Roman Holiday, Enchanting Hollywood

Roman Holiday, made in 1953, is a delightful, romantic comedy shot entirely on location in Rome, and produced and directed by one of Hollywood's most eminent directors - William Wyler.

The story was reportedly based on the real-life Italian adventures of British Princess Margaret.

It was the film that introduced Audrey Hepburn to the world and made her an instant star. The Belgian-born actress was totally unknown before Roman Holiday, having acted in only a few bit parts in European films and some minor roles on stage. Audiences everywhere fell in love with her, and she won an Academy Best Actress Award for her performance.

Roman Holiday marked the beginning of Audrey Hepburn as a genuine style icon. Her brunette hair and slim figure gave her a unique gamine look that set her apart from other actresses of her time. Her haircut and clothes in Roman Holiday greatly influenced fashion, and women everywhere began to copy her look.

Roman Holiday full review here

Hollywoods Golden Age
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Howard Hughes, Extraordinary Hollywood

Howard Hughes, one of the world's richest men, died from dehydration, malnutrition and neglect. Even now, a generation after his death, he remains one of Hollywood's most intriguing and perplexing figures.

Hughes lived a quite extraordinary life and died an extraordinary death. X-rays taken at autopsy revealed broken hypodermic needles lodged in his arms, and his six-foot-four frame weighed less than 90lb (41kg). He had been seen by so few people for so long that the Treasury Department had to use fingerprints to identify his body.

Hughes had been a womaniser, a record-breaking aviator, a Hollywood film director, and he was one of the richest men in the world yet he lived the last years of his life in squalor, terrified of germs and of physical contact with other people.

The Life of Howard Hughes

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Yankee Doodle Dandy was made in 1942, a great year for films, and still won 3 Oscars. In 1993, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and in 2006 it was ranked #18 on AFI's 100 Years of Musicals. It is a 'feel good' film, both nostalgic and unashamedly patriotic, released as it was just after the Pearl Harbour attack on the US Fleet.
The film tells the musical rags-to-riches life story and times of early 20th century entertainment legend George M. Cohan, following several generations of his family and showcases several exciting song and dance numbers. It contains a tour de force performance by an high energy James Cagney who shows beyond any doubt that he was not just a gangster-portrayer but also a very fine song and dance man.
As well as being critically well-received, the film was also a major box-office success for Warner Bros. It became the top box-office hit of the year, and Warners' most successful film up to that time.
Biography of James Cagney
Yankee Doodle Dandy

Rita Hayworth, Hollywood Love Goddess

Rita Hayworth was one of the most glamorous actresses in cinema history, but as well as having a beautiful face and body she was extremely talented. She was an exceptional dancer, and her film performances showed an artistic sensitivity and strength of character that set her apart from other actresses, and made her just as popular with female audiences as with male.

She was a major movie star for nearly four decades and is one of the unforgettable Hollywood legends. She is Actress #19 on the American Film Institute's Greatest Screen Legends List. Her career brought her fame and wealth but little personal happiness and beneath the showbusiness veneer she was emotionally very insecure. She said of herself, "Every man I have ever known has fallen in love with Gilda and awakened with me."

The unfortunate truth was that the Hollywood Love Goddess searched all her life for love, but never truly found it.
Rita Hayworth Biography
Love Goddess