Cleopatra , was a life changing movie experience, so sensual. Liz at her finest, and I adore Rex Harrison in all of his movies. I do have a bottle of White Diamonds, but it's one I have to be in the mood for. This one , the bottle is gorgeous, and does sound like the perfect scent for spraying onto bedding to ensure those sweet dreams. Off to read your latest blog! Cheers from the diamond baby...Debbie :)
I love white florals. Especially gardenia and Lily notes. It brings a romantic vintage feel. Now I have to try this. Have you ever tried Elizabeth Arden's True Love fragrance? It's another white floral. So pretty.
Oh Lanier, I just read your beautiful blog. How tragic and touching yet somehow filled with such sentiment and positivity. The lesson you learned from Elizabeth is just about the best lesson anyone could learn. Cleopatra has been on my 'must see' list for a long time now. I'm going to use this as the impetus to finally watch it and I can't wait.
Chrs thank you so very much! Now then...about Cleopatra. You must get the 50th Anniversary DVD or Blu ray. Because not only is it the best possible restoration but there is a magnificent documentary "Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood" and as a film affectionado you have to see this documentary. Here is something to wet your appetite for the 50th Anniversary edition: www.dailymotion.com/video/x3qxu2p Cheers
FRAG-MENTAL yay!!! I hope you enjoy the history, the scandal, the epic saga that shook a studio to its foundations and captured the worlds attention as no other film production ever has.
Lanier, I remember seeing Cleopatra in 1963 in Portland at roadshow prices. The audience did not appreciate Mankiewicz' witty dialogue. And it is sad that Zanuck made Mankiewicz cut two hours out of the film. I have seen actors on youtube talking about how they wish that they could find those two hours. I have a feeling that it has been destroyed, but perhaps a miracle will happen and they will restore it to Mankiewicz' vision. Cleopatra is so much better than people realize. I would love to see it back on the giant silver screen where it belongs! And now you have his final script! BRAVO!! I so enjoy your perfume reviews and the many film scores that you use to enhance those reviews! Dennis.
Dennis thank you so much! Your comment took me back to my first time seeing Cleopatra in 1963. It changed my life... and I was one of those kids who while it was being filmed ate up every movie magazine I could get my hands on. Le Scandal was really something. It even knocked the Cuban Missile Crisis off the front page on the L.A. Times! Thanks so much Cheers.
I just adore how you combine scent talks with cocktails. I LOVE Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor! I first saw it when I was eight or so, and I was obsessed. My father bought me the VHS and I would watch it almost everyday on my summer break from school. It is packed with such lavish sets and costumes that I can't imagine someone not loving it, haha.
There is a lot to love in Cleopatra...and no CGI...it was all real. (except for the glass hand painted matt shots of Alexandria and the outskirts of Rome.) thanks so much Eliza! Cheers.
I love your cocktail videos. Its a bit strange to see so much bright light haha, i'm used to the candle light glow in your old place ;) Do you know how does the modern formulation of white diamonds compare to your vintage?
Enjoy Cleopatra on the biggest screen you can find. The last time I saw it on the big screen was 2013 years ago at the Castro Theater in San Francisco. It had been restored and looked more magnificent than ever. You should get the 50th anniversary DVD. It is the best viewing you can have of it and there is the fascinating 2 hour documentary "Cleopatra, The Film That Changed Hollywood." Here is a link for you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nFFGphgtI0A.html
I was so shocked to hear that White Diamonds was #2 behind Chanel No 5 that I literally backed the video up to make sure I heard that correctly, lol, who would have guessed that? I always learn so much from you & from reading the comments, you touch so many people's lives! P.S. Loved that marble urn in the background, I couldn't keep my eyes off of it! 😍
Another classy video, Lanier! Cleopatra, with its witty script, Alex North's fantastic score and wonderful performances is a real gem, especially on the big silver screen.
Dennis you mention the script of Cleopatra, I am so lucky to have a copy of the screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. It is 327 pages long. The full 6 hour version of the film is here on paper. It would be amazing to see it restored to that directors cut. It is deeper, more complex and compelling in its original concept. The screenplay was given to me by a collector in Hollywood who has among his collection Pompey's Ring from the film. The very ring Caesar gave to his son Caesarion in part one.Cheers.
Thank you for that wonderful review. You write so well and I love your art also. You are a very well rounded individual. I really admire that. Be well my friend.
You've inspired me to mix a sweet vermouth Rob Roy and I'm sipping it wearing Mitsouko EDP. I'm going to experiment with a dry vermouth and Glenmorangie single malt Rob Roy next garnished with an olive, and then a 'perfect' vermouth until I find the perfect Rob Roy for me....not sure if I'm a dry or sweet kinda guy or somewhere in between. My bottle of Angostora bitters must be about twenty years old - hope it's not gone off, tastes okay!
Lanier Well I'm intoxicated with the dry variation of a Rob Roy plus the olive to finish, works very well. Love maraschino cherries too but I need to experiment with different brands of liquor in my sweet tipple.
Much like Catherine C., I was also shocked to learn that White Diamonds is the number two fragrance. There is a sophistication to Elizabeth Taylor’s perfumes that is lost on today’s fragrances made by famous entertainers. Have you considered doing a cocktails only video? Loved the Supremes artwork. 🌹💎💎💎💎💎
Such a dreamy review of Sparkling White Diamonds, Lancier. Oh and the Cheopatra footage, nicely played. Your girl Liz would be pleased. This said I will add Sparkling White Diamonds to my wish list. Thx.
Also, (so not trying to spam your comments, just actually think you might like these!) I have two different Elizabeth videos - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q0ygL17mnIU.html and ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5wY_3EgslA8.html
Ahhh the venerable Robb Roy! Definitely NOT a cocktail for the amateur!! (so right up my alley) Loved your comparison to the Supremes--very true for a lot of fragrances. A dominant note lifted to perfection by the sublime skill of a chorus of background notes. Aye, the art of perfumery! One for your cocktail arsenal--with a flanker! She comes from the Savoy Cocktail Book and is appropriately named "Artillery" 2 parts dry gin 1 part sweet vermouth I like a couple dashes of bitters Shake and strain into a cocktail glass with a maraschino cherry The flanker was developed by my High School acting coach (and later drinking buddy) Make an artillery in a highball glass with ice, and finish with Sprite. (it has to be Sprite--no substitution) As you sip, you might recall those old sweets we loved so--cinnamon bears. A Sante! xoxo
Can't express how happy I was to see this new video! The perfect end to my Monday, as I enjoy my glass of Chardonnay. ❤️ Those Rob Roys are strong! They are a great cocktail. Like a Manhattan, but a little more intense. When I was little, my baton twirling instructor wore White Diamonds. I loved it on her! I'd love to smell it again.
Holy Hell...all that Latin I learned decades ago while attending Catholic School and it's still Greek to me. To be honest, I am still trying to figure-out what this Persona Non Grata stuff is all about and why everyone is placing me on their lists...must be for persons of honor or having earned great respect. LOL!
I really don't wear it anymore since my bottle is vintage from 1991 when I bought it at Macy's that year. But I used to wear it on special formal occasions, for instance, to the San Francisco Opera or the Curran or Geary Theaters, or out to a really nice restaurants such as Jardiniere, Café de la Presse, Boulevard or Monsieur Benjamin.
