Forgotten

[Carmen]

I've always found it really interesting and sad that some stars have made it much better through time than others. While some stars are very remembered today, some others are really forgotten, even though they were very famous in their time. Two examples I can think of right now are Betty Grable and Leslie Howard. Betty Grable was a sensation in her days, still, she never got whatever needed to beat time. Leslie Howard is a strange case. Even though he is one of the main characters of one of the most famous films of all time, he is sort of forgotten too.
What do you think of the forgotten? What do you think is the clue to beat time? Who can you think of who didn't make it?

Hey, its important that you consider that this doesn't mean the WE don't remember them. We do, of course, because we are crazy fans of this, but I mean in general.

[Marie]

That's a fascinating topic Carmen. Maybe the stars with more charisma tend to be remembered, because of their powerful screen presence? I'm not sure...

[Carmen]

Yes, it's an interesting subject. I really wonder the reasons why some make it and some don't. Maybe, you're right and it has something to do with charisma...

[Marie]

We have to poke everyone, and ask them to add something to this topic. Hello out there! Hehe.

Yes, it's an interesting subject. I really wonder the reasons why some make it and some don't. Maybe, you're right and it has something to do with charisma...

It's sad that some stars are forgotten with time... I'm so glad that I know something, even if it is just a little about the classics. It would be horrible if I grew up without knowing about or without having watching any of these amazing movies and stars.
When I meet people who haven't, I wish I could explain to them just what they have missed, and how much more wonderful these movies are than the modern things of today.
Some time ago, in one of my classes my teacher mentioned something about Andy Williams and his music. One of the other students asked: "Andy Williams? Who is he?" And I was completely flabbergasted haha. My teacher and I both agreed that it was sad. And Andy Williams is more connected with the 60's! My goodness. It's up to us to instruct the world!

[Reanne]

It is strange... and it's a mystery how some make it and some don't! I think it also has to do with what films they were in. A star could've been in a whole bunch of little known movies, or in a few that are still famous...

[Carmen]

Marie, I agree, we need to instruct the world really! Most of my classmates can't even recognize between the 30's and the 60's! How, then, are they even going to know about the people from that time.

Reanne, I think you are right. Maybe that's an important factor. Movies that make it, and movies that don't.

[Marie]

Marie, I agree, we need to instruct the world really! Most of my classmates can't even recognize between the 30's and the 60's! How, then, are they even going to know about the people from that time.

We really do. But, where to begin?

[carlos]

It,s a wonderful Topic, Carmen dear: I really don,t have the answer- For example..take Leslie Howard: u were talking about movies that didn,t make it: GWTW is the most seeing movie in History, and even in Movie Theatres we can see it today: WHY he didn,t make it?: In his case, it is a problem of HIMSELF- Yes: he made GWTW against his will, never wanted to be there etc- He even didn,t attend the premiere- So..when the film ends it,s major showing, in 1941, nobody remembers, him- When he died, in 1943 (he was in a plane which was shoot by Nazis)..the newspapers taked about him. Then.. he simply dissapears- Not in the case of the OTHER major (or minor) Stars of GWTW (everybody remembers Butterfly Mc Queen, or Evelyn Keyes, or OF COURSE Hattie Mc Daniel): Maybe he had small charisma, as u all said- When we see GWTW.. we almost don,t pay any attention to Howard: why?: because he pays no attention to his role. And the public CAN feel that- He made other movies, of course, but he was/ is a case of "a major star IN HIS OWN time", not after, so public remembers his CO-STARS.. but not him!!- Same in the case of Miss Grable: she did films with OTHER major stars, and now she is forgotten: people remember those films cause the OTHER Stars, not because of her: "How to marry a millionare" 1953, for example: Grable did that film with Bacall and Monroe- She was wonderful in it.. but public remembers ONLY Bacall & Monroe- Her "screen persona" was a hit during the 40,s and part of the fifties- Then?: nothing- In the case of Bacall her screen persona was very strong, not the "soft" ones in vogue in the 40,s, so she is still a major Star- Same with Monroe: but in her case her death is still a mystery, so.. she will always be in our minds. Stars like Bacall, Stanwyck, even Veronica Lake, Susan Hayward, Rita Hayworth etc etc etc are great Stars today because they broke THAT "goodie-goodie" image of the 40,s ingenues- for that reason they ARE in vogue today- Think in Silvia Sydney ( RC saw a movie with her, today), another great star in the 30,s and 40,s: how many people remembers, her, today?- She had a screen persona not very atractive with today,s standards- I saw films from Sydney from the 70,s and 80,s: WONDERFUL actress- But she IS that: a wonderful actress, not a great Star, today- Ann Sheridan?, Miriam Hopkins?, Ann Sothern?, How many youngsters knows about them?
Gable once said: " If MGM doesn,t put GWTW on theatres each 5 years, I would be completely forgotten. I,m a Star BECAUSE of that film."- Well, I DON,T AGREE with Gable: he was / IS a major Star even without GWTW- I mean: there are Stars that leaves a "mark"( cause they have a GREAT screen-presence), and nobody can forget THAT- But other Stars.. leaves a "pale" and short mark: they were important in a short period of time-
I was amazed than Dan, for example, didn,t know about Eleanor Powell, the BEST dancer EVER !!- Well, I sent him a video (Eleanor dancing with a dog ) and he becomes mad for her !!- You see?: Powell is another case of a forgotten Star..../ I,m going to put the link of THAT video here- You must see it!!-
PS: I,m NOT going to stop here, my comment, as it,s a VERY interesting topic to debate- And Carmen, I have to congratulate, you-
How difficult, for me, is to write and express what I feel in English !!- I try to find the EXACT words.. but sometimes it,s rather impossible!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP0ogCn7f2I you must see this....

[carlos]

PS: in my University clases I ALWAYS show, to the students, scenes from classics, major Stars etc- So... they are knowing something about classics- And it,s wonderful when a student came and told me: "Hey professor, I began to search about Ingrid Bergman because I like very much what u show !!"- Or in case of "Gilda": they becomes crazy with "Put the blame on mame, boys" and EVERY girl wants to be Rita !!!!!- - not to mention that I always shows GWTW scenes !!

[carlos]

PS 2: I,m thinking AGAIN in this topic: Leslie Howard made one of the most beautiful romantic-movies ever: "Intermezzo" with Bergman, 1939- BUT... people when u name "Intermezzo" say: "oh I love that film !!- Ingrid Bergman is wonderful in it !!.. and it,s her first movie in USA...isn,t it?"-
NOT a word about Leslie Howard:
Now: He made a lot of classics... but everybody remembers his co-stars.. not him !!- ( I think I,m going to ask my therapist.. Why not? )
As one of the Bios books I have, say: "He was the perfect image of an English gentleman, but that image fades away now. It was right for his time.. not now ". (that book is from 1970-)

HEY !!: we can form a "Club of forgotten Stars " here...And write trivias or comments about them, so the guests to this Site can read it and..maybe they will know something about them- David told me that I can create a Club, as an option in the Site- Why not?- but I don,t know the process to create a club