In the classical Hollywood era (between the 1930s and 1960s), Hollywood practically owned actresses. From their surgeries to, if and when they would get time off, Hollywood decided; it was a big deal to star in an A-list film. So we can’t praise these women enough for their outstanding talents. Here is a list of five actresses from the classic Hollywood era that embodied glamor at the time.
Marlene Dietrich
You may have come across the popular picture of Marlene Dietrich in a tux, smoking a cigarette in Morocco; that picture shows how deeply Marlene’s style is engraved into pop culture. Marlene rose to fame in Josef von Sternberg’s seminal 1930 drama, The Blue Angel.
She got her only Oscar nomination in Morocco. As she became more of a prominent figure, she acted in Blonde Venus and Shanghai Express. She became a screen legend for the next two decades, acting in Touch of Evil, A Foreign Affair, and others.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s career was one of those short but unforgettable successes in classical Hollywood. In 1951, she made her film debut with her role in Fourteen Hours. From television executives to the general public, people lauded her excellent performance in the film.
Her roles in High Noon (1952) and Mogambo (1953) launched her international acting career. She won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the 1954 movie, The Country Girl. However, she retired and became the Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III.
Audrey Hepburn
It’s easy to think Audrey Hepburn was famous for her fashion, beauty, and style. However, her acting skills paved the way. She became a force to reckon with in the early 1950s for her role in the romantic comedy Roman Holiday.
She won an Oscar Award for the same movie. She also got Oscar nominations for her roles in The Nun’s Story and Sabrina. Many of Hepburn’s fans say that her 1961 role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s was one of her best.
Marilyn Monroe
Can we talk about classic Hollywood glam girls without mentioning Marilyn Monroe? Marilyn Monroe wasn’t just an iconic actress. She was a huge pop culture icon and sexual revolution giant. She rose to fame in the late 1940s and set standards in the 1950s.
Her most lauded films include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch, The Misfits, and How To Marry A Millionaire. Many saw Monroe, the blonde bombshell, as a sex symbol, but movie reviewers applauded her as a talented comedian.
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Taylor Hilton was a famous personality for different reasons. Her romance with Eddie Fisher, affair with Richard Burton, and several marriages made her a popular name in the news. However, she was an acting legend.
Taylor’s roles in films like The Infamously Troubled Cleopatra, A Place In The Sun, Suddenly Last Summer, and Cat On A Tin Roof built her Hollywood stardom. She won two Oscar Awards for Butterfield 8 and one of her best, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
