RIP Lauren Bacall

Another day, another sad death to report. Lauren Bacall has passed away at the age of 80.

Although much as been said about her sultry beauty now and over the years, I always valued and enjoyed her sultry on-screen personas. She always seemed to play the kind of woman that was smarter than every other person in the room. Not an easy feat when her onscreen partners included Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, Barbra Streisand, and Humphrey Bogart.

More than Marilyn and better than Rita Hayworth or Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall showed us how to be sexy and classy. I mean, who doesn’t remember this scene when she taught America how to whistle.

Her passing away today also marks a sad personal moment in my life. Years ago I was going through a Golden Age of Hollywood phase. Thanks in part to Madonna’s rap in “Vogue”, this phase involved extensive research on classic actors and the films they made. I read autobiographies, bought and watched the films and documentaries-- I even made a reference guide of pictures. still have that, too. Anyway, part of the obsession included buying a set of 8x10 photos of these wonderful actors. They included Bogey and Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant & Grace Kelly, and Katharine Hepburn. Over the years, I’ve said goodbye to Katherine and Elizabeth. Today, I have to say it to the last one.

I have no doubt that Lauren Bacall will remain firmly planted in our collective consciousness for ever. Smoking a cigarette and giving us THAT look.