So - just wanted to put together a little piece of my favorite Lauren Bacall moments and performances, because, well, why not?! She is definitely one of my favorite actresses and, as someone who has dabbled in the performing arts and hopes to do so in the future, I kinda feel a need to provide a brief discussion of her work - not only for myself, but for my readers as well.
Charisma isn’t really a word that comes to mind when I think of Bacall, though she definitely had "it". Charisma is a word we use to describe those who hold a much more bubbly, excitable energy, and what Bacall had was a smooth, unforced presence. A presence that said she could achieve every character objective, from the most minuscule to the most elaborate, with just a blink of an eye. She never tried too hard in a performance, and this beautiful, organic nature certainly has a way of rubbing off on the viewer. When we watch Lauren work, we almost feel as cool as she is, and we just want more of it. She definitely had a generosity of presence in her performance, however subtle in its execution.
So, in this post, I intend to highlight a few aspects of her persona that made her a great performer, rather than focus distinctly on her filmography. These are just a few of my favorite things about Lauren that made her such an iconic on-screen presence...
HER VOICE
This is a clip from "The Fan" of Lauren singing "Hearts, not Diamonds". This picture is about an obsessive fan Douglas Breen, played by Michael Biehn, who stalks Sally Ross, played by Bacall, and the extreme lengths he goes to for his favorite idol. Okay, this film did horribly at the box office and was very negatively received by critics. Seriously - everyone hated it, and I'm not a particularly huge fan either, this song even received a razzie (that's how bad it was...), but it definitely captures her innate vocal ability. In a weird way, I think she sells it as best she can with the poor material she was given. Ashamedly, I think it's a little catchy and would work so well on a broadway stage in the right context... One where she would "leave those sparkling devils if she could" - referring to the diamonds. (not hearts) (LOL - google the lyrics.)
Here's another clip, which, I think, is definitely her most vocally iconic.
Anyone who knows anything about movies has seen "To Have and Have Not." Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, the film is about a jaded Harry Morgan, played by Humphrey Bogart, and his convoluted escapades in a WWII-era Martinique. Lauren plays Marie "Slim" Browning, a free-spirited, however "free-spirited" one can be in that particular era, young woman who falls in love with Morgan while aiding in his underground schemes. In this particular scene, Slim is singing "How Little We Know" and I love it. Bacall kills the scene with her mysterious energy, sultry voice, andddd did I mention her sultry voice? No one had a voice like her and it totally adds to her one-of-kind, on-screen personality.
SHE IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL FEMME FATALE
One of my favorite Lauren Bacall films, "Dark Passage" revolves around convict Vincent Parry, played by Bogart, who finds the aid of Irene Jansen, played by Bacall, right when he needs it most. In the feature, Bacall so effortlessly whips out that cool energy emblematic of any femme fatale character, and really maintains that sense of undemanding composure throughout. In one of my favorite scenes, she gets past the cops while hiding Parry in her car. Click to watch it here. I really think the scene truly embodies everything a femme fatale should be!! Actors, take notes!
Here's a clip from "Young Man With a Horn" - Lauren plays Amy North, an intriguing woman with even more personal issues to boot. Her mother committed suicide and Amy continues a doomed affair with an alcoholic, a syndrome she may have even caused. Despite the ugliness of this particular character, Bacall really draws the viewer in and creates a persona out of Amy that is eerily watchable, a femme fatale that cultivates more tragedy around her in spite of herself. She really captures that underlying toxicity of every fatal woman in a noir picture, all the while maintaining a truly magnetic presence.
Okay, so the reason I chose to share this particular scene out of all of the other ones in "Young Man With a Horn" is because, within its first moment, with that clashing of the piano keys, one can understand so much about Amy North's character. It's as though you can see the devil inside of her. And do you think she's really "sorry about the date"..? Nope. Lauren has the ability to say so much within seconds, with the smallest of movements and motions and I think it's pretty genius.
HER STYLE
Okay, so I don't know if this particular clip of "Designing Woman" truly symbolizes Lauren Bacall's own, personal style, but she definitely brings some of her swagger to it. With a lesser actress, the outfit changes may have come across as gaudy and over the top, but Bacall tones it down with her own kinda chill, which is a definite aspect of her real style. As seen in the following photos...
This is my favorite Lauren Bacall dress of all time. She sports it in "To Have and Have Not" so effortlessly. The ensemble is the epitome of such unique, graceful elegance and you know we all secretly wanna rock it one day. I love it.
Beauty!! I think I even own a version of this outfit in my own wardrobe, but these versatile pieces are so simple, yet can be used to create so many other ensembles. Yes, nothing she wore "said look at me" - it just made you look because she was so cool in whatever she wore.
I love this particular ensemble. Not only is she so beautiful, but only she could make such a statement wearing a simple, chic, understated white piece. It's perfect!!!
Just showing off her mad swagger... Her best accessories in the photo? Her legs and jacket. The definition of stuff we all get and how she makes it cooler.
Didn't I say that icons love their accessories? Her necklace certainly packs a punch, so she knows to tone it down with a simple, understated yet complementary top.
Even she knew that if you're gonna wear lots of jewelry, under all circumstances, please wear very understated clothes. Here, she's playing it up with her accessories, yet balances it out with an-all-black-ensemble consisting of the simplest detailing.
Okay, so there you have it!! These are just a few of my own favorite things about Lauren Bacall that made her iconic. Please, share some of your own ideas of her and what made her great with me! We can all learn from her!
And, as always, thanks for reading x
No comments:
Post a Comment