Bonnette

Yes, indeed. Burton's performance is simply brilliant. The fact that Taylor gave a better performance in "Virginia Woolf" than anyone expected was sufficient to ensure her an Oscar, perhaps as much out of surprise as anything else; Burton didn't win that year, owing (I suspect) to the simultaneous fascination and antipathy of the public - reflected by the Academy - toward the Burtons as a couple. One of them had to lose. Taylor's improvement - sparked by the sheer novelty of seeing her in that role - was singled out for accolades, while Burton was punished for the sacrifice such a feat required. Burton's passion for Taylor effectively put the kibosh on his own light. It always seemed to me that Taylor's cosseted early life prevented her from learning first-hand the sorts of life lessons that sparked Burton's performances; one could see her struggling for genuine moments, wrung from experiences she hadn't had. Her life was stamped by wealth, privilege, illness and tragedy, extremes on every hand: the middle steps were missing. In later years, after her movie career had ended, she was able to fashion a renewed path, weaving from her own substance a remarkable tapestry of public service. I certainly will miss her. I admired her activism and enjoyed her sparkle and the sheer force of her presence, at every age. One senses Zsa Zsa in the wings, and a few others who remember or embody the glory days of Hollywood. The passing of an era, a mindset, a dream, is a weighty thing.

I share your sentiments entirely, dirac. Taylor's acting usually made me cringe, but one couldn't take one's eyes off her - and when I read the news of her death this morning, one of my first thoughts was: How much more beauty can this world stand to lose? She was molded by a system that stacked the deck against her in many ways, but still one had the sense that a certain authenticity, kindness and wish to serve coexisted with excess. I will miss her, and I hope that she is reunited with Richard Burton, Mike Todd, Montgomery Clift, and the many other souls whose loss she endured over the course of a relatively long life.

Expecting this cannot prepare one for it. RIP, beautiful Ms. Taylor.

Agreed, he was quite versatile. He was a delight to see in any of his many roles.

Thank you, rg. Those who get Turner Classic Movies on television are blessed, as this movie is occasionally shown - never miss it!

RIP, indeed. 2011 is already shaping up as another year of irreplaceable losses...not surprisingly, since so many of the greats are reaching a certain age. But my, it is sad. My favorites among Ms. Russell's films are Macao and His Kind of Woman.

Yes, you are quite right! Although I do like the visual of a pair of Dueling Chanels.

Welcome! I think this forum is among the best places to be for people who have a passion for the ballet - and allied arts are beautifully represented, as well. Enjoy the forum.

This is now showing on Starz and I saw it last night. Apart from the beautiful sets and scenery, and especially the stunning ballet sequence at the beginning of the film, I was very disappointed. In particular, I thought that Mads Mikkelsen - an actor I admire - was miscast as Stravinsky. Anna Mouglalis was fine as Chanel, but the remoteness and lack of passion (or even genuine involvement) between the principal characters spoiled the movie for me; I couldn't believe in it, or care enough about the characters even to dislike them. It is, however, a beautifully mounted production, and - as others have said - well worth seeing for its opening scenes. Parenthetically, much has been made elsewhere of the contrast between Audrey Tautou's Chanel (Coco Before Chanel) and Mouglalis', but I don't find such a comparison useful or appropriate, since Tautou plays a very young woman in the early throes of self-discovery, and Mouglalis' Chanel is an older, insular sophisticate through-and-through.

Welcome, Julio! Your enthusiasm is infectious. This forum is a delight for me, as well. It's so nice when fellow ballet enthusiasts find their way here.

Cristian, what a delightful card and Valentine's Day message! And rg, wonderful photograph. Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Oh! It's too wonderful for words! Now that this clip has turned up, I am hopeful that others will be found.

Marvelous information, thank you so much! Right, back to Toumanova - how vibrant she is in this clip. She rivets the eye.

Ah, lovely! What a special treat to see Alberto Alonso, as well. Thank you, Cristian!

I had no idea there were so many publicity stills from Forbidden Planet - thanks for the link, Papeetepatrick, those shots are delightful. Distant Voices, Still Lives and In the Name of the Father are truly wonderful films, not as well known as they deserve to be (especially, perhaps, the former).

Yes, sad news, indeed. I'm glad to see tributes to them.

Oh, how delightful to see this clip - and in color! Firebird has always been one of my favorite ballets, and to witness the sublime interaction of Fonteyn and Somes is indeed a treat. Thank you!

Just lovely. Such vigor and delicacy, combined - and a powerful demonstration of what mime can be. Thank you!

I was 5 and 6 when Mother took me to the shows, and I distinctly remember a Christmas spectacular, not an Easter show...I do not know how frequently the shows were changed, just that we went often by train. I am glad that others with knowledge of the history and timetable of the Hall have given such informative answers. Thank you for the Grand Finale, Cristian - marvelous!

My mother did the same for me during the period we lived in Connecticut, and those are among the most treasured memories of my life. Many years later, I met a woman who had actually been a Rockette and I almost idolized her for having been one of those goddesses! Thank you so much for those videos, Cristian!

Thank you, and Happy New Year to one and all!

Not pop-dance, but of contemporary dance films, All That Jazz is my favorite. Helene, I'm with you about that wonderful opening scene in Saturday Night Fever!

I haven't seen Black Swan yet, but she certainly suffered in Goya's Ghosts! And much more creepily, since those wounds were not psychological. Ghosts is not as well known as Star Wars, though. Which might precisely prove your point about there being a cohort of young men who simply don't want to see Portman in pain.

Yes, and I love her facial expression!

I'm watching one of my favorite movies, "The Bishop's Wife," as I type, and feeling quite Christmas-y (though not quite up to the Hallelujah Chorus ). My best holiday wishes to everyone here, and may the new year be filled with blessings for one and all.