Ava Gardner: The Femme Fatale

Tomorrow is December 24th, Ava Lavinia Gardner's birthday. No one looked better(!) in a one-strap (or even two) black gown as the first third of this video show her at her best in The Killers and The Bribe. Ava Gardner was the ultimate, exotic-looking femme fatale, often caught in a love triangle as in The Barefoot Countessa, Bhowani Junction or Mogambo. She had a sexy voice which was sadly often dubbed for singing. (Supposedly she was dubbed here even at the beginning of the song when she lights up but it seems so vintage Ava). She was her own person who didn't mind going barefoot in the grass, making snappy remarks about her sex life, using colorful language or romancing Mickey Rooney or Robert Taylor. The love of her life was Frank Sinatra who sings the middle song "I'm a Fool to Want You" when he and Ava split.

Movies included: The Bribe, The Killers, Mogambo, Bhowani Junction, The Barefoot Contessa, On the Beach, and Knights of the Round Table. Songs include a gorgeous version of Once Upon a TIme in the West (with Ennio Morricone and YoYo Ma) and the Theme from Marco Polo (last song, by Ennio Morricone) which I feel really fits the femme fatale, fragile but dangerous woman she often played. The crescendo from Marco Polo was timed to her scene in The Barefoot Contessa since I felt that was perfect for her power over men (the scene on the boat). I choose to focus on the limelight in The Killers and the Bribe in the first third, gorgeous stills of Ava in the middle when Frank sings his heart out. And Ava's exotic looks in color in the last third.

This video is especially for Claudia (who always has good advice, even on this video), my best friend here! And Dina who always wants me to do an Ava tribute.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• The
• Bribe
• Killers
• Bhowani
• Junction
• On
• the
• Beach
• Barefoot
• Contessa
• Knights
• of
• Round
• Table
• Mogambo
• Frank
• Sinatra
• Ava
• Gardner
• Ennio
• Morricone
• YoYo
• Ma
• I'm
• Fool
• to
• Want
• You
• Once
• Upon
• Time
• in
• West
• Marco
• Polo

[gatabella3]

Doug, I'm watching again! This is stunning! And Ava is the TOP!

[cloudidogz]

Totally agree, Dina! Ava is stunning!

[Ahmedabdelreheem]

after watching your work... i just want to be friend with you cloudidogz.

i made videos about similar topics. but not as yours at all. mine are not that good.

[cloudidogz]

Sure! (I accepted). I;m sure your videos are fine! I will check!

[pereznuix]

Thank you ,BEAUTIFUL tribute!

[minsulisa]

great video!!! and Happy Birthday Ava!

[KorisnikTube]

prelepa, nezaboravljena, voljena...

[Alibbiyax]

The love of Frank Sinatra's life...

[rAdziu993]

Happy birthday! And thanks for the uploader,again i suppose.

[MoviepassionMega]

super vidéo ava the most beautiful of cinéma

[cloudidogz]

@MMaori1 Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! I have another Ava video...you can check it out :)

[PlayIt4MeAgainSam]

This is an amazing tribute to Ava! Nice job. 

[MowgliX]

This was way back when cigarettes were GOOD for you and did not cause throat or lung cancer.

[Duszki]

I am putting together my first three collections of clothes, and the beautiful Ava, is my inspiration...modern clothes, but with a 50's twist...Love Ava...beautiful woman!!!

[lray1948]

@ccclassical Yes she did have a fling with Taylor on "The Bribe." And Taylor's wife Barbara Stanwyck arranged for a detective to follow Taylor the next time he starred with Gardner, with instructions to be on the lookout for "that Gardner woman." Stanwyck acted very icily towards Gardner when they costarred in "East Side, West Side" right after "The Bribe"