Free Republic

Norma Shearer died on this date 40 years ago in 1983. She was the first 5-time Oscar acting nominee. "An adventure" she said, "maybe worn as a muddy spot or worn as a proud insignia. It is the woman wearing it who makes it the one thing or the other." and "Being a motion picture actress is the pitch of ecstasy." God Bless Freedom

Judy Garland was wonderful. Freepers please tell me more ........

Doris Day was an incredibly popular and Republican singer and film star, who used her fame to establish the Doris Day Animal Foundation. She said: "I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile, and I want to make people laugh. And that's all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy." In the movie “Love Me Or Leave Me” which was nominated for 6 academy awards (winning Best Story for Daniel Fuchs),...

Lady Gregory was born on this date, 15 May, 171 years ago, in 1852, in County Galway, Ireland. Wikipedia reports that study of her grandfather-in-law’s letters lead to a shift in her politics “from the “soft” Unionism of her earlier writing on Home Rule to a definite support of Irish nationalism and Republicanism, and to what she was later to describe as “a dislike and distrust of England”.” Lady Gregory took her motto from Aristotle: “To think like a wise man, but to express oneself like the common people.” Here are some examples of her quality thought: “I’ll take no...

Doris Eaton Travis made her Broadway debut at the age of 13 and one year later was the youngest ever cast member of the Ziegfeld follies. After her career in stage and screen ended, she was a dance instructor with Arthur Murray Dance Studios for three decades, rising through the ranks to own & manage nearly twenty dance schools. Travis retired from the dance studio business in 1968. She moved with her husband moved to Norman, Oklahoma, and established a ranch. Initially on 220 acres , which grew to 880 acres. Many of the quarter-horses bred and raised there were...

Oscar winning star Joan Crawford died on this date in 1977. She made a name for herself as a flapper in the 1920's, then starred in the '30's, during The Great Depression, in rags-to-riches stories of hard working young women finding love. "Women's Lib? Poor little things. They always look so unhappy. Have you noticed how bitter their faces are?" - Joan Crawford No need to say more.

Actress Anne Baxter, born on the 7th May, 1923, was the granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright, who was recognised as the greatest architect of all time. He designed doll houses for her in her childhood. Anne Baxter was unique in playing two different villains in the Batman television series. Politically, she was a Republican campaigning for Dewey and Ike for president. “Acting is not what I do. It’s what I am. It’s my permanent built-in cathedral.” said the great architect’s granddaughter. God Bless Family, so often the foundation of success.

Margaret Thatcher became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom forty-four years ago today on May 4, 1979. She fully understood how freedom is at the core of the many factors we must consider in protecting national strength. Her words prove it: "I love argument. I love debate. " “……… no government can do anything except through people, and people must look after themselves first. It is our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after our neighbours.” ” …….. we must build a society in which we encourage rather than restrict the variety and richness of...

Marlene Dietrich passed away on the 6th of May, 1992, after a life of glamour as a sex symbol and one long marriage. She knew how things work between men and women. Her words prove it: “Darling, the legs aren’t so beautiful, I just know what to do with them.“ “Most women set out to try to change a man, and when they have changed him they do not like him.” “To be completely woman you need a master, and in him a compass for your life. You need a man you can look up to and respect. If you...

Audrey Hepburn was born on the 4th of May, 1929, the daughter of a baron and baroness. She was Belgian royalty who became Hollywood’s equivalent: a much loved movie star, one of Bogie’s many great babes. She was nominated for 6 Oscars and won two. Her other major awards were: 3 BAFTA's, 1 Emmy, 2 Golden Globes, 1 Grammy, 1 Screen Actors Guild Award and 2 Tony's. That's modern royalty. Not inherited, but earned by hard work and intelligence, proved by her Hank Williams-like human-centered mastery of the English language in statements such as: “I was born with an enormous...

Actress and novelist Mary Astor was born on May 3rd, 1906. In making the 1941 movie “The Great Lie”, Bette Davis insisted that a difficult to cast role be given to Astor because Davis liked to work with good actresses who would bring out the best in her. Astor understood this type of risk taking, as opposed to dull self-protective caution, later writing: “Our security must be threatened in order for us to appreciate it.” Astor won the movie's only award, the supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of pianist Sandra Kovak. In her acceptance speech, Astor thanked Bette Davis...

"You can't test courage cautiously." wrote Annie Dillard, born in Pittsburg on April 30, 1945. She understood both the complexities and straightforwardness of robust life. She also wrote: "There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of wind."

Lucille Ball co-created the situation comedy genre through starring in I Love Lucy. Later on, she approved the initial production of Star Trek. Desilu Productions also created Mission:Impossible, The Untouchables and Mannix. ......... She really understood creativity. "The more things you do", she said, "the more things you can do." ....... In World War Two, when freedom was on the line, she didn't mind being a glamorous babe to help keep up the spirits of the guys in uniform risking their lives fighting against tyranny. No third wave feminist crap to weaken our culture in that era ....... "Women's lib?"...

Lita Grey would have turned 115 years old today. If she had lived long enough. She didn't. But she survived marriage to Charlie Chaplin. Read what this babe said about his sense of humour here ........

Who can make sense of Greta Garbo? She was born Swedish and became a movie star at home before she also found cinematic glory in America? But did she become truly American?

Claire Windsor was born in Phillips County, Kansas, to Scandinavian parents on April 14, 1892 .......... She was married twice and well known for her love affairs ........... “Love” she said, “shouldn’t be about rules ......... When you meet that person, everything will be calm .......

Annie Jump Cannon died on this date in 1941. She had co-created the Harvard Classification Scheme for organising our understanding of stars. ................ She believed that her work brought us closer to God.

In three decades as a midwife,I never tired of the beauty of mums. "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent." Just look. In wonder.

The second of April is Camille Paglia's birthday.. She saw a womanliness in Liz Taylor that's not seen now. Happy Birthday ........

Eleanor of Aquitaine died on the 1st of April 1204, 819 years ago. She was said to be the most beautiful woman in Europe. (Perhaps Melania Trump is hotter.) I call Her a Woman For Freedom because of her wonderful effort in what she did to get her reproductive rights. (NB I define reproductive rights as the right to reproduce not the twisted modern perversion of that phrase where reproductive rights are considered the right to abortion i.e. the right not to reproduce.) Fellow Freepers, based on the image, which you can see by clicking the following link, I rate...