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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.

——————————

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!

17 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

brian burnett

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!

By brian burnett on 03/13/2009 2:03 am
Diana T

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.

By Diana T on 03/13/2009 8:01 am
Jeannot Kensinger
I did not know these great ladies are still with us. What a delighted show this will be. You ROCK girls!!!GO GO GO
By Jeannot Kensinger on 03/13/2009 9:31 am
Eileen Alannah

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

By Eileen Alannah on 03/13/2009 10:34 am
nanchan u

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!

By nanchan u on 03/13/2009 11:16 am
Christine Summers

Sorry to correct you:  "But nobody chaperones the chaperone….that’s why I’m so right for this job".

Another Fan - Christine

By Christine Summers on 03/13/2009 1:57 pm
nanchan u
I raise my glass in toast of the correction (merci!)… champagne natch for this blonde!  Have a great weekend :)
By nanchan u on 03/13/2009 2:02 pm
rocky rocky
Tell them to record those performances, Ms Liz. Jane Russell, Arlene Dahl, Jane Powell — oh my, they’d be put at the top of my Netflix list immediately! BTW, I am imagining what FUN it would be to share tea with you while you reminisce about all the "mosts" … laughing, crying, remembering …  Keep writing, Liz, please. ♡
By rocky rocky on 03/13/2009 12:09 pm
Norma Grooms

All I can say is "ROCK ON"

 

 

By Norma Grooms on 03/13/2009 1:47 pm
Christine Summers

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?

By Christine Summers on 03/13/2009 1:55 pm
Moira McLaughlin

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…

By Moira McLaughlin on 03/13/2009 3:32 pm
Wafaa El  Jusmani
The sign of the times is when art, in all its forms from fashion to music, to painting, etc…, gives us the food for thought, as well as the answers at times, for the political issues on the ground. Democracy is manifested through its freedom of artistic channels, because the political machinery is mostly excluded from its domains, or if accepted must be refined to its (the levels of artistic ivory towers), in order to be accepted. I know I’m right when approved of by artists that have the depth and knowledge required to be called a neutral human being. Artists are our beacon, most of the times. In other words, even if I don’t have the good fortune to be among them, they continue to be a much more refined ambience than a purely political one. The challemge is do we remain among politicains in order to clean up, or…?
By Wafaa El Jusmani on 03/14/2009 2:10 pm
Dancing Scribe
Liz, I got so excited when you wrote that "A Salute to the Hollywood Musical" would be touring California, that I researched it for tickets to take my mom for our birthdays, only to discover that the series kicks off in Naples, FL, not Naples, Long Beach, CA. Sadly, I cannot travel to Florida at this time and will have to hope that Mr. Feinstein, Ms. Dahl, Miss Russell, and Ms. Powell will grace the West Coast with their talent!
By Dancing Scribe on 03/15/2009 3:53 pm
L. C.

Wow!

By L. C. on 03/17/2009 1:19 am
Laura Ward
Barbra Streisand for wanting to be an actress sure hasn’t made many movies, looks like 18.
By Laura Ward on 06/11/2009 3:51 pm