Saturday, January 27, 2007

Catherine Deneuve, circa 1964

When Catherine Deneuve was first introduced to American audiences in 1964 (the picture below is from about then), the timing couldn't have been better for her. Americans were embracing foreign popular culture - British rock groups, German cars, and Italian and, yes, French movies - like never before and not so much since. She was as ubiquitous in foreign-movie theaters in the sixties as the Beatles were on pop radio then.


Legend has it that when French President Charles de Gaulle saw her and Roger Vadim whizz by his limousine in a sports car, he asked his seatmate who the young woman was. Told whom it was, and that she was a movie actress, de Gaulle reportedly said, "She's going to be a big success. She's certainly in a big hurry!"

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