Elizabeth Taylor was built in a similar way
She was certainly zaftig by our standards.
I wonder, could a woman with her figure have a career in Hollywood today?
Paglia on Taylor, a Luscious Ripe Fruit
Camille Paglia considers the "volcanic" Elizabeth Taylor -- and all the unworthy starlets who could never match up
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9 comments:
I agree that an actress built like ET might have a steeper road to climb, but thought a lot of Paglia's article devolved into the usual "when-men-were-men-and-women-were-women-and-sex-was-rough-and-those-meanie-feminists-have-ruined-everything" horseshit. She's like a teenage fangirl, always having to negatively compare someone else to whomever she's idolized since age whatever.
Don't get me wrong, I adore Elizabeth Taylor, and agree that physical standards in Hollywood are f'ed up, but think Paglia's overrated.
I agree that Paglia is a little fan girl gushy but the Liz Taylor versus Gwenth Paltrow is an interesting subject.
Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy Camille Paglia's unique perspective on many topics. She really thinks outside the box and doesn't seem to be beholden to the usual feminist pap that's so ubiquitous these days. A creative thinker is always refreshing to read regardless of whether you agree or not.
I also happen to agree with her that Elizabeth Taylor had an innate sense of femininity rarely seen anymore.
Hi Belle, this is an interesting topic, personally I am not a huge Gwyneth fan but it's not because of her body shape, I just find her a bit irritating! I much prefer Elizabeth Taylor. Many actresses of the fifties were curvaceous, the post war fashions of the times accentuated and flattered the fuller figure.
I have skimmed through Paglias article and I think she is wrong about Gwyneth being a wallflower in the thirties, there were loads of slender actresses around then, and bias cut dresses look better on slender women, I think fashion has an awful lot to do with body shape, at the moment ultra slim does seem to be the norm and I am struggling to think of a Zaftig Hollywood A lister, the best I can come up with is Catherine Zeta Jones and Christina Hendricks.
Liz Taylor had such screen magnetism, beauty and talent that if she were around today studios would be mad not to cast her but I bet with today's super slim obsessed world, she would be a shadow of her ample magnificence.
M, I agree that Taylor has something very special, she was both sweetly feminine and super sexy.
Dash, yes the current fashion for uber thin is the dominant factor in determining if an actress will be believably attractive on screen.
Christina Hendricks is the anomoly.
Catherine Zeta Jones and Salma Hayek are also made in the Liz Taylor model.
But the Gwyneth, Angelina, Kiera and Natalie types are the norm. I'd hate to think that we could lose out on another potential Liz Taylor because an actress didn't fit the Gweneth mold.
And yes, there were Gwyneth types in the 20's and 30's. Mary Astor was certainly that type, and she was amazing. Except for Mae West, the va va voom types came in the 40's and 50's.
Another thought has struck me re Christina Hendricks, I wonder if she will suddenly shrink after Madmen in order to secure a greater variety of roles, the fear of being typecast or pigeon-holed must surely be in the back of every actors mind, in the press she celebrates her curves. I can't help thinking of Kate Winslet who also celebrated her curves, then after the Hollywood treatment turned up super slim.
XXX
I wish I had a figure like hers instead of my (only just) 34b's! xx
This is a wonderful topic, The Spousal Unit and I had this same conversation last week. I think it would be more difficult, but not impossible for someone with her figure to make it as a star in today's culture. He disagrees, and thinks if "someone is talented enough" they can be a star. I said you have to be able to get your foot in the door to show your talent.
Love the post, enjoyed the article (thank you!) and all of the comments.
tp
Love her tiny waist in that second photo.
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