The Choice of Bunched Undies

One of my favorite Stars in the Blogosphere is Bunched Undies. On his blog StarLand you can find some of the best film reviews of the web, but also posts on whiskey, our jazz hero Dexter Gordon, Julie Newmar and a lot of general silliness. It's all very enjoyable, but there's more. After his father's death, he posted an old picture of his dad with a heartbreaking memoir. For EFSP, he selected Flickr photos from Truus, Bob and Jan Too! and pictures from his own collection, and gave his comments. Here's the Choice of Bunched Undies:


Yves Montand. German postcard by Krüger, no. 902/394. Photo: Gerard Decaux.
Bunched Undies: "20 years after his death, Montand’s charisma and versatility remain unsurpassed. In this photo you can see the rugged, slightly dangerous charm that elevated films like Wages of Fear and Jean de Florette."


Macha Meril. Collection: Bunched Undies.
"As is apparent in this photo, Meril made the 1960's a little more swinging. This descendent of Russian royalty had a career fit for a princess, appearing in everything from an American TV series (the great Route 66) to Godard’s underrated Une Femme Marie. But Meril was no 'One Decade Wonder' as she continues to work in TV and films, and today is as busy as ever."


Laurence Harvey. British postcard in the Picturegoer Series, London, no. D 551. Photo: J. Arthur Rank Organisation. Publicity still for Romeo and Juliet (1954).
"In an era renowned for method acting, the dark and brooding Harvey brought theatrical technique to his film roles, and audiences couldn’t get enough. His riveting presence enhanced a number of films that, without him, would have been dismissed as schlock."


André Dussollier. Collection: Bunched Undies.
"Dussollier continues to be a force in French cinema. His gift for subtle physical timing has served him well throughout his long career. If you have a favorite French film, chances are Dussollier appeared in it."


Tatiana Samojlova. Collection: Bunched Undies.
"This dark eyed beauty was a staple of the propagandistic Soviet cinema in the 1960's and 70's. She conveyed an unusual mixture of innocence and strength, creating a number of memorable characters, and this picture captures those qualities. After a long hiatus, she has recently begun to work again, starting a new career in a new Russian film industry."


Peter O’Toole. Romanian postcard by Casa Filmului Acin.
"O’Toole recently retired from acting, but he will never retire from our memories. His brilliance seemed to transcend reality, bestowing him with a persona that was always larger than life His line from My Favorite Year says it best: 'I’m not an actor, I’m a movie star!'"


Elke Sommer. German postcard by Krüger, no. 902/157. Photo: UFA.
"Elke was also a big hit in America, and her appearances on The Dean Martin Show drove the young men of the 1960s to distraction. This is one of many wonderful pictures of Elke, and as you can see the camera - just like the public - loved her."


Peter Finch. Collection: Bunched Undies.
"The mesmerizing eyes in this tinted photo of Finch are a stark reminder of his haunting talent. World famous for his legendary performance in Network, Finch also turned in memorable work in dozens of smaller films, especially during the British New Wave. His earlier filmography is worth seeking out."


Catherine Deneuve. Collection: Bunched Undies.
"I don’t suppose there has ever been a bad photo of Deneuve, but this image remains a favorite for its charm and playfulness."


The Beatles. German Postcard, no. H 107.
"Even if I’d been dropped from a spaceship and didn’t know who these guys were, this picture would still be a favorite. The composition, the expressions and the clothes all blend to create an iconic image that literally transformed the world."

Thanks Bunchie!

The Choice of... is an irregularly appearing series. Earlier guests were Egbert Barten, Véronique3, Didier Hanson and Asa.