Colorized by Lolita.
As my first female role model (after my mum, I guess), I have always been pretty frustrated that Lauren Bacall never have received an Academy Award. She has deserved it time and time again, and would have been able to receive an Honorary Award since the 1980's. And now, finally, the time has come! This weekend Lauren Bacall accepted an Honorary Oscar statue at the age of 85.
Lauren Bacall has meant a lot to me since I first opened my eyes to the gone days of Hollywood. Her sultry eyes, her sexy whiskey voice and overall intellectually superior aura grabbed a hold of me through the screen, and it hasn't let it's grip go since.
When I was 15 I decided to write this fabulous woman a fan letter. To my surprise, a couple of month later I got an answer. It was a black and white photograph of a present day Lauren Bacall, a cup of tea in her hand and a philosophical gaze in her eyes. On it: "Lauren Bacall". To my happiness I saw that the marker had slipped over the edge of the photo, proving that the signature was hand written. Not that I ever doubted.
Now that signed photo is one of my absolutely most treasured items. I can't explain why, but that framed photo of that great woman inspires me enormously, and makes me feel like I just might develop into a significant person in this world also.
Enough rambling: Lauren Bacall finally received an Honorary Oscar, and I can feel relieved that justice is done! Watch her receive the award and giving a most entertaining teary eyed speech here. Most suiting, director (and Humphrey Bogart's best friend) John Huston's daughter Angelica Huston presents the award.
I may add that I do believe some parts of Ms. Bacall's speech will become famous, such as the opening words "A man, at last!". She certainly seems clear in her head even at 85. I can't believe I missed out on her being in Sweden while filming Dogville (2003).
10 comments:
Yay!! This is too marvelous-- she most certainly deserves it. She looks gorgeous as usual, and I believe you're quite right...the line of her speech will go down in history. :)
Ooh-- just googled it. Seems Roger Corman was honored as well. Too cool.
Hurrah! She's very much earned it!
I'm so happy for her, I remember watching an interview where she unabashedly said how badly she wanted one! :D I wonder why it wasn't given at the ceremonies next year, though, I would have loved to see her honored at the actual event.
Juliette:
That's right! ;)
Elizabeth:
Not to soon, neither!
Kate G:
Haha, I've heard it too - she really is a one kind of a woman! Hmm... I have no idea. But it would be weird if they didn't have a ceremony for her then too, don't you think? Maybe they just were too eager to give her the award, that she gets two ceremonies!
About time...Lauren should have received an Oscar years ago for any number of amazing performances she gave. It kills me when the Academy overlooks a great actor/actress and finally gives them one for making up their mistake. The list of non Oscar winners include Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Jean Arthur, Steve McQueen, Lee Remick, and lots more. Sorry about the mini rant. Had to get it off my chest. I'm good now. Thanks for the post Lolita.
Monty:
The comment section only serves its purpose when people rant! I love seeing Cary Grant receiving his Honorary Award, it's one of those YouTube clips I have to see once in a while. When he talks about the filming of James Stewart's drunken scene he always makes me laugh!
About time....
Many years ago when I read her autobio, it simply inspired and captivated me so much and I still remember the book in my head so vividly; an incredible woman.
Lolita: Good deal! I saw once in New York. I saw her on the street around Broadway and something sometime in the 1980s - she was coming out of a theater - and we exchanged hellos. She had about a million people around her, but I was playing my guitar in the street for loose change, and she sort of had to walk around my guitar case, so an interaction was sort of put upon her. She was very at ease and smiled and said hello.
She looked about seven feet tall and I swear she produced her own illumination. -- Mykal
Sebina:
I read her autobiography too, it was really fabulous! I read it in a Swedish translation though, so I will try to get ahold of an English original. :)
Mykal:
Wow! That must have been... breathtaking. Thank you for sharing that story! She is such a grand woman.
Post a Comment