Hollywood Legends...Marilyn Monroe & Lady Diana items sold at auction! Free public exhibition! Live & Online Auction!



If you're a film buff hankering to snatch up a rare publicity still of a Hollywood screen legend - then a dazzling exhibition on display this week at Julien's Auctions (no relation to moi except I admit he does follow me on Twitter!) - may be your cup of tea!

On the heels of the unveiling - May 7th thru May 8th - collectors will have the opportunity to bid for the precious treasures either in person or online at the auctioneer's web site.

The collection includes one-of-kind photographs of Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Lucille Ball, Gloria Swanson, and Marion Davies.

The exhibit is timely, too, when you consider that Lady Diana memorabilia will be up for grabs in the wake of the much-ballyhooed Royal Wedding of son Willis.

Yes, the Duke of Cambridge, silly!

Select offerings include private correspondence Marlene Dietrich dispatched to her husband - and a collection of  letters, scripts, and clothing - owned by Lucille Ball (the Queen of Comedy).

The auctioneers will bring down the gavel on a stunning necklace worn by Angelina Jolie to the premiere of one of her many  memorable films ("Salt").

Proceeds from the exquisite piece of jewellery will be donated to one of Ms. Jolie's charities known as:

"The Educational Partnership for Children in Conflict"

Gosh, sounds like my crumby childhood!

When do I ge the check, Angelina?

Of course, what would a Hollywood Legends auction be, without a poignant souvenir or two from the estate of Marilyn Monroe?

Two of Lady Diana's chic elegant gowns are also being offered up for sale by a business concern known as the "Wedding Channel".

At press time, it was announced the proceeds will be donated to a charitable organization also.
In addition to the aforementoned glam items, there will also be a smattering of science fiction props from the NBC hit series Heroes and the Cape.

In addition to the Sci-Fi collection, there will be momentos from the blockbuster Hollywood feature -  "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" - costumes worn by the cast of Serenity, and rarely-sold odds-and-ends from the Indiana Jones franchise.

Heh, I want that hat, Harrison!

Norman Rockwell staging photographs are also being sold replete with copyright.

The original vintage stills feature legendary performers Frank Sinatra, Ann-Margret, and Bing Crosby.

Julien's Auctions
9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite No. 150
Beverly Hills, CA

Info:

http://www.juliensauctions.com

310.836.1818

When you trot down to BH (90210) why not stop into the cafe on the top floor of Nordstrom's.

It is a very chic "in" watering hole to frequent!

The retailer's exquisite selection of Menswear is within buying distance a few steps away.

Why not make a day of it?

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Lady Diana souvenirs to be auctioned!

68th Annual Golden Globe Awards...Host Ricky Gervais insults top brass! Angelina Jolie shimmered!

High-end designer gowns shimmered in the exotic environs of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel below the setting sun, the heads of ecstatic fans turned this way 'n that as a bevy of bodacious babes sashayed down the red carpet with handsome escorts on their arms in the rarefied air just beyond reach, and a posse of media types hovered nearby begging for a photo opportunity like moths to flame.

Uh-huh.

The 68th Annual Hollywood Foreign Press Association Awards were underway.

"The Press Awards are like a cool party in an upscale steak house, " cooed popular late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon as he alighted on the red carpet for the dazzling festivities.

Indeed!

"It's all about the par-tay," another hip guest astutely quipped to camera on the frenzied sidelines.

Needless to say, once the show under the big top was in full swing, there were a number of awkward - some say disturbing - displays of bad behaviour.

I am reminded of an old Chinese Proverb.

"Never insult a host in his own home."

For some inexplicable reason, quirky Ricky Gervais threw caution to the wind, in that regard.

Witin minutes of strolling onto the stage to launch the much-anticipated ritzy event - the stand-up comic got caught up into a nasty undertow - that threatened to derail the otherwise fun and festive footloose soiree that beckoned ahead.

"There's alot of partying & drinking going on. Or, as Charlie Sheen would say, breakfast," Gervais chortled as the momentum started to build early on.

To quote a line from the musical "Chicago":

"He (Charlie) had it coming!"

You betcha!

The suits were not off-limits to his potshots, either.

One unkind remark - that focused on a head honcho at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association caused an uproar to erupt in the otherwise well-mannered audience below the footlights - for instance.

"I just lifted his head out of the toilet. And, helped pop his bridge back in his mouth," naughty Gervais guffawed with glee in reference to the top dog at the HFPA.

The power-player was inclined to  respond-in-kind when it was his turn at the mic.

"Ricky, next time you want a project okayed for the Foreign Press, go elsewhere," he snarled.

A loud moan circulated the room.

Talk about instant karma, eh?

In fact - some of the barbs were so vicious (mean-spirited was the way one actor characterized the in-your-face insults)  - that some speculated Ricky's sorry a** had been fired off the show when he disappeared for an hour-or-so during the course of the evening.

Did the slimeball funnyman get called up on the carpet by the top brass?

Gervais didn't get off the hook for his unkind remarks, that's for sure, judging by his red-faced appearance later on stage.

Boy, would I like to have been a fly on-the-wall during that bull session!

Needless to say, a couple of fellow performers were inclined to jump into the fray, and toss a couple of barbs the upstart's way.

"We knew Ricky when he was chubby and funny. Now he isn't," barked Tim Allen to all within earshot.

There was a lot of Monday morning quarter-backing around water-coolers the following day, I expect.

Headlines around the country screamed out a thought on the minds of the bemused teaming masses everywhere.

Will Gervais be invited back next year to host the popular awards show?

But the whole night wasn't a downer in spite of Gervais.

For example, Michael Douglas managed to rustle up a hearty welcome by virtue of his mere presence.

After he trotted up to the stage, the audience jumped to their feet, and applauded the seasoned pro - in part - because he just licked the big "C".

"I wish there was an easier way to get a standing ovation," he joked.

The night was not totally devoid of class or style, though.

Angelina Jolie wowed fans in an emerald green gown which flattered her luscious bod, Justin Bieber sported a chic tuxedo that sparked up his image a tad, and Natalie Portman strutted down the fashion gauntlet with a carefree style (which underscored the Black Swan's star is definitely on the rise).

And, beneath the tinsel?

A heckuva lot more tinsel!

'Til next year!

http://www.thetattler.biz

68th Annual Golden Globe Awards...nominees announced! King's Speech leads pack!

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominees, bright and early at the crack of dawn this morning, with Josh Duhamel, Katie Holmes and Blair Underwood on hand to do the honors.

The coveted prize honors choice stand-out work in the medium-rich arenas of both film & television.

Nominees in the Best Motion Picture-Drama category were noteworthy and included:

"The Fighter", "Black Swan," "Inception," "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network"

Nods also went to "Red", "Alice in Wonderland," "Burlesque," "The Kids Are All Right," and "The Tourist" in the ever-popular category of  Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical.

"The King's Speech" - starring Colin Firth - earned a staggering seven nominations (beating out all the competition this year).

Highly-rated "Glee" also faired well with a bevy of noms, too (five in total).

Best nods for Television Series-Drama went to "Boardwalk Empire," "Dexter," "The Good Wife," "Mad Men" and "The Walking Dead".

In the highly-competitive realm of  - Best Television Series-Comedy or Musical -"30 Rock," "The Big Bang Theory," "The Big C," "Glee," "Modern Family" and "Nurse Jackie" won out.

"I See the Light," a tune from the animated film "Tangled", was one of a handful of tunes selected for Best Original Song-Motion Picture score (Alan Menken & Glenn Slater musical artists).

Other catchy tunes were also nominated - such as - "Bound to You" ("Burlesque"), "Coming Home" ("Country Song"), "There's a Place for Us" ("Chronicles of Narnia") and "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" ("Burlesque").

Ricky Gervais will host the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards at a splashy red-carpet affair on January 16th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

http://www.thetattler.biz
 

The Tourist...Angelina Jolie's sensuality steals flick! A critical miss, though!

One of my favorite films is "The Lives of Others" which was helmed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck who won an Oscar for best foreign film for directing.

Once the coveted academy award was under his belt, Donnersmarck began to field scripts that started to flood in after that phenomenal success, or so the rumor goes.

After careful consideration, the European auteur gave the nod to "The Tourist" for his next project for some inexplicable reason.

Odd, when one considers that the script was poorly-written from the get-go!

If Donnersmarck was seeking to establish himself in the big leagues of Hollywood, the film - a critical miss - must have been an obvious choice (on the other hand).

Of course, the golden opportunity to work with two megastars - Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp - must have been the bait that cinched the deal.

When it comes to subject matter, it is obvious that the director didn't stray too far from his roots or familiar territory (the realms of intrigue, espionage, and surveillance) when scenes from "Lives of Others" (though more modest and realistic in scope in their context in the celebrated little flick) spring to the forefront of a film buff's mind.

With "The Tourist", Donnersmarck was able to facilitate a broader strokes on a wider lusher canvas with - in large part due to the backing of a major studio - which bootstrapped the director financially with the specific aim of launching a mainstream big-budget celluloid offering ripe for public consumption.

The plot is so unplausible that it is laughable.

Once the audience recognizes that, it is best they just settle in, and go along for the entertaining ride.
Angelina Jolie is in her element here in a role that exalts her classy sensual appeal to the max.

In fact, in the final analysis, Brad's wife may walk away from the Tourist - not only unharmed - but celebrated as one of the world's most beautiful women (a title that served screen legend Elizabeth Taylor well).

Think "Cleopatra".

I wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers, that's for sure!

Though a fiasco - and a probable box-office-bomb - Donnersmarck's puff piece may end up catapulting Jolie onto a pedestal - where she'll become one of the untouchables - as far as celebrity and film greatness go.

Allegedly, the director held extensive production meetings with the wardrobe department, to get Jolie's "look" just right.

In addition, there was a big focus on light and make-up to ensure that the character's fashion sense (and style) were fleshed out so that her role of International Jet-Setter was believable.

My keen eye spied ghastly folds and creases in a "starring" couture piece in the opening scenes, though.

The "gown' was nothing more a thrown-together smock - draped miserably this way 'n that about her nubile figure - and lightyears away from any exquisite designer frock.

In one scene, when a camera pans in on Ms. Jolie's "butt" - so that actors portraying "agents" can get an up-close look at one of her striking assets - puckers and unsightly fabric snafus grabbed the spotlight instead of Jolie's celebrated "ass".

A red sash was totally out of place, as well.

But what really floored me were some shoddy production values which were totally unacceptable.

For instance, in the first scene where Angelina's character "speaks" on-camera, there is no volume to speak of; in fact, the dialogue sounds like a poorly edited "voice over".

Shortly thereafter, the problem resolved itself, so I have to speculate that after the film wrapped the scene needed a patch job in order to carry some weight at the beginning of the flick.

Unprofessional, to say the least!

For the most part, Jolie's scenes were as slick and and glossy as the expensive lipstick that adorned her luscious lips!

In contrast, Johnny Depp's face was pasty and puffy-looking, and out-of-place in a film where all the character's faces were animated and flush with color and vibrant good health.

Depp, in the final analysis, lacks the kind of - big-screen persona, male presence, and acting muscle = to pull this role off.

In fact, more often-than-not, Mr. Depp gets lost in the pricey furniture competing for the audience's attention.

On Dave Letterman recently, the actor blurted out that he hated his role on 21 Jump Street, a youth-oriented action-adventure series shot in Vancouver (Canada) years ago in the early days of his career.

In spite of that, the popular thespian managed to fit the "star vehicle" - and consequently - the show launched his career into the stratosphere.

"The Tourist" underscores how tenuous his future may be in the Hollywood genre produced here.

The film gets 3 stars for eye-candy!

http://www.thetattler.biz