14 pint-sized film stars

I was watching Sadie Thompson (1928) a couple of nights ago and it struck me how petite Gloria Swanson was. I'm not particularly tall (5'6 - same height as Deborah, aw yeah!) but often I feel like such a clumsy giant around dainty 5-footers. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to make a post about some pint-size actresses from back in the day.

Gloria Swanson

The larger than life actress measured in at around 5 feet (some sources say 4'11, some say 5'2, but apparently her bus pass listed her as 5 feet.).

Elizabeth Taylor

One of the biggest film star's the world has ever known, violet-eyed Elizabeth was fairly tiny at 5'2.

Debbie Reynolds

Dainty Debbie (what can I say? I love alliteration!) measures in at 5'2.

Carole Lombard

Carole Lombard, the Queen of screwball comedy, was around 5'2.

Jean Harlow

I always think of Jean as being quite tall but in fact she was only 5'2.

Natalie Wood

A talented child actress, Natalie Wood blossomed into a gorgeous young woman measuring in at 5'2.

Louise Brooks

Louise is another person I always think of as being quite tall, but she was in fact rather petite at 5'2.

Bette Davis

Measuring in at 5'3, what Bette lacked in height she made up for with her formidable screen presence.

Miriam Hopkins

This little firecracker of an actress measured in at 5'2.

Norma Shearer

At only 5'1, Norma Shearer was one of the tiniest film stars - but because of her bold screen presence, you'd never know.

Mary Pickford

Teeny tiny Mary Pickford was only 5'½.

Leslie Caron

Actress and dancer Leslie measures in at 5'1½.

Jane Powell 

Jane's slim figure and height of 5'½ make her one of the most petite ladies on the list. 

Judy Garland

Last but not least is Judy Garland measuring in at around 4'11, the tiniest of them all.

Thanks for reading! :)

My Year in Film: April

109. The Gilded Lily (1935)
110. The Singing Nun (1966)
111. Hands Across the Table (1935)
112. The Miracle Woman (1935)
113. The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936)
114. The 39 Steps (1935)
115. The King's Speech (2011)
116. After the Thin Man (1936)
117. Batman Begins (2005)
118. The Birds (1963)
119. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
120. Psycho (1960)
121. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1955)
122. Bombshell (1933)
123. Rope (1948)
124. Torn Curtain (1966)
125. City Lights (1931)
126. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
127. Splendor in the Grass (1961)
128. Two For the Road (1967)
129. Giant (1956)
130. Hairspray (2007)
131. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
132. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
133. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
134. Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)

1930s - 8
1940s - 3
1950s - 3
1960s - 7
1970s - 1
1990s - 1
2000s - 1
2010s - 1

Most Watched Actresses

1. Elizabeth Taylor - 2
2. Myrna Loy - 2

Most Watched Actors

1. James Stewart - 3
2. Fred MacMurray - 2
3. Michael Caine - 2
4. William Powell - 2

New To Me Films I Really Loved

(I'm not including any of the Hitchcock films I watched because I'm making a separate post about them)

The King's Speech (2011)
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

There's really not much I can say about this film that hasn't already been said, but I'd like to say just one thing: Do yourself a favour, GO AND SEE IT RIGHT NOW!

Bombshell (1933)
Starring: Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, Lee Tracy

I've never been disappointed by a Jean Harlow film yet and this one is so charming and funny. I absolutely adored Jean in it and I definitely recommend it if you enjoy watching entertaining but rather pointless '30s comedies.

Splendor in the Grass (1961)
Starring: Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this film but I watched it anyway and it blew me away. It's just astonishing and beautiful - and so poignant. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Giant (1956)
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean

I had to read Edna Ferber's book "Giant" for school a couple of years ago and I've wanted to see the film for a while. It's definitely not completely true to the book (but it has been a while since I read it) and it's always hard for film adaptations to do the books justice, but I really enjoyed it.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton

So... I may have finally found out why so many people love Elizabeth Taylor. She is AMAZING in the film. I mean, I watched her in Giant the day before and it was the first time I'd thought "Wow, she's good!" but in WAOVW? she's spectacular.

I didn't watch as many films this month as have in previous months because I finally decided to start watching The Golden Girls. I'd seen a few episode here and there over the last couple of years but I'd never really thought it was anything special. For the last few months two of my friends have been trying to get me to watch it and I eventually gave in. The rest, as they say, is history. It took me just over 2 weeks to watch all 7 seasons of glorious comedy tinged with just the right amount of sentimentality. I'm kind of infatuated with Blanche/Rue McClanahan but I absolutely adore Sophia, Rose and Dorothy too! If you haven't seen it, you really need to watch it right now! All of the episodes are on YouTube, so you have no excuse not to ;D

In Memory of Elizabeth Taylor

 Dame Elizabeth Taylor

February 27, 1932 - March 23, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor, one of the most famous and well loved actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age, passed away today at the age of 79. Perhaps because of her iconic status and the fact that she is known the world over for both her films and her work with HIV/AIDS, this news hit me quite hard although I am not one of her biggest fans (don't get me wrong, I do still like her!). It seems that there are so few people left from the Golden Age that each time another passes away it really makes my heart ache. 

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

You will never be forgotten ♥

My Favourite "What's My Line?" Clips

Well, as once again I didn't get to sleep 'til 7 A.M, I decided to make an easygoing (for me) post. (:

I remember watching all of the What's My Line? clips I could find on youtube 3/4 years ago - and I just rediscovered them all yesterday. I think I find them even funnier now than I did back then, possibly because I know all of the 'mystery guests' unlike previously. Anyway, without further ado, I give you my favourite clips...

Deborah Kerr (1953) - She is so sweet and charming in this! I just want to hug her! (':

Greer Garson (1953/54 and 1958) - I have come to the conclusion in the past few days that Greer's voice is probably my favourite voice of all time. It's so rich and smooth - and I've spent far too many hours trying to speak like her the last couple of years!

(I love how she just babbles on all the time!)

Roz Russell (1952) - As usual, Roz is hilarious. The faces she pulls crack me up every time...

Bette Davis (1962) - Purely for the fact that you can't disguise her amazing, unique voice. Although she did have laryngitis...but still, her voice is so unique, anyone would recognize it!

Debbie Reynolds (1954) - I just love this one! She's so funny!

Elizabeth Taylor (1954)

Zsa Zsa Gabor (1959) - It's so cute how she never speaks when answering...and then at the end when she says "The questions you asked me!!" (:

Rosemary Clooney (1955) - Even if you don't watch the rest of it, watch 1:07 - 1:10. That laugh. Amazing. She's such a charming lady -my favourite Clooney! (:

Lucille Ball (1950-something and 1960-something - I think!) - Obviously, being Lucille...these are both wonderful and hilarious!

Mickey Rooney (1961) - he looks like he's having so much fun that it's infectious!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! (: Comment and tell me which is your favourite! (: I can't help thinking how deadly boring it would be if you got any of today's actors/actresses (excluding a few...like Meryl Streep!) to go on a show like this!

A presto!