Battle of the Blondes: Grace Kelly VS Kim Novak.

The "Battle of the Blondes" final match is between, two wonderful actresses Grace Kelly and Kim Novak aka, “Hitchcock blondes”. I hope you enjoyed my "Blond Bombsells" tribute as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you.

Without a doubt, the favorite of all the Hitchcock blondes was Grace Kelly, who had the perfect combination of polish and poise with the hidden passion, that Hitchcock was so attracted to.

Kim Novak, was selected as the next Grace Kelly and landed a part in one of my favorite Hitchcock films, the psychological thriller, Vertigo(1958). Which is believed by many to be the film which reveals the most about the director's blonde obsessions. It is also believed by some film critics that Stewart was playing Hitchcock who loved transforming women into his vision, which is exactly what the director did with his "Hitchcock blondes".

One of Grace Kelly's best known performances was in the film, To Catch a Thief(1955). Romantic/Thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Cast: Gary Grant, Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly, was absolutely elegant and at the height of her beauty in this film. Kelly, was dressed by the very talented Edith Head. The movie is set on the French Riviera. On 14 September 1982, Grace Kelly was killed in an automobile accident in Monaco, supposedly on the very same road as her famous chase scene in this film and not far from where she had a picnic scene with Cary Grant. She was 52 years old and lost control of her car after suffering a stroke while at the wheel.

Dial M for Murder (1954). A thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings. Kelly plays Margot, a wealthy socialite who is cheating on her retired tennis player husband. As the plot has many twists and turns, Margot's husband becomes involved in a plan to murder her and collect her fortune, Kelly's character manages to save herself.. or does she?

Click here to view a couple of past reviews on the film Dial M for Murder(1954).

Pushover (1954). Film noir best known for being the first film to feature Kim Novak in a starring role, along with Fred MacMurray. It was adapted from two novels, The Night Watch by Thomas Walsh and Rafferty by William S. Ballinger. Please click here to view Pushover (1954) movie review.

Jeanne Eagels (also title The Jeanne Eagels Story) is a 1957 fictionalized biographical, odd little film, of the life of stage star Jeanne Eagels. Please click here to view Jeanne Eagels movie review.

Battle of the Blondes: Julie Christie VS Diana Dors.

Julie Christie and Diana Dors, were both pop icons, from the "swinging London" era of the 1960s.

Julie Christie (born 14 April 1941), first major film role was in, The Fast Lady(1962). She first gained notice as Liz, the friend and would-be lover of, Billy Liar (1963).

Close friends with actress Goldie Hawn. The two women were introduced Warren Beatty in the late 1960s. Julie, also was best friends with actress Sharon Tate.

It was 1965 when Christie became known internationally in the film, Darling. Christie, next performed in the film, Doctor Zhivago (1965) and as Daisy Battles in, Young Cassidy. In 1966, the 25-year-old Christie was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role when she played a double role in, Fahrenheit 451 and won the Academy Award for Best Actress and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Darling Later, she played Thomas Hardy's heroine Bathsheba Everdene in, Far from the Madding Crowd (1967) and the lead character, Petulia Danner in the film, Petulia (1968).

In the 1970s, Christie starred in smaller films such as, McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), where her role as a 'madam' gained her a second Best Actress Oscar nomination, The Go-Between, Don't Look Now (1973), Shampoo (1975), Nashville, Demon Seed (1977), and Heaven Can Wait (1978). She moved to Hollywood and between 1967 and 1974 she had a on and off again relationship with Warren Beatty, who described her as "the most beautiful and at the same time the most nervous person I had ever known."

Doctor Zhivago(1965). Is a 20th century novel by Boris Pasternak, first published in 1957.

Billy Liar (1963). A film based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse. It was directed by John Schlesinger and stars Tom Courtenay as Billy and Julie Christie, played one of his three girlfriends. Mona Washbourne plays Mrs. Fisher and Wilfred Pickles played Mr. Fisher.

Diana Dors (23 October 1931 – 4 May 1984) was considered the English version of the blonde bombshells of Hollywood. She was trained at The Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. She performed in her first film at the age of 15.

Following the success of British noir film, The Last Page(1952), producer Robert L. Lippert offered her a one-picture deal on one condition: that she divorce Dennis Hamilton Gittins, Dors refused. She landed a second Hollywood offer from Burt Lancaster for a lead role in, His Majesty O'Keefe(1954), but this time Hamilton turned down the part before she knew about it. She is best known by her fans for her performances in the films: Yield to the Night, The Amazing Mr. Blunden, The Unholy Wife and Timon of Athens.

An Alligator Named Daisy(1955). British comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Donald Sinden, Jeannie Carson, James Robertson Justice, Diana Dors, Roland Culver and Stanley Holloway.

The Unholy Wife (1957). A color film noir drama film produced and directed by John Farrow at RKO Radio Pictures and released by Universal Pictures as RKO was in its final stages of closing down. The screenplay was written by William Durkee and Jonathan Latimer.

Battle of the Blondes: Betty Grable VS. Doris Day.

Betty Grable and Doris Day, were/are both talented singers and dancers. They were/are often called, "Sweethearts of the Silver Screen".

Betty Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973), was famous for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood and insured by her studio for $1,000,000 with Lloyds of London.

Grable, performed in many musical films of the 1940s such as: Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943). A musical film, which takes place in the 1880s, when American Madeleine Marlowe, is performing in the London musical comedy group while engaged to Charles, the Duke of Trippingham. Charles promises her, that they will be married in New York, where she is to star in a new show.

After boarding a ship, Madge's traveling companions Arthur Skinner and Edna Van Dyke, show her a copy of the, The Police Gazette, where the article reveals that her real name is, Rosie O'Grady and that she started out singing in, a beer garden named, Flugelman's. The article, also revels that the duke is only interested in Madge's money. Angry, Madge plans to confront, Sam the newspaper reporter who wrote the story.

When Madge's boat docks, she is met by reporters. Sam "rescues" her and tries to get more information about her engagement, but when Madge learns his true identity, she tells everyone that she and Sam are engaged.

Police Gazette's editor, Tom Morgan, fires Sam for making a laughingstock of the paper. Sam, begs Madge for a truce, but she continues playing up their "romance" to reporters.

Not liking being called a fortune hunter, Sam decides to get even with Madge and serenades her with a song he has written called, "Sweet Rosie O'Grady." Sam then insists that she join him at Flugelman's.

Sam and Madge, have called off their feud and have had to much to drink when they return to her hotel. Charles, has come to New York to surprise Madge and is not too happy to see them together. Madge, becomes angry and she breaks off their engagement.

Madge, decides to take advantage of the publicity and produce a new show around Sam's "Sweet Rosie O'Grady" song.

This is a Musical remake, "Love is News (1937)", which starred Loretta Young. Fox tried again with this story in 1948 titled, "That Wonderful Urge", starring Gene Tierney.

Down Argentine Way (1940). Made a star of Betty Grable in her first leading role and introduced the colorful Carmen Miranda. The film also starred Don Ameche, The Nicholas Brothers, Charlotte Greenwood, and J. Carrol Naish.

 Please click here to learn more about the classic film, Down Argentine Way(1940).

Doris Day (born April 3, 1924). Her entertainment career began, while performing as a big band singer in 1939, with her first hit song, "Sentimental Journey", in 1945. After leaving the Les Brown and His Band of Renown to try a solo career, she started her partnership with Columbia Records. In 1948, she auditioned for Michael Curtiz, which led to the lead in, Romance on the High Seas, her first film with her friend, Jack Carson.

With a legendary Hollywood "girl-next-door" image she performed in 39 films. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the film, Pillow Talk.

Another favorite Doris Day film, Tea for Two (1950). A Musical directed by David Butler. The screenplay by Harry Clork and William Jacobs was inspired by the 1925 stage musical No, No Nanette.

Please click here to learn more about the classic film Tea For Two(1950)

Another favorite Doris Day film, That Touch of Mink (1962). A Romantic/comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. The film co-stars Gig Young, John Astin, Audrey Meadows, and Dick Sargent. Baseball players: Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra make cameo appearances.

Please click here to learn more about the classic movie That Touch of Mink(1962)

Battle of the Blondes: Janet Leigh VS Brigitte Bardot.

Both Janet Leigh and Brigitte Bardot, were well known as the "sex kittens" of their era.

Janet Leigh (July 6, 1927 – October 3, 2004). Discovered by actress Norma Shearer, landed a contract with MGM and began her film career in the late 1940s. She performed in Alfred Hitchcock's, Psycho (1960) and Living It Up(1954). She also played more dramatic roles: Safari (1958) Touch of Evil (1958) and The Manchurian Candidate (1962). She also performed in one of my favorite Musicals, My Sister Eileen (1955). Directed by Richard Quine. It stars Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett and Jack Lemmon.

Ruth and her "blonde bombshell sister Eileen,(that all the boys go gaga over), come to New York looking for "fame and fortune". After they find a small apartment, Ruth catches the eye of playboy publisher Bob Baker, after she submits a story about her sister Eileen. She tries to keep his attention by convincing him that she and the gorgeous, Eileen are one and the same person.

This is a very charming musical with a wonderful score by Jule Styne. Betty Garrett and Janet Leigh, both shine in their performances. And the film spotlights some wonderful choreography by Bob Fosse.

Houdini (1953). Biographical film about the life of the magician, Harry Houdini. Directed by George Marshall, based on the book Houdini by Harold Kellock. The music score was by Roy Webb and the cinematography by Ernest Laszlo. Costume design by Edith Head.

Brigitte Bardot(September 28, 1934). By the time she was 15 Brigitte was modeling and posed for the French magazine "Elle". She performed in her first french film, Crazy for Love (1952). She made her first US film in, Act of Love (1953) with Kirk Douglas. Brigitte's "sex kitten" sexuality took the US by storm. In 1965 she appeared as herself in, Dear Brigitte (1965) with James Stewart (she only appeared in one scene). Just before she turned 40, Brigitte retired from movies after filming, The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot (1973).

I'm really looking forward to viewing these two Brigitte Bardot films listed below:

And God Created Woman (1956). A French drama film directed by Roger Vadim and starring Brigitte Bardot. This was the film that created her "sex kitten" image.

A Very Private Affair(1962). A French film directed by Louis Malle and starring Brigitte Bardot.