I recently began an initiative of watching the highest rated critically acclaimed movies of all-time and this includes many foreign films, where my knowledge is considerably lacking. Thus far, my favorite of the overseas offerings has been Federico Fellini’s 8½. It is a film that is intensely difficult to describe, since the purpose of the film is not really to tell a story but to overpower you with the dazzling images of people, places, and things that Fellini committed to film. One of those people in the film was actress Barbara Steele.
Her name rang a faint bell when I saw that she had been slated to appear at the Hollywood Collector Show on April 21, 2012. She is more known in the horror circles for her roles in Black Sunday and The Pit and the Pendulum – and even the later Piranha. But with my newfound love for 8½, I added her to my ‘maybe’ list for this particular show, based on her role of Gloria Morin, the new love interest of main character Guido’s friend Mario.
It took her a few minutes to search through the file folder that she brought with her to pull out a photo that was in fact from 8½, after her handler had discounted my request.
Imagine the embarassment had I gone with my original instict and worn the same hat that day
So cool! My first signed photo from the Italian director’s masterpiece. I had started off the Hollywood Show right with a great memento and free photo with this classic English-bred actress.
Celebrities of the Spring 2012 Hollywood Show will continue…
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