I had no idea Vanity Fair included the Proust Questionnaire in its pages (which is not very strange since I don't read it). It was a great surprise and an interesting reading to found these famous questions answered by Classic Actors in the the past two years. Things that were mentioned by more than one interviewee: love for their gardens and nature, chastity as the most overrated virtue, George Sand as the historical figure they relate with. Also, why does Julie Andrews hate her nose so much?? That was weird.
I added the link to the original article in VF below the names (they include recent pictures or caricatures of each star):
I added the link to the original article in VF below the names (they include recent pictures or caricatures of each star):
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| OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND Original article in VF |
The loss of physical, financial, and psychological independence.
Which living person do you most admire?
Nelson Mandela.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Champagne.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Change “is” to “are” and the answer is my two children.
When and where were you happiest?
In their company, each of us doing his/her own thing in perfect harmony.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The gift of coolheadedness or the ability to tap-dance.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
To have my son alive again, happy, healthy, and engaged in the work he loved most.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Person: as me, myself, and I.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
Thing: as a California redwood tree—tall, strong, deep-rooted, long-living, aromatic, benevolent, reaching toward the sun, the moon, and the stars.
What are your favorite names?
Alexandra and Alexis.
What is your most treasured possession?
The christening cup of Geoffrey Raoul de Havilland, given me by his mother after his death on September 27, 1946, while attempting to break the sound barrier in the DH-108, the de Havilland experimental plane.
What is your favorite occupation?
Doing cryptic crosswords or, equally, reading tales of mystery and imagination.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Make that plural and the answer is clear-sightedness, humor, fairness, fidelity to purpose.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Thoughtfulness.
What is it that you most dislike?
The deception and exploitation of the naïve and defenseless.
How would you like to die?
I would prefer to live forever in perfect health, but if I must at some time leave this life I would like to do so ensconced on a chaise longue, perfumed, wearing a velvet robe and pearl earrings, with a flute of champagne beside me and having just discovered the answer to the last problem in a British cryptic crossword.
What is your motto?
“Dominus Fortissima Turris.” (Variously translated as “God is the strongest tower” or “God is my tower of strength.”)
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| JOAN FONTAINE Original article in VF |
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Working in my garden while my five A.S.P.C.A. dogs smell the roses … or water them.
What is your greatest fear?
As I lost my Brentwood, California, house and its contents in a firestorm in 1964, I fear the same might happen to Villa Fontana.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Eleanor of Aquitaine, as she was my all-time favorite role, in The Lion in Winter, and which gave me the best reviews of my career.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying a car just for my canines.
What is your favorite journey?
Portofino to Capri.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Virginity.
On what occasion do you lie?
When being tactful … or evasive.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Ah!”
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
The English language.
What is your current state of mind?
Contentment.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Recklessness.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impulsiveness.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Gossiping, denigration, chitchat, disloyalty.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Peace and tranquillity.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Losing a child.
What is your most treasured possession?
My house and its three acres of gardens, in the woods.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Independence, sense of humor.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Knowledge and respect, affection without demands.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Intellect, honesty, openness, loyalty.
Who are your favorite writers?
Du Maurier, Shakespeare, Dickens, the Brontës, Gwendolyn Brooks.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
D’Artagnan, from The Three Musketeers, who taught me some things were going on in Milady’s boudoir. My mother, when I questioned her at 10 years old, said, “You’ll have to ask someone else.”
Who are your heroes in real life?
Winston Churchill. Alas, no “greats” today, except Mother Teresa.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Me again. “Get it right this time!”
What is it that you most dislike?
Noise.
How would you like to die?
In bed—alone.
What is your motto?
“Free at last!”
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| JULIE ANDREWS Original article in VF |
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Can I get back to you on that?
What is your greatest fear?
Fear!
What is your most marked characteristic?
I bet you thought I was going to say my nose.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I interrupt too much.
Which living person do you most despise?
’enry ’iggins!
What is your greatest extravagance?
Flowers.
What is your current state of mind?
Hopeful.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Chastity.
On what occasion do you lie?
Occasionally. If I feel it’s kinder than the truth.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My nose.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Intelligence and a sense of humor.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
A sense of humor and intelligence.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Do you know what I mean?” or “Are you all right?”
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My family.
When and where were you happiest?
In London. When Blake [Edwards, her husband since 1969] made me laugh so much I wept. Blake says I slept with a smile.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My nose.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Next time around, I plan to be a classical composer.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The miracle of giving birth.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A meadowlark.
Where would you like to live?
Where there are meadowlarks.
What is your most treasured possession?
Family photographs.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being without hope.
What is your favorite occupation?
Pottering in my garden.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Charlie Brown.
What are your favorite names?
Those of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
What is it that you most dislike?
Poverty, hunger, unhappiness.
How would you like to die?
Peacefully—holding my mate.
What is your motto?
“When in doubt, stand still."
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| JANE FONDA Original article in VF |
Being totally present and at peace in the moment—and knowing that my children and grandchildren are all right.
What is your greatest fear?
That we won’t act fast enough to save the planet.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
The tendency to withdraw into myself.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Cynicism.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying large trees to place around my ranch house. (I am too old for saplings.)
What is your current state of mind?
Acceptance.
On what occasion do you lie?
When the truth will serve no purpose and only hurt.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My naked self in an overhead light.
Which living person do you most despise?
Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Kissinger—just about equally—for their cynicism and disdain for life.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My children and grandchildren.
When and where were you happiest?
Hiking to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My inability to have a long-term intimate relationship.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Never settling for what is, but striving for “What if … ?”
Where would you like to live?
Right where I am.
What is your most treasured possession?
My ranch and its ever changing wildness.
What is your favorite occupation?
Mountain climbing.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Being down to earth.
Who are your favorite writers?
Proust, Shakespeare.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Abraham Lincoln.
What is it that you most dislike?
A lack of compassion.
What is your greatest regret?
Regrets are a waste of time except as things to learn from.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to sing.
How would you like to die?
In my home, in bed, surrounded by my family. I can see it all quite clearly, and I am not afraid of it.
What is your motto?
“It’s better to be interested than interesting.”
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| TONY CURTIS Original article in VF |
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Top billing.
What is your greatest fear?
People might not remember me.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Forgetting people’s gifts.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Bad breath.
Which living person do you most admire?
Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What is your current state of mind?
There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Saying hello.
On what occasion do you lie?
When it looks like I’m in trouble.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Not much.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Good nature.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Voluptuousness.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Thanks a lot,” whether I mean it or not.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife, Jillie.
Which talent would you most like to have?
That of a brain surgeon.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d be three inches taller.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being unique.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
The son of Ali Baba.
What is your most treasured possession?
An excellent mind, good health, and a pair of legs to run.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
To lose one’s brother.
What is your favorite occupation?
Acting in the movies.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My charm and intelligence.
Who are your favorite writers?
Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Charles Schulz.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Tarzan.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
The Medici prince.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Drug enforcers.
What is it that you most dislike?
Bullshit.
What is your greatest regret?
That I never had a regular education.
How would you like to die?
Alone.
What is your motto?
“Fuck ‘em and feed ‘em fish.”
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| CATHERINE DENEUVE Read the original article in VF |
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
George Sand.
Which living person do you most admire?
Aung San Suu Kyi.
What is your greatest fear?
The war.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Having too many things on my mind at the same time.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Inconsistency.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Spending all my money when I was 17 years old to buy an Hermès Kelly bag.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Beauty.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My left ear.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Je ne finis pas mes phrases. [I do not finish my sentences.]
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Nature.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The gift of a scientific mind.
What is your current state of mind?
Restless.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My future.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Nothing.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A wild garden.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A lime tree.
What is your most treasured possession?
Lucidity.
What is your favorite occupation?
Playing in the garden.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Impassivity.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Fantasy and talent.
What do you most value in your friends?
Uniqueness.
Who are your favorite writers?
Rainer Maria Rilke.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Mandrake the Magician.
What is it that you most dislike?
Insects.
How would you like to die?
In my sleep or standing.
What is your motto?
“À coeur vaillant, rien d’impossible.” [With a valiant heart, nothing is impossible.]
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| SHIRLEY MACLAINE Original article in VF |
Searching for it.
What is your greatest fear?
The violence of enlightenment.
Which living person do you most admire?
The people who work with and for me.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My impatience, which can cause me to be really caustic and rude.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Same. We detest in others what we detest in ourselves.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Monogamy.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I eat sugar and say it doesn't matter.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My bloated stomach after eating sugar.
What is your greatest regret?
Not spending more time with my daughter when I was working.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My dog Terry. All of nature.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Being patient with people who have no work ethic. Maybe they have something to teach me.
What is your current state of mind?
Content, but discontent with the leadership worldwide.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Being able to do nothing.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The way I think.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A zillionaire who gives away all his money. Yes, I would like to come back as a rich man who would live without corruption, respect nature, women, and small, insignificant things.
What is your most treasured possession?
Two necklaces from my Santiago de Compostela Camino. All of my animals.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Prison.
Where would you like to live?
Wherever I am with Terry, but not in a confined space. New Mexico is fine for me.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My humorous cynicism.
Who are your favorite writers?
Those who tell the truth about themselves.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
I don't read fiction. My life is fiction.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Those who are optimistic through pain. I am a physical pussy unless I'm dancing or working out.
What is it that you most dislike?
People who don't care about themselves.
What is your motto?
"I am part of God in Light."
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| LUISE RAINER Original article in VF |
I have never had a current state of mind. My mind changes a great deal. I am very affected by any sorrow or sad thing, and I am very affected by joy and beauty.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
First of all, to be in love. The second way of being very happy is to be able to get the best out of yourself, whatever it is.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
One can be more than once in love—that’s the most important thing. The great loves of my life are my husband of 45 years, my daughter, and my first husband. These were my three great loves, but I’ve had other ones in between. They might not have been as great, but how can you weigh love? You cannot put it on a scale.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
To strive to get the best out of himself.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
An inner and outer elegance.
Which living person do you most admire?
Mandela. Also, artists and painters. I admire people who are creative.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Mountain climbing.
When and where were you happiest?
In the mountains, climbing into beautiful places—anything that has to do with nature. I feel best in nature or near nature. And I was most happy, of course, when I was with my husband and we were in beautiful landscapes.
On what occasion do you lie?
I lie sometimes to cover up whatever it is that needs to be covered up. I do not want to sound grandiose, but I sometimes feel I want to agree to make the questioner happy. But not often.
What is your greatest fear?
To be abandoned.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My inferiority complex.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
To be dishonest. Sometimes people have to be dishonest in order not to hurt, but if someone is basically dishonest, that is a different matter.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To know yourself is very difficult, and I cannot answer questions like this. I am not on an analyst’s sofa!
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
One of the many I admire is [19th-century female French novelist] George Sand.
What is your greatest regret?
My greatest regret is that I have not given out much, much more, because inside me there is much, much more that I would have liked to give. It sounds arrogant, but it is the truth: I do not feel I have given out even part of what I can give out.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I could say such and such a film or something, but I can also say that it has been to overcome situations that would make me unhappy. Or to have the important things in life. To have the value of not losing perspective, and keeping a sense of humor.
That was interesting.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect Tony Curtis' answers to be so superficial. Coming off the heels of Julie Andrews [who's so polite she won't name a living person that she despises] Curtis is bound to seem quite self-centered.
I didn't know that Julie Andrews doesn't like her nose. Without it she wouldn't have those signature nasal intonations that always makes her sound as though she's suffering a slight cold, but is plucky enough to persevere.
It's such a distinctive sound; I'm just glad she doesn't go in for rhinoplasty as others might have.
Very interesting! Thanks :p
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Thanks :p
ReplyDeleteThese are all *extremely* telling.
ReplyDeleteDefinition of happiness to Mr. Curtis is "top billing."
Wow.
About Tony Curtis: I really don't know him, so I don't know if he was just playing the fool or he's really that shallow. Any Tony admirer around to bring some light into the subject?
ReplyDeleteJBR: I don't know what's wrong with Julie's nose either.
About Tony Curtis: I really don't know him, so I don't know if he was just playing the fool or he's really that shallow. Any Tony admirer around to bring some light into the subject?
ReplyDeleteJBR: I don't know what's wrong with Julie's nose either.
Very interesting! Thanks :p
ReplyDelete