Chishō Takaoka (April 22, 1896 – October 22, 1994) was a geisha in Shinbashi who became a Buddhist nun later in life. Her stage name was Chiyoha or Teruha, while her real name was Tatsuko Takaoka. She became famous for her radiant beauty, and for chopping off one of her fingers for her lover. SheContinue reading “The Nine-Fingered Geisha: 30 Vintage Portraits of Chishō Takaoka aka Teruha From the Early 20th Century”
Category Archives: celebrity & famous people
25 Gorgeous Photos of Actress Barbara Payton During Her Brief Life
Born 1927 in Cloquet, Minnesota, American actress Barbara Payton first gained notice in the 1949 film noir Trapped co-starring Lloyd Bridges. After being screen-tested by James Cagney and his producer brother, William, Payton starred with Cagney in the violent noir thriller Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye in 1950. William Cagney was so smitten with Payton’s sensual appealContinue reading “25 Gorgeous Photos of Actress Barbara Payton During Her Brief Life”
Stunning Portraits of Bette Davis Taken in 1939
Ruth Elizabeth “Bette” Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical films, suspenseContinue reading “Stunning Portraits of Bette Davis Taken in 1939”
35 Fabulous Photos of Ewa Aulin in the 1960s and 1970s
Born 1950 in Landskrona, Swedish actress Ewa Aulin won the title of Miss Teen Sweden in 1965 at age 15, and earned the title of Miss Teen International 1966. In 1967, at age 16, she made her feature-film debut with a supporting role in the comedy Don Giovanni in Sicilia (Don Juan in Sicily), basedContinue reading “35 Fabulous Photos of Ewa Aulin in the 1960s and 1970s”
Stunning Vintage Portraits of Veronica Lake, the Peak-a-Boo Girl of the 1940s
30 Vintage Photos of Catherine Deneuve Smoking Cigarettes
The French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo spent almost an entire film – the 1960s classic À Bout du Souffle (Breathless) – with a Gauloise dangling from his lips. Audrey Tautou portrayed the designer Coco Chanel pinning haute couture dresses while smoking. Jacques Tati was rarely without his pipe and Brigitte Bardot, Jeanne Moreau, Catherine Deneuve, GérardContinue reading “30 Vintage Photos of Catherine Deneuve Smoking Cigarettes”
35 Fabulous Photos of Actress Irish McCalla in the 1950s
Born 1928 in Pawnee City, Nebraska, American actress and artist Irish McCalla was best known as the title star of the 1950s television series Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. She co-starred with actor Chris Drake. Following the one-season Sheena, she appeared in five films from 1958 to 1962, and guest roles on the TV seriesContinue reading “35 Fabulous Photos of Actress Irish McCalla in the 1950s”
Photos of Dizzy Gillespie Taken by Carl Van Vechten in 1955
John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie (1917 – 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuoso style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity previously unheard in jazz. His combination of musicianship, showmanship, and wit made him a leadingContinue reading “Photos of Dizzy Gillespie Taken by Carl Van Vechten in 1955”
35 Gorgeous Photos of Bonita Granville in the 1930s and 1940s
Born 1923 in Manhattan, New York City, American actress Bonita Granville began her career on the stage at age three. She initially began as a child actress, making her film debut in Westward Passage (1932). She rose to prominence for her role in These Three (1936), which earned her an Academy Award nomination at ageContinue reading “35 Gorgeous Photos of Bonita Granville in the 1930s and 1940s”
Corinne Griffith: One of the Most Beautiful Actresses of the Silent Film Era
Born 1894 in Waco, Texas, American actress Corinne Griffith pursued a film career after winning a beauty contest in Southern California. In 1916, she signed a contract with Vitagraph Studios, appearing in numerous films for the studio through the remainder of the decade. In 1920, Griffith began making films for First National Pictures, and becameContinue reading “Corinne Griffith: One of the Most Beautiful Actresses of the Silent Film Era”
