Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel for on this date in 1975 a New Star burst forth that would SHINE with Beauty And Brilliance and she would be called Kate.

Well I'm rejoicing. I first came to Kate by way of 'Sense and Sensibility' in 1995. I was impressed. So in 1996 when 'Jude' was released I went to see it. I am becoming more impressed. Also in 1996 I went to see 'Hamlet' because it was a sort of Julie Christie comeback. And there was Kate playing 'Ophelia' and I know longer needed more impressions. I knew then and there that Kate would be an actress to be reckoned with. For the record thank god for Christie and Winslet's presence as otherwise this was a big fat bore.

Then comes 1997 and the titanic 'Titanic'. The STAR was born. From that moment on Kate would rise to the heights of super stardom. But Kate would also amaze. Being offered a lot of major Hollywood movies Kate opted to do smaller independent films. This is how she really learned the craft. Kate became an actress not a star. Thank god.

She's had five Oscar noms with no win. I could quibble with three of them. I can really accept one, that being Jennifer Connelly in 2001. Kate in 'Iris' lost to Jennifer's 'A Dangerous Mind' and even I say that was correct. The lose to Helen Hunt in 1997 was a sham. Truth be told Julie Christie and Judy Dench also could have or should have won over Hunt that year.
The real robberey was in 2004. Kate lost for 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. WHAT? And to Hillary Skank, typo intended, for 'Million Dollar Baby'. Ridiculous, Absurd, Embarrassment. MADDENING!. Hillary snuck in with the rest of the Clint Eastwood's film awards. Highway Robbery.

I do have things to say about her 2006 lose for 'Little Children' but I'll deal with that another time.

Right now though Happy Birthday Kate. Thanks for acting. Thanks for the choices. Thanks for the Work.

Kate: The Films

And Coming This December

The poster for 'The Reader' has yet to be published but heck I found something.



Oddly enough on her birthday I came across the first released still.

'Gigi' is #9

The year was 1958. The film was the first written by Lerner and Lowe who had the Broadway hit 'My Fair Lady' running on Broadway at the time. And what a gift they gave to us. And what a beautiful film it was and remains. Wat a score. Damn what a beautiful score! I can generally find a song or two in every score that just doesn't do it. There is not one misstep in this score. Hell there is not one frame in this film that has a misstep. What brilliant casting. Leslie Caron was the perfect pick for Gigi. The role had been offered to Audrey Hepburn who had played the role on Broadway but turned it down. I think it worked out fine. Leslie's french accent just added the right note. Louis Jordan was the perfectly perfect Gaston. Maurice Chevalier was his charming self. And last but not least the one and only and often underrated Hermione Gingold as Gigi's aunt Madame Alverez. The amazing thing is not one of these actors were Oscar nominated. What makes it all the more amazing is that 'Gigi' was nominated for, and won, eight Oscars including picture and director. So who the hell did winning director Vincente Minnelli direct?


Well enough. I am proud to have this in my top ten. You know as each year passes another film could replace any of the nine already cited. I guess it's fair to say I hope for and want better films looking forward. But for 2008 'Gigi' is still here.





Screen Caps.







Some More Stills.








The publicity stills.