Wow Wow Wow!! Added Lifeboat to my watchlist and adding her memoir to my TBR. WOW!!! Okay, one more...WOW.
Ahhh!!! Being able to go visit Tallulah's portrait!! How meant to be! A little sad for your readers that you didn't include a picture of Tallulah the pooch. She is also spectacular. They're missing out.
So many amazing lines in this one. You are so special, Caroline. I was reading this piece thinking, what an incredible masterpiece of a life. You grew up watching classic movies, that old soul of yours shining through, then you go on to be an archivist...I'm Richard Burton laughing because it's so absurdly perfect and beautiful. (Richard Burton said he laughed the first time he saw Elizabeth Taylor in person because she was so absurdly beautiful.)
One day someone will do a Flippin' The Script on you, you incredible woman!!!
I am officially obsessed with this woman. Holy shit. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 also… I’d say you have some Tallulah in you in your writing. It’s big. It’s flames. It doesn’t hold back dahhling
“Her final coherent words? “Codeine… Bourbon”. Damn, what an OG baller.
I LOVE your account of her days and ways and how you could never emulate her but you still wish to take her essence and apply it to your life in your own way. I trust she’s giving you a secret wink, saying “you got this, girl” ❤️👏🏻❤️
Thank you for this inspirational and historic piece. The artists are courageous indeed, leaving the path of safety for a riskier, harder, but more aligned pursuit.
You’ve crafted such a fun, exciting, I wanna-know-more read! Thank you for sharing your passion for old Hollywood. It’s infectious. I’ve watched that episode of the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour starring Miss B…and I thought I was the rare person who knew about it, lol. Your piece reminds me that I need to revisit Lifeboat as it’s been years since I’ve seen it. A recent episode of Only Murders in the Building pays tribute to Lifeboat, so it is getting some new interest. 💫 I look forward to more of your musings. ✨
Lily, thank you so much!!! I had odd viewing habits as a child, and they persist today. I’m very behind on Only Murders, so I did not know about this. Thank you!!!
Oh my gosh, how have I never even heard of her before? 🙈 She sounds like an absolute legend and while I’m definitely more on your side of the spectrum, I so appreciate this level of confident, jump in the deep end, live each day like it’s your last kind of living. I can learn something from her and I thank you for sharing this. Absolutely gorgeous words as usual. Your gift is beyond amazing. 🫶🏻
“Funny enough, these two opposites had one thing in common: they both worshipped Willie Mays. Maybe that’s the real sweet spot, finding what brings the saint and the sinner to the same ballgame.”
this part - "something stirs – a what-if whisper, a might-have-been that tastes like possibility." ugh yes. i think one of the greatest things we can do creatively is to seek people who intrigue us with that feeling of a whisper. a beckoning, but not a demand. the ones who help us, as you say, make our own scripts work.
My grandmother adored Tallulah Bankhead. I remember that I think because I recall as a little girl I loved the way her name felt to say it out loud. Tallulah Bankhead.
From reading your piece she certainly lived loud! Loved it Caroline.
Brilliant writing, Caroline! I wasn’t familiar with her, but now I feel like I almost intimately do. Thank you for introducing her to me in such an insightful way ❤️
Love this ! I’ve alternated between good and bad girl too. It’s impossible to please everyone so I try to just make a living and please my cat.
Ahhhh yes!!! And I’m sure your cat is happy!!!
"On stage, Tallulah didn’t just act; she detonated."
Yes.
Thanks for the great portrait of Bankhead and reminding me to watch Lifeboat again
Thank you so much!! Enjoy it!
Wow Wow Wow!! Added Lifeboat to my watchlist and adding her memoir to my TBR. WOW!!! Okay, one more...WOW.
Ahhh!!! Being able to go visit Tallulah's portrait!! How meant to be! A little sad for your readers that you didn't include a picture of Tallulah the pooch. She is also spectacular. They're missing out.
So many amazing lines in this one. You are so special, Caroline. I was reading this piece thinking, what an incredible masterpiece of a life. You grew up watching classic movies, that old soul of yours shining through, then you go on to be an archivist...I'm Richard Burton laughing because it's so absurdly perfect and beautiful. (Richard Burton said he laughed the first time he saw Elizabeth Taylor in person because she was so absurdly beautiful.)
One day someone will do a Flippin' The Script on you, you incredible woman!!!
Jenovia, I don’t even feel like I can properly respond to this. This is so beautiful and so humbling. I’m BEYOND grateful!!
And I’m laughing at your utter perfection. I can’t believe our friendship is new! It’s magic!
❤️🫂😊❤️🔥🥹🥰😭🙏
I’ll have to make a note with a pic of my Tallulah!!!
🫂❤️🔥
Yes! A Note with Tallulah, maybe in her witch costume. The people deserve it.
Planned for tomorrow!!!
I am officially obsessed with this woman. Holy shit. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 also… I’d say you have some Tallulah in you in your writing. It’s big. It’s flames. It doesn’t hold back dahhling
I second this!
DAMN GIRL!! Thank you ☺️ 🥹🫂❤️🔥
“Her final coherent words? “Codeine… Bourbon”. Damn, what an OG baller.
I LOVE your account of her days and ways and how you could never emulate her but you still wish to take her essence and apply it to your life in your own way. I trust she’s giving you a secret wink, saying “you got this, girl” ❤️👏🏻❤️
LEGENDARY!!! I think she’d be delighted that it’s completely my choice…to be like her or not!! Thank you ❤️
Thank you for this inspirational and historic piece. The artists are courageous indeed, leaving the path of safety for a riskier, harder, but more aligned pursuit.
Thank you, my friend! We can learn a bit from anyone!! 🤍
You’ve crafted such a fun, exciting, I wanna-know-more read! Thank you for sharing your passion for old Hollywood. It’s infectious. I’ve watched that episode of the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour starring Miss B…and I thought I was the rare person who knew about it, lol. Your piece reminds me that I need to revisit Lifeboat as it’s been years since I’ve seen it. A recent episode of Only Murders in the Building pays tribute to Lifeboat, so it is getting some new interest. 💫 I look forward to more of your musings. ✨
Lily, thank you so much!!! I had odd viewing habits as a child, and they persist today. I’m very behind on Only Murders, so I did not know about this. Thank you!!!
Hi! Just saw this and thought of your beautiful tribute essay. 💗 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDfbrvtP7p5/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==
Ahhhh what a treat! Thank you!!
Oh my gosh, how have I never even heard of her before? 🙈 She sounds like an absolute legend and while I’m definitely more on your side of the spectrum, I so appreciate this level of confident, jump in the deep end, live each day like it’s your last kind of living. I can learn something from her and I thank you for sharing this. Absolutely gorgeous words as usual. Your gift is beyond amazing. 🫶🏻
Right?! I can’t even imagine being like that, so my fascination is genuine!! The more and more I learn the less I can look away!!
I’m so so so grateful for you!!
This might be my favorite thing I’ve read on Substack all month. Thank you!
This is the nicest comment!! Oh my! Thank you!!!
I’m so glad. I really loved your piece, so thank you!
Just brilliant. What a lady! 🌟
Thank you!!!!
ohhh now i gotta find "Lifeboat" thanks🫡😊
You better!!!
I devoured every word of this—holy moly, what a tribute!
Oh my! Thank you so much!!
“Funny enough, these two opposites had one thing in common: they both worshipped Willie Mays. Maybe that’s the real sweet spot, finding what brings the saint and the sinner to the same ballgame.”
SO GOOD.
Ahhhhh thank you so much!!! 😊
aaaaaaahhhhhhh soooo gooooooooood.
this part - "something stirs – a what-if whisper, a might-have-been that tastes like possibility." ugh yes. i think one of the greatest things we can do creatively is to seek people who intrigue us with that feeling of a whisper. a beckoning, but not a demand. the ones who help us, as you say, make our own scripts work.
Yes!!! And that doesn’t mean we have to follow them completely! Just the bits we like. ❤️
wait so you mean your last words aren't gonna be, "codeine... bourbon"???
Hahahaha guess everyone will have to stick around to see
My grandmother adored Tallulah Bankhead. I remember that I think because I recall as a little girl I loved the way her name felt to say it out loud. Tallulah Bankhead.
From reading your piece she certainly lived loud! Loved it Caroline.
There’s so much to adore! I love that she was a part of your childhood too. She definitely had the name of a star!!!
Brilliant writing, Caroline! I wasn’t familiar with her, but now I feel like I almost intimately do. Thank you for introducing her to me in such an insightful way ❤️
This makes me so happy! Thank you!!!