Michelle as Marilyn!

Way back when (December to be exact), we posted that Michelle Williams was considering stepping into Marilyn Monroe's high-heeled pumps for the film My Week with Marilyn. Since that post not only as Williams accepted the role, she's begun filming it. As of today, the first pic of Williams as Marilyn was released, and let's just say she nails the blonde bombshell look.

The flick, due out in 2012, focuses on the personal account of assistant director Colin Clarke, who worked with Monroe and director Laurence Olivier on 1957's The Prince and the Showgirl. Word is, Monroe and Olivier did not get along. She drove him ca-razy. So crazy, in fact, that Olivier basically gave up on directing after that. Kenneth Branagh is playing Olivier and Eddie Redmayne is playing Colin Clarke.

What do you think of Williams' Marilyn look?

Old Hollywood's Ultimate Cougar!

Forget Demi Moore. She’s got nothing on Celeste Holm. The 93-year-old Oscar-winning actress (for her supporting role opposite Gregory Peck in Gentlemen’s Agreement) lives a life of luxe in a fabulous duplex apartment on Manhattan’s Central Park West…with her 47-year-old husband. That’s right. For those of you good at math, that’s a 46 year age difference. Meet Old Hollywood’s ultimate cougar.

Not bad for an actress who had a pretty low-key reputation back in the day. She was the wholesome best friend to Bette Davis’ grande dame of Broadway in 1950’s All About Eve, and a Broadway darling herself in numerous productions on the Great White Way. Holm never attracted much in the way of scandal – aside from four previous marriages that all ended in divorce. But look at her now!

According to the NY Post, Holm has kept her magnificent apartment largely unchanged since she purchased it for a mere $10,000 in 1953 (which today would be worth more than $10 million). And again, for those math whizzes – that’s before her husband, opera singer Frank Basile, was even born!

Not gonna lie, we’re kind of impressed. Out of all of these present-day Hollywood cougars, Celeste Holm reigns supreme. Get it, girl!

Jackie Earle Haley Goes Silent!

Ah, the silent film. No whiney voices (Miley Cyrus), no blank expressions (Kristen Stewart), no cheesy dialogue (pick any romantic comedy). Can’t we just go back to that? Ok, ok, so modern movies with sound aren’t all bad. Thanks for proving that, Christopher Nolan. But wouldn’t it be fun to see how some modern day movie stars fared without the use of their voice? Could they hack it?


In the film Louis, Jackie Earle Haley (the creepy guy in Little Children and…well, just about everything) gives it a shot. The film, directed by Dan Pritzker, is about a young Louis Armstrong and his dreams of becoming a musician. It aims to pay homage to the silent films of the early 1900s and Haley plays a Charlie Chaplin-esque villain (duh). The film is void of dialogue, but rich in cinematography (by Oscar winner Vilmos Zsigmond) and a blaring jazz score. It’s set to tour five cities in late August, complete with a 10-piece jazz ensemble.

It’s an ambitious idea to be sure, but I, for one, am curious to see how it turns out. You know what they say, actions speak louder than words.

Source

That's What Hitch Said!

Anyone who has watched The Office at some point knows Michael Scott's favorite "That's what she said" joke. But who knew the master of dark suspense Alfred Hitchcock had the same naughty sense of humor? Don't believe me? Here's proof, courtesy of the Huffington Post. It's video of a sound test for Hitchcock's 1929 film Blackmail. Granted Hitch actually says "as the girl said," but it's a variation on the same joke.



Once I saw this, I just new it was worth reposting. It certainly left me smiling and satisfied...


That's what she said.

On the Boulevard

Last summer while on vacation in London, I came across a Colin Farrell movie shoot in progress. I swear I must have a radar for these things. I stood across the street, watching the dreamy Irish actor shoot his scenes in a Rolls Royce, all the while pondering what movie it was and how I could get close enough to snap a picture. I did eventually sneak a photo – albeit a slighty blurry one (see above). And I also did eventually find out what movie he was filming, and whaddaya know? It has a classic movie connection. I’m tellin’ you – radar.

The film, called London Boulevard, is a loose take-off of Sunset Boulevard and based on the book by Ken Bruen. Instead of a ready-for-her-close-up Gloria Swanson, this film has Keira Knightley playing a reclusive former movie star. Farrell – a truly underrated actor, in my opinion - plays an ex-con who becomes involved with her. The director and screenplay writer is William Monahan, who also wrote The Departed, so expect lots of gritty tension and twisty turns.

The film doesn’t have a release date yet, but it’s something to look out for.

What do you think of the 1950 classic rebooted and set in London? Think Keira’s a little young to be playing a washed up actress? And, more importantly, should I have mauled Colin Farrell when I had the chance?

Wanna See James Dean Point a Gun at Ronald Reagan?

Back when Ronald Reagan only had a Screen Actors Guild presidency under his belt and back when James Dean was just a quirky young actor and not the icon of rebellious youth he is today, the unlikely duo appeared on screen together in an episode of General Electric Theater which aired live on December 12, 1954. Check out rare snippets from this episode called "The Dark Dark Hours." Reagan plays a straitlaced doctor, Dean plays a loose cannon criminal. It's glorious.



"Do. The. Best. You. Can. Ya dig me?"

Oh yes, James Dean, we dig you.

They've Got Grace!

Do you live in London or are you planning on visiting as soon as this volcanic dust settles? An exhibition showcasing the wardrobe of one Miss Grace Kelly has opened at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It’s a good thing I’m not going because I’d probably be the crazy girl hauled away by security for trying to pilfer one of her outfits from Rear Window. For those of us who can’t see the exhibit in person (for security reasons or otherwise) the Daily Mail has a great article with suggestions on how you can copy the looks that made Grace a star.

All this Princess Grace news got me thinking. And all that thinking led me to another game of “Who Would Play.” We here at On the Marquee last played this game with Natalie Wood. Now it’s time to list some potential Grace Kellys - for the Grace Kelly biopic that for now only exists in my head.

January Jones

This first one is kind of obvious and it’s not hard to picture – mainly because we know she can already pull off the vintage wardrobe and also because Mad Men beats us over the head with the Grace Kelly comparisons every chance it gets. But while we think January Jones rocks as Betty Draper on the AMC drama, we kind of think that might be the only character she can play. I mean, you saw her Rear Window skit on SNL, right? Yikes.

Emily Deschanel

Bear with me on this one. Try to picture the Bones star with a blonde wig - there's definitely some similar bone structure going on. Still don't see it? Ah well. Consider this pick a dark horse.

Rosamund Pike

Think we found a winner! This lovely Brit brings her poise and, ahem, grace to every role she takes. Whether it’s the soft-spoken eldest sister in Pride & Prejudice or the not-too-bright socialite in An Education. We think she has the look and the talent. Ok, so we may not have been the first to notice her Grace Kelly-like attributes, but we’re totally on board with her as first choice.

What do you guys think? Any other suggestions? Just not Gwyneth Paltrow. Only non-obnoxious actresses need apply.