AlessandraZoe

While in Paris over Thanksgiving weekend, we dropped into the free exhibit, "Paris vu par Hollywood" at the Hotel de Ville. http://www.paris.fr/hollywood

As exhibits go, we didn't think the layout or content lent itself that well to its subject, but it was free, and we certainly had no complaints. And the scope of the exhibit, if not the detail, was certainly on task. We were taken from the silent movie age to the era of Woody Allen.

I certainly agree with the premise of the exhibit, that the American stereotype of Paris was shaped by Hollywood. And it is amazing that I had never really thought about that before.

Afterwards, I realized that for me personally, though, Audrey Hepburn (une Belgique),shaped my view of Paris. I wish the entire exhibit could have been on her.

Someone out there, make it happen! They had a few pieces of her wardrobe from "Charade" etc, but wouldn't it be lovely to see a room full of her movie costumes?

AZ

PatrickLondon

Not quite what you're hoping for, perhaps, but the V&A has one or two of her outfits in its current show on Hollywood costume:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibit...he-exhibition/

AlessandraZoe

Oh Patrick, I adore the V&A. I'd return to London just to spend days there.

I'm just thinking about all those Givenchy clothes she wore for all of those movies. It would just knock me out to see them all in one room. What a partnership they had.

At the Paris Vu Par Hollywood exhibit, they had an interview with Hubert de Givenchy on one of the display monitors, but it was in rather rapid French. I could get the gist of it, but my husband was lost.

This may be the interview transcript for anyone who is interested:
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/...udrey-hepburn/

flygirl

Alessandra, I had the same reaction that you did. I walked out thinking "more Audrey Hepburn please".

I was able to walk right in, no waiting, and for anyone going to see this I'd suggest don't bother to wait in line, catch it if there is no line but don't feel bad if you miss it.

I would have really liked to have had the list, at the end, of the 100 or so movies highlighted in the show - to see at my leisure on Netflix.

AlessandraZoe

It was pretty empty when we were there too, FG. I kept thinking that given the waiting line for the monitors at the end of the display, a crowd would have made it miserable.

But again, it was free.

Excellent idea about a Netflix list. I walked out telling my husband that a really under appreciated movie there was "Love in the Afternoon." I grew up in a PG household, but that movie used to move me to tears even when I didn't understand what in the heck she was doing.

kevin_widrow

Flygirl -

Ask and ye shall receive... here's the list - http://tinyurl.com/bqbljbw

Happy viewing.

-Kevin

AlessandraZoe

Perfect, Kevin!
Thanks...
AZ

PatrickLondon

I do find that, generally speaking, it's usually worth checking out whatever the current exhibition is at the Hotel de Ville (if you're confident in your French). Usually free, and because it's aimed at the resident population, either something most tourists wouldn't see or a different slant on a topic you thought you were familiar with.

DebitNM

We stayed 2 blocks away from Hotel de Ville in mid-October and saw longish lines, no lines and short lines. We opted to go in on a very short line day. We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit and vowed to try and watch many of the pictures presented. Thanks for the list, Kevin!