Charade on Blu-Ray

Just a quick note to let everyone know that one of Audrey's best films, Charade, will be released on Blu-Ray tomorrow through Criterion. Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Paris, suspense, romance, comedy, what more could you ask for? And Criterion treats their films so well, so you can trust me when I say the Criterion edition of anything is worth it. (The commentary track with director Stanley Donen and screenwriter Peter Stone is so great, and the print has been restored.) If you want to investigate a little more, here's Charade's page on Criterion's website, and Amazon has the price knocked down from $39.95 to $29.49, even cheaper than the regular edition. Not bad!

No comment on Emma Thompson's ignorance

I found this late last night and wanted to sleep on my anger before sharing with you. As I've discussed with you before, Emma Thompson has penned the screenplay for the new adaptation of My Fair Lady, which has been in pre-production for a couple of years now. Nothing is moving forward, and while out promoting her new Nanny McPhee film I suppose Emma wanted to remind everyone that she has a film waiting to be made, and the best way to get attention would be to slag on Audrey. Yes, Emma Thompson trash talks Audrey Hepburn.

The Daily Mail has the story, though really, I think the title tells you more than you want to know: 'Audrey Hepburn was twee, mumsy and really couldn't act': Emma Thompson's scathing appraisal of My Fair Lady star. The link will take you to the article, and that's all I'm going to say on this for now. I did actually write quite a fact-filled rant schooling Emma Thompson on how wrong she is on all this, but I'll spare you - unless you'd really like me to share.

pictures of the Fernanda Gattinoni exhibit

The recent exhibit on Italian designer Fernanda Gattinoni had its last day in Paris yesterday, but if you couldn't make the exhibit, no worries. Lovely reader Castor was kind enough to visit and take loads of pictures, which she said I could share with all of you. She was also kind enough to translate the text pertaining to Audrey, which I will copy and paste for you. So, without further ado, Castor's pictures for everyone to enjoy:

silk gauze dress trimmed with embroidery and small pink and blue appliqué horses

silk gauze dress in ivory trimmed with silver embroidery and small blue velvet appliqué horses

an autographed publicity still for Fernanda, signed Audrey Ferrer

ivory satin organza dress dotted with tiny rhinestones

In 1955, Maria De Matteis, the costume maker from King Vidor’s War & Peace (1956) asked Fernanda Gattinoni to make Audrey Hepburn’s costumes.

Fernanda Gattinoni liked so much the costumes with a fluid and vertical form she made for the movie that at practically the same time, she was inspired by the protagonist of War & Peace to dedicate the collection Natascia to the empire style.

Audrey Hepburn was the first customer of the collection and ordered no less than five dresses and one coat. From that time, she became one of the most assiduous customers of the house. Nevertheless, even if a trusting relationship existed between the two women, they never really became friends.

“She was too perfect and I don’t like perfect people” claimed Fernanda Gattinoni later. Despite this, the great designer always recognized the incomparable elegancy of the actress: “She had an exceptional physique. Tall and thin, all the dresses she wore became essentials and luminous like a jewel.”

Again, a huge thank you to Castor for sharing all these wonderful pictures with us. If you like what you've seen, please leave a comment with your thanks!

Roman Holiday screening!

Just a quick note to let those of you in Southern California, in or around Apple Valley in particular, know that there will be a special screening of Roman Holiday on Monday, August 16 at 7pm at the Cinemark Jess Ranch. You can find more information about tickets on the theatre's website here, as well as the address, phone number, and all that good stuff.

If you are in the area and have the free time, please go! This was the film that introduced Audrey to the world and won her the Oscar, go see it as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen. You won't regret it. And thank the darling Emily for sharing this information with all of us. Thank you!

Off the C(H)uff with Sam Wasson

I've just stumbled across an interview with Sam Wasson on Huffington Post, author of the new book Fifth Avenue, 5 AM. I know I've featured this book quite a few times already, and even an interview or two with the author, but I think this one in particular deserves some attention because it gives far more light into the book and why it was written than any other article I've read so far. It's a good read, fairly short but entertaining and packed with information, and it also features the Breakfast at Tiffany's trailer that yours truly posted on YouTube a few years ago. :)

I shall be getting a copy soon to review for you, but in the meantime, has anyone read it or at least flipped through it in the bookstore? What are your thoughts?

Audrey 100

There's a new picture book on Audrey coming out November 2, and it's called Audrey 100. The premise? The 100 greatest pictures of Audrey Hepburn, as compiled by her son Sean Ferrer. What this means? Rare or private pictures, seen for the first time! The book is co-authored by Ellen (Erwin) Fontana, the director of the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, who was also behind what I consider the best book out there on Audrey, The Audrey Hepburn Treasures.

While information is still trickling out, I can tell you that the book is slated for a release date of November 2, that it comes in at just under 200 pages, that it comes with a 9x11 photograph for framing, and that full retail price is $40 (though you can get it for less if you know where to look, of course). And, like Treasures before it, sales will benefit the Children's Fund.

Excited yet? There's more. You can pre-order through Barnes & Noble or Amazon, and you can even take a lovely virtual tour of the book here.

Fernanda Gattinoni exhibit

Yet another costume exhibit! This one is set in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, next to the Eiffel Tower but distinctly Italian in feel. It's a showcase of Italian designer Fernanda Gattinoni's designs from the 1950s and 60s, and while it mainly focuses on her evening gowns for Italian starlets worn at film premieres and other galas, there is a separate section dedicated just to her designs for War and Peace, which Audrey Hepburn wore. While the film may be more than a big long, I do love watching it just to see how stunning Audrey looks, especially in that airy white ballgown with the Empire waist (left).

If you're interested and are in or around Paris, better move fast, because the exhibit only lasts until July 30th. Admission is free, nicely enough, and is open Monday through Friday from 10-1, then reopens for the hours of 3-6. For more information and photos of the exhibit (including the picture I've used), go to Focus On Style's blog here.

Thanks to Kendal for the link.

Audrey Hepburn: In Her Own Words

Many years ago, I visited the offices of The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund and saw a beautiful video about Audrey's work with UNICEF. It was introduced by Gregory Peck and I remember he read one of Audrey's favourite poems by Rabindranath Tagore. It's been a long time and I haven't ever been able to find a copy of the video, but luckily a film company found me.

Long Tail has the video, called "Audrey Hepburn: In Her Own Words" on DVD for the first time, and I'm so happy. The DVD is very affordable at $19.95 and also comes with a special episode of Views on World Poverty. I shall be getting a copy of this soon and will post a full review for you once I've seen it again, but trust me when I say that what little I remember was very, very good. I told people at the time that everyone should see this video, and now you finally have that chance. Here's a trailer for you to watch:



And you can find more information through Long Tail's website here.

I love Audrey's passion over her work for UNICEF, but I love even more that this video is finally available to the public for anyone and everyone to see. This side of her needs to be shown more so we don't forget that she was a humanitarian, and a good one at that.

Very special thanks to David, for everything he's done.