RAQUEL vs DIANE
Regular Blog readers know I love my Sixties starlets, but there are a few I have find overrated and never cared much for such as Stefanie Powers, Jill St. John, Suzanne Pleshette (except in Rome Adventure and If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium) and Diane Baker. So wasn’t I intrigued to stumble across the Coldwater Canyon Drive Blog contrasting Diane Baker and Raquel Welch. The writer did a fair and balanced job with his excellently written opinion piece using the actresses’ own words for and against them to make their points.
Wow! A long article–but a worthwhile one. Thanks. Who knew that Diane Baker was THAT pretentious?? The author of the post makes an excellent point–that the only way Ms. Baker can make herself interesting these days is to “diss” her contemporaries, costars and directors. Don’t know why she felt the need to make snotty comments about Raquel Welch–but then again, while Raquel was one of the top box-office stars of the late 60s and 70s–winning awards for her acting and later starring (to great acclaim) on Broadway, Diane was appearing in “Love American Style” guest shots! So perhaps she’s just plain bitter!
Watched the Greg Peck movie “Mirage” not long ago–and kept thinking that the movie would have been a whole lot better if they’d cast a leading lady with allure and sex appeal–rather than dull Diane!
I am a huge fan of Love, American Style but purposely never watched Baker on it. Heard from the Blogger and please leave a comment on their web site if you can.
I attended the Film Society of Lincoln Center tribute to Welch last February. After sitting through her Q & A sessions and meeting her briefly at a private reception that weekend, it became clear to me why she still matters. She embraces what it takes to be a public figure and holds few, if any, illusions about her strengths or her limitations. She remained gracious and friendly no matter how muddled Dick Cavett became during his rambling interview with her. And when she left the Walter Reade theater and fans started crowding her for autographs, she signed everything without complaining.
I didn’t detect a shred of victim mentality either. She seemed sincerely grateful (maybe a bit surprised) for the attention she received that weekend.