Friday, October 19, 2007

RIP: Two Grande Dames

We here are saddened by the passing of two great ladies, both world famous for different reasons.

1) Deborah Kerr, Scottish born actress, best known for her provocative (for the time) ocean side love scene with Burt Lancaster in “From Here to Eternity,” died Tuesday October 16th in England. She was 86.

The role in "From Here to Eternity" forever changed the way Kerr was perceived in Hollywood, changing overnight from a proper English lady to a sultry seductress. The scene was so racy, some of it was even cut; it would be PG-13 today. She was in many of the major pictures of the 50s "Quo Vadis", "Prisoner of Zenda", "From Here to Eternity", "The End of the Affair", "King and I", "Heaven Knows, Mr Allison", "Tea and Sympathy", and "Night of the Iguana". She abandoned films for more theatre and small productions until her retirement. Incredibly, she never won an Oscar despite 6 nominations. Oscar, of course, is known for his tin ear and blind eye to greatness. A "Lifetime Achievement" Oscar was presented to her in 1994 in one of the series of "make up for our stupidity" awards the Academy has presented from time to time.

2) Miss Puck, beloved naughty little lady and Pug Diva of Sydney Australia died 10 days before Miss Kerr in Sydney. She was 10. She is survived by her pug "sister" Miss LouLou and the True Diva of Sydney Miss Rona. She had bouts of ill health for some time but always bounced back, ready to attend to Miss LouLou or wait for momma to come home with goodies to inspect and enjoy. A tribute and pictures of this dear lady can be seen here: My Precious Puck

Rest now, dear ladies. You have done well, you have made people smile. We are greater for your lives.

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