B+W Love

There is just something about black and white.

I think it automatically appears to us as art because, while we see in color, someone or thing has been cast in a black and white re-presentation of themselves.  It's mimetic while remaining boldly artistic.  Or in the words of our beloved, bow-tied Nerd-man: "the obviously constructed nature of the scene would by its own artificiality, create it’s own sense of... verisimilitude."  It is real, but at the same time it is unafraid to be art.

But I may be reading into this too much :)

I've been watching a lot of B + W films lately and have been impressed with shots from them - especially behind-the-scenes - but also of more recent shots in B + W.  Here are a few faves:



[Marlon Brando in his Academy Award winning performance of Terry Malloy - On the Waterfront]



[Because just wow!]



[Oh and he had a kitty]

  

[Walt Disney and Shirley Temple presenting at the 1939 Oscars]



[Adorable Audrey]



[Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard filming Breakfast at Tiffany's]





[These three!!  PS - I love Harrison's hipster glasses! Via]



And in honor of the new season they're about to start shooting, in B + W, the gents of Sherlock:



[Thanks to the dear friend who forwarded this along to me ;) ]





So, every since coming across this cover, I have been listening to "Moon River."

I love it!

Two drifters... off to see the world.

There's such a lot of world to see...

I mean, so beautiful!

Well, today, my anglophile/bibliophile/Audreyphile [yah, I just made that last one up] friend, Lois, sent me this fabulous note.

It's a note Audrey sent to composer Henry Mancini after Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Mancini went on to win the Oscar that year in the "Best Original Song" category for "Moon River." 

But I think Audrey's "thank you" note does his incredible work its best justice:

[source]

Dear Henry,

I have just seen our picture – BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S – this time with your score.  

A movie without music is a little bit like an aeroplane without fuel. However beautifully the job is done, we are still on the ground and in a world of reality. Your music has lifted us all up and sent us soaring. Everything we cannot say with words or show with action you have expressed for us. You have done this with so much imagination, fun and beauty. 

You are the hippest of cats – and the most sensitive of composers!  

Thank you, dear Hank.  

Lots of love 

Audrey

Isn't that just the sweetest?

Here's to Audrey, "Moon River," and film scores <3

lovely!

Lily Collins as Audrey Hepburn:

Loverly =)