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| Julie Christie as 'Lara' in Doctor Zhivago |
The
Beacons of Budapest have on occasion referred to themselves as
The Last of the Great Romantics. Issue must be taken with part of that assertion as GSL currently has a resting pulse of 62bpm so they are not alone. There are times when I find myself in the company of a young couple who are quite obviously truly, madly, deeply in love which gladdens my heart to no end and often share my impression with the couple who blushingly confess that my keen instincts are once again right on the money. To young Romantics, GSL's decrees include: listen to Sinatra only at night, read Tolstoy only in Winter, and set aside a snowy day of leisure with the love of your life and watch
Doctor Zhivago together without distraction. It's the most Romantic movie ever made.
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| Omar Sharif as Doctor Zhivago |
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| Geraldine Chaplin: daughter of Charlie Chaplin and Oona O'Neill and granddaughter of Eugene O'Neill |
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| Love this scene when she gets off train in this gorgeous outfit!!! |
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| setting of another unforgettable scene |
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| Rod Steiger was the only American in the cast |
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Haven't seen this version but love Keira Knighly's hat.
All Pics from Pinterest |
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Greyfriars Bobby senses Bebe's return is imminent
and she has promised treats! |
That starkly-frosted room, decorated to fit Versailles, Yuri's eyes yearning through the window patterned in icy fern, Lara's meager pot of potatoes just in case, her "mad with joy," and the troika whisking through the snow to that ice-castle.
ReplyDeleteThe last, just-missed opportunity and that set-a-million-music-boxes-twirling theme still haunt. But not as much as those depthless, liquid eyes.
How right you are Rachel and so well said !
DeleteOne of my favorites, too, GSL. And oh, so very romantic. I was so glad to have discovered the newer Keira Knightly version on Netflix. (I think it was last year, and not sure if it's currently in rotation.) As I recall, I watched it twice within a very short space of time as I enjoyed it so much and wanted to again relish in all those beautiful, delicious details of costume, cinematography, music, and the story, most of all. It's been years since I've watched the older Omar Sharif (I've had a crush on him since) version, and will never forget that hauntingly glorious "Somewhere My Love" theme... ahhh, my heart. I'll have to re-visit that one now.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
DeleteI was waiting to hear feedback on the Keira Knightly version but wonder if I'd ever allow it to be seen on it's own terms as that role and movie will forever belong to Julie Christie.
You know, I have never seen this movie. I will add it to the Netflix list pronto. I did see 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' the other night and thought of you. You definitely would've had a home in that wild party scene and I would've been somewhere in that crowd too! Ha. XO, Jill
ReplyDeleteJill,
DeleteThere is a supporting actor in that 'B at T' wild party scene who later won an Oscar whose NYE party I attended New Year's Eve 1983-84.....didn't see you although you were quite young then.
Might you be speaking of the gentleman who once boasted one of the most famous sons-in-law in the world?
ReplyDeleteDO tell about THAT party!
That's the one Rachel and it really was his son's party who was a college roommate of my boyhood buddy. An amusing story that my buddy dined out on for years I'll share. We arrive ridiculously early and the doorman had received instructions to send party goers up so we enter his apartment just as the Oscar Winner & wife literally had coats on and were walking out the door (son is not there) as I walk in and past our hosts as they vainly protest that their son won't be back for an hour which I reply with "hang on just a minute" as I pour myself a tumbler of their best scotch and stretch out on their couch as further entreaties are deflected by the young man cradling the scotch and just as the celebrated actor of stage and screen gives up my buddy quotes me as saying "What the hell did Capote say when they put you in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'???"
DeleteThat last line was embellished but my buddy had everything else right including my Cagney snarl, brisk step, and dismissive hand gestures.
Oh, Dear Heavens!! And HE dined out on it?? It HAD to rate at least a buffet or two for YOU as well! YOU MUST MAKE A POST OF THIS! I seldom shout, even in real life, and I wonder often if my little capitalizations in my blog and in comments on others are taken as rudity, even though I'm just stressing certain words a little, as I do when I speak.
DeleteCaro and I just put our the upstairs tree (not decorated, of course---that's her own purview, as it's "her house" so to speak, and she does her best work when the household slumbers.
Says I, who used to decorate wedding cakes from midnight to dawn, putting down successively thicker mats til I could have been standing on the Pea Princess' mattresses.
But DO consider making this charming story a whole post---you KNOW Cagney woulda loved it.
My dear Rachel,
DeleteAs well as you write you can use any format or font you wish. Now this isn't really post material but I was 19yo with 2 buddies I grew up with only they hadn't spent much time in NYC and were quite intimidated at the whole scene. We were staying at a midtown hotel using my buddies' fathers points which were to expire at the stroke of midnight. The previous night I had plowed through a semester's worth of beer money in Greenwich village and I told my buddies that my drinks were on the Oscar winner tonight so arriving early was my idea. Those 2 hayseeds were scared shitless so I just said: "just follow me" and I muscled our way by the doorman and raced by the Oscar winner and his wife towards the bar set-up before he could hit his mark and deliver his lines. An Oscar winner without a director and rehearsal time is no match for a parched GSL within striking distance of Speyside single malt. Mrs. Oscar winner at least had the stage presence to make me a sandwich.
Priceless, G,priceless!
Delete...T, in my retelling of those events I'd always end with "he's won an Oscar and a Tony but he's O and 1 versus GSL in his own living room..."
Deletehumming Lara's theme as I type! Julie C is just so gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteI just knew you'd be a fan FF...JC is def 11/10 !
DeleteOh, yes dear G, one of the most romantic films...EVER! This has me yearning for some chilled vodka and smoked salmon! One must never watch this film without a box of tissue close at hand!
ReplyDeleteI think you have all of your friends at The Den humming along to Lara's Theme...haunting!
Thank you for this wonderful idea!
Darling T,
DeleteDr Z really is such a great movie in so many ways. Chilled vodka and smoked salmon sounds delish and I'll see if Komarovsky can score a little beluga caviar...
Yes,please!
DeleteBtw...a dear friend of mine grew up in The Royal Ballet in London and Geraldine was one of her chums! Geraldine was only at the academy for a short time. My friend would spend summer breaks with all of those charming Chaplins in Switzerland!
Those Chaplins were fascinating. People these days have no idea what a huge international star Charlie Chaplin was and married the much younger (by 35+years) daughter of our greatest playwright and Nobel Laureate. Never realized Geraldine had so many credits til just now glancing...and she's still quite busy. Boy what I love to have a long lunch with her!
DeleteOh gosh - haven't seen this in years! A great holiday afternoon movie I think!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great winter movie Wendy and I often suggest to newlyweds to wait for one of those really homebound due to blizzard afternoons and cut the phones off and enjoy a nibble during an intermission (it's nearly 3 1/2 hours) and make a late afternoon/early evening of it.
DeleteLove Julie Christie, one of my fave's and she's aged so beautifully and with all the anscilary wrinkles that are normal. She was devastating in Away From Her, about a woman with early altzheimers, directed by that young Canadian actress who's a genius
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen JC in anything big since 'Afterglow' which was an interesting movie although saw her smaller parts in 'Troy' and 'Hamlet'. In Afterglow I found her extremely attractive and she was about 56 and I really like the way she has aged...nothing too crazy looking and that normal look as you say that she wears so well.
DeleteI keep intending on seeing her in 'Darling' which she did just before Dr Zhivago but haven't yet.
I saw that director you refer to, Sarah Polley, in The Sweet Hereafter and she is very good. Only just now discovered she turned down the role of Penny Lane in 'Almost Famous'
The Sweet Hereafter is one of the best films I've seen. It's really devastating isn't it. I do think that any movie set in ice or snow (The Ice Storm) is so memorable. Interesting she turned down that role...
DeleteI grew up watching this many times as it was one of my mother's favorites. As a child I found it terribly long. The snow scenes in the house are so incredible. I just remember how much he loved her! That last scene...I'll never forget it! A perfect movie for the winter time and I need to experience this again. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteKim Dr Z would be tough going for a child. Yes, those scenes in the ice palace are unforgettable as so many others are as well.
DeleteDen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment regarding JC & KK's hats. Not sure my it wouldn't post but saw it on email feed. I love that style of hat...anybody know what it's called?
Hi GSL, don't know how & why it ended up in your email! Has been thunderstorming here every day so perhaps that explains it. My sisters & I call them our Russian Cossack hats but we don't know & our dear mum has passed away & we can't ask her - if anyone knows what they're called she would!
DeleteDen xx
Thanks for checking back in Den!
DeleteThe hat is called a Karakul (as Rachel below kindly helped us with) and other similar styles of Russian hats are the ushanka, kubanka, and petushok as Lion's Den House Stylist Trudye was able to dig up for us.
Karakul, I believe, for the curly-wool sheep, which look a lot like those moppy-coated dogs of exotic breeds that you seen only at the Westminster show.
ReplyDeleteThe hats look just like the poodle coat I had in high school.
Yes it is and thank you Rachel. Trudye sent me a nice article that discusses the 'ushanka', kubanka, and petushok. That must have one stylish and cozy poodle coat!
DeleteAdore Julie Christie as well. Curious to know what you think of Don't Look Now? We love that film and my husband has pre-ordered the Criterion collection version.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Marie!
DeleteI've never seen 'Don't Look Now' and ordinarily don't go for movies dealing with the occult but the pairing of Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland along with your high praise will have me seek it out this winter.
I adore this movie! The sets, the romance, the wardrobe!! Julie Christie was just so perfect in her role. I'm remembering a hat similar to the pink confection on Geraldine's head...it was Silver Fox...I wonder where I lost it?? Catching up late from your posts dear GSL. The road trip has been long and frequently without wifi.
ReplyDeleteXo~Jennifer
Dearest Jennifer,
DeleteThe Den loooves a lady who knows how to wear a hat and that smashing pic of you in fedora upstaging the Grand Canyon is hanging in a place of honor!!!
Find that Silver Fox if it's the last thing you do!!!
Xo ~G
A wonderful reminder dear GSL. My plane touched down in the midst of Christmas season and tho I am woefully unprepared for such hoopla there are delicious treats ahead such as watching DrZ as I cuddle by the fire. I may even try Baileys again but I fear that may be a tradition than ran its course
ReplyDeleteOh welcome back Dearest Bebe!!! Bobby and I are delighted that you are now home safe and sound. We do hope the treat of a delicious American Alconleigh post soon awaits??? We think it's the least you could do and it would mean so much to Bobby......?
DeleteI have a confession to make. I've not seen this film in an age and can barely remember all the luscious details. Your post has spurred me on to watch it over the coming month as I know the snowy scenes will set the mood for December's chill.
ReplyDeleteMy dear CD,
DeleteYou simply must take corrective action to this glaring omission. If you have a ski vacay planned this winter do it then but do it you must.
I do love the aesthetics of that film and Ms. Christie is a stunner!
ReplyDeleteOh my dear Jen, you almost make it sound like a fashion shoot....give it another go this winter with this new Mr Wonderful and if it doesn't simply enchant both of you then Serena needs to show him the door.
DeleteThe endless inspiration the iced-over cottage at Varykino has provided me. How I love this film. I would say that the scene on the sleigh with the crescendo and the bounce pulling up to Varyknio is my favorite movie scene of all time.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Stephen!
DeleteI love that scene too and will be watching this again sometime late January or February. Dr Z, English Patient, and Casablanca are my favorite movies.
Saw Dr Z in Sydney on re release in 1972 the day I ordered our wedding invitations. Of course Lara's theme was our bridal waltz! Still love the movie. The sweep of daffodils in the breeze was gorgeous. I especially loved the scenes at Varikino - the beautiful house covered in ice (candlewax apparently!).
ReplyDeleteWelcome Annice!
DeleteThat's a great story and quite a strong bond with Dr Z. When I revisit Jan-Feb, I'll make a point of getting one of those DVDs that has all the extra behind the scenes features (loved the extras they now have for Casablanca) to find out how that scene was done. 50th Anniv next year so they will likely have a new Anniv issue out with interviews and such. Thanks for stopping by!