"More affectionate than a kiss is a well done hug in someone that you love. Have you ever notice how I can give delicious hugs?"
"Hollywood, it has treated me so nicely, I am ready to faint! As soon as I see Hollywood, I love it."
"Look at me and tell me if I don't have Brazil in every curve of my body."
"I have never followed what people say it is 'fashionable'. I think that a woman must wear what fits her. That is why I created a style appropriated to my type and my artistical genre."
"Knock one banana off my head and I will make of you de flat pancake!"
Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha, better known as Carmen Miranda (9th February 1909 – 5th August 1955)
PS In my head, that is how I enter every room...
Very beautiful and talented, and exuberant.
ReplyDelete...and sadly only remembered for wearing fruit on her head, rather than being the artiste who broke down barriers towards "Latin" music in the USA (and across the world) way back before WW2. She was the first South American to have her prints immortalised on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and by 1945 the highest-earning woman entertainer in America... Jx
DeleteThere are many of actress I enjoy, but few give me chills when they enter a scene like Carmen. Years ago the US had commemorative stamps with Carmen Miranda. I bought a book of them. I use them on my select hand written notes to people, but will save a couple, just for myself.
ReplyDeleteI bet you have a few items from her museum, as well... Jx
DeleteDuring WW2 my Spanish born grandfather worked as a quality inspector for the U.S. Federal Government inspecting war production facilities nationwide. As such, he traveled across the USA by air travel and got to meet interesting people, among them Carmen Miranda. She was on a plane going from Chicago where she had done a war-bond drive going back home to Los Angeles. Her flight stopped in Kansas City where my grandfather joined the flight to Los Angeles. He said she was exactly as you saw her in the movies, sans her trademark wild fruit hat. She was a hoot ! The most generous and kind person you could meet, entertaining everyone on the plane with her wit and a few songs. -Rj/USA
ReplyDeleteI can imagine she was every bit as marvellous a person in real life as she was on screen. Jx
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