MAMIE VAN DOREN: THE LAST BLONDE BOMBSHELL -- There was time when three "blonde bombshells" reigned over Hollywood: Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. That phenomenal trio of buxom beauties with their platinum hair and pouty red lips excited everyone with their come-hither looks and true star power wherever they went -- and it seemed that Hollywood would always have them to love and adore. Lucky for us, kids, because we still have Mamie Van Doren in our midst! And what a lady she is, indeed -- a Hollywood star in the greatest old-school sense. Of the many years I've been in Hollywood, I've yet to meet a more gracious and genuine star than she. Oh, the time she and I dined at The Ivy in West Hollywood -- when Damon Wayons (at the next table) couldn't take his eyes off her and her incredible curvaceous figure and those legs! And the memories she has to share of her many legendary friends and lovers: James Dean (that night on a motorcycle in the Hollywood Hills!); Rock Hudson (naughty, naughty, sexy fun together!!); Howard Hughes; Elvis Presley; Frank Sinatra; and Steve McQueen ("He was a real man," recalls Mamie with the utmost respect and a twinkle in her eye). And she is always working on projects -- like the new book Mamie: Now! which is a fabulous collection of photographs of Ms. Van Doren taken from 2006 to 2010 by photographer-to-the-stars Alan Mercer (his photo of her in a "screen siren" mood is shown above here in luscious green and gold tones). So what can we learn from this enduring style icon? That beauty, joy and kindness come from within and no one can ever take that away from you. And that a star always shines -- and Mamie, you are the real deal. Shine on!!!
http://www.mamievandoren.com/ (for mature viewers only!)The "Mamie: Now!" book: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2137715
Mamie Van Doren (center) photographed by Alan Mercer
Photo collage by Greg Firlotte
