By request: Barbara Parkins

My dear friend JANN

~ want to meet her? Give a visit to her many blogs and start with this one BOUQUET OF TULLE ROSES - don't you just love the name?? ~

well, my dear friend JANN asked if Barbara Parkins is still alive - and because I wanted to post some pictures of Ms Parkins I am going to post this entry instead of answering in the comment form. I know, JANN, you did not expect this, but I do hope you like it! ;")

So, dear JANN: It's all for you!! ;")

Yes, Barbara Parkins is still alive. I think she moved to England in the late 60ies (after her friend Sharon Tate was murdered) and then to France in the 1970s but came back later to the U.S. of A.

Schmooze: ~ Hej, how could I resist this?? ;") ~

• Barbara Parkins was born on 22th May 1942 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (imdb.com) Some other sources say that she was born on May 04, 1942.
  
  
• She is an adopted child.
  
  
• She posed for Playboy in May 1967, February 1970 and May 1976.
  
  
  
  
• Her height is 5'4'' (1,63m).
  
  
• Patty Duke called her "Barbara Starkins" during the shooting of VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.
  
  
• Originally she tested for the role of Neely in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.
  
  
• She was Sharon Tate's bridesmaid.




• She is an accomplished photographer.
  
  
  




• In 1966, Parkins co-hosted the Miss Teen International Pageant with her costar from PEYTON PLACE TV series, Ryan O'Neal (whom she also dated).
  
  
• In 1986 she gave birth to her daughter Christina.
  
  
• Allegedly her favourite perfum is L'heure Bleu (=blue hour) by Guerlain (which I could understand - I am a Guerlain fan myself..).
  




• Empire Magazine (or the readers of this magazine? I do not know..) chose her in 1995 as number 81 on their list of 100 Sexiest Stars in film history.

  

The critic's voice:

• "Miss Parkins is very badly served by the script, direction, lighting, wardrobe and make-up. No actress can survive that kind of treatment." --from VARIETY review of THE MEPHISTO WALTZ, February 3, 1971
  
  
  

(this picture is from THE MEPHISTO WALTZ - I think she looks gorgeous.. But I do not know the film..)

Quotes corner:

• When she was asked why VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is now a cult classic she answered: "Maybe because it is so ... bad."

• "I'd very much like to be Ava Gardner. She IS sex."
  
  

So, thank you very much JANN for reading my blog and commenting! (Thanks to every one else, too!)

This is my favourite picture of Barbara Parkins - enjoy - and have a great week!

"Boobies, boobies, boobies. Nothing but boobies. Who needs them? I did great without them."

Based on Jacqueline Susann's best-selling novel (<- read my review here!) Mark Robson directed VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967).

In a nutshell:

Three girls and their way to fame - and additcion of downers (which are called dolls in here.)

Anne (Barbara Parkins) is a New England Lady who starts her carreer as a secretary and becomes a famous model - with a not so fabolous love-life with her ex-boss Lyon Burke (Paul Burke).

Jennifer (Sharon Tate) is a showgirl who will be earnig fame by acting in European (speak: nudie-) films. (boy, these Europeans! ...) - and all because her beloved husband - a poor man's Frank Sinatra - Tony Polar (Tony Scotti) has a serious medical condition.

Neely (Patty Duke) is a talented singer - with an enormous ego - and a never ending feud with Broadway-Star Helen Lawson (Susan Hayward).

And all three of them have to deal with their liability to grab some "dolls"...

Schmooze:

• Sharon Tate received a Golden Globe for best Newcomer in 1968.


• Judy Garland was first casted as Helen Lawson, but was fired (accordingly she showed up at the set drunk) - so Susan Hayward received her part. Another actress was supposed to replace Miss Garland: Bette Davis! Nonetheless Judy Garland kept her costume and would go on wearing it during her concerts. Gee - that gal had chutzpah! ;")
  
  
• There is a 1981 remake for Television called JACQUELINE SUSANN'S VALLEY OF THE DOLLS with Jean Simmons as Helen Lawson.
  
  
• Susan Hayward's resp. Helen Lawson's singing voice was deliverd by Margaret Whiting, but because she was under contract at another label Eileen Wilson is heard on the soundtrack album.
  
  
• 1994 a TV Series was started but lived only for 65 episodes - here Helen Lawson was also Jennifer's mother. (I guess when they make another series Anne will be Jennifer's uncle..)
  


• After the murder of Sharon Tate in 1969 this film was re-released - with enormous success...
  
  
• Raquel Welch tested for the role of Jennifer North which would eventually go to Sharon Tate.
  
  
• Patty Duke was the youngest actrice ever to have a TV series with her own name in the title: THE PATTY DUKE SHOW (1963-1966) - Patty Duke was 16 back then.
  
  
• Lucille Ball was originally supposed to play the Helen Lawson-part.
  
  

A nodding acquaintance:

• .Costume designer Diana Eden appeared as one of the dancers.
  
  
• Richard Dreyfuss has his debut as assistant stage manager. It was not credited.
  
  
• Barbara Parkins played Betty Anderson and Lee Grant acted as Stella Chernak in TV-series PEYTON PLACE (1964-1969).
  


• Joey Bishop has a cameo as Telethon emcee.
  
  
• Martin Milner is amongst others known as Karl Robinson from THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1975-1976)
  
  
• Jacqueline Susann has a cameo as a journalist after one of the main character's death. (No, I won't spoil it for you.)


• George Jessel has a cameo at the Grammy awards.

It'll stay in the family:

• When Sharon Tate married Roman Polanski in 1968 Barbara Parkins was her maid of honor.
  
  
• From 1972 - 1985 Patty Duke was married to John Astin (Gomez from TV series: THE ADDAMS FAMILY) and her son Sean Astin (whose father is NOT John Astin) became famous as Samwise "Sam" Gamgee in LORD OF THE RINGS. (2001 - 2003)
  
  

Sight-read:

• Oscar Nomination for best film score 1968.


• André Previn received a Grammy for best score.
  
  

Sing a song:

Dionne Warwick sings the Theme - on the Soundtrack album Dory Previn is singing it - because Ms Warwick was under contract at another record label.

Barbara Parkins suggested that Dionne Warwick should sing the theme - and it became one of Ms Warwick's biggest hits:

Murphy's Law:

• There is a scene where Anne clothes become fully wet because of the ocean - when she walks into her house a few minutes later she is completely dry. - Where can I learn how to manage this with my own clothes??
  
  
• This film is supposed to show several years in the girl's lives - but wether clothes nor the hairstyles ever change from 1967's style. ;")
  
  

Scene to see:

Uhm.. Hard to say. Every scene with Patty Duke in it! :")

Quotes Corner:

"Who’s stoned? I am merely traveling incognito."

There are of course some meanderings of the book's story - but it is okay with me. It was not okay with Harlan Ellison, who wrote the original screen play: He resigned from it after so much changes - he insisted that his name was deleted from the credits.

I think Hollywood has made this picture a lot more lovelier than the book, which is more cruel - even the end is happier in the film than in the book. Actually I like the book better, because of its sadder tone - and because in the book Jennifer has more depth (if I may use this phrase..). But I do love the film. It’s incomparable!

This film is dubbed as one of the baddest films ever made - and I love to show it at my "girls' nights" - kind of a crazy twentie-somethings slumber party. - I show many films of the sixties at these occasions.. ;") This film is called trash – and we love it. It is great fun to re-enact scenes (We especially love the Neely and Tony scene in the sanitarium..) It’s our private little ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.. ;”)

"I had a rotten night."


The End? Wait and watch!

Yours (well and) truly


Frl. Irene Palfy

Can't wait till June!!

This is a completely overwhelming happy post:


Monty

- you know Monty! He is the (at least my) count of classic cinema. (I hope it's ok with him that I call him that..) If you don't know him: Shame on you!!! Go visit his blog(s) immediately!! Here's the one to start with: All Good Things -

so, Monty asked me to be his blog guest in June!!! (while I am writing this I am doing a silly little dance - mostly with my head and feets. My chair is a bit decrepit.. anyhow I am looking like Jerry Lewis - with breasts. Mr. Lewis is - as you may know - an awesome dancer.. Won't discuss my dancing skills.)

(originally I wanted to post his "dance" in THE NUTTY PROFESSOR - but all I was able to find was with a new audio track.. So this one is doing as well.)

Monty has every month another classic movie goddess - and fo June it's Doris Day. Ha! I am even more happy - if this is possible..

Since I was asked - and till it is June - I am singing this song over and over. It's the only song I can think of right now with June in it:

But there is something that troubles me - Monty usually asks his guests "questions about that person's faves but for you we may have to do something different."

Something different? Why? What? Is this good like "Oh, she is special. She is so marvellous - we're going to do tremendous things! And than she'll find a cure for hunger, war and bad taste!"?

Or is this something like "your daughter, you know, she is a lovely thing but *ahem* she is a bit sloooow.*ahem, ahem* So we do something different to make things more eeeasyyyy for her."

But: Never mind!! I'll do anything!! :") - except for cooking - believe me: you don't want me to cook something you want to EAT afterward. Oh - and also except for a video post. I am shy... ;")

But I even would wear this costume :

(This is my favourite picture of John Wayne)

And: I DO LIKE to paint with wax crayons.. Just in case I am the everyone-know-besides-her sloooow girl in the neighbour hood.. ;")

By the way: I already found a cure for bad taste: Watch classic films! Just mentioning it...

So, thank you soo much Monty! I hope I am going to be a good guest!! (And: I asked you if I was allowed to burst out in songs on this blog - so: You knew THIS POST would happen.) ;")

Yours (more than well and) truly

Frl. Irene Palfy

(completely having kittens - what a GREAT expression!!)

This picture is for Monty - who is an avid Cary Grant fan - and this shows excately how I felt when I was asked:

Thank you very much! :")

This blog was awarded with the

given by Tribute Books Mama.

Thank you sooo much! :")

As always in blogland there are some rules which go with the award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award. (which is in my opinion self-evident.)
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

I am going to post these lists on my book blog too - because it was also awarded!! *Yay*

..hm.. Seven things about me.. Let's see:

1. I love silly old songs - and when I am happy I am going to sing them allday long! :")

2. I don't like cut flowers - they made me sad: standig on the table and dying.. *sniff*

3. I am highly anglophile.

4. I love forests - when I was a child I used to spend my days in a nearby forest. On the trees, under the bushes - it was magical and pure peace. I am feeling like that when I am in forests now. :") So: when I die my body is going to be burried in a forest cemetery.

5. I am fascinated by Jack the Ripper.

6. Last year I had two (!) dead birds on my balcony. One in summer and one not even two weeks ago - it died right before my eyes - that made me freak out because I wasn't able to help.

7. My favourite animals are: cats (no surprise in that..), sharks, sloths, wombats, all kind of corvid and butterflies. The German word for butterfly is Schmetterling - when I was a child I had problems spelling that and was used to say: Minkaminks. Well, it's almost the same word isn't it? ;")

This is the toughest part and the reason why it took me so long to accept the award, because I won't give this award to anyone just to come up with ten fellow bloggers.

10 recently discovered great bloggers :

1. A Polar Bear's Tale - great pictures and Aputsiaq is one of the nicest bloggers I know! (Oh - and she loves snow - like I do..) So: If you like art and every thing connected with snow: Please, visit her blog!

2. Book rat - this lady is amazingly creative - give her blog a try! It's great!

3. Stirred, straight up, with a twist - actually the most stylish blog I know!

4. For the vintage fashionista - it's all in the name, folks! :")

5. Doo Wop Dolly - just sooo cute!

6. I Pursuit Of My Inner Pin-Up - because Rapunzel is one of the most amiable ladies I know. :")

7. 50s time - because I love the "Apron Rrevolution" and this is an awesome project! ;")

8. The Vintage Housewife & her closet - yes, I like the 1950ies.. ;")

9. Vintage In A Modern World - this blog isn't a recent find - but I LOVE it! So, please visit Kate's lovely blog!

10. And a blogging - well, may I say- friend (??) is doing a brand new blog: These secrets are for you, dear..... - and it's - like her old blog - : Fabulous!

So, thanks again! I am feeling honoured! And now I am going to sing a happy song allday long:

Happy New Year to YOU!!

I am looking forward to a great New Year with lots of delightful moments and tons of classic films

(- and some cups of coffee!)

Hope you'll have a marvellous one!!

"That's no good - ladies bruise too easy."

Basing on Vladimir Pozner’s (please, do not mix up with equally named Russian spy!) story, which was released in September and October 1945 in “Good Housekeeping” Nunnally Johnson wrote and produced a film under the same title, which became a box-office hit in 1946 and was directed by Robert Siodmak: THE DARK MIRROR.

In a nutshell:

Dr. Perada was murdered. Several witnesses saw Terry Collins (Olivia de Havilland) at that certain time near the crime scene. An easy case for Lieutenant Stevenson (Thomas Mitchell). But Terry has an alibi – and a sister: Ruth (Olivia de Havilland), a twin sister. Both occasionally switch roles. So, which one is the murderess? Maybe psychiatrist Scott Elliott (Lew Ayres) can be a help. The trouble with him: he’s going to fall for one of the sisters.

Schmooze:

• Lew Ayres stared as DR. KILDARE in 9 films of the film series of the same name. He became famous as an actor when he played the lead in ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930). He was married to Ginger Rogers from 1934 to 1940.
  
  
• The story received a nomination for an Acadamy award.
  
  
• For radio-afficionados: there are some radio productions - with Olivia de Havilland (1950) and with Lew Ayres (1948) and one with both of them in THE HEDDA HOPPER SHOW - THIS IS HOLLYWOOD (1947)...
  
  
• In 1984 there was made a remake for television starring Jane Seymour as the twin sisters.
  
  
• Olivia de Havilland stated years later that the part of the mean twin sister still haunted her.
  
  
• Though in credits only mentioned as technical adviser Eugen Schüfftan – who was a legendary cameraman and special effects specialist - did a great job and mixed several trick shots and added back projection so that Olivia de Havilland often acts in front of a screen on which runs a shot of herself as "her" twin sister.

A nodding acquaintance:

• You may remember Richard Long (here: Rusty, the bellboy) from Orson Welles’ THE STRANGER (1946).
  
  
• Thomas Mitchell might be best-known as uncle Billy in Frank Capra’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) or Gerald O'Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND (1939). I like him very much as Diz Moore in MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939).
  
  
  

Celebrate the celluloid

Nibble some lemon drops! :”)

Sight-read

The soundtrack was composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, who also wrote "Do not forsake me, oh my darlin" for HIGH NOON (1952) – I bet you know that one!

See the beauty in it

The costumes were designed by Irene Sharaff – and some of them are really marvelous. There is a pair of blouses with ruching which is not quite my style – but Olivia de Havillands wardrobe in this film is heaven for any forties fashion addict.

Quotes Corner

“He’s a very smart guy for a college man.”

This film is awesome because of its technique. You seldom can spot errors. Olivia de Havilland is doing a fabulous job – well, she is always, isn’t she? - Of course the good sister is the one, who is more the type of a modest housewife and the bad one is the self-confident sister. No wonder: The war was over and women should leave the factories and go back to home. (Bye bye to Rosie the Riveter!) I have nothing against women staying at home and caring for husband and kids - but I think everyone/everywoman should be able to decide for herself and not feel guilty because they do not want to marry and/or raise children. -

So I recommend this film to every fan of Olivia de Havilland and everyone who is interested in trick technique and ask every viewer to take the characterization of the “better” sister not as the proof of “good” woman. There's a wide range of awesome women out there.. ;”)

“I never listened to such utterly nonsense in all my live.”

The End? Wait and watch!

Yours (well and) truly,

Frl. Irene Palfy

A Merry Christmas to everyone!

To every follower and every person who stumbles by:

A Merry Christmas to you and your love ones!

With Love,

Frl. Irene