The Liz Smith Column | 03/12/2009 11:00 pm
Liz Smith: New York Haute and Irish Blarney for Designer Valentino (Video)
Our Gossip Girl asks: Is the whole world Twittering? … Barbra Streisand, the way she was (watch the fascinating video) … Arlene Dahl at 80 – back onstage!

Valentino © Getty Images
“It’s my color – beige!” exclaimed the famed interior designer Elsie de Wolfe (aka Lady Mendl) upon encountering the Parthenon for the first time.
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And while we wax fashionable, surely this St. Patrick’s Day will be one of NYC’s swankiest.
As the sun sets on the wearin’ of the green, worthies such as Anne Hathaway, Marisa Berenson, Claire Danes, Cornelia Guest, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tory Burch, Lynn Wyatt, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Fürstenberg and Annette de la Renta will converge on the Museum of Modern Art.
There they plan to attend the premiere of "Valentino: The Last Emperor.” This is not about the silent screen star, Rudolph, rather it chronicles the not-so-mute designer of fantastic frocks – Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani. He goes by the first name. Like … Charo. Or Cher.
Valentino, his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, and Matt Tyrnauer (director of the documentary) are hosting the event. Valentino has dressed every truly great star you can think of. And Miley Cyrus.
After the screening, a dinner happens at the revitalized Oak Room in the Plaza Hotel. Be there or be J.C. Penney.
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OK, I give in. The twitter rage probably is the final nail in the coffin of privacy or discretion, for both average mortals and for celebrities. As you all probably know, anyone with a computer, cell phone or mobile device can live-blog their thoughts to the world. This is the way it is. Everybody has something to say, even if it’s nothing at all. I can’t imagine sitting around sending out little tweets – “enjoying a lunch of tomato soup.” But a year ago I couldn’t have anticipated the thrill, the usefulness, the wisdom, the wit and the popular reception of wOw. So, I’ll refrain from saying “never.”
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“I need challenges! Everybody does. And I think this could be my last challenge!”
That’s the divine, flame-haired MGM movie queen Arlene Dahl, who called last week to say she was gearing up for a new adventure.
The star, 80 years old and proud of it, will be singing live onstage in a variety/revue showcase titled “A Salute to the Hollywood Musical.” It is to be produced by the famous Michael Feinstein. The evening’s emcee will be that devotee of all things classic, Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies.
Arlene will be joined in this by her lustrous MGM compatriot, Jane Powell, and RKO’s immortal, Jane Russell.
Ah, Miss Russell. I always wonder what Jane – much underrated because of her knockout figure – could have done, had she not been bound to the counterproductive contractual demands of that crazy eccentric, Howard Hughes. (She was, in any case, the greatest and most generous co-star Marilyn Monroe ever had, supporting Marilyn to the max in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” a 20th Century Fox loan-out.)
Arlene was giddy with anticipation of her show and busy with a vocal coach. “I haven’t sung in years. I’m terrified. But why do something you’re not afraid of?” Her high spirits came through the phone line like an electric shock. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Miss Dahl quite so animated, except when talking about her handsome son, Lorenzo Lamas.
“A Salute to the Hollywood Musical” will play four California cities in eight days, beginning in Naples, Long Beach, on March 19.
Arlene didn’t say it, but who could not wish that these three great dames succeed and bring their stuff to Broadway? That’s entertainment and, boy, do we need it now!
——————————
And while we wax fashionable, surely this St. Patrick’s Day will be one of NYC’s swankiest.
As the sun sets on the wearin’ of the green, worthies such as Anne Hathaway, Marisa Berenson, Claire Danes, Cornelia Guest, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tory Burch, Lynn Wyatt, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Fürstenberg and Annette de la Renta will converge on the Museum of Modern Art.
There they plan to attend the premiere of "Valentino: The Last Emperor.” This is not about the silent screen star, Rudolph, rather it chronicles the not-so-mute designer of fantastic frocks – Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani. He goes by the first name. Like … Charo. Or Cher.
Valentino, his partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, and Matt Tyrnauer (director of the documentary) are hosting the event. Valentino has dressed every truly great star you can think of. And Miley Cyrus.
After the screening, a dinner happens at the revitalized Oak Room in the Plaza Hotel. Be there or be J.C. Penney.
——————————
OK, I give in. The twitter rage probably is the final nail in the coffin of privacy or discretion, for both average mortals and for celebrities. As you all probably know, anyone with a computer, cell phone or mobile device can live-blog their thoughts to the world. This is the way it is. Everybody has something to say, even if it’s nothing at all. I can’t imagine sitting around sending out little tweets – “enjoying a lunch of tomato soup.” But a year ago I couldn’t have anticipated the thrill, the usefulness, the wisdom, the wit and the popular reception of wOw. So, I’ll refrain from saying “never.”
——————————
“I need challenges! Everybody does. And I think this could be my last challenge!”
That’s the divine, flame-haired MGM movie queen Arlene Dahl, who called last week to say she was gearing up for a new adventure.
The star, 80 years old and proud of it, will be singing live onstage in a variety/revue showcase titled “A Salute to the Hollywood Musical.” It is to be produced by the famous Michael Feinstein. The evening’s emcee will be that devotee of all things classic, Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies.
Arlene will be joined in this by her lustrous MGM compatriot, Jane Powell, and RKO’s immortal, Jane Russell.
Ah, Miss Russell. I always wonder what Jane – much underrated because of her knockout figure – could have done, had she not been bound to the counterproductive contractual demands of that crazy eccentric, Howard Hughes. (She was, in any case, the greatest and most generous co-star Marilyn Monroe ever had, supporting Marilyn to the max in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” a 20th Century Fox loan-out.)
Arlene was giddy with anticipation of her show and busy with a vocal coach. “I haven’t sung in years. I’m terrified. But why do something you’re not afraid of?” Her high spirits came through the phone line like an electric shock. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Miss Dahl quite so animated, except when talking about her handsome son, Lorenzo Lamas.
“A Salute to the Hollywood Musical” will play four California cities in eight days, beginning in Naples, Long Beach, on March 19.
Arlene didn’t say it, but who could not wish that these three great dames succeed and bring their stuff to Broadway? That’s entertainment and, boy, do we need it now!
Read more about: Anne Hathaway, Annette de la Renta, Arlene Dahl, Barbra Streisand, Carolina Herrera, Charo, Cher, Claire Danes, Cornelia Guest, Diane von Furstenberg, Elsie de Wolfe, Entertainment, Giancarlo Giammetti, Gwyneth Paltrow, Howard Hughes, Jane Powell, Jane Russell, Lady Mendl, Lynn Wyatt, Marisa Berenson, Matt Tyrnauer, Michael Feinstein, News, Robert Osborne, The Liz Smith Column, Tory Burch, Turner Classic Movies, Valentine, Video
























17 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
Dear Liz - You and wOw are just the best! What wonderful news re the show with Arlene Dahl, Jane Powell and Jane Russell - these gals are a national treasure, and what memories their names bring back, along with Debbie Reynolds, Ann Blyth, Esther Williams, Elizabeth Taylor - we grew up loving them and and following their every move and movie. Perhaps Robert Osborne from TCM could use his influence to ensure that more of these stars’ movies are released on dvd, especially titles such as Raintree County, Beau Brummell, Rhapsody, The Last Time I Saw Paris, and The Student Prince. An interesting statistic confirms that sales of new-movie-release dvds have dropped dramatically, whereas this is not the case for back-catalogue titles, so get moving, TCM, your target market is not getting any younger!
I did not know that Jane Powell was still alive. And, Jane Russell and Arlene Dahl. I always wanted to be Jane Powell when I was a little girl. And, Ann Blythe? You have given me a great trip down Memory Lane.
So, that realization that singing was not "bastardizing her art" was Barbra’s "Aha" moment as she says it was in this clip (or as Oprah would print in her mag.) What really gets me is how Streisand was so sure of herself, so sure that even her insecurity would "never" change. Now, *that’s* what I call confidence. : ) Eileen
Love Jane Russell!!! Who can forget the immortal line from "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" where she says, "Now let’s get this right. I’m the chaparone on this trip. The chaparone’s job is to make sure nobody else has fun. But the chaparone can have fun. That’s why I’m so RIGHT for this job!"
Kiss her for me, Liz: she’s just about the classiest lady alive. Have a great time!
Sorry to correct you: "But nobody chaperones the chaperone….that’s why I’m so right for this job".
Another Fan - Christine
All I can say is "ROCK ON"
Dear Liz: The idea of attending the Feinstein Salute to MGM Stars and Musicals is very exciting….in your article you state that it will be playing in four California cities in March but I cannot find any dates outside of Florida. Help! I’m scouring the web and wondering if perhaps it was a typo in your column?
I am giving away a rare poster of the Valentino film featuring the designer and his five Pugs. Stop by my blog Dog Art Today and enter to win…
http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/art/2009/03/celebrate-dog-art-todays-2nd…
Wow!