Bette

Iconista promises herself daily to find out more about the admirable Davis. But frankly there's only one thing she wants to know: did Davis wish she was prettier? Hell, I hope not. Lauren Bacall irked Iconista enough complaining about being gawky one minute, bemoaning the curse of beauty the next. Frankly I admire women who don't give a damn about the packaging. We all get unwrapped eventually and then it's the filling that counts.

I hate to say this

But all hail the Siren. Overly wordy though she is, the Siren occasionally makes Iconista stop to read.

Iconista liked this post. She didn't read all of it, but concentration has never been one of her good points. I mean it's simply bad manners to devote one's attention to a single guest at a party. (Iconista doesn't linger too long lest her champagne grows flat.)

But the combination of Old Hollywood tittle-tattle and phrases like "waves of crazy" and "sea of batshit" left Iconista blinking with admiration. Read it yourself and share any juicy bits I may have overlooked.

While you have my attention, didn't I promise you big dresses a while ago? Suck these up, sweeties, and if they're not your thing, you can always take what Iconista refers to at dinner parties as "The Vegetarian Option".

Vivien Leigh, Waterloo Bridge

Peggy Fears. You name the movie. I hadn't even heard of the dame.

Bette Davis hamming it up, no doubt in Jezabel

Marlene in The Scarlet Empress, a deliciously weird and gorgeous movie

Garbo pretending to be sweet in Camille. Yeah, right.

Norma Shearer as Marie Antoinette. Sugar-wouldn't-melt bitch playing sugar-wouldn't-melt bitch. Delicious.

Merle Oberon in Wuthering Heights. Bless.

Do I need to tell?

Tribute to Gunslinger

Charles M. Schulz: Before and After

Later Iconista might indulge her secret passion for big dresses. Don't worry, darlings, Iconista shares everything. But first she must find coffee and an icepack.

Pick of the Week

Marinni posted some glorious photos of Josephine Baker on Vintage Photographs, pictures that turned her from legend to human in my mind.

And while I'm delighting in this week's VP offerings, have you ever heard of Högertrafikomläggningen? A big day in Sweden. Iconista would have loved to ease her Mura through downtown Stockholm on that day. She thrives on chaos.

Oh, and the overly-prolific Sheila has finally posted something that captured my interest: a link to a blog I've not come across before. Mystery's not my thing but this particular post has some images that stick. Faces pressed against window, dozens of them, not always in a good way and not a single one Joan Crawford. Gorgeous.

My dearest Parker over at Starlet Showcase had a nice take on Labor Day (Iconista has no idea what Labor Day is, apart from a show of poor spelling).

Cheer up, dear. You'd be working for Nike nowadays.

Great Disapproving Looks #2

Iconista is hung over. Make up your own words.

Great Disapproving Looks #1

I adore a well-executed disapproving look. Of course Gable was the master.

Here are some of my other favourites. Do tell Iconista if you spy any more.

Joan Crawford and Douglas Gilmore, from the days when lust and disapproval went hand in hand. I can just hear him thinking, "Oh how dare she arouse me by being so damn desirable, the wicked siren." Someone should hand that woman a Burka before he fires one off.

But of course there's always Katharine to even up the score. I love the hint of amused pity under those lashes.

Of course Jimmy was just a plain brute. I suspect Babs can take care of herself though.

The coolest vintage keyboard

Stole this photo from my new fav blog. I want one soooo bad.

If you know where to get one, tell me at once.