draw me in, no matter who else shares its frame with her.
Favorite films:
The Misfits, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Let's Make Love, How to Marry a Millionaire, Bus Stop, Don't Bother to Knock.
Ava Gardner - Hemingway's ideal femme, she was the gutsiest but most womanly and FUN loving gal I've seen on screen. Her natural warmth and humor comes through her best roles. I wish I had her courage to speak as bluntly as she did, yet without heaviness. I think she is probably the most beautiful woman of all the actresses.
Favorite films:
Mogambo (her best), The
Barefoot Contessa, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, Bowhani Junction, Ride, Vacquero!, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Hucksters, One Touch of Venus, Night of the Iguana (mainly for her).
Carole Lombard - This fifth choice was tough, because Gene Tierney, Lana Turner and a few others are awfully deserving considering my huge affection for them, but Carole showed such good taste in husbands she's got the edge here.
Besides her nose for men, she had the highest energy I've ever seen---electricity seemed to come out of the ends of her nails and golden hair. She could crack wise (on and off screen, she was a notorious practical-joker), be at ease in an elegant setting showing off Travis Banton's creations to a tee, or swinging punches at Freddie March (
Nothing Sacred). But never, ever did she lose her bright eagerness and femininity. Personality to burn and beauty exquisite. What a combo.
Favorite films:
My Man Godfrey, No Man of Her Own, Nothing Sacred, To Be or Not to Be, In Name Only, Hands Across the Table, The Princess Comes Across
