Back to Golden Days

In honour of Norma Shearer's 114th birthday, which was on Wednesday, this week on «Film Friday» I bring you what is arguably one of her most iconic pictures. Directed by George Cukor, The Women (1939) begins when Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell) learns from her manicurist, Olga (Dennie Moore), that Stephen Haines, the husband of her cousin Mary (Norma Shearer), is having an affair with a predatory perfume clerk named Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford). A notorious gossip, Sylvia shares the news with her Park Avenue friends and then sends Mary for a manicure with Olga so that she hears the rumour herself. Mary's mother, Mrs. Morehead (Lucile Watson) urges her to ignore the gossip, but she cannot control herself when she encounters Crystal at a fashion show. To Sylvia's delight, the meeting between the two rivals makes the front page of the society columns, which leads Mary to ask for a divorce.   Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Norma Shearer, Joan Fontaine, Mary Boland and Pau...

The beautiful Elizabeth Taylor with an extremely cute little friend.   Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall with their son Stephen (early 1950s).   Here they are again. What an adorable picture!   Paulette Goddard looking rather uncomfortable next to her Christmas tree.   Boris Karloff and Ginger Rogers at a Hollywood Christmas party in 1932.   The adorable Shirley Temple chatting with Santa. Here she is again with a dolly friend. Look how cute she looks here, modeling a new Christmas dress (1935). The fur-tastic Joan Crawford .   Doris Day asking us to «do not disturb until Christmas.» Don't worry, Doris, we shall not. Though it's past Christmas now, so I'm sure Doris won't mind if we disturb just a little bit.   Priscilla Lane looking sparkling draped in her garlands.   A VERY young Carole Lombard sitting next to her tree (1920s).   Jean Harlow looking stunning as always.   Janet Leigh looking extra cute...