Happy Valentine's Day

On this day devoted to couples and love, I can't help but think of my favourite screen couple: William Powell and Myrna Loy. They were first paired up in 1934 in Manhattan Melodrama and would go on to make 14 films together. They had an on-screen chemistry that was both electric and believable (off screen they remained good friends for the rest of their lives). This was never more apparent than when they played Nick and Nora Charles in six Thin Man movies. As the famed detective and his wife, Powell and Loy exhibit an ease with one another that is rarely seen on film. Their witty banter and obvious attraction for one another, not to mention the way Nora is supportive of Nick's sleuthing and love of a drink (or five), are why I adore them so much. So Happy Valentine's Day, readers. Here's hoping you find your own Nick or Nora.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I must confess that I've never been a big fan of the holiday but this year a piece I wrote, "Celebrate Valentine's Day, Dorothy Parker Style," was posted on Marie Claire's site (for a while today it was even number one on their "the list: your daily must-reads") and so I've been having a pretty lovely day. Please check it out here when you have a moment and let me know if you ended up celebrating the holiday Dorothy Parker style.

Valentine's Day

Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight

It's Valentine's Day and although most of us will have to go to work wouldn't you rather spend the day at home in bed eating chocolates à la Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight? I know I would. So whether or not you have your own valentine, I think we all deserve a nice box of bon bons today. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Today many of you will think about love, roses, and chocolates and whether or not you booked dinner reservations at a suitably romantic restaurant. While others will remember that today in 1929 seven members and associates of the North Side Gang were gunned down in a Chicago garage on orders from Al Capone, which will prompt you to look up the event and spend hours reading about bootlegging.

But the day shouldn't be about choosing one or the other. Why not combine the best of both—remember the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre while enjoying some lovely chocolates (just finish the chocolates before looking at the crime scene photographs). Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Image from the New York Public Library.

Valentino

I meant to post this video yesterday in honor of Valentine’s Day but I didn't get a chance so apologies for my tardiness.

Valentine's Day brings to mind many things—cupids, big boxes of chocolates, red roses. For me, I am also reminded of the original Latin Lover, the great seducer of the silent screen, Rudolph Valentino. Although there have been many matinee idols since, Valentino was the original screen lover. So great was his attraction that women were known to swoon at screenings of his films. And when he died at the untimely age of 31 in 1926, there were reports of women committing suicide.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) was the film that gave Valentino his big break. In this clip, Valentino is seen doing two of the things he did very well—dancing and seducing. The film proved so popular that it started a craze for the Tango and gaucho pants in America. It also turned Valentino into a major star. Whatever your taste, after watching this guy, you've got to admit he had something. So watch and enjoy!