Yesterday, I drove to that summer resort and visited the exhibition. I was pretty sure I would see something that might fit the theme.... 'Our Carmen' is a tribute to the 'Small Wonder', the only Portuguese-Brazilian ever to have had the honour of leaving her hands imprinted forever on Hollywood's 'Walk of Fame', a woman who, was responsible for spreading, as a kind of ambassador, the Brazilian Joy.
Carmen Miranda, as she was called, was everything. From the 1920 to the 30s, she was the greatest Brazilian star on record and radio, in the cinema, on the stage and in the casinos - a record-holder of the total of albums, record sales, fees, income and mainly, love. She was adored by her public, respected by her fellow performers, fought over by producers and desired as a woman.
Carmen Miranda, as she was called, was everything. From the 1920 to the 30s, she was the greatest Brazilian star on record and radio, in the cinema, on the stage and in the casinos - a record-holder of the total of albums, record sales, fees, income and mainly, love. She was adored by her public, respected by her fellow performers, fought over by producers and desired as a woman.
In 1939, she went to the USA... the singer became a comedian, a movie star, a celebrity. The whole-world recognized her for her extravagant turbans, Bahian fancy-dresses, her platform shoes and mainly her exuberance. She was known as the 'Brazilian bombshell'.
This was all the more extraordinary because Carmen was born Portuguese, in the Oporto district. Her parents and grandparents were Portuguese but, in 1909, she was taken to Brazil with the rest of her family when she was 10 months old.
At that time, Rio de Janeiro was as Portuguese as could be with its 200,000 Portuguese-born citizens. Carmen was brought up in that community and it was from there that she became the interpreter of Brazilian identity, Brazil's ambassador of Joy and a woman who helped to bring more colour into the world made grey by War.
The exhibition told me the full story of her life through hundreds of pictures, sounds, objects. How she went from Rio in the 1920s and 30s to Hollywood and New York in the 1940s and 50s.
Hope you enjoy the slide-show
This was all the more extraordinary because Carmen was born Portuguese, in the Oporto district. Her parents and grandparents were Portuguese but, in 1909, she was taken to Brazil with the rest of her family when she was 10 months old.
At that time, Rio de Janeiro was as Portuguese as could be with its 200,000 Portuguese-born citizens. Carmen was brought up in that community and it was from there that she became the interpreter of Brazilian identity, Brazil's ambassador of Joy and a woman who helped to bring more colour into the world made grey by War.
The exhibition told me the full story of her life through hundreds of pictures, sounds, objects. How she went from Rio in the 1920s and 30s to Hollywood and New York in the 1940s and 50s.
Hope you enjoy the slide-show
~~ HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND ~~
I had NO idea that Carmen Miranda was born in Oporto!!, of all places, where my friend Michelle is from and has now moved back to. My mother absolutely adored Carmen Miranda. And, so, through her adoration I'm familiar with Carmen Miranda's music, FABulous costumes (my mother was a dress maker and keen to comment on any new styles), and FUN and colourful personality.
ReplyDeleteEvery time in earth's history, it seems, can be bleak and depressing. It's up to us to focus on the joy, that is, without putting our heads in the sand, and live as wonderfully well as we possibly can. Don't you think so? IMO, this still includes thinking of others as well. Thanks for this lovely reminder of a wonderful woman born in your land! Cheers
cute song. very nice slideshow. thanks for sharing dearie.
ReplyDeletesome wonderful shots of costumes, shoes, hats etc! she was really someone!
ReplyDeletenice music too...i noticed that you used 4shared :)
what a creative slide show! you are amazing...... here in the states, you usually can not bring your camera into exhibits...... so this is extra fun for us...... amazing 'artifacts' loved the photos!
ReplyDeletevery eclectic and extravagant.
ReplyDeleteHere, in Portugal, it depends on the exhibition. In some cases we can't either. However, using no flash is always allowed.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I did... it works,Amalie!
ReplyDeleteI am glad of your visit and noticing that my blog could tell you something you did not know, yet. I was touched to read your Mother loved that extravagant woman...
ReplyDeleteyour Carmen is really beautiful woman and great actress as well ... Beautiful slide show Belita...
ReplyDeleteI have to confess to being old enough to remember her, isn't that sad? - LOL
ReplyDeleteNo reason to worry about it.... maybe we are sailing on not very much different boats....
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting.