Being an icon: remembered fondly or simply becoming overrated?

Okay, so I'm going to keep today's post fairly short... mostly because otherwise this will turn into a rambling post, and also because I have stupid summer homework I have to do. School opens in about a week, so... but I did finish reading one of the books, so I'm going to treat myself to a little break by writing here. (Yes, I know, I'm an awful procrastinator!)

So you may have noticed that during the month (and a little more) that I've been writing on here, I have not once mentioned a name so frequently linked with Old Hollywood -- Marilyn Monroe.

You may find this strange, usually because Marilyn has become over the years (unfortunately) the poster child for Classic Hollywood. The platinum blond hair, red lips, and beauty mark (or you could. call. it. a. MOLE. I mean, that's what it is, isn't it??!!) have become an icon of sorts that is frequently the only common link between today's generation (with the exception of those of us who watch classic film) and Yesteryear.

Which is, I guess, why I have neglected to mention her.

Before I continue: don't get me wrong. I most certainly don't hate Marilyn Monroe or anything and I don't want to offend any of her fans. It's only, I often wonder about her popularity. Does this spark from the somewhat scandalous life she lived - Happy birthday, Mr. President - to her early death, which was, of course, above all a tragedy... but still, attention getting? Is it because people find her a good actress? 

I think that I can surprisingly find Marilyn a good actress, more than a sex symbol, etc. when you watch her at some of her very best in the films. But why do we remember her as the iconic dumb blond, then, or the skirt flying up above the subway grate?? 

Here's my opinion on Marilyn: she's not an awful actress and I have been known to enjoy her movies. I think she was pretty, but I have to admit there are other actresses of the Golden Era that were more beautiful. So I don't hate her or anything and I'm not trying to write a bashing Marilyn post here.... but I must admit, I do find her a little overrated...

But, in  fact, I think people are often unfair to Marilyn by remembering her as the girl who first posed nude for Playboy or had an affair with JFK because she did not come into Hollywood with the intent of being a media toy - she came to act, didn't she? 

I'm a little all over the place, so let me try to make my point a little clearer. I happen to know a girl.... She claims to really like Marilyn Monroe and has a picture of her on her bedroom wall. But the thing is, she doesn't know anything about her life or career. And she hasn't even seen one of her films. I think this a very good point of someone liking Marilyn simply because they find her iconic and not because they enjoy her movies - and personally, as someone who loves Old Hollywood so much, it does make you kind of annoyed, doesn't it?

I think all of this has got a lot to do with being an "icon."

I wouldn't call Marilyn the only victim of this whole "icon" business, either. What about Audrey Hepburn? Now, you all know that I really love Audrey (it's kind of impossible, not to). But through stills of Breakfast at Tiffany's in that gorgeous (but most certainly overused) black dress, with the cat and the diamonds and the long cigarette holder, she has, too, become an icon to hang on teenage girls' bedroom walls without a clue to who she really was.... or to the fact that she made other films....

I happen to have a big decal of Audrey on my bedroom wall myself. But before you call me a hypocrite: I actually know a lot about Audrey's life and career. I've read several books and I've seen plenty of her films. I don't love her as an icon, but as an actress.

Another icon: James Dean. He did about three films before his death in a car accident and he has henceforth gotten the "iconic" treatment, too. It's a little different with the guys. The girls (like Audrey and Marilyn), find themselves plastered on bedroom walls, t-shirts, and jewelry. I have yet to find James Dean's face on a coffee mug, but gets the celebrity treatment of not a legend but a modern day star. Take a look at his website, for his example - www.jamesdean.com. If you wouldn't have known better, you think it was a prospering, up and coming male model (at least, that's what I would have thought.)

I mean, the man only did make three movies...

Take Humphrey Bogart, for example. He, too, has become an icon of sorts: a "Bogie", with the trench coat and the fedora hat, speaking in that ever so memorable lisp. Maybe his icon has dimmed in recent years, but I can still remember that episode of "The Brady Bunch" - "Pork chops and apple sauce," Peter says.

Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against these particular actors. Audrey and Bogie are two of my own personal favorite actors. I'm not really the world's biggest Marilyn fan, but I don't hate her and James Dean was probably okay, too.

I'm not trying to bash the whole "iconic" deal, either. In a couple ways, it's a good thing. "Icons" help the newer generations remember the stars of the past, even if it is through posters on their bedroom walls of celebrities they could know less about. 

What makes a person iconic? Why is Marilyn Monroe the iconic of them all? Why... why not Ava Gardner? (Just pulling someone random out here). 

Some may argue that Lucille Ball is an icon, too. I agree that she most certainly is an icon... her flaming red hair and humongous blue eyes won't be forgotten for decades to come. But she is an icon in the way that Elizabeth Taylor is  -- both still popular with the public after their deaths and regarded as icons, you're not likely to find them stamped on merchandise the way you would with Marilyn or Audrey.

Is that it? Do these icons sell money? Once I remember watching a TV special on dead icons and how much money they bring in. (Among them were those I've mentioned, including Lucy... as well as Elvis Presley, which is another good example, but I won't get into that because that kind of detours into the music industry... and that would bring me to the Beatles, and then I'd go on forever.)

I'm also not trying to say that it's unoriginal to have one of these icons as your favorite actor. That would be totally hypocritical considering how much I love Audrey and Bogie. It's just... I don't know. I kind of hope I made myself clear otherwise this would totally become a rambling post.

What is your opinion on turning particular stars into icons (and not others... Case in point: why Marilyn, not Ava? Or to even go farther, why not pick someone randomer... like, Marilyn vs. Susan Hayward??!!)? Does it overpower what good actors these people actually were and instead turn them into nearly a brand name of sorts? Or does it keep the memory of Golden Hollywood alive? And also... is there any explanation for why some become icons and others don't? Which icons do you love - any of the ones I mentioned?

Okay, so screw that whole "fairly short" thing, because I did go on for way too long. But I would love to hear your opinions on this... and if I make any sense at all. * smiles sheepishly *.

Well, I've got to go and write a book report now. But thanks for reading this  random rant... 

(Oh, and by the way -- I finally threw my hat into the ring for the Carole-tennial [+3] blogathon, as the new banner on my sidebar should tell you. It's sponsored by Carole and Co, and it looks like it's going to be great fun!)

This World Has No Taste Anymore...

I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY mad right now.

Like, I want to - I want to - I can't even put it into words. I feel like Maria at the end of "West Side Story."

More than mad, I'm upset, disappointed  and hurt. And annoyed at God for having me born this late. Why couldn't I have been born 50 years ago?? When people actually had taste and their lives were not ruled by Facebook and texting and "television" shows like 16 and Pregnant??

I know I said this blog is about old movies. And that's what it's going to be about, 90% of the time. Right now, however, I'm on rampage and writing it here is a good way to get my anger out. And, in a way, this sort of does have to do with Classic Hollywood - since Classic Hollywood was a more kinder, nicer generation where people took the time to sit down and read books... and I don't mean on eReaders.

If you live in the United States, and if you read books, you're probably well aware of Borders, a large bookstore chain across all 50 states. I'm a book buyer. I prefer to buy them instead of rent them out of a library. Ever since I was a little kid, the nearby Borders was a little haven for me to go and pick out books and books to read. Books, just like old movies, are a major part of my life. Where on Earth would we be without them??

Right now, I just refreshed my Yahoo! homepage to learn that EVERY SINGLE BORDERS WILL BE CLOSING (right next to a little newstory on Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez crashing a wedding - because that is so much more worth our time, right?). I guess that includes the bookstore I've been buying books from for all of my whatever so pathetically short, but still meaningful, life.

My first thought was: Where am I going to get books from? *insert weep* But, of course, I quickly reminded myself there are other bookstores... but this doesn't mean that I'm still not mad. What is wrong with the world today??? I keep waiting for the day to learn outside my house and there will no longer be a newspaper waiting on my driveway. One day, they'll just be gone, and no one could care - because why get your fingers all smudged when you could just read the article on line?

Or why keep Borders open for people to buy books when you can simply buy an eReader like the Nook or the Kindle and get books instantly? Why? Why make good, tasteful movies when you can make raunchy movies that are supposedly more "entertaining." (Yeah - in what universe?) I can't even turn on the TV anymore and find a good old fashioned sitcom in the sea of reality TV shows! (Thank God for TCM and those few other channels that show actual good stuff. What on Earth would I watch then?)

People of today's day and age are no longer sentimental. Any book lover will tell you how it feels to turn the crisp pages of a new book... or how it feels nice to get the smudges of ink on your hands are you read a newspaper. You simply cannot derive the same emotions from sliding through the digital pages of a Kindle.

I am glad for technology most of the time. If we didn't have it, i wouldn't be writing this Blog, obviously. In fact, do not think me a hypocrite. I only wonder why we cannot have the best of both worlds. Those of us who enjoy eReaders can use them - and those of us who want to feel books in our hands can do that, too.

This is not just the beginning. We're halfway through to this enormous change the world is feeling. I am not one of those obsessive people who oust any form of new technology; I am a proud owner of a laptop, iPod, TV... most of us are. But sometimes, these things can get in the way of enjoying the simpler things in life... things we'd had for a lot longer than iPads.

I'm really upset now, and scared, too. Now Borders is shut. The next day, there will be no Barnes and Noble. I'll have to order all my books online, and eventually they'll stop selling it there, too. I was born into the wrong day and age. I am afraid that books and newspapers will become extinct - just like tasteful entertainment, music without auto-tune, and shorts that reach below your hips.

Thanks for reading this rant if you did. I promise tomorrow a new post on the main topic of this blog: Keeping old movies alive. But today, I just had to get this out. I'm utterly annoyed. And saddened.

RIP, Borders. My heart is breaking.

PS: For more information on the shut-down (stores will start closing as soon as this Friday and all stores will be closed by September), visit here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Borders-Calls-Off-Auction-nytimes-1678947798.html?x=0.