HITCHCOCK BLONDE!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtEgfYq2pNx0IZiFCdJTM-_xPWq0LAw6RAbF47HqZVvWvRjhx72y2iIMHZ2j9xW7qwb5bg9zoVwdZ20YVz8rGDStrs8-nABizsXqw1opVk1Qgx_XCk__1DU1l4Np_llA3eZscx_Ysa3wv/s1600/grace+kelly+hitchcock+blonde+bordered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtEgfYq2pNx0IZiFCdJTM-_xPWq0LAw6RAbF47HqZVvWvRjhx72y2iIMHZ2j9xW7qwb5bg9zoVwdZ20YVz8rGDStrs8-nABizsXqw1opVk1Qgx_XCk__1DU1l4Np_llA3eZscx_Ysa3wv/s400/grace+kelly+hitchcock+blonde+bordered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It began long ago, the succession of beautiful blonde actresses who combined feminine refinement and sex appeal in a way that director Alfred Hitchcock could not resist depicting onscreen many times. Over the course of his career, Hitchcock honed this character type to a fine point and his final blonde stars were scrupulously stylized to evoke a very specific image.<br /><br />Some of the most memorable:<br /><br /><a name='more'></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXEKS7m5UjmwozE87MNHEkjDVll65uY03oOMwyZEDxY8HjEstnVCs1r9TMFrHMv3_PUVImrJTtOaIKCa3LXwhLXiI4MQ7caY-8mOKsQ7rell48KAVDmcNMJFiCSiNuFdChdY_zTHg3_A6/s1600/joan+barry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXEKS7m5UjmwozE87MNHEkjDVll65uY03oOMwyZEDxY8HjEstnVCs1r9TMFrHMv3_PUVImrJTtOaIKCa3LXwhLXiI4MQ7caY-8mOKsQ7rell48KAVDmcNMJFiCSiNuFdChdY_zTHg3_A6/s1600/joan+barry.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Joan Barry</b> (Emily Hill in <i>Rich and Strange</i>, 1931) London-born Barry first worked with Hitchcock when she dubbed Anny Ondra's voice for the sound version of <i>Blackmail</i>. She later starred in another of the director's early sound films, <i>Rich and Strange</i>. In addition to being a blonde, Barry possessed a delicate beauty that Hitchcock would seek again and again. (Note: This British actress shouldn't be confused with the brunette American actress who was legally entangled with Charlie Chaplin)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5ktNVFUf-Hy7qJgDe9nxKDRw_5b-KzOuAIqKkdIEMCa8Z6y405xBzU_BsbMWayFk_InXtkmgJ6Nw7BFILz-9I-XbY1j_bhGMbaXcx8NZGxzRvLDtU350I4-RnBAL8QN4SiMBO4JM0Z4Z/s1600/madeleine_carroll3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5ktNVFUf-Hy7qJgDe9nxKDRw_5b-KzOuAIqKkdIEMCa8Z6y405xBzU_BsbMWayFk_InXtkmgJ6Nw7BFILz-9I-XbY1j_bhGMbaXcx8NZGxzRvLDtU350I4-RnBAL8QN4SiMBO4JM0Z4Z/s1600/madeleine_carroll3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Madeleine Carroll</b> (Pamela in <i>The 39 Steps</i>, 1935, and Elsa Carrington in <i>Secret Agent</i>, 1936) Often referred to as the first of Hitchcock's "ice cool" blondes, Carroll bore a physical resemblance to Joan Barry, but possessed an aloof quality with which Hitchcock was particularly taken.  Her career skyrocketed with the success of <i>The 39 Steps;</i> following <i>Secret Agent</i> she signed with Paramount and made several films in the U.S. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qKB_2_34niC47SQXUb9SQZSbS9Z7hl2VjaOCzFD-ucKRA9Mu7mJn-54so-ghnFafntRodfW3Vq3_k1d7h3DUjB1wMuUE9MAL0559XnrXPMx3mCcPpphy0LwKeRNXdZiifS7b-7ZSEesJ/s1600/Carole+Lombard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qKB_2_34niC47SQXUb9SQZSbS9Z7hl2VjaOCzFD-ucKRA9Mu7mJn-54so-ghnFafntRodfW3Vq3_k1d7h3DUjB1wMuUE9MAL0559XnrXPMx3mCcPpphy0LwKeRNXdZiifS7b-7ZSEesJ/s1600/Carole+Lombard.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Carole Lombard</b> (Ann Smith in <i>Mr. & Mrs. Smith</i>, 1941) Hitchcock's only screwball comedy, <i>Mr. & Mrs. Smith</i> starred one of Hollywood's great comediennes, the lovely Lombard. She sparkled as the beautiful,  well-heeled Mrs. Smith who, though more stubborn than aloof, was certainly intelligent and fashionable. Hitchcock said he directed at Lombard's request; it was the last of her films released during her lifetime.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Grace Kelly</b> (Margot Wendice in <i>Dial M for Murder</i>, 1954, Lisa Fremont in <i>Rear Window</i>, 1954, Frances Stevens in <i>To Catch a Thief</i>, 1955) The quintessential "snow covered volcano" that all others are measured against, Kelly was one of the definitive beauties of the 1950s. An icon of elegance and refinement, she effortlessly portrayed the haughty allure that so appealed to Hitchcock. Miss Kelly, at the height of her icy heat, appears in the photo at the top of the page as well as the video below...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNudROVSnrEZz98TrTVo-YZIhWF5rGX4PBFxUef1kOPAinZ6ZgyjJXWI_OsH6P74_k5yafbe8xlfgNw9X9MbQKTEo_aJwK4p4Eg7T02HWKAykY4tfw7ggXWq_hC82_RAZosLgQBPs6TjWq/s1600/kim+novak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNudROVSnrEZz98TrTVo-YZIhWF5rGX4PBFxUef1kOPAinZ6ZgyjJXWI_OsH6P74_k5yafbe8xlfgNw9X9MbQKTEo_aJwK4p4Eg7T02HWKAykY4tfw7ggXWq_hC82_RAZosLgQBPs6TjWq/s200/kim+novak.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Kim Novak</b> ("Madeleine Elster"/Judy Barton in <i>Vertigo</i>, 1958) Novak was a top movie star in the '50s and a departure from the type Hitchcock had previously cast as his blonde love objects. Among other things, Novak was more voluptuous than those before her. In <i>Vertigo</i>, her sultry appeal was toned down with a chic and often subdued wardrobe as well as quiet but very precise makeup. In a new "twist," Novak wore her hair in an up-do through most of the film - the memorable "French Twist" Hitchcock explored with his camera. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBHT0lncG5D3hOnYwgv4ShZLx4FOa5lsPGiJQiCCEEEpC2ujPGN2kREV8Vtm-7BqCYPjraezg-RX9KUWtdVDMIGghnPMj20guqKkz5qzsrKDgn4R9e6jomZqhCY9kdCIRNf8iQFBKeZuA/s1600/eva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBHT0lncG5D3hOnYwgv4ShZLx4FOa5lsPGiJQiCCEEEpC2ujPGN2kREV8Vtm-7BqCYPjraezg-RX9KUWtdVDMIGghnPMj20guqKkz5qzsrKDgn4R9e6jomZqhCY9kdCIRNf8iQFBKeZuA/s1600/eva.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Eva Marie Saint</b> (Eve Kendall in <i>North by Northwest</i>, 1959) Though not a sex symbol like Novak, Saint was also different from the women Hitchcock had cast before her. A method actress, she was known for starring in films like <i>On the Waterfront</i> and <i>A Hatful of Rain</i> as well as live TV dramas - what Hitchcock called "kitchen sink" roles. However, she got the full treatment once chosen to play Eve and was coiffed, gowned and made up to seductive, slightly brittle perfection. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVz8gazRCZoNfUgSX5nycfvsVdNeHUMwdMAbeIVCMVLTuwyr5983mbyRmr8kc7fBh4j4_D-Kvl_qGC1Cb5t3ay_c4A8wElxUNQ3ob1tXA5Iprj50bXO7Vj6Ku6d4tTnOUWyaGjdeayTPa/s1600/tippi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVz8gazRCZoNfUgSX5nycfvsVdNeHUMwdMAbeIVCMVLTuwyr5983mbyRmr8kc7fBh4j4_D-Kvl_qGC1Cb5t3ay_c4A8wElxUNQ3ob1tXA5Iprj50bXO7Vj6Ku6d4tTnOUWyaGjdeayTPa/s200/tippi.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Tippi Hedren</b> (Melanie Daniels in <i>The Birds</i>, 1963, and Marnie Edgar in <i>Marnie</i>, 1964) Hitchcock's final pale-haired icon, Hedren's was the most controlled expression of the archetype. More model than actress, Hedren's mannequin-like qualities seem emphasized by heavily sprayed bouffant hairstyles, a sophisticated and strictly coordinated wardrobe and fastidious makeup. Hitchcock coached Hedren closely and constantly, intensely involved in her every move. Her career faltered when she bought out her contract with Hitchcock following <i>Marnie</i>. <b><br /></b><br /><b></b><br /><b></b><br /><b><br /> <i>Francois Truffaut and Alfred Hitchcock discuss "the Hitchcock Blonde"</i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><i>Hitchcock</i></b>:You know why I favor sophisticated blondes in my films? We're after the drawing-room type, the real ladies, who become whores once they're in the bedroom.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><i>Truffaut</i></b>: What intrigues you is the paradox between the inner fire and the cool surface.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><i>Hitchcock</i></b>: Definitely...Do you know why? Because sex should not be advertised...because without the element of <i>surprise</i> the scenes become meaningless. There's no possibility to <i>discover </i>sex. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pEnNyXPKAUQ" width="560"></iframe></div><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For more Hitchcock leading ladies, <a href="http://evesreellife.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/more-hitchcock-heroines-blonde-and-not-so-blonde/" style="color: #990000;">Click here</a>...</div>

Alfred Hitchcock Carole Lombard Eva Marie Saint Grace Kelly Joan Barry Kim Novak Madeleine Carroll Roar Foundation HITCHCOCK BLONDE!

It began long ago, the succession of beautiful blonde actresses who combined feminine refinement and sex appeal in a way that director Alfred Hitchcock could not resist depicting onscreen many times. Over the course of his career, Hitchcock honed thi…

Read more »

Back to the Middle Ages

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Feeling the pulse of the people...</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">is something politicians of democratic countries around the globe seem to neglect these days   </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One week ago I published an article about austerity and the destruction of democracy and civil unrest in Europe due to the eco – political situation and subsequent government actions dictated by the IMF and the Financial Markets. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The recent violence in the United Kingdom is a showcase example on how indifferent  politicians are when it comes to tackle the root of the problem and “feel the pulse” of the common people rather than use tyrannical language, as sociologist  </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Saskia Sassen in an interview in the “Der Standard” newspaper quoted:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The language and reaction of center right politicians such as Great Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron in response to the riots in his country, has turned into what the Greeks would call Tyranny. The “leader” talks to his “peasants” as if they are small children and thus treated as if their word does not count and their language not exists instead of tackling social inequality.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Cameron’s unworldly response to the riots reflects the attitude of the majority of center right politicians currently ruling in Europe.  In view of the fact that Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy are able to decide to give 700 billion Euro of tax money to the banks, without asking taxpayers, one has to assume that the entire system has a serious fault. Conservative as well as left governments and politicians in Europe are increasingly distancing themselves from citizens, despite the fact that it is the citizens voting for them to protect their interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is interesting to observe is that Europe has predominantly center right governments and a stagnating economy. In comparison South America has mostly center left governments and the economy is thriving, with the exception of Chile, which is governed by billionaire president Sebastián Piñera who faces similar unrests in recent days as the United Kingdom. Piñera intends to change the free higher education system to that of the US education model, in other words forcing students to pay high tuition fees in order to enter university, thus putting them into dept for life and at the same time making studying for a broad public impossible.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Such measures only increase the rift between rich and poor.    </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Piñera used extensive force and little thought to suppress the “uprising” of students who demand free education.  Current suppressive actions of Piñera remind many Chilenians of the times of the military dictator ship under Pinochet.   Piñera is under increasing pressure as public opinion is tumbling, for not only is he accused of trying to suppress free education but also took little to the improve infrastructure after the wake of the earthquake that struck Chile in recent past. In his latest attempts to undermine democracy he, just as Cameron, intends to block Twitter and Blackberry Messaging in order to curb in social unrest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chile was on the eco - politic fast lane prior to Piñera being elected president. Chile was on the verge of being a 1^st world country as it obediently adhered to the rules and grants it received from the IMF, thus being hostage to the demands of the IMF who’s prime target is to curb in on education and health care, key pillars for a healthy society.   </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to point out that I am aware that nothing in life is just  “black and white” and thus one cannot stereotype political movements and say that everything conservative political movements are bad and liberal left political movements are good. Nevertheless one has to question oneself in what period we are currently are living, where downgrading a county by a rating agency can trigger a so called eco - financial turmoil and where markets respond to pure speculative impulse etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Squeezing society to tight can trigger social uprising and undermine democracy, something certain entities might provoke deliberately in order to justify austerity measures and set up a world order which has little room for democracy.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3GWFBEpjbY?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">See also: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.alternet.org/story/151999/meet_the_global_financial_elites_controlling_%2446_trillion_in_wealth/">http://www.alternet.org/story/151999/meet_the_global_financial_elites_controlling_%2446_trillion_in_wealth/</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7159">http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7159</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Back to the Middle Ages

Feeling the pulse of the people...is something politicians of democratic countries around the globe seem to neglect these days   One week ago I published an article about austerity and the destruction of democracy and civil unrest in Europe due to t…

Read more »