topic Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS in Community Chat

AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Oznell — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:52:49 GMT

What a lovely woman Audrey Hepburn was, apart from her remarkable movie career. Her work with UNICEF for children became the driving focus of her later life, and she worked very hard on the vital issue of getting drinkable water to populations in turbulent countries. Her childhood during World War II, when she experienced chronic hunger, also motivated her.

She was never more beautiful. What a caring legacy she left.

The same site that showed Audrey relaxing in Switzerland, had some other interesting, off-screen photos.

Gene Kelly's little daughter was so cute, imitating Dad.

This photo captures the very young Mia Farrow's "waif-like" quality. Majestic kitty--

This candid, behind-the-scenes image of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn ( looking tense), reminded me of something. Hepburn was apparently having a lot of trouble doing the comedy in "Bringing Up Baby", and was reportedly "over-acting" a lot. Grant kept telling her to relax and not "try" to be so funny, and the humor would take care of itself. It must have worked because both of them are HYE-larious in "Bringing Up Baby":

Love that cats star in these photos, and other animal cuties are front and center. Interesting how sweet and relaxed this kitty is with Brando!

The young Whitney Houston shows her delicate beauty and almost a shy quality in this photo at home...

Charlton Heston looking pensive. What a perfect movie star living room, just what I would expect!

And Lauren Bacall looks very at ease in her apartment in the Dakota. Those eyes! Doubt if she was intimidated by the Dakota's slightly spooky reputation...

Omar Sharif with his Afghan hound in his apartment in Saudi Arabia. He seemed to live all over the world...

At first I didn't recognize Natalie Wood in a light-hearted mood. She could be famously informal and exuberant off-stage.

Steve McQueen, whoa, has that timeless appeal!

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Shelbelle — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:57:56 GMT

McQueen shirtless, it doesnt get much better than that !!! He was one gone way too soon.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

ROMARY — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:57:59 GMT

As I often say, I would love to see Steve McQueen in an AI generated movie or TV series.

What a fan-tastic actor and persona.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

shoekitty — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:09:19 GMT

ahhhhh sweet youth! Great candid photos. I had to laugh at Marlon Brando, the typewriter in his lap as if he had computer, lol! I remember those days. My old Underwood. Mia Farrow eyes, huge. They still are ...but oh my. And Steve McQueen! That phot in his jeans look like it could have been snapped yesterday. Styles return sooner or later, right now most of the photos don't even look dated.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

beach-mom — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:22:49 GMT

@Oznell - TY for these fantastic pictures! I love Bringing Up Baby! And I love the pictures with pets - so precious to see celebrities "letting their hair down."

Do any other celebrities live in the Dakota? I've heard about it, but I don't know much about it. I assume it has a storied past.

I have always admired Audrey Hepburn and her work to help children. She made a difference, which is something I want to do.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

FLtricia — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:38:15 GMT

@beach-mom , I too was interested in the Dakota apartments. I read the book 'Life at the Dakota" (I think that is the title).

It was really interesting! Built by Singer of Singer sewing machine fame. Many famous people have lived there over the years. What fascinated me most was the top floor,which was for servants. No one really kept track of them except their employers. Well, as the years went by fewer servants were needed, and by the mid 1900's no one knew who was living up there rent free.

I am sure by now someone is collecting rent.

I have even gone on Realtor.com to check out listings in that building.

I know, at bit crazy on my part, but when I am interested I research.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Parischic — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:21:16 GMT

Love Audrey Hepburn, still do!

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

AZfem — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:29:16 GMT

Enjoyable pictures! Thank you.

Besides her later in life UNICEF work, Audrey carried messages for the resistance during WW II as the Nazis paid little attention to children. (Gutsy child!)

Remember at the beginning of the "Godfather" Marlon was stroking a similar cat during his daughter's wedding when he was granting favors.

In his autobiography, Marlon mentions many pets he & his family had. In NY, he had a pet racoon, Russell, who once pulled Marlon's mothers false teeth out of her mouth & ran off with them.

Gorgeous photo of Steve McQueen!

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

OKPrincess — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:51:16 GMT

Love these photos 🥰

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

vermint — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:09:28 GMT

@Oznell Thank you for posting these wonderful photos! I just watched--for the 4th or 5th time--Singin' In The Rain on TCM yesterday afternoon. Gene Kelly is my favorite dancer of that time to watch, so athletic and light on his feet.

Side note: I always thought that Kelly looked like he was having so much fun "Dancing In The Rain" in that movie. Found out some years ago that he had a 100+ degree temperature while filming that scene. He was probably delerious with fever!

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Oznell — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:15:33 GMT

This thread has such great responses!

@beach-mom , the only other one I knew about who lived there was Leonard Bernstein-- but looked it up and, it seems, everyone from Judy Garland to Boris Karloff:

The Dakota, a historic, exclusive NYC co-op on the Upper West Side, has housed numerous celebrities since 1884. Famous residents include":

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Rosemary Clooney, Paul Simon, Boris Karloff , Roberta Flack

@FLtricia , fascinating historical info on that venerable apartment building! Couldn't you imagine a macabre short story being written about those long-ago servants clinging to their rooms on the top floor, unbeknownst to anyone else?! Love it.

@AZfem , hmmm, Brando may have had an affinity for cats-- makes me think well of him, ha.

@vermint , we should all be so delerious!

Agree with everyone about Steve McQueen-- he had that electric vibrancy that really comes through, even in still photographs....

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Oznell — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:18:51 GMT

The entrance of the Dakota apartment building. I don't know why, since I love old buildings and architecture, but it sort of gives me a foreboding feeling....

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:24:18 GMT

@Oznell wrote:

The entrance of the Dakota apartment building. I don't know why, since I love old buildings and architecture, but it sort of gives me a foreboding feeling....

@Oznell So beautiful and ornate, but I will always connect it to the movie Rosemary's Baby....lol......

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

beach-mom — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:25:52 GMT

@FLtricia wrote:
@beach-mom , I too was interested in the Dakota apartments. I read the book 'Life at the Dakota" (I think that is the title).

It was really interesting! Built by Singer of Singer sewing machine fame. Many famous people have lived there over the years. What fascinated me most was the top floor,which was for servants. No one really kept track of them except their employers. Well, as the years went by fewer servants were needed, and by the mid 1900's no one knew who was living up there rent free.

I am sure by now someone is collecting rent.

I have even gone on Realtor.com to check out listings in that building.

I know, at bit crazy on my part, but when I am interested I research.

I'm the same way @FLtricia! Thanks to you, and to you too @Oznell, for sharing your research. It sounds very interesting, and as it turns out, was home to a lot of famous people.

I think too that's where John Lennon was shot. I wonder if there is a plaque. I will definitely research more.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

DSD2 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:54:46 GMT

Beautiful pictures @Oznell none of which I've seen before.

Audrey Hepburn was SO beautiful. That million dollar smile!

Love Brando and his cat...

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

shoekitty — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:57:06 GMT

I was looking on Zillow at the Dakota apts available by appt. To rent. Good Lord. Some are over 25,000 or more a month. But they are gorgeous. Talk about traditional charm ! There is an apt,small.. to rent for about 5000. Which is about California rent. But the other ones ..wow.. so beautiful. Worth perusing through online. Zillow

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Oznell — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:46:10 GMT

Oh, @CANDLEQUEEN , maybe that's why I have a funny feeling about it-- had forgotten the exterior scenes were used in "Rosemary's Baby", shiver.

@shoekitty , you made me go look! Interesting that in the 6 1/2 million two bedroom one that I saw, there's still a small, New York type kitchen:

The ceiling heights, moldings, mantel etc. in this one are formidable, but to me, they've achieved a sort of "fustiness" that I sensed in Lauren Bacall's apartment too.

The furniture is all wrong, for one thing. I don't like the finish they chose for the door and windows either.

I guess I'm determined not to like this apartment, so I've saved $6 and a half million right there....

Thanks for the tip, it was really fun to browse the Zillow listings for Dakota apts....

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

shoekitty — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:21:16 GMT

@Oznell I preferred the apts for rent on Zillow. There is a beautiful one with gorgeous kitchen for about 15,000@ month. The one for 25,000, was almost 6000sq ft! They mostly very traditional, and reminiscent of time period. Many still have the traditional wallpapers, and time stamped furniture as well, like LaurenBacall. A few had nice kitchens. Big. For the most part, extensive remodeling hasn't been done on many kitchens and baths for space. Way Back in the day bathrooms might have been shared in apts on each floor. I am guessing,but indoor bathrooms in NY were being built around 1910-20. There were toilets installed in homes in later 1800's, but wealthy homeowners would have installed them. Ala, Life With Father? lol, lol! But it was usually the toilet only, not tubs or showers. They remodeled under stairs, closets and parts of bedrooms to build them. I read by 1930 the city had installed sewage plumbing. Vet me on that. So many of the older apts had to work around existing poorly installed old toilets and plumbing. At least they had it!
In my town today, the Victorian homes that tended and cared for, the kitchens are in back of home. They were built where mud room/ atria used to be. Narrow galley type kitchens. . In California if you apply with the state for historical significance, or unusual architecture you receive tax credits. But you can't remove walls, or change bones of home. Well, I just got carried away here....lol as usual. I love historical buildings and homes

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

Oznell — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:00:40 GMT

@shoekitty , love it!

By the way, I didn't mean to sound dismissive of all the Dakota apartments. I only had time to look at a couple, that were probably not that representative. Was quite sure that there were beautiful ones similar to the ones you describe. The bones are all there, thanks to the vintage of the building.

I want go back later and look some more, too. I do like old apartments-- lived in several in New Orleans.

Of course, they were modest and shall we say, more "intimate" in square footage....

Let's see, my favorites among all the magnificent old dwellings in New York would be the incredible brownstones, esp. in Brooklyn and Harlem. Have never seen their interiors in person, but in pictures, so many have the stunning proportions, plaster and mill work that just make you swoon.

Re: AUDREY HEPBURN AND PALS

shoekitty — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:16:52 GMT

I have only lived in an apt twice in my life lol. Once in college, in an old Victorian in Berkeley/ Oakland area. I had an area upstairs walk up, which at one time must have been a sun room. Modest isn't the word, utilitarian comes to mind lol. The other was a small apt after marriage. But I think I could live in one in a Brownstone, or a big place at the Dakota. Maybe facing Central Park, ohhh yeah. It has to be costly, because it isn't just the rents or mortgages. It is the co op fees, the other fees you pay for. Almost like a homeowners management.