It's a Fanny Friday

Happy Fourth of July!

We hope American is having as great an Independence Day as we're having here at Shades of Gray! There might not be as many photos in this post as there have been in some previous years, but there's more to see in each one!

Here's Susan Hayward and Virginia Lee, making sure everyone knows what day it is!

And we have Marceline Day, Anita Page, and Gwen Lee re-creating a famous painting celebrating the War for Independence in their own unique way!

Meanwhile, David Bowie may be standing alone, but he's an Englishman lifting his glass to Old Glory!

But there's perhaps nothing as grand as Joan Marsh transforming herself into a living avatar of the Fourth of July--Sparky Boom-Boom!

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On a serious note...

 Before we bring your our traditional post of patriotic girlie pics on Independence Day in the U.S., we bring you a PSA that originally appeared in a 1948 issue of Action Comics. Please take its message to heart; we want visitors to Shades of Gray to be able to visit us on July 5 and beyond! (Click on the image to see a larger, more readable version.)

International Bikini Day Warm-Up

This coming Friday is International Bikini Day. Today, Brigitte Bardot is here to get visitors in the right frame of mind, sporting different bikinis during her younger days in the 1950s and 1960s.
 

 

In that picture right above, Bardot is modeling one of the most famous bikinis in the world. It's the same design that a woman was ticketed for wearing on an Italian beach in 1957.

Come back on Friday and you'll find a celebration of bikinis and the beauties who are wearing them!

Fanny Friday!

Health Tip from the Shades of Gray Dancers

"Staying hydrated is important whether you're a dancer, a couch potato, or something in between. From our blood system carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells, to keeping the kidneys functioning properly, fluid in the body is vital. And hydration equals fluid. H2O, dontcha know? Hydration also lubricates our joints and eyes, helps our digestive system function and keeps our skin healthy. And if you're going on a weeklong boozing-bender, staying hydrated lets you keep going and might make the hangovers not as bad."

This post was brought to you in recognition of National Hydration Day. Stay sated, my friends.

It's Fanny Friday!

The Longest Day...

... of 2024 is today! And the Shades of Gray Dancers are celebrating the official beginning of summer!

 

 

 
 

Bessie Love shines in a cute fantasy short film

The Little Knight (aka "The Adventures of Prince Coraguous: The Litte Knight") (1923)

Starring: Bessie Love, Arthur Trimble, Monte Collins, and Charles Belcher

Directors: Fred Becker and Charles R. Seeling

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A wandering knight (Belcher) is cursed by an evil witch to appear to all who see him as a little boy (Trimble). He soon meets and falls in love with Princess Bernice (Love) who is being forced into an arranged marriage with the cowardly, villainous Duke Craven (Collins). Will our hero overcome his curse, rescue the damsel in distress, and win her heart?  

"The Little Knight" is a fun fantasy short film that was intended to be the first in a 12-part series meant primarily as a vehicle for child actor Arthur Trimble (and produced by a film company bearing his name). Ultimately, only three were finished and released. 

Sharing top billing with Trimble was Bessie Love who in 1923 was near the top of her all-too-brief stint as a Hollywood superstar. While everyone else in the picture can be described giving adequate performances, Love is as attention-commanding as ever when she's on screen. Only Monte Collins comes close to rivaling her in being remarkable as he hams it up as the film's main bad guy. But, Love's cuteness, if not her acting skills, are eclipsed by Little Arthur Trimble; it's easy to see why he was tapped for child-stardom. 

A few plot threads are left dangling when "The End" flashes on the screen, but what we have is still basically a complete story. If you like classic fantasy and can get past the opening swordfight with the world's smallest giant, I think you'll find the 16-minutes you'll devote to watching "The Little Knight" time well spent.

And if you've made it this far, why don't you click below to check out "The Little Knight" and see if you agree with our take on the film. And please let us know with a comment, either here or on the video itself.

Sunday Funnies!