Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The eye of the beholder

Just the other night, while I was watching “The Sound of Music” (Yeah? What of it bud? You got something to say?) I got to thinking just exactly how beautiful Julie Andrews was/is. During the scene where Captain von Trapp expresses his love for the former nun in the gazebo, the two-time nanny (eh, remember her turn around the rooftops of London with Dick Van Dyke in “Mary Poppins”?) looked so beautiful it got me to thinking about other beautiful women.

Then, yesterday, Vanity Fair announced the results of its poll and named Angelina Jolie “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World.” She was, in fact, the overwhelming winner, taking 58 percent of the vote and the only person on the list to make it into double digits percentage-wise (Gisele Bundchen – 9 percent, and Halle Berry, 4 percent, were second and third).

Now, don’t get me wrong, Mrs. Pitt is a beautiful woman, but she and pretty much all of her contemporaries in the moving pictures today can’t hold a candle to the silver screen’s leading ladies of yesteryear. With that in mind, I got to thinking even more. What I needed was a list. A list of women who's beauty transcends time and space.


And here it is, my list of the Top 3 Most Beautiful Women in Cinema History, and a few of their credits in case you want to look them up. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Grace Kelly
To Catch a Thief and Rear Window


I saw “Rear Window” in a film class my sophomore or junior year. The first time Grace Kelly came into the frame she took my breath away.

Ingrid Bergman
Casablanca and Notorious

Forever famous for asking Sam to play “As Time Goes By” Ingrid Bergman’s beauty makes it easy to understand why Rick was so destroyed when she missed the train and left him standing in the rain in Paris.

Audrey Hepburn
Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and My Fair Lady

Sometimes one picture is just not enough. So here's a couple more.


“I ain't dirty! I washed me face and hands before I come, I did.” No amount of dirt smudging her face could disguise her beauty.

I know there’s some actress out there I missed who may be as luminescent as the three mentioned above and for that I am truly sorry. One thing I’m sure of is Grace, Ingrid and Audrey would still be leading ladies today. Not in their current form, of course, since all are dead, but at their prime their beauty easily eclipses any of today’s stars.

18 comments:

PQ said...

I think Julie Andrews, even today, is in the top 3 of the most beautiful women...I have no idea how Angelina was chosen...

And I would add Marilyn Monroe to your list :)

<3 me some Audrey.

Liebchen said...

You're so right with these three. They're all so *striking* which I think is what a lot of leading ladies today are missing.

And ditto PQ - Julie should definitely make the list. She's still gorgeous and classy.

FoggyDew said...

PQ - I agree, on both points. Julie and Marilyn are both worthy additions. I seriously could have gone on and on.

Liebchen - Striking is a good word for it. I had thought of going with *grace* as well. I may have to make this a Top 10 since I just thought of Maureen O'Hara as well.

Capitol Hill 20210 said...

Good Choices -- Grace Kelly especially.

I am not a big fan of Angelina's - while she is a good actress in action flicks. My opinion changed of her because I blame her for destroying Brad and Jen's marriage. Jen is much better looking in my opinion.

Malnurtured Snay said...

I actually don't find Angelina Jolie very attractive -- or at least, there are a lot more actresses I find a lot more attractive.

As for your list, the only addition I can possibly think of is Kate Hepburn. Love Ingrid.

JoLee said...

Fantastic list! Ingrid Bergman’s smile is so beautiful. These women defined the word 'class' and weren't famous for adopting 17 kids.

Jolie just doesn't do it for me.

Fearless in Toronto said...

So, how DO you solve a problem like Maria?

Song stuck in your head again? Good.

Now think True Love, As Time Goes By and Moon River. One of those should be able to displace Maria.

FoggyDew said...

Snay - Kate may make the cut, have to see who else is added.

JoLee - She was a stunner.

Fearless - I am, it is true, an evil man, but you my friend are an evil, evil woman. I'd just gotten it out of my head. Well, at least I can think about playing ATGB again. And again. And again.

lacochran said...

Ingrid was beautiful from some angles and quirky from others. She had a lot of emotion playing across her face--very expressive.

I couldn't agree with you more about Audrey Hepburn. So elegant and simple and endearing, simultaneously.

I'd add Sophia Loren in her early days, too.

Titania said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Titania said...

Sorry, it was awfully written before.... trying to improve now.
********************
I watched it too. Can't help it, have to watch it pretty much whenever they play it. Then I get one of the songs stuck on my head for three days... This time it was "the hills are alive, with the sound of music...."

I don't think Angelina is particularly pretty either, she does have "F-Me" looks though. If we are talking current actresses, I think Ashley Judd or Natalie Portman are a lot prettier.

All times list, I would add Nastassja Kinski and Greta Garbo to the list.

FoggyDew said...

lacochran - I may have to have a poll to vote for the top five (in true Rob Flemming style).

Titania - That's what she has (head slap!), the lips probably don't hurt either. Given time, Natalie could make an all-time list. I may have to give your additions a bit of thought.

Titania said...

Just to help your thoughts... An ex bf of mine, may years ago had this poster in his room: http://antoncastro.blogia.com/upload/20060409133404-images361179-avedon-nastassja-kinski.jpg

I think she was pregnant in this picture

BG said...

Great choices. Angelina doesn't do it for me (then again, neither does Brad). She screams "hollow."

I think Frida Pinto, Penelope Cruz, and Kate Beckinsale are all gorgeous.

Lemon Gloria said...

Completely agree with you.

KassyK said...

I actually do a Girl Crush Monthly post and I think all 5 of my girls so far beat out Angelina by a long shot in terms of beauty--I really don't find her beautiful at all and she just looks hard.

But I love the women you chose:

To add? Rita Hayworth & Catherine Deneuve are my personal favorites in cinema history.

And ELizabeth Taylor was just INCREDIBLE in her teens, 20s, 30s.

Maybe the most beautiful face ever.

KassyK said...

Oh also...I haven't added her yet (she is an upcoming Girl Crush) but I have to echo the Kate Beckinsale nod--she is incredibly gorgeous always.

Also, Eva Green. I love her features. Just lovely.

But I will say Liz Taylor and Catherine Deneuve again. Catherine was just amazing. Ahh. Love her.

FoggyDew said...

Titiana - Nice poster. I remember it from the days of yesteryear when it graced many a boy's bedroom wall.

Brett - Kate would definitely make my list of "beautiful women currently alive."

Lisa - When you're right, you're right.

Kassy - I've seen your choices and they are all extraordinarily beautiful. You have very, very good taste in women. And you're so right about Liz, she was a total stunner.