Here are 10 things you should know about Arlene Dahl, born on August 11, 1925. She achieved success in movies, television, business and as an author.
Tag: Ilsa Lund
10 Things You Should Know About Ingrid Bergman
Here are 10 things you should know about the luminous Ingrid Bergman, born 105 years ago today. Few actresses have brightened the screen as she did, and she was as talented as she was beautiful.
Celebrating Ingrid Bergman’s Centennial
Today marks the centennial of Ingrid Bergman‘s birth.
Back in our college days, we attended a campus screening of Casablanca that was held in one of the larger lecture halls on campus. We’d seen that classic picture two or three times already by then—via broadcast television and on videotape.
But, as always, it’s an entirely different experience to see a movie on a large(ish) screen and with an appreciative audience.
But the thing we’ll always recall about our first projected viewing of Casablanca, easily one of our favorite pictures (perhaps our very favorite), was the audible gasp that was heard throughout the house when Ms. Bergman was first seen in close-up onscreen. We’re not sure a more beautiful presence has ever been seen on the silver screen than Ms. Bergman as she appeared in that classic picture.
Today marks her 100th birthday, and for movie buffs, it’s truly cause to celebrate. Ilsa Lund might be our favorite among her roles, but she gave us so many memorable performances in a legendary career.
Happy birthday, Ms. Bergman, wherever you may be.
A Cinematic Cathedral
Long-time readers know we’re suckers for classic movie theatres—big city picture palaces, small-town bijous, you name it. Of course, we’re especially gratified when these theatres show movies at least occasionally, but we’re appreciative, too, when they’re used for other purposes (as long as the interior is preserved as closely to its original look as possible).
A few months back, we peeked in at the Times Square Church, formerly the Hollywood Theatre and the site of the premiere of Casablanca (1943) on November 26, 1942. One could certainly imagine that first audience thrilling to the trials and travails of Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund in that beautiful space, and we’ll admit our heart beat a little faster at the thought of it. We were excited to be standing on that hallowed (in more ways than one) ground.
And we can’t wait till we get to visit the Tabernacle of Prayer in Queens, featured recently on Scouting New York, a delightful blog overseen by Nick Carr, a professional location scout here in the Big Apple.
The Tabernacle was formerly the Loew’s Valencia, and if we live to be 100 (fingers crossed), we expect to never come across a better-preserved movie palace (based on the multitude of photos provided at the aforementioned Scouting New York.)
We’ve included a couple of images below, just to whet your appetite, but no fooling: You should waste no further time in following the above link to experience this full virtual tour for yourself. As Carr wrote in his blog post, “I’m not even sure the term ‘movie palace’ does the Valencia justice. More like ‘movie cathedral.'”
We couldn’t agree more.
