Travis Simpkins

The Notorious Bettie Page (2005): Gretchen Mol

Although an HBO movie, The Notorious Bettie Page (2005) has the grittiness and feel of an independent film. The cinematography is superb, shot mostly in black and white with occasional color vignettes, it fits the subject and looks like a 1950s magazine. Overall the acting is strong and it is a fine effort and suitable tribute to Bettie Page, a true pin-up icon.

The story traces Bettie Page's (Gretchen Mol) life from adolescence up to her "redemption" and retreat from the spotlight, but jumps around in a non-linear effort to make the storyline more interesting. After a youth, troubled with men who used her for her good looks, Bettie Page moves to New York City and decides to put her good looks to use as a model...

The Notorious Bettie Page. 2005: Gretchen Mol

She eventually hooks up with camera club people, which in turn leads her to a Hollywood head-shot business that sells bondage photos on the side...

The Notorious Bettie Page. 2005: Gretchen Mol

Naive to the trend, Bettie poses for the photos, but it eventually leads to her involvement in a Government investigation...

The Notorious Bettie Page. 2005: Gretchen Mol

A vacation to Miami leads Bettie to Bunny Yeager, a fresh photographer with which she has an instant bond, and they take many photos together...

The Notorious Bettie Page. 2005: Gretchen Mol

Magazine covers and postcards abound...

The Notorious Bettie Page. 2005: Gretchen Mol

Bettie Page's life seems to be great, she is naughty but having fun with it. But the ever-pulling question of religion troubles her... and she seeks a new path...

Comparison: The real Bettie Page and Grethchen Mol playing her

The Notorious Bettie Page. 2005: Gretchen Mol

The Quick and the Dead (1995): Sharon Stone, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gene Hackman

Although The Quick and the Dead (1995) tanked at the box office upon it's release, it has come to be a lasting Cult film over the years, for a number of reasons. For one, it both re-imagined and revived the context in which Western films are viewed... having much in common with it's forbears, but also looking ahead with a fresh approach. For another, it provided a good springboard and showcase for lesser known stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Gene Hackman, of course, is always a great villain. Most importantly, it served to be the strongest effort and performance by underrated talent Sharon Stone. Serving as both co-producer and star of The Quick and the Dead, Stone held a lot of sway over important decisions... such as choosing the director. Her choice of Sam Raimi was perfect, with his style combining a good balance of homage and originality. For Stone herself, the part of "the Lady" would come to personify much of her own self image. It is certainly amongst her most powerful roles and ranks up in the annals of Western Film History. True West Magazine recently named her character, "The Lady", #1 on their list of bad-ass female gunslingers.

A gun-toting, sexy beauty known only as "The Lady" (Sharon Stone) rides into the town of Redemption...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

The town is run by the ruthless John Herod (Gene Hackman), and many people have a score or a grudge to settle with him...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Russell Crowe and Gene Hackman

including the Lady...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

The Town is hosting a dueling competition for a cash prize of $123,000 and a number of folks enter. Including Herod's son, Fee "The Kid" (Leonardo DiCaprio)...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Leonardo DiCaprio

and a former outlaw-turned-preacher named Cort (Russell Crowe), who is being forced to participate by Herod...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Russell Crowe

The Lady sees the contest as a perfect arena in which to exact her revenge on Herod...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

The Lady takes a liking to The Kid...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio

and they find common ground...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

and she comes to relate to Cort as well...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

The Quick and the Dead. 1995

but when the clock strikes the hour, the shooting begins...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

and there is no room for sentimentality...

The Quick and the Dead. 1995: Sharon Stone

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957): Jayne Mansfield

Written and direced by Frank Tashlin, based on the play by George Axelrod, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957) served as a vehicle to showcase the curvaceous beauty of blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield. The story centers on an advertising man who seeks out a sexy movie star to endorse a lipstick product, hoping it will bring a big break for his work. Much of the film pokes fun at the limitations of 1950's television, which was then viewed as a nuisance and threat to the movie industry. Jayne Mansfield oozes sexual magnetism and erotic energy in her role as the starlet. The supporting cast is good as well, including Tony Randall, Joan Blondell, John Williams and Groucho Marx in a cameo role.