Iconista

Joan, before coat hangers.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:05:00 +0000

Iconista has a theory that all Hollywood stars are profoundly damaged. If they were well-adjusted and fulfilled, they'd stay home and knit.

Who would seek stardom unless driven by some screaming inner demon?

But, with all damaged people, there was a time when they were the victims, soon to be survivors; a time before they became the damagers of others.

With that in mind, enjoy these early pictures of Ms Crawford, freshly escaped from a nightmare childhood; simply in search of something better.

I was Marlene's Double

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 07:12:00 +0000

Marlene's Body double. I can see why. She has that same way of standing. Like she's only here because she has to be.

"Actress Tala Birell was born on September 10, 1907 in Romania. She was a body double for Marlene Dietrich in many of her German films. Birell is best remembered for her film appearance in Bringing Up Baby (1938). Other notable film credits include Lets Fall in Love (1933) and Crime and Punishment (1935). She died on February 17, 1958 in Landstuhl, Germany and is buried at the Cemetery of Marquartstein in Bayern, Germany."

More Gwili

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:44:00 +0000

The mourning continues.

Gwili Andre by Ernest Bachrach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:33:00 +0000

Gwili is a doll. Killed herself in a fire fuelled by old movie stills after her career fizzled. Iconista mourns her. Daft cow.

A. L. Whitey Schaefer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Iconista can find no mention of this dude. His work must speak for him. Though it sings rather than speaks. This is not a prosaic man.

Muses Ain't What They Used to Be

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:45:00 +0000

"Anna Karina is a Danish-born, French actress who was the muse of the director, Jean-Luc Godard."

A dull description of an essentially dull doll, but Iconista likes the idea of Anna Karina because she's so Nouvelle Vague, bless. Looks-wise, Iconista puts her in a similar category to Natalie Wood and Audrey Hepburn - cute. It's not a good category unless you want to get laid, or adopted. But enjoy. Three pictures were all Iconista could bear before nausea crept in.

Iconista is willing to concede that this is probably the coolest dance scene ever.

Little and Often

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:40:00 +0000

A trying week for Iconista, not without its highlights although, having come within a whisker of running down a cyclist and a pedestrian in her two-seater, she has decided to dust off her chauffeur. But, before she goes to blow away his cobwebs, she'd like to share today's sweetest finds.

Smoking

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:48:00 +0000

Last night, Iconista dreamt she was in love. What a strange sensation. She pities the poor mortals prey to such emotions during their waking hours. Love is best kept for dreams; though a heavenly sensation, it would be most distracting - like balancing a glass of champagne on one's head. Smoking is a far more practical solution to the internal abyss. With a cigarette in her hand, Iconista craves nothing.

Gloria Dickson ELMER FRYER 1937

Barbara Stanwyck

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:40:00 +0000

Babs, originally uploaded by Gary Cooper 79.

How did Iconista not spot this one in Orlando's collection before? Stumbling over pictures like this is part of the upside of dumping Facebook. Iconista has removed her Facebook blinkers, left the highway and is travelling cross-country.

"Behind the phony tinsel of Hollywood lies the real tinsel"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:08:00 +0000

But, boy, what tinsel.

Iconista is back briefly to share. She stumbled on a collection she'd not seen before. Since she is currently in a part of the world peopled by cavemen and trolls, there is only her public to share with.

Darlings, enjoy and, if you've seen them before and are wearied by their repetition, I suggest you take more fresh air. You clearly need it.

The quote incidentally is Oscar Levant. He's a man Iconista would have married; his wit is sharper than her tongue and his tongue sharper than her nails. There'd be no ham they couldn't slice.

Anna May Wong

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:06:00 +0000

Iconista half-moderates a Flickr group. Like a bored goddess, Iconista has been faintly impressed by the small but excellent offerings she's been made. If Anna May is your thing, you may want to rush there. But, if travelling as far as Flickr is more than you can manage, languish here and soak up the overflow.

Non-Smoking

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:22:00 +0000

Iconista has not drawn a breath tainted by tobacco for over a year. And she has suddenly realised the craving has ceased. Even the stiffest martini cannot awake the longing. But her delight in watching others pull in clouds has not ceased. Let us wallow a while before we return to clean living.

Poor Cinders

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:06:00 +0000

It may not surprise you to know Iconista has a wicked stepmother. The vicious old queen has declared war this week. To make matters worse, commodities are crashing and Iconista's broker can't be reached.
When surrounded by swine, Iconista throws pearls. Catch.

Jane

Myrna

Pola Negri

Lupe Velez

Joan Blondell

Loretta Young

Jeanne Eagels

The Return of the Magnificent Slattern

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:47:00 +0000

It occurs to Iconista that's she's neglected her public.

She has been a tad busy. Who knew, when pushed, she could write 40 thousand words in week, then rewrite 100k in a weekend?

So, if you find her taciturn here, blow. She hasn't words to waste.

Pictures, on the other hand, she'll scatter freely.

Suck these up honeys, in no particular order.

The Baron of Arizona

Reds

Katharine Hepburn as the Thin White Duke

The Original Jackman

We Was Coolsville

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Iconista loves Letterheady
Iconista loves Kirk
Iconista loves, full stop.

Great Disapproving Looks #6

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:15:00 +0000

You're here again?
Dear God, can't you make your own fun?
Iconista will oblige. She loves this little selection. These frowns don't suggest the "actor" is desperately rummaging the head-void for the next line.
Enjoy, then leave. Iconista has better things to do.

Love and War

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:55:00 +0000

Iconista has just pressed the Pause button on Ninotchka and entertained a thought. (She does, sometimes, have thoughts between martinis.) When men are at war, they talk of love. When men are in love, they dream of war. One need only compare early 20th century cinema with early 21st century cinema. Iconista is about to press Play. She suspects Lubitsch is going to make it right through to the end without a single explosion.

Next time Iconista finds herself in the mood for love, she will buy a rifle.

Renovations

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:14:00 +0000

Castle Iconista is undergoing an upgrade. The decorators started work yesterday, as surly as anything. Today Iconista exchanged slacks for a short skirt and heels and today the decorators can't do enough for her. They just brought her tea, weak and black, just as she likes it.

Iconista adores men.

They're like Apple macs; so beautiful and so simple to use.

Dog Day Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:20:00 +0000

Iconista promised pictures. You want words, go find some.

First one to mention puppies gets slapped.

Jayne

Lupe

Iconista always imagined Bette would be a cat person. Perhaps she's simply choosing dinner.

Pola Negri.

Cat People

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:52:00 +0000

Iconista will always prefer cats over dogs in the same way she prefers rich men over paupers. Cats take care of themselves. Dogs cling. Tomorrow Iconista will serve you a dish of clingers. Today let's admire self-sufficiency.

If you want to get ahead, get a hat

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:40:00 +0000

Must Iconista give names? Don't beat yourself up if you don't recognise these dames. Their egos may be bruised but Iconista believes that the only people who should recognise you in this life are your mother, your son and your gynaecologist.

Now, stop moving your lips and look at the pictures.

Bless Zeigfield

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:10:00 +0000

Clearly the fellow was an old letch, but what's not to love in this little collection Iconista stumbled over at Vintage Photograhs?

Big Dress Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:24:00 +0000

Those of you who know Iconista well will know her strange passion for dresses you can sweep floors with, not to mention ornaments, occassional furniture and anything else that gets in the way. She can not explain this ridiculous side to her nature, but it's as close to romantic as she gets, so make the most of it.

Don't simper, dear. You look like a poodle asking to be let out.

That Hamilton Woman. If you know a more dismissive film title, do tell.

Catherine Moylan. That's all the information Iconista has.

The original romantic. Gave new meaning to the word droopy.

That Pickford woman.
Just keep tightening, Leslie.

Pannini and Piranesi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:28:00 +0000

Don't ask Iconista to explain herself. She has to store this stuff somewhere and you're grown up enough to handle it.
Breathe it in. Spit it out. Iconista doesn't care which. Just don't mess with it because she needs it for future reference.

Domestic Goddesses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:15:00 +0000

The only time Iconista heads for the kitchen is to fetch ice. She doesn't want to know the way to a man's heart. She's been there. It's dull. Slaving over a hot stove is for women who like to please. Iconista would rather starve.

These little cuties seem to disagree, though you know as well as Iconista that they're posing for the camera. Trying to please in their own small way.