Click image for even more madness.

The final scene of Sunset Boulevard [watch it on YouTube] always sends shivers down my spine. Although this movie is already half a century old it’s still fantastic and has lost nothing of it’s impact, madness and magic [here is the old trailer]. Not many old Hollywood productions age so gracefully. Thank you Billy Wilder, William Holden and most of all Gloria Swanson.

William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Nancy Olson, Erich von Stroheim - who was a great director himself.

John F. Kennedy is still a very popular figure in modern history. But looking at his legacy I can’t see any real political achievements. His main appeal seems to be his appeal: his drive and energy to revitalize a country and inspire it’s people.

Cuba and Vietnam are also not shining examples of good policy. He could avoid a full nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union, but he also was part of inciting that dilemma in the first place (The Bay of Pigs and the blockade against the warheads for Cuban missiles).

The same is true with Vietnam. Neither McNamara nor Kennedy wanted to get into this conflict - but they did sent troops anyway.

His personal and moral record is hardly spotless either. President Clinton’s blowjob seem tame and boring compared to JFK’s many affairs.

One achievement I will applaud: the first treaty for limiting nuclear testing. Which paved the way for more and more treaties on arms control and nuclear disarmament. His engagement into the space program was less convincing, especially since it was just another aspect of the cold war fight - and an escalation.

If the real story behind his assassination can ever be uncovered - so will his true legacy. Maybe he pulled more important strings behind the scene or was truly fighting for a change in American culture?

As a symbol he shines, but as a mover & shaker he was mediocre.

Bettie Page is certainly one of the most iconic figure of the last century. Today she hides far away from the glamour life.

But Bettie has many followers and imitators. But in contract to Bettie they only repeat what she has done. They can’t break any taboos anymore, because they have all already been broken.

I wonder if Bettie would be a young girl today she might be the Queen of YouTube and MySpace. Even more annoying and alluring then Paris Hilton, LonelyGirl15 and Pamela Anderson together …

Since Munich is flooded with Dirndls because of the Oktoberfest: Germany’s most exciting photographer works with Miss Plain Vanilla. I never understood why so many people a magicians got excited about her? She is just a nice looking Gretel.

One of my childhood heroes. Just loved his funny movies. I am not sure if many people outside France really know him - but here in Germany his movies were very popular. Especially loved his Gendarme / Inspector of St. Tropez and Fantomas series.

So very different from Peter Sellers version of a french policemen.

Some videos to watch: Herr Müller, Fantomas trailer and a typical case of Louis madness.

More? Offical site

Grace back in the good old days.

Scarlett right now.

Special Posting for RichM … and me.

I think Scarlett is the new glamour Queen. I think most modern media sluts make a big mistake by imitating Marilyn Monroe instead of Grace Kelly - she had style, she was erotic and she really got the Prince in the end.

Perfect! What a great smile you have Jack!

One of the biggest insult for any modern politician is to called Nazi or a Goebbels like figure. In the later case it’s not only an insult, but also a compliment. Joseph Goebbels obviously stands for extreme and dedicated propaganda to serve and create an evil Reich - but he was smart, witty and extremly skillful.

He not only pioneered several new propaganda techniques like the Volksempfänger, he masterminded the mental seducation the german people. He and Hitler were masters of mass psychology. Goebbels ministry was everywhere - Propaganda was not simply creating advertisement for the government - they formed, educated and developed german society - every detail of it.

It is hard to understand his skills until you heared and analysed some of his speeches. They are really impressive, moving and captivating. The collage ‘Totaler Krieg‘ is a bit more authentic.

Watch this short documentary about Goebbels: Part 1 and Part 2 (although the pathetic music in the background is almost unbearable.

More? Joseph Goebbels @ Wikipedia and a Collection of his Speeches

Peter Lorre was a great actor - I still consider his many appearances in cheesy B-Pictures an insult to his craft. If you have ever seen ‘M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder‘ by the great Fritz Lang you know what I mean.

Lotte Jacobi is one of the great Mistresses of catching light. Born in Germany - her father was already and photographer and she continued the great family tradition. Some of her fashion shots and images of celebreties like Albert Einstein are absolute classics.

Screw Brangelina - I want Cathaburn! From all these artificial romantic dream teams this one was one of the funniest, most charming and intelligent - almost all these qualities have been dumped for pure sex these days.