So I watched the documentary “The Love Goddesses” this weekend. It was nice… could’ve used more depth, and width, too.
But it got me thinking… for a while now, I’ve been utterly convinced that Claudette Colbert is the sexiest woman every to grace the Silver Screen, as evidenced by performances in Sign of the Cross, Cleopatra, and It Happened One Night…
Who are **your ** favorite sultry and sassy sirens of the silver screen?
Louise Brooks. Also of silent fame.
The doc mentioned and featured her role in Diary of a Lost Girl… but which movies do you think she’s best in?
Golly, there are so many answers, depending on what you mean.
Sexist? Jean Harlow, Clara Bow, Marilyn Monroe . . .
Most Talented? Claudette Colbert, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Stanwyck . . .
Most Beautiful? Greta Garbo, Rita Hayworth, Kay Kendall . . .
I’m with Eve on her choices, but I have to add Sophia Loren (Sexiest) and Grace Kelly(Most Beautiful).
I’m sure there are scores I’ve forgotten; I’ll page through my movie books tonight. What constitutes a “siren?” I guess Lillian Gish and Mabel Normand don’t qualify?
Another vote for Barbara Stanwyck; and one for Myrna Loy. I love that smart, sexy thing they both do so well.
Veronica Lake melts
What constitutes a siren? Any female sex symbol, I suppose.
And I’m just looking for people’s favorites, not a comprehensive listing. Also, if you can think of them, what roles of your faves are the best?
I love the faces on many of the 30s/40s stars. Myrna Loy. Rosalind Russell. Barbara Stanwyck. But it’s terribly hard to visualize them as living breathing people. They were always swathed in huge amounts of fabric under absurd hats. their faces haunt me, but I find it difficult to think of them as sirens.
An era often overlooked today is the 1960s. That first explosion into color photography and “innocent” sexuality. Jane Fonda. Raquel Welch. Dyan Cannon. Lana Turner. Natalie Wood. Beautiful faces and heart-stopping figures. And that’s not even including the European contingent of Sophia Loren. Brigitte Bardot. Julie Christie.
It’s was a man’s era, with few of the women able to open a movie. They weren’t stars of the magnitude of the earlier days, with the result that when we think about the era it’s the directors and male leads who come first to mind. Looking back, however, it was an extraordinary time.
Speaking of the '60s – I almost mentioned Catherine Deneuve above (I saw “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,” her debut, Saturday night and am dazzled), but thought her too recent. What a face, though!
Oops, just reread my reply and realized I accused Jean Harlow, Clara Bow and Marilyn Monroe of being “Sexist.”
I used to practice Jean Harlow’s “look” in a mirror when I was younger.
Lauren Bacall absolutely smolders.
Carol Lombard was a great comedic actress, but also very sexy.
I almost thought to point that out, but I thought you might be serious. 
She’s who leaped into my mind when I saw the thread title.
The late DesertWife had a more than passing resemblence to Ms. Becall. Her jawline didn’t match but from her cheeks up, she was a dead ringer, especially the eyes. I told her this many times but I don’t think she really believed me, until one day a passing stranger did a double take, and asked if anyone had told her she looked like Lauren Becall. I couldn’t stop smirking.
DD
Thirds on Lauren Bacall. If ever I turned Gay, I’d want Lauren, circa 1944.
Neither’s gonna happen though!
Her performance in “To Have and Have Not”…well, I copied it for years after I saw it out at the Ridge.
Oh, hey, Eve, I think you better add Mary Pickford to your list of “nons” as well!
I’ve also always had a thing for Greta Garbo since I saw “Anna Christie”.
I might note (in fact, I am noting) that Miss Bacall and I are cousins–her grandmother and my great-grandmother were sisters.
I’ve always thought that Myrna Loy, particularly during the Thin Man era, was stunning. But then, I’m very fond of the Thin Man movies, and would have like to have been Myrna Loy. I even considered naming my dog Asta.
I also thought that Gene Tierney in Laura was incredibly beautiful.
And you can’t get more peaches-and-cream adorable than Betty Grable.
Oh!! I am SO jealous! You see, Eve, who needs to be British when you’re already royalty? 
zoogirl, you’ve got good taste; I love Garbo in The Blue Angel.
I cannot believe I forgot: Grace Kelly. Her name fit her to a T. She lit up every room she entered; I don’t believe anyone could watch one of her movies without falling in love with her.
Although she’s not what most people would consider sexy, I also love Katherine Hepburn. Her style, dignity and the way she carried herself made her beautiful.