#mrs de winter icons

[vintgies]

Joan Fontaine as Mrs. de Winter Rebecca (1940) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

[ineffable-xenanigans]

🔥 Nounou en feu 🔥

There once was a nanny on fire who dressed in haute couture attire. If you come out to play in the garden she may fulfill all your burning desires.

A few days ago I started working on this illustration of Nanny Ashtoreth wearing the iconic Dauphine en feu ("Dauphine on fire") outfit by Thierry Mugler (design details and references under the cut).

Yesterday I realized that the Ineffable Kinktober prompt of the day was "role play", so... that limerick just poured out of me.

Oh, and I wasn't originally planning to draw what's under the outfit, that's also something that kinda just... happened 😳

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added!)

@snognes @good-omens-gallery

Reference images

I initially came across this image when I was compiling my Crowley-coded outfits from The Nanny post. As you can see, it was the main reference for the right side of the illustration.

Source: franfinedatabase.com/413

Upon further research, I found out that this design was part of Thierry Mugler's Les Infernales collection (Fall/Winter 1988). The outfit was named Dauphine en feu and modeled by his muse Dauphine de Jerphanion.

Source: instagram.com/the_reallist/p/C-D2a8SSO3s

I used this other image as the main reference for the left side of the illustration. It's been reposted into oblivion and nobody ever says where it came from (I suspect it's a scan from a fashion magazine but I'm not sure). I linked to the source with the best quality I could find:

Source: voguedolce.tumblr.com/post/179903598827/thierry-mugler-1988

Oh, and for the pose, I used this pic of David Tennant in drag:

Source: alamy.com/nicola-pagett-mrs-prentice-david-tennant-nicholas-beckett-in-what-the-butler-saw-by-joe-orton-at-the-lyttelton-theatre-national-theatre-nt-london-se1-02031995-design-mark-thompson-lighting-rick-fisher-director-phyllida-lloyd-image418027638.html

I looked at about a million different images, including vintage lingerie lol. But those are the main ones! 😇

[thegirlisuedtobe]

REBECCA PLUS "Lovely Friends," a 2024 January Coverstory The New Mrs de Winter & Mrs Danvers

Got commissioned by the lovely @juicedfox to redo one of the most iconic magazine spreads, if you know you know, in their costumes. It was truly a treat to bring this into creation 💖💖💞💞

[likealifelessthing]

ofc the opening lines are iconic - given so much of the narration is just the second Mrs de Winter imagining and dreaming, I like that her visitation of Manderley takes place only in her distorted memories

[lizbethborden]

Wait... I've been following you for a whole ass while and i just found out now that your url isn't a supercorp reference? Supercorp is basically ubiquitous on lesbian tumblr. Lmao what Danvers is it referencing?

Mrs. Danvers is a character in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning 1940 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It's a Gothic psychological horror about a young unnamed female narrator who enters a whirlwind marriage with Maxim de Winter, a widowed aristocrat, who brings her to his family home, Manderley. Mrs. Danvers is the housekeeper there. She is obsessed with the memory of de Winter's dead first wife, Rebecca, and torments the narrator with Rebecca's memory in ways alternately subtle and overt. The Danvers character in the original novel is geriatric and was Rebecca's childhood nurse, but in the 1940 film, she is young enough that her obsession reframes their relationship as homoerotic rather than maternal.

Judith Anderson's Danvers is considered one of the icons of gay-coded cinema. Check out 5:28 in the video above for one of the most famous scenes, where Danvers shows the narrator Rebecca's bedroom, clothes, and lingerie. The film and character were included in the groundbreaking documentary The Celluloid Closet. IMO (and I probably got this from some criticism I read, I don't claim this as an original idea) Danvers is the archetypal image of the psychoanalytic lesbian, which is lesbian-as-neurotic, lesbian in arrested development.

The 2020 remake of Rebecca pushes harder on the homoerotic implications of Danvers' character, also, for some reason, styling Danvers as a kind of red-lipstick pseudogoth business mommydomme. For a long while, I had pics of Lily James as the narrator and Kristin Scott Thomas as Danvers as my pfp and mobile banner. Here is the parallel room-viewing scene from the 2020 film:

Other scenes also push the predatory lesbian image, in parallel to the 1940 film, such as in the scene where Danvers tries to drive the narrator to suicide, urging her to jump out of the window and leave Maxim alone with his memories of the superior Rebecca.

At the end of the 2020 version of the film, Danvers explicitly names her relationship with Rebecca: "He killed the only person I loved... I can't let you have Manderley. It was ours, you see." Danvers then kills herself, this being the heterosexual's ideal conclusion to the tale of the psycho dyke. (She does not commit suicide in the book or 1940 film, btw. Which is funny because you'd really think stuff from the 1940s would be more, not less, homophobic!)

She is also my poor little meow meow, so there's that :)

[terrorpenned]

TERRORPENNED ––> WIDOWSHILL.

i do a lot of dark shadows posting. sometimes i write.

multimuse featuring gothic media, with an emphasis on the television series dark shadows and disney theme parks. LASCIATE OGNI SPERANZA, VOI CH'ENTRATE. this blog features regular content like murder, suicide, and cannibalism, as well as a narrative background of infidelity, period homophobia, questionable consent, and incest (among other staples of the gothic genre). if any of this is not your speed, this blog may not be for you.

sideblog to emcads (follows back from here, etc). graphic by my beloved @finalslay banner template by @gentlesource. icon by @flameandignite.

typical rp etiquette encouraged. personal blogs, I ask that you don't rb dossiers and ic writing, but other than that, go wild. I'm also liveblogging my ds watch through here, posts will be tagged "ds liveblogging." for convenience <;3

*a special note regarding roger & victoria: this is one of my main ships on this blog & I do want to make it clear I don't write her as elizabeth's daughter. I have a longer write up in v's dossier, but the tldr is i follow the hanscombe storyline with some canon divergences.

DARK SHADOWS - high activity THE LOVER. josette dupres / dark shadows. dossier. tag. ic. fc: vittoria puccini. THE GOVERNESS. victoria winters / dark shadows. dossier. tag. ic. fc: alexandra moltke. alt: diana s.ilvers. arc: mrs. collins. arc: mrs. de winter. THE SAILOR. lieutenant nathan forbes / dark shadows. dossier. tag. fc: joel crothers. alt fc: dan stevens. THE MATRIARCH. elizabeth collins stoddard / dark shadows. dossier. tag. ic. fc: joan bennett. alt fc: helena bonham carter. THE PRODIGAL. roger collins / dark shadows. dossier. tag. ic. fc: louis edmonds. alt fc: jack davenport.

DISNEY PARKS - medium activity THE STARLET. magdalena temor / tower of terror / oc. dossier. tag. fc: gene tierney THE BRIDE. constance arceneaux / the haunted mansion. dossier. tag. fc: dominique mcelligott THE BYRONIC. captain bartholomew gore / the haunted mansion & potc / dossier. tag. ic. fc: toby stephens

OTHER - low activity THE BAKER. nellie lovett / sweeney todd 2023 revival. dossier. tag. fc: cate blanchett. THE SCHOLAR. edith cushing / crimson peak. dossier. tag. fc: mia wasikowska. THE SONGBIRD. cora dawson / the devil's carnival. dossier. tag. fc: lyndon smith. THE PROPRIETRESS. eleanor guthrie. black sails. tag.

NAV edits & art. ds aesthetic tag. memes. rog&v / barnabas&v / burke&v / maxim&v / j&jos / b&jos / r&l&b platonic: rog&liz / rog&carolyn / v&david

[amiablesummer]

romantisised asks challenge

hello to everyone, but particularly @stingrayextraordinaire who tagged me in this big but interesting challenge. Thank you so much! here we go…

1. if you were to have Hanahaki disease, what flowers would you cough up?

i'm gonna say blue hydrangeas

2. if someone were to catch Hanahaki disease for you, what flowers would they cough up?

pink roses or camellias

3. if you were any historic trope, what would you be? (i.e., the knight, the town baker, the witch of the forest, etc.)

I think I'd be the scribe writing down what heroic or ordinary deeds everyone else does. Ink on my hands, messy scribble, that's very me. Shut up in a room writing the past down, probably killed by the Vikings - at least i'd be remembered by the future readers of the scroll.

4. tell us about your ideal battle outfit.

i would definitely be wearing trousers. some cosy fitting armour, too, like Zoya’s dragon scale armour in Rule of Wolves that’s more like a second skin. nice and silver so it can catch the light. also with a cool cape like Eowyn’s in the Return of the King, an earthy tone, good for camaflaging. 

5. what would you be a goddess of and what would people sacrifice to you?

I would be a goddess of memory and nostalgia because that’s a big muse to me. People would probably sacrifice their childhood toys or clothes they don’t need to keep anymore. or maybe particularly bad memories.

6. name five iconic quotes that make you feel things.

“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer.” - Sam in the Two Towers movie

“The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.” - Doctor Who, Vincent and the Doctor

"...We become like that on which our hearts are fixed. Whenever you go out of doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high. We are gods in the chrysalis.” — Elbert Hubbard, quoted in How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” - Albert Camus

7. scythe, battle axe, broad sword, spear, or trident?

broad sword

8. what combination of natural scents would you use as perfume?

rosewood, gardenia and musk 

9. ancient scrolls or leather-bound books?

Leather-bound books

10. describe yourself as if you were a storm.

a summery storm, the kind that’s not loud but just consistent, rumbling across the sky all day and night as you lie comfortable in bed, romanticising it from a distance. the kind of storm that brings the enlivening, miracle rain that makes the crops grow and people smile. if you’re right in the centre of it, you know it best, and you can see the warm light shining on the rain out your window.

11. what type of flower (other than a rose) would you offer someone you were trying to court?

baby’s breath are beautiful, paired with golden wattle. 

12. honey in milk or cinnamon in tea?

cinnamon in tea

13. cabin in the woods, apartment in the city, or mansion in the suburbs?

i wouldn't mind a mansion for a day, but cabin the woods sounds the most cosy. i don't much like cities.

14. curtains of beads or lace?

nice white lace

15. vocal or instrumental music?

instrumental while writing and reading, vocal for chores and travelling.

16. describe your ideal fantasy outfit.

i like dressing up in 1850s style middle-class skirts, with pantaloons and boots, that you can pick up the edges of and it trails behind you. with a pretty blouse and a hooded cloak, I would run around doing cottagecore errands all day. 

17. of all the fantasy races to ever exist, which one would you be?

whatever race that talking cats are part of, i’d like to be one of those. or quite possibly a hobbit.

18. hard candy, fruit preserves, or spice cake?

hard candy, i have a sweet tooth

19. show us a picture of your ideal crown.

20. tying your hair up using ribbon, yay or nay?

yes. channeling Zoya Nazyalensky with a dark blue velvet ribbon. However i seem to always need a hairtie underneath it to hold my hair.

21. an evening in the forest with elves, a night in the caves with vampires, or a morning in the garden with fae?

An evening in the forest with elves, like in the Fellowship of the Ring.

22. tell us, in detail, about a curse a witch would put on you.

It would be a curse of being separated from others. Loss is my worst fear. being invisible, perhaps, from the people in my life, or stuck in a tower alone. I do not like isolation. it would make me have to face the parts of myself that I don’t like, and i would have to be independent, not having someone to lean on or able to live in the background of their life. I would have to make my own life, and that terrifies me. it would hopefully make me end up much more confident, if a little insane. 

23. talking with sylphs or singing with nymphs?

Singing with nymphs. singing is fun

24. mint, rosemary, basil, or sage?

I love rosemary. mint tastes nice. Basil is good in bolognese, and sage is a pretty colour. But rosemary is the best. 

25. favorite childhood story? (doesn’t have to be a fairy tale)

A lot!! As a little girl my favourite fairy tales were Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty (aka the Disney movies). But my absolute favourite story was Robin Hood. I used to pretend to be him with a hat and everything, being the fox in the movie. I was haunted by The Nutcracker from seven years old. I cried over The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson. I also remember loving Dick Wittington and His Cat.  My dad used to read me the Rainbow Magic books, and Milly-Molly-Mandy. As an older kid my favourites were Harry Potter, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. 

26. tell us about an experience you’ve had that seemed unreal or supernatural. (doesn’t have to be scary)

when i was a kid there was this book i was really scared of, about kids who go into one of those big water tanks and feel something in there in the dark that is uncanny. When I remembered the book, I kept seeing the water tank that's in my town - Every time I looked at the horizon there it was. Not scary as much as haunting. I found the book recently when I was at a spooky read-in at my cousin’s school. The weird thing was I had just been saying that we should read it. It turns up right when I’m thinking of it, that deep dark water. I have nightmares about the water too.  

27. would you rather have poison or healing ointment in your traveling pack?

I’d say healing ointment because I like to think I’m a good person, but also because there’s other ways you could harm people whereas there's not many that you could heal them with. 

28. tell us three sayings that you live by.

just take one step at a time.

where there's life, there's hope.

knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. (Aristotle) 

29. vials or mason jars?

Mason jars because they can fit a lot of useful things in them. 

30. describe your ideal masquerade ball outfit (mask included).

It would have to be red… I don’t get to wear red often. Long flowy sleeves that I could swish around when holding the mask stick up - it would be a mask with pointy edges and feathers. Maybe embroidered with animal designs. The skirt would have those sewn on too, with dark red undertones, almost purple. It would have lots of sequins, but not too heavy, and big enough to twirl in. I’d curl my hair and have jewels in it too. I’d like to be classy. 

31. splashing around in a river with mermaids or flying through the sky with harpies?

Splashing in a river with mermaids

32. what would you end up in the dungeon for?

Not doing things on time, or forgetting something important; i am chronically late. Or going against the status quo, if this is a totalitarian society - I hate following the masses. 

33. if you were a fairy, what color would your wings be?

i do love pink and green, but some gold in there would look lovely too. and pale blue. 

34. if you could have any magical item, what would it be?

This is really hard, but I’ve always wanted a bag like Mary Poppins’ or Hermione’s which is bigger on the inside. An actual TARDIS would be cool, but I like the thought of being able to fit a library and an art gallery into a portable thing. I do also want a time machine though. Or a portal. Or a fortune-telling mirror/bowl. 

35. what song would the bards sing about you when you passed by?

A mixture of the vibes of Bleeding Heart by Regina Spektor, Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morisette, and These Days by Powderfinger. that's super specific, so otherwise just something about hopeless romanticism...

36. would you rather be a pirate or a king/queen?

If you’re Nikolai Lantsov, you can do both. As for me, a pirate because it would be much more fun - I’m not one for politics. I’d have to be less squeamish though. 

37. would you spend more time in the field of flowers, the tavern, the docks, or the marketplace?

I would lie in the field of flowers drawing all day. If I had to work, I’d choose the marketplace. And the docks for an evening stroll. 

38. would you have a painting of yourself?

yes if it was very particularly done, like in an impressionist style or something really personal.

39. what skill are you famous for?

Remembering dates, like birthdays, details from things that happened a long time ago, and random fun facts. 

40. if you could live any fairy tale, which one would you?

The best aesthetic goes to “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” but I would also like to be friends with Puss-in-Boots.

41. stained glass windows or fairy lights?

Stained glass windows 

42. what kind of snow globe would you live inside?

One with one of those pretty Christmas cabins and a big tree, and snow on the ground, maybe with some animals like a deer, a fox or some bunnies, and a bonfire (with snow on it...)

43. what animal would you be reincarnated as?

A domestic cat who sleeps in the sun all day, preferably in a bookshop. 

44. lost at sea or lost in space?

lost at sea, but with a boat. I’m scared of the sea, but space is so much worse - at least someone could come rescue you in the sea.

45. if you could have a scar in any shape, what would it be?

i think a heart shape would be very cute. 

46. what celestial body would you write a hymn to?

The Moon has that celestial elegance, and I would give anything to be able to go there for a day or two. It has that lonely, feminine, mystery about it... But also Saturn because I have always admired its rings. 

47. describe a potion you would brew, complete with ingredients and desired effect.

i would want to make a potion to create calmness that could help anxiety, so I would use some lemon balm, some lavender which would also make it smell nice, and chamomile. to be a real fantasy potion brewer i’d probably add some rose petals and moondust and mix it together with cocoa powder because it’s tasty and, of course, vanilla essence. that probably makes no sense but hey, i made it up.

48. flying ship or underwater home?

flying ship. i like flying and i think someone totally needs to invent a boat-like cruise airship that’s not as dangerous as a blimp, for me to relax in. and the sky isn’t as scary as the ocean. 

49. if you were a nature spirit, what season would you dwell in?

Summer, as per my url. I would sleep outside and walk on the beach, and blow the cool change breeze in the evening. very nostalgic.

50. if you could haunt any place as a ghost, what would it be?

I want to be amusing and say my old school, since it is very ghost-populated. it would be fun to turn the lights off every so often. But I would have to choose the old but pretty cafe that I live near, which used to be the gatehouse for the cemetery. It has a really lovely feel to it and it could do with an eerie presence, since it is in the cemetery. 

i don't know if anyone else loves fantasy but if anyone wants to do some or all of these questions please go ahead <3 <3 <3 @anouri @mourningintodancing @peachtreesinblossom @tunisian @l0velyjewel @unhingedballad

[yestolerancepro]

My dear girl, there are some things that just aren't done, such as drinking Dom Perignon '53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That's just as bad as listening to The Beatles without earmuffs!” A blog inspired by the music world of James Bond Part 5 The film is great but the title is well

Introduction

Hello there and welcome to the final chapter of this extended series of blogs looking at the musical tastes of James Bond over the last 60 years .This chapter covers those tricky titles from the Ian Fleming James Bond stories that the script writers producers and song writers had a real struggle with.  Two of those tricky titles Thunderball and the Spy who loved me have been dealt with in prevous chapters of the blog.

 This Chapter of the blog deals with On her Majesty’s Secret service and Octopussy.

Casting The New James Bond

In 1967, after five films, Sean Connery resigned from the role of James Bond and was not on speaking terms with Albert Broccoli during the filming of You Only Live Twice.[27] Over 400 actors, including many of the most famous performers in the Commonwealth, were considered for the role of James Bond.[17]

 The confirmed front runners were Englishman John Richardson, Dutchman Hans De Vries, Australian Robert Campbell, Scotsman Anthony Rogers, Greek Giorgos Fountas[28] and Australian George Lazenby.[14] Broccoli also met with Terence Stamp about playing the part.[29] Broccoli was interested in rising star Oliver Reed but decided his public image was already too distinct.

 Future Bond star Timothy Dalton was asked to audition after his appearance in The Lion in Winter but considered himself too young, as he was 25 years old and did not want to succeed Connery as Bond. In an interview in 1987 when he was playing Bond in The Living Daylights, Dalton said "I was 24-25 then, I had a good career then as a young man in films The Lion in Winter and Mr Broccoli kindly asked me if I was interested, I think I'm just too young for this role. I think Bond should be between 35 and 40, and as a 25-26 year old and I wouldn't have been right".[17]

Broccoli and Hunt eventually chose Lazenby after seeing him in a Fry's Chocolate Cream advertisement.[18] Lazenby dressed the part by sporting several sartorial Bond elements such as a Rolex Submariner wristwatch and a Savile Row suit (ordered for, but uncollected by, Connery), and going to Connery's barber at the Dorchester Hotel.[19] Broccoli noticed Lazenby as a Bond-type man based on his physique and character elements, and offered him an audition. The position was consolidated when Lazenby accidentally punched a professional wrestler, who was acting as stunt coordinator, in the face, impressing Broccoli with his ability to display aggression.[14

The film website Screenrant recently published an article called How all 6 James Bond actors compare to the Ian Fleming Iconic Book spy they said this about George Lazenby.

Lazenby only lasted one movie in the role of Bond, but he couldn’t have had a better shot at the part. The tragic On Her Majesty’s Secret Service wouldn’t have worked without anyone else in the role, and journalist Ben McIntyre argued that the actor came closest to embodying Fleming’s take on Bond in his 2008 book For Your Eyes Only. It’s easy to see where McIntyre’s argument comes from, as Lazenby’s Bond took himself more seriously than Connery's did, much like Fleming’s version of the spy. Outside an infamous fourth-wall-breaking opening gag, his storyline was also more grounded, which allowed Lazenby to embody Bond’s troubled side.

Casting the leading lady

For Tracy Draco, the producers wanted an established actress opposite neophyte Lazenby.[30] Brigitte Bardot was invited, but after she signed to appear in Shalako opposite Sean Connery, the deal fell through,[16] and Diana Rigg—who had already been the popular heroine Emma Peel in The Avengers—was cast instead.[8] Rigg said one of the reasons for accepting the role was that she always wanted to be in an epic film.[18]

The Iconic Villian in her Majesty’s secret Service 

On her Majesty’s sees the return of Ernst Stavro Blofeild this time by Telly Savalas he was played Donald Pleasence in you only live twice and would be played by Charles Grey in the following film Diamonds are Forever.

Recently Screenrantly published an article on their website titled Every James Bonds Iconic Villian Ranked and for George Lazenby they chose Blofeild  lets face it they couldn’t choose amybody else.

George Lazenby only ever starred in one Bond movie, so he only ever faced one Bond villain, and that movie was sandwiched into the middle of Sean Connery’s arc, so he had to share his villain with Connery. But that villain happened to be Bond’s ultimate big bad, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Connery faced other unforgettable villains like Dr. No and Auric Goldfinger, but Blofeld was their boss. Blofeld’s portrayal in the Bond movies – particularly in You Only Live Twice – has influenced how supervillains are depicted on-screen for decades. Blofeld is the quintessential Bond villain: a diabolical criminal mastermind who’s always one step ahead of 007.

A bunch of different actors have put their own stamp on the role of Blofeld over the years. Telly Savalas played the character opposite Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Charles Gray played the part opposite a returning Connery in Diamonds Are Forever. But the most iconic take on the character (by far) is Donald Pleasence’s chilling performance alongside Connery in You Only Live Twice. The glint in Pleasence’s scarred eye is both mesmerizing and unsettling; he’s a captivating presence whenever he appears on-screen. Every James Bond movie villain since Pleasence’s Blofeld has been competing for the silver medal.

OHMSS A unique James Bond film

Taking over from Somebody in the lead role is difficult enough but when you take over the lead role from somebody as well known as Sean Connery in the most successful film franchise that is James Bond that task is even harder still

Considering it was it was also George Lazenby’s first lead role in a major film I thought George Lazenby’s take on James Bond in his only film was excellent On Her Majesty’s secret service is a unique film in my view in that its more of a charector piece than your usual James Bond spy story indeed more than in any other Bond film the gadgets take a backseat to the story for once and its more about the love story between James Bond and Tracey Draco than anything else 

This is highlighted by the fact as well that the What Culture website picked the relationship between the too as their moment of the whole film.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, despite George Lazenby's terrible performance as Bond, is one of the most elite installments of the series. It does many things incredibly well, but it's Bond's relationship with Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) that really makes the film linger in one's mind.

It seems clear the film put a huge amount of effort into this part of the story - in fact, at one point, the film basically stops in order to show a very nice romantic montage of the pair set to Louis Armstrong's "We Have All the Time in the World" - and while it made for a very different film compared to its predecessors, it sure as hell paid off.

OHMSS offers up a genuinely moving, chemistry-filled romance that pulls viewers right in and is so good that not even Lazenby can ruin it. Besides, any deficiencies in his performance are counter-balanced by Diana Rigg's wonderful turn as Tracy.

In the end, the film concludes with Tracy's murder and this scene is still absolutely devastating all these years later. With this tragic ending, OHMSS basically does something similar to what No Time to Die did decades later, but it did it far better.

Screenrant published an article called Each Bond actors defining scene  6 moments that defined James Bond for George Lazenby they Chose Tracy’s death scene

George Lazenby only played Bond in one movie, but it just so happened to be one of the greatest Bond movies of all time. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service sees 007 falling in love for the first time and ends with him marrying Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, better known as Tracy. Just as Bond seems to get a happy ending, and he heads off on his honeymoon with Tracy, his bride is gunned down by his enemies in a drive-by shooting. This is one of the saddest moments in Bond history, and Lazenby nails the raw emotions of a widowed newlywed in tears, cradling his dead wife.

Tracy was never mentioned enough in later movies, but nonetheless, in OHMSS itself this love story is easily its greatest asset, although the cinematography, action sequences and the franchise's best incarnation of Blofeld (played here by Telly Savalas) deserve mention too.

Tracy’s Death was also included in another Screenrant article titled 10 greatest James Bonds scenes ranked from worst to best landing at number 5 in their list they had this to say:

George Lazenby only appeared in one James Bond movie, and the actor had the hard job of replacing Sean Connery, the original 007 who, according to many viewers, is still the greatest to ever play the role. However, Connery’s Bond wouldn’t have worked in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, as evidenced by the movie’s strongest scene. When 007 married his love interest, Tracy (Diana Rigg), only for her to be murdered by Blofeld (Telly Savalas), the unstoppable spy experienced his most crushing defeat in the franchise’s history. Poignant and brutal, this scene marked a turning point for Bond’s unflappable screen persona.

Besides the James Bond and Tracey love story the film sees bond trying to stop Blofield spreading Germ warfair by using innocent girls which he calls his angels of death indeed the Colider film highlighted these ladies as one of the highlights of the film in their article The 16 deadliest Women in the James Bond franchise arriving on the list at number 10.

 The Angels of Death are 12 extremely attractive, wealthy, and sophisticated women who were selected by Irma Bunt (see below) from various countries to assist the Head of the crime organization SPECTRE, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas), in contaminating, sterilizing, and eventually ransoming the world's food supply.

“TOTAL Infertility! In plants and animals. Not just disease in a few herds, Mr. Bond. Or the loss of a single crop. But the destruction of a whole strain. Forever! If my demands are not met, I shall proceed with the systematic extinction of whole species of cereals and livestock all over the world!” - Blofeld

Though a global threat, the ladies are actually regularly brainwashed and hypnotized, unbeknownst to them, thinking they are simply being treated for their specific food allergies in a luxurious Alpine facility.

Irma Bunt played by the German actress Ilse Steppat made an appearance in the same list making number 7 in the chart so a film that a film considered by some as a flop does have some highlights this is what they had to say :

 Portrayed by the German actress Ilse Steppat, Irma Bunt is the stern middle-aged subordinate of Blofeld’s who runs the “allergy institute” in the Swiss Alps, “helping�� the ladies with their allergies by day, and brainwashing them in their sleep. When Bond (the underrated George Lazenby) checks into the facility as a patient, she thoroughly has his luggage inspected, and informs him she enforces strict rules on all guests, such as not disclosing last names or room numbers. But then, his cover is blown, and after a relentless car chase, there is a big explosion, causing Bond to believe Bunt is dead. However, she later turns up at his own wedding, and attempts to shoot him with an M16, but she kills his new bride instead

My thoughts on her Majestys secret service

Cinemagoers who came to see the film in 1969 most have had a big shock when they saw a more charector led story with a much more sensitive and emotional James Bond than they were used to but for me agaIn that's ok because sometimes a franchise even one like James Bond needs to take risk sometimes to stop it going stale and boring.

 The film is will written and is well directored by Peter R Hunt It is the only Bond film to have been directed by him (with this serving as his directorial debut), he had served as a film editor and second unit director on previous films in the series.

OHMSS Brought to book

Peter R Hunt also had one of Ian Flemings best books to work with in Screenrants article which rated the 14 bond novels that Fleming wrote OHMSS came at number 4 in their chart they had this to say about the book

On Her Majesty's Secret Service followed the disaster that was The Spy Who Loved Me and, therefore, marked a return to form for both Fleming and the James Bond series. Though it contains much of the action and thrills of Fleming's other works, On Her Majesty's Secret Service offers a gentler and more tender approach than the previous entries. It all culminates in a gut-wrenching climax that once again proves that Fleming is far from a one-trick pony. An intriguing conspiracy and a worthy opponent in the form of Blofeld help make OHMSS a classic.

OHMSS features some of the best action scenes you will ever see in a Bond film the Stock car race and ski-ing sequences being  particularly good that Yard Barker published an article called the 25 Greatest set peices in the Bond highlighting the films finale at Piz Gloria.

Again, listen to Soderbergh. This is an exquisitely shot and edited set-piece that kicks off with three helicopters assaulting Blofeld’s Piz Gloria stronghold, proceeds to crosscut between a tightly staged firefight and Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) holding her own (and eventually killing) one of Blofeld’s thugs, then concludes with a (literally) breakneck bobsled chase. Director Peter Hunt’s aerial, exterior and interior photography matches perfectly; you’re always aware of where the characters are (including Bond as he belly-slides down an icy slope, machine gun blazing), and what they’re trying to achieve. This is how it’s done.

on this evidance then its such a shame that he never any more bond films after this.

If it was up to me Lazenby should have ignored his agents wishes and stayed in the role for one more film at least then perharps audiences would have got used to his more sensitive portrayal as James Bond

Mind you I think I am right in saying if George Lazenby had continued as James Bond we would not have had the Roger Moore era of James Bond that I loved as a child so perharps you can’t have everything you want    

To watch a video review of OHMSS from the Oliver Harper YouTube channel click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfS0KRkQOo4

Music

John Barry who provided the soundtrack for the film which I conisder to be his best work for Bond provided an instrumential theme tune as he had done for the first two films Dr No and From Russia with love.

Barry felt it would be difficult to compose a theme song containing the title "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" unless it were written operatically, in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan. Leslie Bricusse had considered lyrics for the title song but director Peter R. Hunt allowed an instrumental title theme in the tradition of the first two Bond films. The theme is built around a lament bass, which establishes the story as a tragedy. Barry's composition was described as "one of the best title cuts, a wordless Moog-driven monster, suitable for skiing at breakneck speed or dancing with equal abandon.

The instrumental theme for ONHMSS is a John Barry classic . It would not grace the pop charts under its own steam. the dance band The Propellerheads would release a remix of theme working with David Arnold for his album James Bond remixed. the single reached number 7 in the UK charts you can listen to it by clicking here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN8GcRGNWe4

Barry also composed the love song "We Have All the Time in the World", with lyrics by Burt Bacharach's regular lyricist Hal David, sung by Louis Armstrong. It is heard during the Bond–Tracy courtship montage, bridging Draco's birthday party in Portugal and Bond's burglary of the Gebrüder Gumbold law office in Bern, Switzerland.

The song doesn’t appear till 30 mins into the film gentle and reflective the song was the last studio recording by Louis Armstrong and features a beautiful and thrilling string arrangement that was modifed by Barry to play on Low strings as a jaunty theme for Bond in some of the films earlier sequences one of the most interesting and symbolic uses of music in the Bond film as 007 discusses Tracey with her father and Draco suggests that her daughter needs a man to dominate her !

Barry recalled Armstrong was very ill, but recorded the song in one take. Armstrong did, however, make some further recordings in 1970 and 1971. The song was re-released in 1994, achieving the number three position during a 13-week spell in the UK charts. When it was used for a Guinness infinity beer campaign.

The song was reused for a second Bond movie, when it was used as the soundtrack for the closing credits for the 2021 release No Time to Die.

To watch a trailer for on Her Majesty’s Secret sevice click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOLq5Rg9N-c&list=PL17vqAEJv6CUxmeZBk3JGDLBbcPEd4CDp&index=1

To watch a tribuite video for OHMSS click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y35cTSFFeYU

Octopussy

Octopussy is a 1983 spy film and the thirteenth in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. It is the sixth to star Roger Moore as the MI6 agent James Bond. It was directed by John Glen and the screenplay was written by George MacDonald Fraser, Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson.

The film's title is taken from a short story in Ian Fleming's 1966 short story collection Octopussy and The Living Daylights,

I like this film a lot again as with all the Bond films I enjoy it has a good mix of action and comedy and is well written and well directored by John Glenn ( his 2nd James Bond film after (for your eyes only)

His direction of the film was picked out of the What Culture website Best Bond moments article

Octopussy, with its stubborn insistence on prioritizing cringy comedy over thrills and a generally ill-conceived plot, is definitely one of the low points of the series (and one that totally ignored what made the previous film work) but it's not a total wash-out.

If there's one person who really comes out of the film with their dignity intact, it's John Glen, who directed five Bond movies, starting with For Your Eyes Only and finishing with Licence to Kill.

Glen is definitely one of the best directors the series ever had; he was already doing great work as an editor in the franchise, and once he stepped into the director's chair, he always directed with flair and precision, delivering many stunning visuals in the process.

Once again, just like with For Your Eyes Only, Glen does a smashing job and ensured that, despite how dated the film is on a writing level, it still looks absolutely terrific - especially during the picture's aerial action scenes.

The film also has Maud Adams this time returning as Octopussy She featured at number 9 in the 10 most deadliest women in the James Bond Franchise on the Movie web website who had this to say about Octopussy

Octopussy: [Bond sneaks into her room] Good evening. I wondered when you might arrive.

Bond: So, you are the mysterious Octopussy.

Octopussy: And you are James Bond, 007, licensed to kill. Am l to be your target for tonight?

Bond: Oh no, not necessarily. Depends how much you tell me about jewelry smuggling. And why one of our agents was killed in East Berlin.

Maud Adams plays Octopussy, a powerful smuggler of rare jewels, and the leader of an ancient cult of lone, fierce, and heavily trained acrobats, all of them women, and living on a secluded island in India. Her associate is an exiled Afghan prince, Kamal Khan, who also has members of the Cult of Octopus among his servants. Octopussy will eventually join forces with Bond (Roger Moore) against her ally

Music

Rather than use the word Octopussy in the title of the song the producers of the James Bond film did the most refreashing thing and decided not to mention it all instead we got a song called All Time High.

Once again John Barry provided the Soundtrack for the film   theme "All Time High" with lyricist Tim Rice. "All Time High", sung by Rita Coolidge, is one of seven musical themes in the James Bond series whose song titles do not refer to the film's title. "All Time High" spent four weeks at number one on the United States' Adult Contemporary singles chart and reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.[25]

To watch a video short about the making of Octopussy called 10 things you never new about Octopussy Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhwpkASnFlM&t=32s

To watch a trailer for Octopussy click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1hLWZzgZvU

a lot of work has gone into this blog if you have read it and liked it please consider sending a donation to the Tolerance project by clicking on the above link https://gofund.me/5cf25de4

Notes

If your wondering where the title of this blog comes from it features in the 3rd James Bond film Goldfinger which is rightly seen by many as a classic Bond  film and probably the best Bond film ever made. it was the first Bond film to make over a 100 million at the box office with a great mix of action comedy girls and gadgets and featured a great Goldfinger title song sung by Shirley Bassey the song itself made the top 30 in the UK charts

To watch a trailer for Goldfinger click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA65V-oLKa8&list=PL17vqAEJv6CUxmeZBk3JGDLBbcPEd4CDp&index=12

Thanks once again to Wikipedia for the background notes this time on the songs All time high and We have all the time in the world the Oliver Harper Youtube page for the OHMSS Retrospective review video Storm Chaser Z you tube channel for the viarous James bond videos and the Cinema Blend website for the series of articles called James Bond ranked

And Google Images for the viarous pictures of the viarous eras of James Bond

Pictures

1) Poster for OHMSS

2) Diana Rigg as Tracy

3) Diana Rigg as Tracey

4) Tracey and James Bond

5) The Angels of Death

6) Erima Bunt

7) Octpussy Poster

8) Octopussy herself

9) One of the many Posters for Goldfinger

[whycantwegivellove]

so i finally listened to rebecca london! the highlights for me were lauren, kara, and the orchestra for sure. the acting and singing in general was very good. the things i didn't like as much was how much was cut or changed. obviously i expected some changes to occur, but a lot of it just felt so different and many of the changes felt unnecessary (although idk what's going on behind the scenes so i'm sure they have their reasons). some of the translations and wording felt a bit awkward too. overall though i enjoyed it a lot and i really wish i could go see it live. my scene-by-scene reactions are under the cut :)

act 1

lauren’s voice is so pretty!! the orchestra is already slaying and we’re only on the first song.

mrs van hopper continues to slay lmao i laughed out loud

omg the transition from you will never be a lady to the zeit in einer flasche melody threw me offfff like where was petit dejeuner?? i hope the ensemble gets some good moments throughout the musical bc they were one of the most impressive parts when i saw it in vienna.

i hope someone will type up a full script of this bc i can’t understand what they are saying/singing sometimes (no fault to the recorder, i think i have an auditory issue or something)

ohhh lauren sounds absolutely gorgeous in the zeit in einer flasche bits!! why did they give maxim a part in that song though lmao. i’ll be interested to see how they split this up into an official cast recording (assuming they do one, idk how musicals operate) because there are a lot of singing then speaking then singing then speaking in this section.

sometimes a certain syllable is stressed and it sounds strange to me, but they are also british so idk. the orchestra continues to slay.

idk what this song is post-proposal but ok. tbh i’m glad they cut zauberhaft natürlich bc i strongly dislike that song but i don’t love the replacement song either (og production got it right with no song there at all imo)

ok cutting die neue mrs de winter is CRIMINALLLLLLL!!!! WHERE IS MRS DANVERS’ ICONIC ENTRANCE????? god i was so excited to hear kara sing that part. also the ensemble is really getting the short end of the stick so far :( 

i love the translation of sie ergibt sich nicht to “she’s invincible, she’s unsinkable” so much actually. kara sounds soo good. “no man had anything to offer her” sounded kind of weird syllable-wise but oh well, kara navigated it pretty well imo.

THEY CUT DIE LIEBEN VERWANDTEN NOOOOOOOOOOOO WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT, AM I A JOKE TO YOU??? lauren and the orchestra are very much my favorite parts so far, they sound soooo good.

i kind of miss the little musical transition between bist du böse and hilf mir durch die nacht. it’s also super interesting that they had maxim sing his part first in hilf mir durch die nacht instead of ich (obviously i already knew about this but it’s still an interesting choice). the tempo seems to be slightly faster (esp during the verses) but i could be imagining it. it’s also interesting that they translated it to “help me face the night” at some points when “help me through the night” would’ve worked perfectly fine.

oh wow it seems like they completely rearranged the songs after, bc now we get merkwürdig. and the ensemble sounds GREAT i have to say. i’m so glad they finally got a proper song.

ooh kara sounds great during sie war gewohnt. boris remains to be my favorite favell by far but this one is good too. and i’ve said it many times but this orchestra is amazing. naur now why is there an eine hand wäscht die andre hand melody inserted here lol

ohh kara´s breathy tone during the dialog right before rebecca… good shit. oh god kara sounds so good during rebecca. i still hate how it’s “come back, rebecca” instead of “come home, rebecca” and yes i know that’s how it was in the og demo but why would they change it to come back when come home works just as well and sounds better imo? the orchestra continues to slay. lmaoooo at the person who screeched at the end of the song bc that’s such a big mood.

the tempo to gott warum (the beginning at least) sounds a lot faster, i don’t love it but richard sounds really good!! (i generally don’t care abt maxim but i do enjoy this song sometimes). the tempo seems to have slowed a bit later in the song but idk.

oh wow i love this frank crawley!! he sounds so good, i need to put him in my pocket

THEY CUT DER BALL VON MANDERLEY 💔 although i’m glad petit dejeuner made an appearance (i love that song) and that the ensemble got a part here, i very much miss the og song. also, i wish i could see the costumes and choreo for this scene.

NO MRS VAN HOPPER REAPPEARANCE AND NO “IM AN AMERICAN WOMAN” OH I LOST </3 that whole scene is such a slay and i personally love big silly dance numbers so this was a blow :( i love the ich and clarice duet though!! they sound great together.

act 2

“she’s here, she’s there, she’s everywhere” i’m so sorry but i giggled at this part bc all i could think about was the roy kent chant from ted lasso 😭

i actually love the “if you trespass you will bring down her curse” like it sounds so good. although “come back, rebecca” will never not sound jarring i fear. also the bridge of rebecca reprise is homoerotic as FUCK like ok i see you 😏

the ensemble (shadow) part of nur ein schritt did not have the same oomph which was a bit disappointing, but oh they sound great in strandgut. omg why do they keep inserting favell’s eine hand melody into other songs omg it’s so startling and i am not a fan. that being said, the ending of strandgut was very good.

richard sounded great during kein lächeln omg

some of the wording in mrs de winter bin ich still sounds kind of awkward (even after listening to the recording they released) but kara and lauren did a great job navigating it and they sound great together

i am still not entirely sure why they switched around the order of the songs again but im sure they have their reasons.

moving was ist nur lost mit ihm to act 2 is such a choice

i’d love to see the lyrics to eine hand bc this translation is so interesting. this favell has a great voice 

ahhhh the ensemble sounds so good 

they kept the “i thought i was her closest friend” … 💀 the translation of rebecca reprise 2 is a bit rough but kara does a nice job handling it all. great job.

i didn’t love the ending of finale 2 (i’m a whore for the big flourishing ending in the german productions) but it was beautiful nonetheless

[fashioneditswebsite]

13 top looks from the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party

Kerry Washington, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lawrence were some of the celebrities in attendance. Celebrities from music, fashion, and entertainment, including Kim Kardashian, Usher, and Kylie Minogue, stepped outside the box for the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. In celebration of awards season, the publication hosts its annual star-studded party in Los Angeles yearly, where bold and extravagant fashion choices are made. Kim Kardashian American reality TV star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian chose a structured lilac bodycon Balenciaga floor-length dress with an exaggerated spiked bust area. Kerry Washington American actress and producer known for her role as Olivia Pope in Shonda Rhimes's hit political drama Scandal graced the carpet in a black Giambattista Valli 2024 couture gown from the spring/summer collection. It featured a frilled off-the-shoulder and crosshatch sequin detailing. Usher American pop and R&B singer-songwriter Usher, fresh off smashing his extended Superbowl half-time show, attended the after party in a deep plunge silver sequinned top with white detailing around the neckline. He paired it with white trousers and white shoes. Donald Glover Actor and writer Donald Glover, who recently starred in the classic Mr. and Mrs. Smith remake, debuted a new high-top haircut for the 2024 Oscars Vanity Fair after-party in a dark red Amiri suit with black detailing on the collar and pocket. He paired it with an unbuttoned Spanish pink shirt, a white vest top, and pointed white and black loafers. Kylie Minogue Australian singer-songwriter and actress Kylie Minogue, who won the Global Icon Award at the Brits this year, dazzled in a green and blue sequinned spaghetti strap gown. Barry Keoghan Irish actor Barry Keoghan, who received plaudits for his lead role in Saltburn, wore a textured black and white bright jacket with baggy black trousers and a white vest underneath. Kris Jenner American entrepreneur and 'momager' Kris Jenner wore a long-sleeved, bedazzled Oscar de la Renta gown. It featured extra sparkles around the neckline and longer sequin fringes towards the bottom of the dress and sleeves. Kendall Jenner Model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner arrived at the 2024 Oscars Vanity Fair after-party in an elegant black lace dress. She was also spotted at the Maison Margiela spring/summer 2024 couture show. Furthermore, the dress had a high-neck design and a flowy silhouette that added to its overall elegance. The floral pattern across the chest seamlessly transitioned into cloud-shaped cutouts further down, creating a whimsical and dreamy effect. Kylie Jenner (Alamy/PA)Reality TV star Kylie Jenner donned a burgundy Ludovic de Saint Sernin sequin dress with a flowering branch detailing at the center from the 2024 autumn/winter ready-to-wear collection. America Ferrera American actress America Ferrera, nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Barbie, wore a blood-red bedazzled suit jacket. She paired it with a diamond statement necklace, black tights, and platform heels. Florence Pugh British actress Florence Pugh, whose recent films include Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two, opted for a white mesh dress with embroidered designs featuring a peplum detail and trail. She paired it with sparkly court heels and a messy updo. Jennifer Lawrence American actress Jennifer Lawrence wore a white lace Givenchy gown from the 1996 autumn/winter collection. The gown featured an ultra-cropped jacket with a tall collar. Billie Eilish Oscar-winning singer Billie Eilish, who won the best original songBarbie'sr Barbie's song What Was I Made For? alongside her brotheO'Connell O’Connell, wore a black tuxedo-inspired pinstriped oversized suit with a white pinstriped shirt underneath. Read the full article

[chettasia]

★ L’appel du Vide ★

When the chilly breeze blew in 1997 at Istanbul, exactly on the 14th of February, a lady was born beautifully. She was never close from being an ordinary woman, however, for everything she does has always been extraordinary since the very beginning. Her rosy cheeks, her lips, and her doe eyes truly depicted her parent's happiness back then. That sweet baby later will be given a name as Blanchett Anastasia de la Cruz by her parents which suited her divine beauty.

Her father is a native Philippines man named Thomas de la Cruz. He was met her mother, Catherine Ongkowidjojo—a native Chinese-Indonesian woman, when they were working together at Istanbul during winter in 1993, in an oil company to be exact. They got married and blessed with a beautiful daughter named Natalie Clarencia de la Cruz right after their wedding anniversary, 10 May 1994.

In the new millennium of 2000, Tasia's parents decided to move to Indonesia since Mr. Thomas had mutated to another new company's branch office, which located in Jakarta. Mrs. Catherine can't deny that but obeying her husband's will. She made a promise within her heart, that she will raise her two daughters with love and take care of them as best as she could.

"I feel blessed to have these two beautiful daughters here,"

Both Natalie and Anastasia attended in the same school, British School Jakarta to be exact, since at that time, their parent couldn't find any better school for foreigners like them. They grew up together and were known as iconic siblings at school.

Natalie won several prestigious awards due to her outstanding talent as a violist and already had her own concert at 18, while Tasia—or Taca if you're close enough with her, still focusing on finding what she wants the most in life. As a teenager, she experienced many episodes of identity crisis since she felt like lived under her sister's shadow.

Unlike her sister who more focuses with her talent development in arts, Anastasia devoted her heart and soul to learn more about science. She adored space and planets since she was a little child. When her friends want to have a latest Barbie for their birthday, she wanted a telescope instead.

"... I want to see how the stars collide in front of my eyes,"

But dream is still a dream. Unfortunately, as time goes by, she needed to obey her parent's will and burried her childhood dream deep, somewhere deep inside her psyche. She understands that everything is temporary, sometimes we need to give up something to have another better.

The little Anastasia now already became a fully grown up lady. Living her best life as a Psychologist and freelance model. Her life is getting much more better after she met Gijsbern, the love who offered her the whole world she never expected before. A ring is perfectly decorated her ring finger, as a form of the truest feeling from her fiancée.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ❦

Footnote by Silke-Klåra:

Silke-Klåra has decided to use Ruby Jane as her muse to channel her thoughts through words. Ruby Jane herself was born in Seoul on January the 16th, 1996.

It is prohibited to steal any assets from Silke-Klåra since both Anastasia and this blog were never made as a free-source for everyone. We should respect each other's art instead of stealing it, aren't we? Though this is just a mere writing, but me, myself, considers this as my work of art.

I must clearly declare that anything that Anastasia does have no affiliation with BLACKPINK, YG Entertainment, or any other significant parties and made zero profit nor ever monetizing any action, be it in the past, present time, or even later in the future.

With much love and kisses,

Silke-Klåra.

[whatsonmedia]

Wednesday Wisdom: Book Selection of the Week!

Are you thinking about what to read after this one? With all the recently published books, WhatsOn has brought this week's book selection. Bring out your inner bookworm and spend the entire day reading. With fantasy or historical fiction, books can awaken even the most dormant imaginations, melt. Even the hardiest hearts with a steamy romance novel, or allow us to experience life from someone else's perspective through nonfiction . Books also offer an escape when the real world feels too stressful or frightening. 1. Nineteen Eighty-Four, by George Orwell Although dismal, Nineteen Eighty-Four is a vital book to read. Published in 1949, it’s the author’s depiction of a dystopian future. And that is characterized by authoritarian state monitoring, mind control, and eternal conflict. The main character of the book is Winston, whose job is to edit old news to fit the party line. We follow Winston as he plots to overthrow the government he works for. Its iconic first line, "It was a bright frigid day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen," establishes the unpleasant mood for the remainder of this unnerving book. Without you realizing it, you probably already employ words from this popular book; examples include "Big Brother" and "Room 101." As you read "1984," think about these concerns. 2. His Dark Materials, a trilogy by Philip Pullman Three books make up Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials: Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass in the US). The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. The story takes place in a fantasy world with many parallel universes. And some of which resemble Oxford in the real world. The main character, Lyra, lives in a world where humans are followed by creatures called daemons. who represent their souls in animal form. Lyra attends the fictional Jordan College in Oxford. You will be drawn in straight away by the interesting parallels. And early disparities between Lyra's universe and reality. And where you will undoubtedly be riveted as you travel with Lyra. As she reaches adulthood and learns that space and time are not what she had anticipated. 3. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens Another coming-of-age tale, and probably the best one ever told, is presented here. Give Charles Dickens another try if you find him or if studying him in school turned you off of him. Like all of his books, Great Expectations is humorous and has a colorful cast of characters with creative names. It narrates the story of Pip, an orphan from a low-income upbringing. He discovers a lesson in life after finding personal fortune. That is to be an unpleasant experience that causes him to turn for the worst. The only people he has ever loved. Along the journey, he encounters the mysterious Miss Havisham. She is an elderly woman who has been left at the altar while her entire body has frozen. 4. Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier Even if you don't often enjoy the Gothic, Rebecca will keep you riveted. After becoming married to Maxim de Winter, the proprietor of Manderley, the story's unnamed narrator describes her terrifying experiences there. The scary Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, is keen to demonstrate to Maxim's new bride. That she is not a replacement for her beloved Rebecca. She drowned the year before, Manderley shows to be plagued by memories of Maxim's former wife. We watch as the second Mrs. de Winter tries to blend in at Manderley. And learns the truth about Rebecca's true identity and what actually transpired to her. You will be tormented by its opening lines, just as millions of readers have been. Read the full article

[sereneicons]

lily james as mrs de winter

like or reblog if you save.

[tribricies]

Icons Lily James | Mrs. de Winter

please, like or reblog if you use.

créditos screencaps @/neverscreens

[rebecqa]

maxim de winter:  do you think rebecca had girl power

mrs danvers: yes of course

maxim de winter: do you think she effectively utilised girl power by terrorising her husband and also all men she interacted with ?

mrs danvers: yes 

[behindfairytales]

icons of Lily James for Harper’s Bazaar (2020)