The Beauty That Was Alexis Smith

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:29am

...the glory that was Follies.

We've been discussing the original Follies on the main board, in a thread ironically titled "Follies 1987 London Production."

So I finally pulled out and posted the footage of Alexis Smith doing "The Story of Lucy and Jessie." It's a little blurry, but you can still see what was so dazzling about her--and about Michael Bennett's staging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TxLGIdv85I

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:45am

My older sister was a major old movie buff and she had a huge library of books about old movies. I used to look at the books and watch old movies with her.

I always thought that Alexis Smith was the most glamourous of the forties actresses.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:46am

Didja watch the link?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:50am

Wait, why is there silent footage of the original cast? Is it the full show?

[romantico]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 7:25am

She was so hot. I loved her in Gentlemen Jim and Virgina City with Errol Flynn. Her in Follies was even better. She aged very well and those legs. *sigh*

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 8:15am

Cats and Romantico--first click the link above.

Second, go read the thread on the main board.

Third, you have PMs.

Updated On: 10/27/08 at 08:15 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 9:06am

Wow. Watching that clip just makes me feel even more strongly that if a film is ever made of Follies, Vanessa Williams should play Phyllis.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 5:22pm

We've been watching through Season Two of Ugly Betty. Vanessa Williams is perfect.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 10:29pm

Oh, Alexis...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 10:35pm

She looks like someone in that picture - and I want to say it's someone contemporary, but I'm drawing a blank.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 10:59pm

Let's play "How Many Different Ethnic Stereotypes Can You Find in This Picture?"

The hair is, I dunno, Mexican.

The fingers are, I dunno, Hindu.

The eye makeup is, I dunno...WHAT IS IT??

[Q]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 11:18pm

Taken side-by-side, she pales in comparrison to Yvonne De Carlo.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 11:20pm

Watch the video.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/28/08 at 12:05am

I'd say the eyes were Egyptian.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/28/08 at 12:55am

But what's with the fingers?

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/28/08 at 2:49am

She looks like that goth computer girl on TV. I think it's NCIS.