Did anyone catch the Simpsons last night? I usually don't watch TV of my own accord, but I was over at my sister's when it was on, and I'm so glad. The whole episode was an homage to Two For the Road! One of my absolute favourite Audrey films, so beautiful. While they didn't get the rights to the film's music, the soundtrack on the show was very Mancini, and very true to the feel of the film. It was interesting to see the Simpson's family history worked into the TFTR story, and I like how they still kept some of the imagery from the film, especially the ending. If you missed it, or would like to see it again, you can view the full episode on Hulu (link goes straight to the episode). I'm not sure how long it will be up, since I'm fairly new to American websites sharing TV shows (I usually have to use these crazy Chinese sites), but if it goes off or you need to look it up elsewhere for any reason, the episode is called "Dangerous Curves."
Speaking of the film, though, when I was looking for a picture to post, since I'm lagging and haven't posted any of my own yet, I found an album called "Two For the Road" by the producer of Nouvelle Vague, a favourite of mine. The album has the same basic feel of the film, charting a couple's relationship emotionally and geographically, though with modern music. They made a video for the title track, and it's all footage from the 1967 film. So even if the style of music isn't your cup of tea, just enjoy the visuals.
Forty years ago today, Two For the Road was released. While it sadly didn't do well in theatres then, it has since found a revival in the videotape and DVD age. I personally received it on tape 7 years ago as a birthday present (along with everything else Audrey had available then -- ah, what a birthday!) and it took me a little while to love that film. Two For the Road is the sort of film that you can only appreciate when you've had some of your own heartache to season the movie to your liking. It's a more mature film, about a real relationship, and shows a sharp departure from any of Audrey Hepburn's other films. While the vast majority of her films ended with the two leads falling into each other's arms with an implied "and they lived happily ever after," Two For the Road mainly shows what happens after the glitter has worn off and real life has settled in. It was drastically different film for Hollywood at the time specifically because it said there was no such thing as happily ever after, and that a marriage was something that needed constant work -- and even then it could still crumble. Filmed at a crossroads in Audrey's own life, it feels like she was able to open up a whole different side of herself to the camera, which really makes this a film that you must see.
If you can, please give this film two tries. The first is to just watch the movie as it is. Sit on it a while, and go through life. Come back to it later and watch it again, and parallel it to your own life. If you've ever been in a serious relationship, I guarantee you will see parts of yourself in it, and this film will settle in your heart and never leave. The older I get, the more I appreciate Two For the Road and the more it means to me. Ideally, it will affect you the same way.
If the blinding avalanche of red paper hearts and pink everywhere hasn't told you yet, today is Valentine's Day. To celebrate, LOVEFiLM.com compiled a list of the Top 10 Screen Kisses of All Time, and the Holly Golightly/Paul Varjak kiss at the end of Breakfast at Tiffany's was number 2! You can read the full list here.
If there are any Audrey fans going out on a dinner date tonight, be it a first date or 100th, Seacoast Online was thoughtful enough to put together a little tips sheet to keep your dates from being as chilly as the later dinner dates of Joanna and Mark Wallace of Two For the Road. It's not as overly preachy as most other articles out there, just about common sense in conversation and how to really appreciate the person you're out with, so it might come in handy. You can read the whole article here.
And for those of you who will be staying in tonight (it doesn't matter if you're with a date, chums, or just curled up with a cat), Turner Classic Movies will be showing Breakfast at Tiffany's tonight at 8 pm EST. When you're watching an Audrey movie, you're never really alone.
If you've noticed that news updates here have been a little spotty lately, now you know why. I've been working hard to try and get these stinking things done! So, for the 100th post, I give you 570 screengrabs from How to Steal a Million.
And, if you haven't heard already, Audrey's co-star in the film, Peter O'Toole, was just nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award. His eighth nomination, mind you. Congratulations to Peter!
In other Audrey news, yesterday was the big Swann Galleries auction of celebrity documents and contracts. Three contracts signed by Audrey were up for grabs. While all of the buyers are kept anonymous, it seems that the Audrey documents did fetch far more than expected. Lot 150, which was a contract for Audrey to appear in, funny enough, How to Steal a Million, sold for $5,400, far over the expected range of $1,000-1,500. Lot 151 was a contract allowing Audrey to borrow a print of How to Steal a Million, and while it was expected to sell for between $600-800, it sold for $900. The last of the Audrey Hepburn lots, lot 152, was a contract allowing her to borrow a print of Two For the Road. This was expected to sell around $600-900 and ended up selling for $1,000. You can read more about the auction in general here, and you can view the selling prices of all items here.
There's a few new Audrey film screenings coming up that you might want to know about! First up is the British Film Festival, taking place in Tel Aviv. I know it's a bit of a commute, but the film festival runs from January 18-27. The Ambassador's Choice film for this year is none other than Two For the Road. I'm extremely jealous, because Two For the Road just might be my favourite Audrey film ever, and it's not exactly one you see screened very often. Tom Phillips, the British ambassador to Israel, says he chose the film because of Audrey, firstly, and because it's just such a fantastic relationship film overall. To learn more about the film festival, go here.
This Sunday, January 14, in Tampa, Florida there will be a screening of Funny Face. If any Florida Audrey fans can make this screening, I highly encourage it! It's spectacular when it's larger than life, and admission to this event seems very reasonable. Click here for show times and the address.
Last up for screening news, starting today and running through the weekend the San Jose California Theatre will be showing Breakfast at Tiffany's. Again, if you're in the area and can make it, I highly recommend catching this! You see so much more detail when it's on the big screen. I've watched Breakfast an uncountable number of times, and it was only at the Castro Theatre showing that I realized that Holly's cigarette holder in the party scene was collapsable! And I've been watching that movie for 10 years ... You get something new every time with that film, really. Besides, the theatre itself looks very beautiful and perfect to see a classic film in. You can find more information and showtimes here.
And on to a frothy bit of news: I can't remember if I've posted this before, but besides those fun little Audrey Hepburn paper dolls, you can now play with Audrey's face and dye her hair, do her makeup, and spice her up with some jewelry. It's more than a bit silly, but still very fun to play with. Go here for Dress-Up Games.
Thanks to quissuer711 at the Audrey Hepburn Circle, there's a fantastic "new" story about spending the weekend with Audrey. Apparently way back in 1951, before anyone really knew the name Audrey Hepburn, a scientist was asked to entertain a friend's house guest, the guest being none other than Audrey. The two became chummy and kept in touch over the years, and I won't ruin any more for you. Read the whole story here and judge for yourself how you like this story.
This next bit is a tenuous stretch at best, but since it keeps finding its way into my inbox, I might as well share it. Apparently there's a new CGI movie out in the vein of Shrek, this one called Happy N'Ever After. The main character, Ella, is supposed to bear a strong resemblance to Audrey, and might have been modeled after her (she's voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar). To me the resemblance is minimal at best, but again, I'll let you decide. Ella is the one on the right, with the shorter hair.
Photographer Douglas Kirkland has been photographing celebrities for quite a long time, and has taken some great, classic shots over the years simply by sticking with his subject and snapping constantly. One of the celebrities he's tailed was Audrey, during filming of How to Steal a Million, and at a new exhibit at the Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography you can see his work and some Audrey shots. The exhibit runs from January 11 through March 18, and he will be at the museum on Saturday, January 13, and you can learn a little more about him here.
A little while ago I posted about a new upcoming Audrey auction, but couldn't find much information on it. Now Swann Auction Galleries, the auction house that will be selling this batch of contracts, has released more information on their website. It turns out that three Audrey documents, not one, will be sold on January 25. Lot 150 is Audrey's contract to appear in How to Steal a Million. This is expected to go for $1,000-1,500 (US):
Lot 151 is a letter signed by Audrey that would allow her to borrow a print of How to Steal a Million, and is expected to fetch between $600-800 (US):
And lot 152 is another signed letter, this time asking to borrow a print of Two For the Road. It's expected to get between $600-900 (US), though I can't see why this would be more valuable than the other letter:
And lastly, onepoll.com recently did a poll on the Top 50 Greatest Gay Icons, and Audrey came in at #8! Surprisingly, she came in above Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand. But I guess you can't keep a good gal down, no matter how long she's been gone. To see the whole list, click here.
While not nearly as exciting as the recent Christie's auction of Audrey's classic Little Black Dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's, there will be a new auction of Audrey memorabilia coming at the end of January 2007. This auction is of Audrey's contract to appear in Two For the Road, and is part of a large batch of celebrity contracts and memos to benefit the Motion Picture and Television Fund, an insurance fund for artists. While the website for the auction house, Swann Auction Galleries, has some scans of other documents, there doesn't seem to be any available of Audrey's contract. I did, however, sign up for a PIN number, so if I see anything, you will. :) You can learn more about the auction and some other articles up for sale here.
And speaking of auctions, I accidentally found out who sold Audrey's Ascot dress from My Fair Lady back in 2004! Apparently Bill Mack was quite the film memorabilia collector a few years ago, and has been selling off some of his collection in recent years. He's sold the gorgeous black and white Cecil Beaton designed Ascot races dress, and recently sold the Cowardly Lion's original costume from The Wizard of Oz -- made from real lion pelts! Coincidentally, the oversized rug sold for $826,000; nearly the price of the Breakfast at Tiffany's dress after the premiums. You can read more about Bill Mack here.
Did anyone catch the Simpsons last night? I usually don't watch TV of my own accord, but I was over at my sister's when it was on, and I'm so glad. The whole episode was an homage to Two For the Road! One of my absolute favourite Audrey films, so beautiful. While they didn't get the rights to the film's music, the soundtrack on the show was very Mancini, and very true to the feel of the film. It was interesting to see the Simpson's family history worked into the TFTR story, and I like how they still kept some of the imagery from the film, especially the ending. If you missed it, or would like to see it again, you can view the full episode on Hulu (link goes straight to the episode). I'm not sure how long it will be up, since I'm fairly new to American websites sharing TV shows (I usually have to use these crazy Chinese sites), but if it goes off or you need to look it up elsewhere for any reason, the episode is called "Dangerous Curves."
