They don’t make ‘em like they used to February 19, 2008

Movie stars. They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Check out these true legends of the silver screen…

 

Carey Grant. Arguably the best comedic actor of his generation, or (in this waffler’s opinion) of all time. If you’ve never yet witnessed him at work, then go to Blockbuster right now and rent His Girl Friday. Or better yet, Bringing Up Baby, because then you can also marvel at…

 

Katharine Hepburn.

She has no equal for sheer screen presence and the ability to banter. I am in a constant state of awe and delight whenever I watch her! She also appeared alongside Carey Grant in the very superb The Philadelphia Story where they are joined by our next legend…

 

 

James (Jimmy) Stewart. He actually won the Best Actor Oscar in 1940 for his performance in this film – which so happens to be one of my all time favourites. It orginated as a Broadway play, written especially for Katharine Hepburn and was so successful that she bought the film rights, sold them to MGM and was then allowed to choose her own co-stars. Jimmy Stewart has been in a ridiculous number of brilliant films, including Mr Smith Goes To Washington, It’s A Wonderful Life and Rear Window.

Moving on now to a different Hepburn…

 

 

 

 Audrey Hepburn. The epitome of elegance – easily defined in one word: class. I would normally dislike her for her petite figure, perfect bone structure, flawless skin and big brown eyes and yet I think she’s so charming that even my envy is kept at bay! Breakfast at Tiffany’s is obviously her most famous success, playing the role of Holly Golightly, but I have to say I watched Sabrina yesterday and it was every bit as wonderful, if not better. My opinion could of course have been swayed by the presence of my final and favourite old movie star…

 

Humphrey Bogart. In 1999 The AFI named him the Greatest Male Star of All Time and honestly, you’d be hard pushed to argue. Second to none when it comes to screen presence, intensity, charm, timing, and the ability to deliver acerbic lines as if they just popped into his head… whether in a romantic drama or a noir thriller, Bogart can do it all. Whilst Grant is undoubtedly the king of comedy, Bogart is often unfairly under-rated in this area, with his dead-pan humour seemingly as natural as breathing. The Big Sleep, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen (with Katharine Hepburn)… all bona fide classics and all starring Bogie. Born on Christmas day 1899, Humphrey was reputedly expelled from school for throwing the head-teacher into a duck pond. He was married 4 times, including finally to Lauren Bacall. Along with Sinatra he was a founding member of the Rat Pack, and once bought two stuffed pandas whilst on a night out and ended up in court facing an assult charge as a result. He died from cancer at the age of just 57, but his life and films are unlikely to ever be forgotten. Humphrey Bogart – we salute you!