FFF & Happy Birthday to the incredible, Dorothy Lamour

 

One of the most legendary names in film and in sex symbols, Dorothy Lamour had the entire world in love with her, some of us still are...

Born Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 10, 1914.

She turned heads as a teenager with her beauty and long dark hair, she went on to win Miss New Orleans in 1931.

She moved to Chicago, dreaming of being a famous singer, she found work as an elevator operator at a department store before becoming a vocalist for the Herbie Kay band, and then married Kay in 1935 but their marriage would only last four years.

In 1933 she began her Hollywood career as a chorus girl in, Footlight Parade (1933) but wouldn't be in another film until 1936 with, College Holiday, then later in the same year, she was cast in, The Jungle Princess (in her would-be famous sarong) and the film was a smash hit, and co-starred Ray Milland.  She would go on to star in many other similar films as a child of nature/female Tarzan type role.

Lamour would co-star in five of the famous "Road To" films with Hollywood legends Bob Hope and Bing Crosby; Road to Singapore, Road to Zanzibar, Road to Morocco and Road to Utopia.  A comeback, Road To the Fountain of Youth was in the works in 1977 but was cancelled due to the sudden death of Bing Crosby.

Lamour would star with many other Hollywood legends and was one of the "it girls" who really saw success with a great number of them.

My personal favorite, with Jungle Princess in close 2nd, is her role opposite John Wayne and Lee Marvin in 1963's South Pacific film, Donovan's Reef.

Lamour would only make 10 films from 1951 to 1987, as her popularity trailed off.  She would pass away in Los Angeles on September 22nd 1996.

Lamour was beloved for her beauty and body but also for her great range from comedy to dramatic, often quoted about her "Road To" films sayin, "I was the happiest and highest paid straight woman in the business.", referring to the constant comedic quips of Hope & Crosby, along with many others.

Today, we say Happy Birthday to, Dorothy Lamour 💘

FFF and Happy Birthday to TINA TURNER

 

Another birthday for Femme Fatale Friday as we celebrate one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and an epic icon of music, Tina Turner 💖

Anna Mae Bullock was born on November 26th 1939, she began her career in 1957 as part of, Turner's Kings of Rhythm, being called, Little Ann.

In 1960 she was introduced as, Tina Turner on a duet, with Ike Turner, and the team became one of the biggest musical forces with incredible hits like, Proud Mary, River Deep-Mountain High, and, Natbush City Limits.  And, she appeared in the film, Tommy, along with The Who, Ann-Margret and others, it remains one of the most iconic rock music motion pictures of all time.

Her infamous relationship with Ike ended in 1976 and the star continued to perform their original songs.  Her divorce was final in 1978 but their label released two more albums under their name.  After that she spent several years as more of a "nostalgic act" playing hotel ballrooms.

But in 1981, Rod Stewart asked Tina to perform "Hot Legs" with him on an episode of Saturday Night LIVE.  She then started opening for the Rolling Stones, appearing with Mick on stage for some duets.

In 1983 she was signed to Capitol Records and released the album, Private Dancer, which ended up going 5X Platinum and relaunching her career for a completely new era and generations.  To this day, it's considered one of the greatest comebacks in musical history.

In 1984 she achieved her one and only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with "What's Love Got to Do With It" but would go on to have numerous Top 10 singles like,  "Better Be Good To Me" and "Private Dancer".  In 1985 she would go on to co-star with Mel Gibson in, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and score another Top 10 with, "We Don't Need Another Hero".

Turner's star has only gotten brighter since then, cementing her as one of the greatest female legends of rock and roll, considered by many to be the, Queen of Rock N Roll.

She is one of the most powerful stage performers of all time, always including incredible dance numbers as part of her shows, she was a force on stage, and noted for one of the most impressive pair of legs of all time.  Proud Mary still is one of the most incredible songs of all time to me and always will be.

Happy Birthday, Tina Turner! 

Femme Fatale Friday : ANNE HATHAWAY

A very Happy Birthday to the amazing 💖 Anne Hathaway 💖 who is also this weeks, Femme Fatale.

Born in Brooklyn New York (you can see that side come out a time or two in, Dark Knight Rises) in 1982 and named after the bride of, William Shakespeare's wife, to parents originally from Philadelphia, her mother an actress, whose father was a prominent Philly radio personality and her father a lawyer.

In high school she was nominated for the Paper Mill's Rising Star Award for best high school performance in the state of New Jersey.  She was also the first and only teen admitted to the award-winning acting program at The Barrow Group of New York, performing 2 concerts at Carnegie Hall as a member of the All-Eastern US High School Honors Choir.

Hathaway's first major role was on the short lives show, Get Real, but it was her lead in the films, The Princess Diaries (2001), that got the worlds attention and captured a lot of hearts, including mine. 😉  It couldn't have been easy that early on playing opposite screen legend, Julie Andrews, but it spawned a very successful sequel (2004), it was the filming schedule for that sequel that would cost her the female lead role in, Phantom of the Opera, as Hathaway was one of New York's leading sopranos and has an amazing voice.

Hathaway was also well known early for her sensuality and confidence as a model.  She would follow in Andrews footsteps of stepping away from family friendly roles as she appeared topless in the film, Havoc (2005).  She has been quoted as saying that she doesn't mind being naked for a role if it serves a purpose for the film.

Gary Marshall, director of, The Princess Diaries said, "The multi-talented Hathaway is a combination of Julia Roberts, Audrey Hepburn and Judy Garland."  Quite the honor to be put into a category with such legends so early on in her career.

Known by Annie, to her friends, she's shown herself to be bold and proud of her NYC life at public appearances.

In 2012 was cast in, Les Miserables, suggested for the role by Hugh Jackman and went on to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, for the role she also won BAFTA Award, Critic's Choice Award, Golden Globe Award and SAG Award.

Also in 2012 was cast as, Selina Kyle aka Catwoman in, The Dark Knight Rises.  I hope that someday she also finds her way into the, MCU.

Hathaway also co-starred in Alice in Wonderland (2010) & Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016), with Johnny Depp.

Hathaway was given a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.  She is married with two sons.

Not only one of the hottest (in many ways) actresses of the last decade but also one of the most powerful in the acting world, turning down numerous parts over "creative differences", being very choosey about how she is portrayed on screen.

Anne Hathaway is one of my absolute favorites and I wish her a very wonderful Birthday weekend! 💘


 

Happy Birthday to a 3 Time Playboy Playmate

💘 Marilyn Waltz, one of only two women to be featured as monthly Playmates on three different occasions, today would be her 90th Birthday, and she is this weeks, Femme Fatale Friday. 💘

Born on November fifth, 1931 in Waokesha, Wisconsin and grew up dreaming to be a movie star.

The shapely and sunny blond did some modeling before being discovered and used the name, Margaret Scott for her first Playboy spread in February in 1954.

She came back under her name, Marilyn Waltz and appeared in the Playboy centerfold for April 1954.

Then one year later, do to her popularity, she graced the centerfold again in April 1955.

It wasn't until 1996, while researching photos for the upcoming book, The Playmate Book (which I highly recommend for all fans), that Hugh Hefner figured out that Margaret Scott and Marilyn Waltz were the same person, but by then, she had become a part Playboy history.

Outside of Playboy, Waltz did modeling, television commercials and some work as a singer but was only ever in one feature film, Love Me Madly, in 1954.

After Playboy Waltz had a successful real estate practice in California until 1993 when she moved to Oregon.  She married in 1958 and had two children.  Marilyn passed away at her home in Oregon on December 23rd 2006. 💘

 

Birthday Femme Fatale on Friday: Nastia Liukin

 Born in Moscow Russia, Nastia Liukin would become an American Sweetheart in Gymnastics, today she turns 31. 🎉🏆💝

Liukin began studying gymnastics at only 3, both her parents were coaches and she was, "always hanging around the gym" both literally and figuratively.

Even though she missed qualifying for the 2004 Olympics by being 10 months too young, her career in both Junior and Senior competition is nothing short of legendary.

She earned 15 Gold Medals, 14 Silver and 3 Bronze, throughout the Olympics, Pan-Am Games, Pan-Rim Games and Nationals.

Even after a possible career ending ankle injury in 2007, she still competed and won gold for several years.

Liukin has become an analyst for Gymnastics broadcasts starting in 2012 for NBC Sports.

In 2009 she began the Nastia Liukin Fund, that aids gymnastics programs across the United States in conjunction with the, USA Gymnastics and since 2010, ALL net proceeds from their programs go to the fund.

In 2010 she began the Nastia Liukin Cup, an annual competition for gymnasts up to Level 10, for both Junior and Senior competitors.  The competition always takes place on the Friday prior to the AT&T American Cup.

In 2015 she published her autobiography titled, Finding My Shine.

Liukin has tested the waters of film and television as well as being featured on the 2015 season of, Dancing With the Stars, where she made it to the semi-finals.

The incredible talent and heart of this young woman has inspired little girls to grow, strive and achieve.  Her grace and beauty has amazed and won the hearts of fans across the world.

Happy Birthday, Nastia 💘