http://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/miriam-hopkins-interview/ thinking film Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:41:03 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/miriam-hopkins-interview/#comment-473613 Elias Eliadis Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:17:27 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=6881#comment-473613 Dear Allen: I must tell you how I enjoyed your discussion of the great Miss Miriam Hopkins! Please keep us updated on the biography. Since the election, I have been "de-toxing" from politics by watching old movies; nothing made after 1970 and preferably 30s, 40s, and a few 50s pictures. Although Miss Davis remains my all time favorite female actor, Miss Hopkins has hurtled to the top in a very short while! I, too first was aware of Miss Hopkins through the two pictures she made with Miss Davis. She mops the floor with Bette in "The Old Maid" while I find they are a better compliment to each other in the wonderful "Old Acquaintance" a movie I feel is unfairly dismissed by many as a rather routine "women's" melodrama. In actuality, their scenes together are stunning, and the 26 minute sequence at her hotel apartment later in the film is dominated by Miss Hopkins, although it does end with the famous "Davis Shake." Since the election I have collected 28 of Miss Hopkins' films. As you say, most are poor quality, but it does give one a chance to finally own these frequently wonderful films! If the distributor wants the money, let them release these films on dvd. A collection set would be a smash! I, too have ruminated over why Miss Hopkins is not more remembered. I think you are right that it's because she made relatively few films over a long career in which she took long periods of time off to do theater and radio. If she was "difficult" (and I cannot imagine her being as hateful as some say) I say, too bad as brilliant people are not the same as others. Miriam Hopkins is a stunning beauty-not the dumb blonde that was Jean Harlow, but the cunning and clever blonde who got any man, gay or straight, to do her bidding. Dear Allen:
I must tell you how I enjoyed your discussion of the great Miss Miriam Hopkins! Please keep us updated on the biography.
Since the election, I have been “de-toxing” from politics by watching old movies; nothing made after 1970 and preferably 30s, 40s, and a few 50s pictures. Although Miss Davis remains my all time favorite female actor, Miss Hopkins has hurtled to the top in a very short while!
I, too first was aware of Miss Hopkins through the two pictures she made with Miss Davis. She mops the floor with Bette in “The Old Maid” while I find they are a better compliment to each other in the wonderful “Old Acquaintance” a movie I feel is unfairly dismissed by many as a rather routine “women’s” melodrama. In actuality, their scenes together are stunning, and the 26 minute sequence at her hotel apartment later in the film is dominated by Miss Hopkins, although it does end with the famous “Davis Shake.”
Since the election I have collected 28 of Miss Hopkins’ films. As you say, most are poor quality, but it does give one a chance to finally own these frequently wonderful films! If the distributor wants the money, let them release these films on dvd. A collection set would be a smash!
I, too have ruminated over why Miss Hopkins is not more remembered. I think you are right that it’s because she made relatively few films over a long career in which she took long periods of time off to do theater and radio. If she was “difficult” (and I cannot imagine her being as hateful as some say) I say, too bad as brilliant people are not the same as others.
Miriam Hopkins is a stunning beauty-not the dumb blonde that was Jean Harlow, but the cunning and clever blonde who got any man, gay or straight, to do her bidding.

]]> http://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/miriam-hopkins-interview/#comment-472395 Guy Budziak Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:25:32 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=6881#comment-472395 Allan, Just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed your appreciation of Miriam. I haven't yet seen quite enough of her work, but I have seen her in Jekyll & Hyde, Temple Drake, and the YouTube clip of her with Colbert singing Jazz Up Your Lingerie. I find her adorable, she impresses me as one of the most talented, charming and attractive actresses of the pre-Code era. While I realize that as you say she doesn't have quite the stature of a Davis or Hepburn in our time, I do think that those with a deeper, more seasoned awareness of cinema's history are aware of and can acknowledge her gifts, her lasting contributions. I look forward to the viewing of more of her films down the road. Allan,
Just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed your appreciation of Miriam. I haven’t yet seen quite enough of her work, but I have seen her in Jekyll & Hyde, Temple Drake, and the YouTube clip of her with Colbert singing Jazz Up Your Lingerie. I find her adorable, she impresses me as one of the most talented, charming and attractive actresses of the pre-Code era. While I realize that as you say she doesn’t have quite the stature of a Davis or Hepburn in our time, I do think that those with a deeper, more seasoned awareness of cinema’s history are aware of and can acknowledge her gifts, her lasting contributions. I look forward to the viewing of more of her films down the road.

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