I just finished watching "The Notorious Bettie Page", a movie starring Gretchen Moll as the infamous pin-up queen. While it was a well-done movie, the actress that was originally intended for the role, Liv Tyler, would have been a much better choice. Liv Tyler and Bettie share that all-American, Amazon quality paired with a show-stopping smile - they can be both the girl next door and the ultimate naughty fantasy simultaneously. It's like having both Betty and Veronica in one fabulous, spunky package.
One of the things that I have always loved about Bettie Page's photographs was how comfortable she was in her own skin. In a rare interview, she says that she never had a problem doing nude shots - after all, God made Adam and Eve naked, so how wrong could that be? Her body is beautiful and real, ample and soft, but also strong and powerful. That and her ability to work the camera makes these images a joy to look at. She said that she used to imagine that the camera was her boyfriend, and that she was posing for him. It's no wonder that the viewer feels so seduced and engaged.
Although she only modeled for 7 years, her image is everywhere today. What a feat of marketing - even Madonna must be envious of such a lasting presence. And even her bondage photographs, which seem tame by today's standards, have a clear element of theater and playfulness that tell the viewer, "I'm just dressing up - this is a costume! Come play with me!"
In some ways, she reminds me of another female who was popular in the 1950's, Barbie. These days, Barbie gets a bad rap about her unrealistic body. But Barbie is fantasy - a Jessica Rabbit-like symbol of a confident young woman who is entirely comfortable in her own skin, and not afraid to do anything in the world. In fact, the first Barbie outfit that I ever received was a go-go dancer costume, complete with gold boots! My Barbie could have any job she wanted, and she wanted to dance! Barbie was everything - young, beautiful, fun, and in control of her life. Ken was just another accessory that stood in the background as she persued her various careers and interests.
I celebrate these two icons - they are a great reminder of how fun it can be to be a member of the fairer sex!
