A few years back, a nephew of mine pointed out that women in the 1930's - 1950's, particularly the Silver Screen Stars were so exquisitely, elegantly, innocently beautiful. Their faces shone with such feminine 'innocence'. Although certainly sexy they were not characterized by today's standards which exudes such raw sexuality and lustfulness.

I love looking at the ladies from that era of the 30's and 40's and think they were much lovelier than say Babe Watch girls or just about any celebrity whether singer or actress. I can't think of one lady from today that has that same 'quality' in their face as from the Golden Era.

What do you think? And do you know what I mean?

For my money, Rita Hayworth was THE sexiest movie star ever. Better than Marilyn IMHO. That was when they were "Movie Stars" not Celebrities.

I don't think there's ever been a movie star sexier than Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman.

And while they adhered to the "innocence" of their era, if you see them in their Hitchcock films, "To Catch a Thief" and "Notorious", among others, they exuded a confident, intense sexuality that is fantastically erotic.

This is NOT an exhaustive list.  Just what crosses my mind in the couple of minutes while I'm waiting for dinner finish cooking.

Audrey Hepburn, esp. in "Wait Until Dark".  You remember, "world's champion blind lady".

Leslie Caron in anything.

I know I've forgotten some of my favorites, but I'm sort of in a hurry.

The modern look is really great if you're into streetwalkers.  Of course there are exceptions, the actresses who aren't "glamour girls", e.g. Meryl Streep.

Loved "Wait Until Dark"! And agree with you on one of my mother's favorites, Leslie Caron ("Gigi").

By far, imo, one of the most beautiful women of all time: Liz Taylor. Loved "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

Exquisite ladies..

I'm sure there are others, but in any discussion of beautiful women there is one who never fails to come to my mind.  She's perhaps not quite from "today", but not too awfully far removed & still looking good even though older now.  I've certainly seen her in movies where, if the character role called for it, she could look every bit the part of a queen, whose face had a timeless beauty...at least in my eyes.  Sophia Loren!!

Yep, and if the role called for her to look like a houswife from the slums she could do that too.  And just about anything in between.

at the age of 65 (?) a bit ago. And deservedly so.
Wow.


"Sophia Loren is loved worldwide. The legendary beauty placed sixth in Playboy's 100 sexiest women of this century. She was also voted The Most Beautiful Woman in the World in a British poll and was named to the International Best-Dressed Hall of Fame -- all in 1999."


-- Modified on 12/13/2003 6:06:01 PM

Grace Kelly!!!!!

"Every man I have known has fallen in love with Gilda and wakened with me".

Rita Hayworth was lovely, but she went through an enormous amount of pain via electrolysis to look that good.

Those women were beautiful but just as today that spent a lot of time and money keeping up appearances. Many were very unhappy personally.

I think what made them beautiful is that they had character. Whether it was humor or intelligence that added to their beauty and individuality.

Most of them looked great without make-up (not like today)

Just my two cents.

Take care xxx

...I sometimes wonder if the old 'silver screen' (aka: black and white) has something to do with that beauty?  I still prefer b/w photos over color-it seems to capture more personality.  We also never see the old silver screen actresses undress--just these very revealing and sexy clothes of a more daring era.  My $0.02!

I can't say that I am super turned on by her, but Winona Ryder has that classic face. The lighting and filming process was different in the 20's to 50's, but she has a classic beauty face.

I was going to say Winona Ryder, as well as Gwnyth Paltrow (sp?).

Thought I posted this before, but it didn't go through--

A few others not yet mentioned: Carole Lombard (check out "My Man Godfrey" and "To Be or Not to Be"); Katherine Hepburn; Gene Tierney (check out "Laura"; Teresa Wright; Ava Gardner; and so many more from the 1930s and 40s.

Jessica Alba
Denise Richards
Uma Thurman
Victoria Sylvstedt
Jessica Simpson (Only if she's gagged)
Julia Roberts
Cameron Diaz
or Bea Arthur (The sexy Bea Arthur of the 90's)

Hi Sedona,
         I have 2 words for you, Ingrid Bergman!!!!!!  - DJR

Hey, I have a thing for Hector Elizondo. Some might see him as short, bald and dumpy, but I think he's hot!

Pornboy,
Although I see you point about Ms. Spears, there is a lot to be said for the more elegant, sophisticated & mature ladies around here. IMHO, many people mistake "youthfulness" for "sex appeal." Nothing could be further form the truth. I have been fortunate enough to see my fair share of mature ladies whose great passion, skill and drive which could put a young nubile college cheerleader to shame (and I should know since I been blessed to have had both!).

Moral of the story: Don't limit your experiences until you have had a chance to try it!

If and when Bea Arthur's body ever looked remotely like that (and it was before "Maude"), they usually didn't have boob jobs like that back then.  Besides, it looks like someone gave her a "head job" as well, judging by the proportion of her head to the rest of her body.

Come on, Natl...get those dimensions down! :P

Definitely Audrey Hepburn, one of my all-time favorites. But there is also Rita Hayworth, Jane Russell (my dad's personal favorite), Veronica Lake (my favorite), Marilyn Monroe (very cute face), a young Ingrid Bergman, Vivian Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood (another favorite of mine), and the very quirky Greta Garbo.  

Today, I still believe that Jane Seymour is very feminine and beautiful.

Hugs,
Ciara

I remember seeing the Graduate when I was 12 and thought Anne Bancroft was very hot...I've enjoyed mature women ever since...

I totally know what you're talking about.  My Tivo never misses a Gene Tierney movie!

Keep in mind that many of the images that stick in our minds of these ladies has to do with the vision of one man.  George Hurrell.  

And what about Lauren Bacall and Marlene Dietrich

How about Shirley Jones in the Music Man?