Recommended Viewing: Viva (2007)

I recently checked out the film Viva (2007) at the suggestion of my friend Michael Shirley. Written and directed by Anna Biller (who also takes on the title role), Viva is a homage to late 60s/early 70s sexploitation film. (Think Radley Metzger or Russ Meyer.) The plot centers around Barbi, a frustrated housewife, who finds herself caught up in the sexual revolution happening in 1972 Los Angeles. I'm not usually that impressed by 60s/70s period movies, but Biller has clearly done her homework. The visual style of the film is stunning and truly evocative of the time period. I often forgot that I was watching a film from 2007! Also, the dialogue is totally hilarious. I only wish that more movies like this were made today!

• Anna Biller's Blog

Happy 80th Brthday Grace Kelly!

Glamour a-go-go! Hearts Ann-Margret

 

Ann-Margret + hot pink fur = fabulous!

I really want to see more of her Sixties films such as Kitten With A Whip (1964), The Pleasure Seekers (1964), The Swinger (1966), and Made In Paris (1966).

Icon: Dorothy Stratten (1960-1980)

 

 

 

Blonde bombshell Dorothy Stratten (1960-1980) was a Canadian model and actress. After appearing in Playboy Magazine as Miss August 1979, she was subsequently named Playboy's Playmate Of The Year in 1980. Her screen credits include the 1980 sci-fi cult classic Galaxina and They All Laughed (1981), a film directed by her lover, Peter Bogdanovich. On the verge of major stardom, Dorothy was tragically killed by her estranged husband, Paul Snider, in a brutal murder-suicide on August 14, 1980. Sadly, she was only 20 years old at the time of her death. In 1983, Dorothy was portrayed by Mariel Hemingway in the excellent biopic Star 80.

• The Dorothy Stratten Website

Recommended Viewing: In The French Style (1963)

Jean Seberg and Phillippe Forquet

I spent the majority of last week bedridden with a particularly nasty bout of the flu. Thankfully, I had Turner Classic Movies to keep me company throughout my recovery. During this time, I watched quite a few films, including In The French Style (1963) starring the lovely Jean Seberg as an American art student living in France. The film follows Catherine (Seberg) over the course of four years and several love affairs as she makes the transition from idealistic adolescent to sophisticated, worldly young woman. After her father pays a visit, Catherine finds herself caught between a passionate romance and the carefree, glamorous joie de vivre of the jet-setting Parisian elite on the one hand and the more mundane realities of familial obligation and adult responsibility back in the States on the other. Notably, the film also features Phillippe Forquet, former fiancée of Sharon Tate, in the role of Catherine’s teenage lover, Guy.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many of Seberg's films, In The French Style is currently unavailable on DVD. Hopefully this will change in the not-so-distant future. I'd highly encourage anyone who appreciates 1960s cinema or French culture to watch this film. And of course, it is a must-see for any Jean Seberg fan!

Recommended Viewing: Berserk! (1967)

Berserk! (1967) is a British horror film starring screen legend Joan Crawford as the ringleader of a traveling circus that is terrorized by a mysterious serial killer. Blonde bombshell Diana Dors (the U.K.'s answer to Monroe and Mansfield) costars as a saucy sideshow performer. Although lesser known than Crawford's other 1960s camp horror classics such as What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962) and Strait-Jacket (1964), Berserk! is every bit as enjoyable.

Just Say No To A Barbarella Remake!

First of all, let it be known that I am not a fan of remakes. In my experience, they consistently fail to do justice to the original, far superior films. (The only exception to the rule that comes to mind is 1954's A Star Is Born starring Judy Garland.)

Barbarella is one of the most iconic films of the Swinging Sixties. Rumors of a possible remake of the 1968 sci-fi cult camp classic have been circulating for a while now, and the project was recently officially confirmed for a 2010 release. Reports suggest that Drew Barrymore will play the title role, but she has not signed on as of yet. Robert Rodriguez was originally slated to direct. However, he has since walked away from the project citing disagreement over production with Universal. The latest news is that Robert Luketic of Legally Blonde fame will take over as director. (Jane Fonda's then husband, Roger Vadim, directed the original film.) The script is currently in development.

Personally, I am vehemently opposed to the idea of a Barbarella remake. No one could ever outdo Jane Fonda as Barbarella and Anita Pallenberg was brilliantly cast as The Great Tyrant. Why mess with perfection?!

Also, on the butcher's block are Rosemary's Baby, Suspiria, and The Birds. (As was made painfully obvious by the god awful Psycho remake, Hitchcock should not be tampered with.)

Come on Hollywood, try thinking up some original ideas for a change and leave the classics alone!

Marianne Faithfull - Hier Ou Demain (1967)

From the film Anna (1967) starring Anna Karina, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jean-Claude Brialy.

Icon: Marisa Mell (1939-1992)

I've recently discovered Eurobabe extraordinare Marisa Mell. Last night I watched Perversion Story (a.k.a. One On Top Of The Other) (1969), which is an Italian erotic murder mystery set in San Francisco, complete with fabulous mod 60s fashions and swinging strippers! Mell plays a scantily clad seductress named Monica Weston. Perversion Story also stars the lovely Elsa Martinelli and French actor, Jean Sorel. This film is definitely one worth checking out!

• Marisa Mell Blog
• Cult Sirens: Marisa Mell

Icon: Barbara Parkins

Anne Welles has always been my least favorite Valley Of The Dolls character, but Barbara Parkins brought a much needed sense of glamour and sophistication to the role.

An interesting bit of trivia: Barbara was Sharon Tate's maid of honor in her wedding to Roman Polanski. She even caught the bridal bouquet!

New Candy Darling Documentary Coming Soon!

I'm really psyched about the upcoming documentary film, Beautiful Darling: The Life And Times Of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar.

Candy Darling was a true original who exuded glamour and star power. She was one of the more interesting personalities of the 1960s and 70s. I loved her in Paul Morrissey's Flesh (1968) and Women In Revolt (1971). I also own her fabulous book, My Face For The World To See: The Diaries, Letters, and Drawings of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar.

For further information, see:

• Beautiful Daring Website
• Candy Darling Superstar

All Eyes On Sharon Tate (1966)

Audrey Hepburn Wearing Paco Rabanne

The eternally lovely Audrey Hepburn in a dress designed by Paco Rabanne.

From the film Two For The Road (1967).

Recommended Viewing: The V.I.P.s (1963)

The V.I.P.s is a 1963 film gem starring off-screen couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Elizabeth Taylor plays Frances, a pampered society wife neglected by her businessman tycoon husband (Richard Burton). Frances's plan to run away with her suave French playboy lover (Louis Jourdan) is foiled by a flight delay. The situation is further complicated by spurned husband Paul's unexpected appearance on the scene in a last-ditch attempt to win back his estranged wife. Thus, Frances is faced with the predicament of choosing between the two men vying for her affections.

I enjoyed this film much more than I expected to. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are one of my all-time favorite celebrity couples. The V.I.P.s is Liz Taylor is at her glamorous best. She is outfitted in a stunning wardrobe designed by Givenchy. (The pink gown pictured above is simply to die for!) And how could I forget all of the fabulous jewelry?! (Clearly a case of art imitating life.)

The V.I.P.s is available on DVD as a part of the wonderful Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton Film Collection.

Made In USA (1966)

VERY exciting news!!! I'm pleased to announce that The Criterion Collection will be releasing Jean-Luc Godard's Made In USA (1966) next month! The DVD release date is scheduled for July 21, 2009. You can pre-order it here on Amazon.

Cant wait to FINALLY see this film! I simply adore the lovely Miss Anna Karina.

Also worth mentioning is the upcoming release of Roman Polanski's Repulsion (1965) on Criterion Collection DVD/Blu Ray in July. A must-see film in my book!

Which films do you think are deserving of a Criterion release? I'd have to vote for Polanki's Cul-de-sac (1966) and Anna (1967).

Keep up the good work, Criterion!

Here is the Made In USA theatrical trailer for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!: