After watching the movie several days ago, I could not get that gown and the fabric out of my mind. I could imagine the silkiness and shimmer of the fabric. Searching online did not turn up any of Royer’s costumes with the exception of Getty images that you must pay for, but I did get a snapshot of that breathtaking gown, if nothing other than to tell which dress to hold your breath for if you see this movie.

Madeleine Carroll (Lady Elizabeth Stacy) and Freddie Bartholomew (Young Jonathan Blake) had just crossed the English Channel together and are about to have their first kiss. Madeleine Carroll goes from looking 1950’s Cosmopolitan in a shipmate’s uniform to ultra feminine in this gown in a matter of minutes, never looking as if she just came from a boat tossed about on stormy waters.

It’s a shame that the only film covers I see online are the colorized version, because this gown could only be done total justice in film noir’ with the candlelight catching it’s glisten. Beautifully done, Royer!

If there was a singular movie that made me fall in love with old films, this was it. I remember seeing this movie on one of my insomniac nights, during the late 70’s. I must have been about 11 or 12. Peter O’Toole became a life-long secret crush at that very moment.

My mother, who was always awake at odd hours caring for my sister, thought my obsession with Peter O’Toole was funny. She said, if you like this one, you should see Lawrence of Arabia. That’s when I laughed at her and realized she, too, had a crush on Peter O’Toole. One of the reasons I believe she chose my father was because he looked like Peter O’Toole and could be just as giddy and fun loving when not drinking. You know those tall, lanky Scottish/Irish men with sparkly leprechaun eyes. They will cajole you into just about anything! I’ve never been able to ignore those fun loving eyes.

In Becket, Peter O’Toole plays King Henry the II for the first time. He plays him again 3-4 years later in The Lion in Winter. In this first role, he plays Henry II, so superbly. His pairing, as a lanky King against the manly-man form of Richard Burton, was no doubt to raise questions of sexual preference at a time when you didn’t talk about what cowboys did beside a campfire. But Peter took it so far beyond that - showing the weaker juvenile emotions that adults - especially adults in power - secretly conceal.

If you have ever had to parent or take a leadership role of any kind, your first instinct is to hide your most human qualities. The qualities that many would perceive as weak, like say, nepotism, love, friendship, desire.  Henry did not care! He wore his heart out on his sleeve and defied anyone to touch it. He knew how to use and manipulate people and did not worry about such things as obedience or loyalty beyond the risk of getting emotionally scarred. After all, He WAS King. Who would dare deny him? Well, his most trustworthy and loyal saxon friend, Becket would, but only for the Love of God. Which in the end, Henry begins to realize was an enormous show of their friendship and love for eachother - yet, he realizes this, tragically, only after Henry has Thomas killed.
Becket is a wonderful story of courageous conviction; the need to feel so strongly about something as to even have a conviction, and the situations one puts themselves in just to feel a part of human existence.

I think that for an artist, especially of Peter O’Toole’s caliber, the name of the game is having the courage of your convictions. Many actors must feel so dead to emotion, yet must play the roles of others to remind themselves of passion and desires of life.

As an artist, I crave the feel of paint, or pencil to paper, or the smell of printing ink, in order to capture a particular moment that describes one of life’s passions. Peter O’Toole’s aged old man in Venus craved the scent of his friend’s niece’s vagina.  Peter O’Toole can turn over every ugly, beautiful, cragged, bug ridden stone - even sometimes crushing it - only to discover hidden jewels of emotion.  Then, as if he were my 6 yr. old son, bringing me flowers,  Peter shares his discoveries with us.   He uses something, even as  disgustingly secretive as the desire of an old man for the scent of a young cunt to gain our insights into the sadly aging body and mind of an old man.  An old man who desires, just as King Henry II, to just participate in what will be the all too few, simple pleasures of human life.

Just as Henry II didn’t give a damn if people found him to be politically correct, neither does Peter O’Toole!  Yes, I could have married this man! Alas, he was already married and half a world away and like his real life wife who appears in this movie with him, probably could not have survived it with my self-esteem intact. But what great fun it would have been to try.

God Blesses the artist with immeasurable gifts to gain insight into a world few choose to even look at it! Thank you Peter!

Technorati Tags: Becket, Peter O’Toole, Henry II

My favorite was this one, suprised?, the Doris Day / Rock Hudson version from 1961.

This picture from Doris Day As Fashion Icon on Doris Day.net

Irene was the costume designer for Ms. Days’ outfits in this movie. And what outfits they were! Who else could have pulled off sexy, beautifully tailored ‘office’ apparel and fun, sexy, tailored casual clothing like this beaded top or the one-piece bathing suit? And then top it off with a funky hat that allows us to still believe this ad woman is a serious enough character to compete against Rock Hudson’s ad man character. That takes a talented and unique costume designer. The hats taunt as if to say, “Top that Givenchy and Edith Head!”.

The wardrobes that Irene had designed for Doris Day is a big reason that Ms. Day had become a fashion icon who ranked even higher than Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, and Audrey Hepburn. Ms. Day knew her talent and publicly stated that Irene was her favorite costume designer. Irene deserved at least as much credit from her colleagues.

Slobo had a nice obituary for one of my favorite character actors, Charles Lane who passed away at age 102 tonight, in his sleep. A Lucy Fan also has a nice page about Mr. Lane’s 100th birthday party.

Our condolences to all who loved Mr. Lane and to Charles, God Speed and Thank You for adding a great deal more character to my life and a lot of other fellow movie goers.

Slobo just uploaded a new version of Stuffr that allows me to add a category now. WooHoo! If you haven’t tried it, check it out! It’s awesome. I love my hubby!

Oh, what ecstasy - to have been on that set!

This is hands down, my favorite film.

Peter O’Toole lived, breathed, even perspired King Henry II.   His masterful skill at dialog and emotions totally captivated King Henry’s motives, passions; his mask of chilling contempt for other human beings.  Peter O’Toole reveals Henry’s mask in tender moments one second, then covers it back quickly in dominating conquers of verbal skills.

Katherine Hepburn - who could have played the role of Eleanor of Aquitaine but Kate.  With the script’s cutting wit and soft tender moments.  Eleanor’s heartbreak of losing her children’s souls and husband’s affections came pouring out in Katherine’s body.   Every moment of Katherine’s life led up to this incredibly, masterfully skilled acting of Eleanor’s character - her being.

If ever a movie shows how the human soul is the same - no matter the era - This one is it!

There are several fashion designers that I am crazy about. Three in particular are Irene Lentz and Renie’ Conley and Edith Head Yes, I’m an old movie fanatic. Partly to blame are these three designers, Irene in particular. I love to watch their designs.  It is true, as Sandra Bullock said, “Without you guys [costume designers] there would be no movies.  The difference between a film and a dress rehearsal are the costumes.”  I hope to do my part in recognizing these, often hidden, artisans.