Frederick's of Hollywood Blog

One of the perks of working in the heart of Hollywood is the proximity to hot happenings. And what’s the hottest thing that’s happening right now? The Academy Awards!

The glamour is currently coming together around the intersection of Hollywood and Highland and since it’s just a short hop, skip and a jump way from the office, we decided to head up for lunch and bring you the little seen behind-the-scenes set-up!

There is something eerie and all together awe-inspiring about watching it all come together. Knowing that in a few short days, the eyes of the world will turned to the area where your standing, and that the red-carpet so painstakingly placed will be filled with A-list stars from every corner of the globe.

The stretch of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland is home to some of the best Hollywood has to offer: Weird and the wacky tourist photo ops meet high-end shopping destinations under the shadows of some of the most famous Los Angeles institutions.

The Chinese Grauman Theatre, The Roosevelt Hotel (temporary home to Marilyn Monroe, It-crowd hotspot & site of the first ever Oscars!) are just a few of the historic landmarks this section of the Boulevard offers up—in our minds a more fitting place to host the pageantry of the Oscars doesn’t exist!

Every time we journey past this spot, there are reminders of the Hollywood greats who once stood here. From Bette Davis’s (and many others) handprints to the walk of fame, it’s easy to forget in the every day hustle and bustle that we work in the midst of an incredible legacy.

And even though we know this corner well, we’ll still be glued to the television on Sunday, marveling over the glitz and glamour alongside everyone else–that’s the magic of Hollywood!

Today we take a moment to celebrate Billy Wilder, not only for his birthday, but for his achievements and incredible contributions to film as we know it. Wilder has a significant place in the history of Hollywood censorship, challenging the Hays Code and even releasing Some Like It Hot without a Production Code seal of approval–which wasn’t granted due to the sexual nature of the comedy. He is also one of five people to have won Academy Awards as producer, writer, and director on the same movie!

Photo via imdb.com.

His willingness to tackle taboo subjects such as alcoholism (The Lost Weekend), mental illness (Sunset Boulevard) and cross-dressing helped to expand the range of what was considered acceptable movie fare.  He co-wrote and directed Double Indemnity, which is thought by many to be the first film noir. And many of the film’s elements such as venetian blind lighting and voice-over narrative, have gone on to be hallmarks of the genre.

Photo via imdb.com.

Michel Hazanavicius, the French filmake, said it best during his Oscar acceptance speech for The Artist: “I would like to thank the following three people, I would like to thank Billy Wilder, I would like to thank Billy Wilder, and I would like to thank Billy Wilder.”

Photo via imdb.com.

Today we pay homage to a friend of Marilyn Monroe and one of the leading sex symbols of the 1940′s and ‘50s: Jane Russell. Born on today’s date in 1921, she is one the most recognizable figures (quite literally) of the twentieth century. She is probably best known for her role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, opposite Marilyn Monroe–a film that garnered both of them critical acclaim. Jane, for her down-to-earth dry wit and Marilyn for her comedic timing.

Photos via imdb.com

During filming, the two stars became lifelong friends, with Russell describing Monroe as “very shy and very sweet and far more intelligent than people gave her credit for”. Russell even escorted Marilyn (who suffered from stage fright) to the set. Marilyn and Jane also put their signatures, hand and foot prints in cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater together. Of the event Marilyn quipped that,”Jane was best known for her large front-side and that she was known for her wiggly walk, so Jane could lean over, and she could sit in it”.

Photo via imdb.com.

Together they serve as an inspiration–that two very similar and beautiful actresses can become friends as opposed to tabloid rivals stands as a testament to both their characters. Can you think of any two modern actresses that with the same relationship? Share in the comments below!

It goes without saying that Marilyn Monroe is a legend–and that each and everyone of us, if pressed, could probably recite her measurements, real name and at least one of her movies.  But there was more to the blonde bombshell than met the eye. For instance did you know, she often carried a copy of The Biography of Abraham Lincoln? Thought not! Below are ten little known facts about Hollywood’s biggest star. Marilyn Monroe:

1. Was the very first to be crowned Artichoke Queen of Castroville, California in 1948.

Photo via doctomoto.

2. Wore glasses.

3. Was a stutterer, a little known fact that was covered by studio vocal coaches who provided her with dictation lessons.

Photo via latimes. 

4. Was one of the first Los Angeles natives to become a major movie star.

Photo via framework. 

5. Had an IQ of 168–significantly higher than John F. Kennedy’s 129. (Without finishing high school!)

6. Was an avid reader. Her library contained over 400 books on topics ranging from art to history, psychology, philosophy, literature, religion, poetry, and gardening.

Photo via drjay.

7. Read and wrote poetry. Her favorite poets were Walt Whitman and John Keats.

8. Was close friends with singer Ella Fitzgerald and was instrumental in her music career. She arranged for her to sing in nightclubs (some of which were segregated) including the famous Mocambo, during the time of their friendship.

Photo via seadoll. 

9. Read Ulysesses cover to cover.

10. Is related to Lucretia Rudolph (wife of President James A. Garfield), Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George Bush, and George W. Bush.

Do you know any fun facts about Marilyn? Share them in the comments below!