Audrey Hepburn

[Indiana Sev]

How could I not have opened a thread dedicated to her until now?

She was probably the one movie star/actress who avoided major controversy throughout her entire life and career. She won an Oscar for her first role in an American film (Roman Holiday) and was praised by her peers endlessly (I'll put down some of their quotes at the end). There was hardly one bad thing said about her... ever.

http://www.audreyhepburn.com/assets/gallery/popup/vtl_40.jpg

She made less than 30 films in her lifetime, prefering to raise her children and be with her family.

She dedicated the last few years of her life to Unicef (she was their ambassador), visiting the poor, the sick and the hungry in Africa and making the world aware of the horrible conditions there. As a child her life was saved by an earlier incarnation of what would eventually become Unicef and she wanted to give back. Sadly, these travels affected her health and she passed away from cancer in 1993.

http://digilander.libero.it/AHepburn/foto/copertine/copertina1.jpg

Interestingly enough, I originally got interested in her by a photograph of her that was...well, incredibly beautiful. :) I went on to rent all her movies and discovered what a talented dramatic and comedic actress she was.

After reading quite a few biographies I also discovered what an incredibly sweet, compassionate and caring person she was, who had a terribly hard and dangerous childhood and survived it to become one of the most influential (fashion-wise), loved and recognizeable actresses in the world...ever.

http://daisyland.tierranet.com/hepburn/images/mag_1.jpg


Sorry to be so long-winded but seeing as she's my favorite actress, I wanted to give a bit of background to those who might not be aware as much about her life.

Her last role was that of an angel named "Hap" in Steven Spielberg's 1989 romance "Always". An appropriate final part for a women who was as close to an angel in real life than most people will ever be.

P.S. Yay :D

http://www.audreyhepburn.com/assets/gallery/popup/vtl_16.jpg

Here are just a few quotes about Audrey from her peers...

"It was my good luck, during that wonderful summer in Rome, to be the first of her screen fellows, to hold out my hand, and help her keep her balance as she did her spins and pirouettes. Those months [were] probably the happiest experience I ever had making movies." - Gregory Peck

"In a cruel and imperfect world, she was living proof that God could still create perfection." - Critic Rex Reed

"Audrey definitely had a good heart, there was nothing mean or petty - it's a character thing. She had a good character, so I think people picked up on that too. She didn't have any of the backstabbing, grasping, petty, gossipy personalities that you see in this business. I liked her a lot; in fact, I loved Audrey. It was easy to love her." - Gregory Peck

"What is really needed in order to become a star is an extra element which God gives you or doesn't give you. You're born with it. You cannot learn it. God kissed on her cheek and there she was" - Director Billy Wilder

She was recently honored by having her picture on a U.S. postal stamp.


Finally, the lyrics (by Johnny Mercer) to Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's. The reason I put this is simple. Most people associate this song to her not only because of that heartbreaking scene when she sings it on her fire escape in the movie, but also because, the lyrics somehow, apply to her as well, the actress, the mother, the movie star and the woman. It just fits...

Moon river, wider than a mile,
I'm crossin' you in style some day.
Oh dream maker, you heart breaker.
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.

Two drifters, off to see the world,
there's such a lot of world, to see.
We're after the same, rainbow's end,
Waitin' 'round the bend, my huckleberry friend,
Moon river, and me.


To find out more about her and to see more incredible pictures, her official homepage is spectacular:
Her homepage: http://www.audreyhepburn.com/

She is one of those rare actresses that can automatically lift your spirits up after watching one of (any of) her films. If you have yet to discover her, I suggest you begin to watch her films, just watch one and you'll be hooked.

So, please post your feelings and thoughts about her (if any). Let's see what others think too...:)

[Michael_myers]

\Undoubtably the best movie star of all time. Great actress, great looking, pure perfection. She was proof that you didn't have you be a blonde bimbo with ginormous tits to be popular. She seemed very nice, and after she retired from acting, she worked for Unicef, and went into world peace and hunger programs. It's more people like her we need. The biggest YAY I've ever given.

[Droog989]

I really don't think there's any question about what people think of her. This entire thread is going to be a unanimous YAY from everyone who writes. She's quite obviously a beloved person, and for good reason. If it wasn't so annoying to read, I'd just YAY over and over again.


YAY

[Hannibal21]

http://www.reelclassics.com/Actresses/Audrey/images6/audrey_faceshot.jpg

http://www.reelclassics.com/Actresses/Audrey/images6/aud_sabrina_crawling.jpg

http://64.211.46.141/nm/H/AUDREY_HEPBURN004.JPG

Sev, I think you and my dad would become good friends, his all time favorite actress, movie star, and crush is Audrey Hepburn. ;)

Millions, billions, trillions of YAY's! One of the greatest movie star, legend and actress of all time. She continually gave fantastic performance in every one of her films and all of them were flawless, FLAWLESS. Her best performance was as Princess Ann in the underrated classic Roman Holiday, and people will always remember her as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, another amazing performance; in her overlooked performances she was also very real, and left huge impressions. WHY didn't they nominate her for best actress for MY FAIR LADY?! :mad: Her elegance and beauty is unbeatable, her classic fare, her BEAUTIFUL eyes and her sweet face makes her just a perfect, perfect symbol of a beauty. I love her, I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love LOVE her!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hannibal21]

BUMP

Only 3 schmoes (including me) responded? Come on, guys! When a Britney Spears or Keira Knightley thread gets opened up there are more than 50 responses (I never should've opened up a Britney Spears topic) but when there's topics considering pure talented, legendary actors no one ever hardly responds. Any more Hepburn fans here? :)

[Indiana Sev]

Thanks, Hannibal21. I still have hope that people will come...

"If you write it, they will come"

- Indiana Sev (inspired by Field Of Dreams) ;)

[Invincible]

Damn, thats one big ass post, Indy...you sure are in love. :D

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Invincible
Damn, thats one big ass post, Indy...you sure are in love. :D

Well, some people deserve all that attention. She is well worth the effort, I actually held back a little. :)

[ColinM]

A very strong YAY. Audrey Hepburn is one of the greatest actresses ever. I love her in every role she's ever done. I just bought a book of the Audrey Hepburn stamps and can't wait to frame them.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by ColinM
I just bought a book of the Audrey Hepburn stamps and can't wait to frame them.

Somebody cool sent me that book of stamps from the U.S. a couple of weeks ago.

They are presently hanging on my wall Colin; and they look amazing. Great minds think alike I guess...:)

[Annie Hall]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
[WHY didn't they nominate her for best actress for MY FAIR LADY?! :mad:

The reason; the studio didn't allow her to do her own singing. Julie Andrews had the role on Broadway, and was the most-agreed upon candidate for the film role. They had a singers voice dubbed in to sing her songs. You'll notice who won best actress that year. ;)

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses and one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. She made being petite look healthy and delicate...she was graceful, talented, and one of the greatest celebrities of all time.

[Michael_myers]

Still a yay, but why they didn't nominate her for My Fair Lady was she was terrible in it! She was Audrey all right, and Audrey was not suited for that part. Julie Andrews should have gotten that role IMO. Also IMO, Audrey as Eliza Dolittle was the biggest miscast in film history. I did not enjoy her performance, and she looked even weaker compared to Rex Harrison. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Audrey, I just thought that Eliza was much more suited for a fine soprano like Julie Andrews. Her wry delivery of the classic Moon River just wasn't enough for a musical.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Michael_myers
Still a yay, but why they didn't nominate her for My Fair Lady was she was terrible in it!

There are two main reasons why she wasn't nominated for My Fair Lady.

The first is politics, almost everyone at the time thought that Julie Andrews was better suited for the part and should get it. But, Audrey was already a huge international star by then and seeing as she wanted it badly...she got it. I suppose, the Oscar commitee decided since she'd already been nominated three times at the time and won once, she wouldn't be too hurt or disappointed and Andrews and co. would perhaps feel a small victory.

Andrews won the Oscar that year for Mary Poppins but My Fair Lady won Best Picture.

The second reason is because although Hepburn recorded all the songs herself, the studio decided to go with a professional singer's voice (Marnie Nixon, as I recall) and that would hurt anyone's chances to be nominated for an Oscar. Since it's a musical, not singing the actual songs basically takes you out of the running right there.

So, IMO, those are the two main reasons why she didn't get a nomination that year. I doubt the movie would have won Best Picture if Hepburn was terrible in it. The movie did rest on her shoulders and on it's own is a great movie, much, much superior to Mary Poppins. But, that's my opinion, I'm sure others thought that she was terrible in it and I respect their opinion, I just don't think that's the reason she wasn't nominated, that's all.

Truthfully though, Dr. Strangelove is probably the nominated movie that really deserved to win Best Picture that year (1964), oh well.

[Michael_myers]

Strangelove did deserve to win best picture that year. I like My Fair Lady for 1 reason: Rex Harrison! He was brilliant and deserved to win best actor (which he did). Too bad he (and Andrews too) got caught up in Fox's post Sound of Music bad musical days where they were still in a desperate cash grab! Audrey was only decent in My Fair Lady and she definatley didn't deserve to win best actress. Andrews in Poppins on the other hand was brilliant, light, charming and just a great character. Julie made a dynamic screen debut as Mary Poppins. Really the only thing lacking about Mary Poppins was Dick van Dyke's Bert!

[Tagia_Romero]

YAY. Class act from start to finish if you ask me. Noble, graceful, revelation... and human.

[Indiana Sev]

:(

No more love for Audrey?

Although, I shouldn't complain, this is the only thread that didn't and probably will never get any negative comments, so I can live with that I suppose.

[vtadave]

If I could go back in time, I'd hit it.

[Michael_myers]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
:(

No more love for Audrey?

Although, I shouldn't complain, this is the only thread that didn't and probably will never get any negative comments, so I can live with that I suppose.

No no Sev. Some people might actually dislike Audrey and post about it. NOBODY DISLIKES CHRIS WALKEN. That is the thread where all the love is. Like bob said: it's either yay or death in my opinion

[Hannibal21]

I know this has probably been noticed by several folks, but IMO Natalie Portman reminds me a lot of Miss Hepburn; in both the looks and elegance department, she comes pretty close to being a younger version of her......and NOT that Jennifer Love Huge-Tits whose performance in 'The Audrey Hepburn Story' was just disgraceful! That film would've been SO much better if JLH wasn't cast in the lead. :mad:

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
I know this has probably been noticed by several folks, but IMO Natalie Portman reminds me a lot of Miss Hepburn; in both the looks and elegance department, she comes pretty close to being a younger version of her......

They're definitely similar in many ways. Talent, looks and class.

Portman and Kiera Knightley both have the beauty and talent. Time will tell if they will have the elegance, grace and kindness that she had.

I'm not comparing them, they'll probably never quite reach that level of popularity and influence that she had; I'm just saying they have the potential.

I can see it happening...

http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/54/039_36431.jpg

Kiera Knightley


http://www.ecfan.net/keira/images/miscmag/k2.gif

[Indiana Sev]

bump?

[Trinity]

Don't really know what to say here that hasn't already been covered, so I'll just say I love Roman Holiday, I love Breakfast at Tiffany's, I love Sabrina, I love Charade and I LOOOOOOVE Audrey Hepburn!

[docholiday_13]

Yay.


Cute as a button.

[Nate6]

Of course it's a Yay. Brilliant actress, deliciously sexy, and, for once, a great person as well.

[piglet5]

YAY... i wish i looked like her :o

[RicochetShaw]

nay



































.......what, you kiddin' me? YAY!!!!. Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite films, on my top 20. She's probably also the classiest ladie to ever come out of hollywood, not to mention one of the most beautiful.

[Puck Bond]

Yay!

Simply a queen with grace who was funny, charming and just a joy to watch on screen! They don't make 'em like they used to.

[bob]

I think there was a more graceful, charming and beautiful actress of the same generation (look left), but she's definitely up there. Yay. Just watched Breakfast at Tiffany's this morning.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by bob
I think there was a more graceful, charming and beautiful actress of the same generation (look left), but she's definitely up there.

I challenge you to a duel, sir! :mad: ;)

[Michael_myers]

Ill have to agree that Grace Kelly was more beautiful thanm Audrey, but the grace and class Audrey had is where Grace Kelly lacks.

[Hannibal21]

I do think that Audrey Hepburn is miles more talented than Grace Kelly (who is also a great actress herself, mind you), but there never was a more beautiful and graceful woman in the world than Grace Kelly, no woman ever looked like that, and no woman ever will.

[KcMsterpce]

She is one of the most beautiful and elegent women in the history of film. She was just as attractive before she died as she was in Roman Holiday.

YAY

[Trinity]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
I do think that Audrey Hepburn is miles more talented than Grace Kelly (who is also a great actress herself, mind you), but there never was a more beautiful and graceful woman in the world than Grace Kelly, no woman ever looked like that, and no woman ever will.
Aw, you Grace Kelly lovers take it like it's a fact she was the most beautiful woman ever and there are so damn many of you it's hard to argue with you; I mean - so many people must be onto something. But for me, Audrey was more beautiful than Grace (a better performer too) and in fact, second in beauty only to my queen, Vivien.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Trinity
Aw, you Grace Kelly lovers take it like it's a fact she was the most beautiful woman ever and there are so damn many of you it's hard to argue with you; I mean - so many people must be onto something. But for me, Audrey was more beautiful than Grace (a better performer too) and in fact, second in beauty only to my queen, Vivien.

Vivien was criminally gorgeous, I admit. I'm sometimes hypnotized by your avatar, Trinity!

There were so many, unlike nowadays. Which is probably the reason I prefer old B&W films to today's movies. That and today's movies are mostly pure garbage.

Bergman, Kelly, De Havilland, Loy, Leigh, Garbo, Hepburn, they were all pretty much perfect. Is it really possible to pinpoint which was the most beautiful?



























Yes, it is. It was Audrey Hepburn!!! :) ;)







This does bring up an interesting debate though. I'm off to the Best/Worst/Favorites Forum to start a poll!!

[Trinity]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
This does bring up an interesting debate though. I'm off to the Best/Worst/Favorites Forum to start a poll!!
Hey, you forgot Joan Fontaine in the poll. :( She was just mesmerizing and deserves a spot in the top 5, imo at least. Maybe you should've put in 10, since there are so many Golden Era beauties to choose from.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Trinity
Hey, you forgot Joan Fontaine in the poll. :( She was just mesmerizing and deserves a spot in the top 5, imo at least. Maybe you should've put in 10, since there are so many Golden Era beauties to choose from.

Yeah, I saw another film of Fontaine's Friday night (A Letter From An Unknown Woman), she was really beautiful. I wanted to narrow it down as much as possible to the 5 actresses most consider beautiful.

I agree though, there were so many.

Myrna Loy is one of my favorites, what a fox!!!!! An incredible comedic actress as well, see the Thin Man movies, everybody please!!!!

*cough*

Okay, back to Audrey. :)

[Trinity]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Yeah, I saw another film of Fontaine's Friday night (A Letter From An Unknown Woman), she was really beautiful. I wanted to narrow it down as much as possible to the 5 actresses most consider beautiful.

I agree though, there were so many.

Myrna Loy is one of my favorites, what a fox!!!!! An incredible comedic actress as well, see the Thin Man movies, everybody please!!!!

*cough*

Okay, back to Audrey. :)

Oh I LOVE Myrna Loy in the "Thin Man" movies. She was so adorable!

Btw, how was "A Letter From An Unknown Woman"? I've been wanting to check it out.

Ok, now back to Audrey. ;)

[BadCoverVersion]

Kelly, Leigh, Garbo, Bergman...blah-de-blah...

I honestly believe Hepburn was FAR more beautiful than the lot of them.

She's just enchanting.

Yay.

[SAI]

Good God in Heaven she was beautiful.

I only recently discovered Hepburn, beyond seeing pictures of her, by watching my Mum's copy of Breakfast At Tiffany's (5/5). Yesterday I found a cheap Charade dvd and loved that film (5/5) as well. I'd like to see more of her, certainly Roman Holiday and Sabrina look good.

BIG YAY for Audrey

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Great post Indiana Sev ;)

HUGE YAY - Audrey is the epitome of class and will never go out of style.

[SAI]

Okay since my last post I've been obsessively trying to get my hands on as many of her films, books about her and pictures of her as I can and I've not had a disappointment yet.

I'm up to 8 films seen now
in order
Breakfast At Tiffany's: 5/5
Charade: 5/5
Roman Holiday: 4/5
Sabrina: 5/5
Paris When It Sizzles: 3/5
Funny Face: 4/5
The Nun's Story: 5/5
My Fair Lady: 4/5

I got my hands on a beautiful photo biog Audrey Hepburn; An Elegant Spirit, written by her son as well and, frankly, everything I've read about her has only made me more enamoured of her.



once again... YAY

[robk]

Don't forget her beautiful work in Robin & Marian.
Her pairing with Sir Sean Connery was wonderful & right up there with Gable & Leigh(Gone With the Wind), and Bogart & Bergman(Casablanca)
I still get a lump in my throat when I watch the ending. In other words, their love story was everything the one in the Star Wars prequels should've been.

[Avid_Fan]

Definitely a yay. Audrey Hepburn is a classic beauty and a wonderful actress.

Elegant.
Gorgeous.
Stunning.

http://fii.chadwyck.com/images/home/audrey.jpg

[bob]

I caught Roman Holiday and Sabrina on TCM last night, and, well, I'm a believer.

She's a beautiful and endlessly charming actress...I've already cooked up my list of the first four of her films I must have:

Roman Holiday
Sabrina
Charade
Breakfast at Tiffany's

YAY

[Cronos]

YAY

beutiful and very talented

Breakfast At Tiffanys gets better and better every time i see it

[poopontheshoes7]

Yay.
I totally loathed Cate Blanchete as Audrey Hepburn. Horrible casting. Looks nothing like her and in no way reminded me of Hepburn except for the voice. The Aviator did a huge disservise to the greatest actress ever.

[bob]

(this is in case you're not joking)

She was playing Katharine Hepburn, not Audrey Hepburn.

(if you were joking, you totally got me)

[poopontheshoes7]

Oh My God.

Im the biggest dumbass in the world!!!! Im sincerly sorry for my stupidity. I cant even call myself a schmoe anymore:(
I knew she played a Hepburn and i saw this thread and just posted without thinking.
I feel like a dumbshit. Sorry Bob.

[bob]

Ha, no need to apologize. It was funny, but I've done WAY stupider things.;)