Myrna Loy

You never think of her as the most beautiful 30’s star, nor do you think of her as a siren, but Myrna created one of the most lovable characters in all of film in Nora Charles, wife of detective “thin man” Nick Charles played by William Powell (photo right, the 'thin man' was actually a suspect, not Nick, my review is here: Thin Man Series).
She was deft with comedy, had such a lovable smirk that even when she’s picking on Nick you can still like her. Her wealthy character allows Nick to be a pro 'slacker' and solve crimes as a hobby, so she didn't have to take any guff and called the shots; he called her 'mama'. A definite keeper, I doubt the big screen will ever see such a popular married couple (and dog, in ASTA). Watch the entire box set on dvd, five films and a documentary on “Nick and Nora”, then just try to NOT fall in love with her! I wanted to show some very early shots of Myrna so I shrank these photos drastically – check out the 300 or so of her at Fanpix.

Lena Horne

One of the most striking African-Americans stars ever, Lena was so lightly-complected that she first passed for white in order to get work, then starred in the all-black A Cabin in the Sky for Vincente Minnelli, the first big director to make such a film. Lena had the looks and especially the voice, sultry and smooth, to be a star in films or music, so she combined the two. I’m sure she actually helped break racial boundaries by appealing to fans of all races; I loved her right away when I was a white kid in Georgia. You can tell from her smile that she would be a person you’d like to just hang with, she epitomizes “black is beautiful”, and was apparently ageless, just as gorgeous past middle age. "Goodness knows, honeysuckle rose" (!)

Photos from her website:
Lena Horne

Ann-Margret

Ann-Margret is not only a gorgeous and sexy redhead, but a great all–around entertainer: singer, dancer, actress, author. At home with comedy (Grumpy Old Men), drama (Oscar nomination for Carnal Knowledge, definitely check that out), or musicals (Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas). She’s been in films for over four decades, still does her musical act to sold out audiences, and is still beautiful!

Even though born in Sweden, for some reason she seems like the perfect American girl (self-confidently and independent?), holding her own and in Viva Las Vegas, drawing attention away from even Elvis, the King himself, and the world noticed; the film drags when she's not onscreen. I'm not sure I've ever forgiven husband Roger Smith for taking her from all of us!


She has made herself accessible on the internet, so check out her site, filmography, and eMail her:
Ann-Margret's Official Website

Hrithik Roshan [Film God 2]

Roshan is a popular and award-winning Indian actor, born into a cinema family on January 10, 1974. His first film wasn't until 2000, Kahonaa...Pyaar Hii (2000), followed by Koi.. Mil Gaya (03), Krrish (06), Dhoom 2 (06), and Jodhaa Akbar (07), which I saw, about the Muhgal King who united Hindustan and promoted religious freedom and other humanitarian advances.
I'm sure Hrithik's green eyes and bodybuilder physique have attracted a legion of female fans in Asia (perhaps a few male fans too!) - and he has two thumbs grown together on his right hand! Now, there's your conversation starter. I'm surprised more women here don't know this face yet. Everyone's suddenly ga-ga over John Hamm, but he looks like an Arrow shirt ad, while Hrithik could easily be the next James Bond and become a major world star.

Penelope Cruz

The greatest Spanish export since the guitar, Penelope always brings a zest for life into her performance, and has rarely done a film you can’t enjoy. Classic Mediterranean dark looks, pouty lips, terrific body she doesn’t mind exposing, she’s become one of the sexiest film stars alive – just ask former bf Tom Cruise and current bf Oscar-winner Javier Bardem.

Most first saw her with Cruise in the Cameron Crowe film Vanilla Sky, but this was a remake of the Spanish film Open Your Eyes that she starred in; the first actress to play the same part in a remake? I saw her earlier as the youngest daughter in Like Water for Chocolate (1993). However, I like her more (so do the critics) in the films of Pedro Almodovar, notably her Oscar-nominated role in Volver; and she did a great dance to Kung Fu Fighting in Don’t Tempt Me, so check out all her Spanish films as well. Let’s hope she gets the Oscar this year for Woody's Vicky Christina Barcelona.

Katherine Heigl

New rising star Heigl of tv's Grey's Anatomy and the Emmy award winner for dramatic supporting actress has already successfully transitioned to films, with 27 Dresses and Knocked Up. She has the glamourous look of the 40's stars, and likely has more awards in her future, probably in film.
She opened eyes on Grey's by having a pinup in her past in season one that everyone mocked her for, then peeling down to her underwear so everyone could ogle her bod and 'get it over with already'. Had I only known that would work back in high school! A beautiful woman can wear her hair 'any old way', and still be beautiful, like Katherine.

Salma Hayak

Salma started as a Mexican soap opera actress on tv, where they are allowed to be topless! She's not only a gorgeous Latina with jet black hair (and a Lebanese father), but knows how to fill out a dress like the classic film sirens of the 40’s and 50’s. She also will unabashedly get naked on screen, usually tastefully as well, as a skinny-dipping frolic in the waves in After the Dust showed. Most first noticed her near naked dance for George Clooney in From Dusk Til Dawn, the terrible Tarentino vampire film, when Clooney drank tequila off her toes that Salma was pouring down her body.
Salma was nominated for a best actress Oscar for her incredible performance as artist Frida Kahlo, in Frida, which she co-produced, as wife of Mexican socialist muralist Diego Rivera, one of the century’s best painters, and last of the great muralists.

Recently, Salma has guest-starred on Ugly Betty (which she produces), and 30 Rock, as Baldwin's (Donaghy) girlfriend.

Alyssa Milano

From everyone’s favorite jailbait in tv's Who’s the Boss, Alyssa became a major pinup star under her mom’s management, who knew that sex sells, especially barely legal babes.
A poster was made with Alyssa naked and caked in mud that sold millions. Still basically a tv star, for some odd reason she cut her hair off and has almost lost her goddess status, but these pics should prove she grew up into a film deity.

Kim Basinger

Kim was born in Athens, GA, and I lived there for 8 years – she was only three yrs younger, but I never saw her – bummer! At least I can claim her and Holly Hunter as “fellow Athenians”, two Oscar winners! (Georgia has many: Joanne Woodward, Julia Roberts, Geraldine Paige are others). She started as a model and cover girl, appearing in Playboy, before turning to a film career. She took acting classes, was once a “Bond Girl” (in Never Say Never Again, opposite Sean Connery), later as the romantic interest in Batman, and a very sexy woman in Nine ½ Weeks, with the most erotic food scene in film.

She later married actor Alec Baldwin, and eventually won an Oscar in 1997 for her role as a high-priced call girl in L.A. Confidential, where she purposely resembled 40’s movie queen Veronica Lake and fit the part perfectly. When older, she played Eminem’s mother in 8 Mile. She’s aged very well, in the photo from Bless the Child (2000, photo left), she’s 47 yrs young.
She and Alec were on the Simpsons, and when their cabin caught fire, Alec wanted to save his Golden Globe award, and she said “don’t worry about it, its not a real award”.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle started out stunning, but in a bad films. She then grew even more beautiful, began acting for real, and moved up to great films, like her Oscar-nominated performance as a moralistic preacher's wife in Dangerous Liaisons, and Scorsese's Age of Innocence.
Married to tv writer/creator David Kelly (L.A. Law, Ally McBeal, Boston Legal), she almost certainly influenced those shows. We can only hope that her career is not even half done, and that an Oscar awaits.