Australian Women's Weekly Icons

Revisit the magic of Hollywood’s golden age with a new Icons issue. From leading lady Lucille Ball’s path to becoming our favourite funny girl to the secret lives of stars including Frank Sinatra, Leslie Caron, Burt Lancaster and more there are 164 page of gripping reads and vintage photos to enjoy.

From the editor

LEADING ladies • Grace Kelly Lauren Bacall Joan Crawford

Princess of steel GRACE KELLY • Her patrician beauty and cool demeanour made her Alfred Hitchcock’s favourite leading lady, but when MGM tried to control their blonde star, they found their ice-princess was a snow-covered volcano, writes Bronwyn Phillips.

The sultry siren LAUREN BACALL • An enduring career and fairytale romance would see the star become an icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The ultimate diva JOAN CRAWFORD • She was one of the biggest stars of the Golden Age, with an enviable wardrobe to match. And her every move was covered in the press, including in an article from our archives written by famed gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. We republish Hedda’s words here.

Stars AT PLAY • Beverly Wilshire Hotel Stars playing tennis

Magnet for the stars BEVERLY WILSHIRE HOTEL • Built on the site of a former speedway, this hotel would run its own race when it came to celebrity guests and visitors. Tiffany Dunk heads inside to revisit.

Grand slam stars GAME, SET, MATCH! • Whether for publicity or pleasure, the stars grabbed their racquets and hit the court to serve up these smash-hit shots.

Musical TRAILBLAZERS • Bernard Herrmann Tony Bennett

Knowing the score BERNARD HERRMANN • He scored some of Hollywood’s greatest films but Bernard’s most successful collaboration was with director Alfred Hitchcock. However, as Dann Lennard explains, a creative clash would destroy one of the greatest duos in history.

The great American songman TONY BENNETT • He was the master of reinvention, a natural born talent who had perfect timing – in life and in music, reports Tim Gill.

SCANDALS & tragedy • Alan Ladd Constance Bennett Rock Hudson

The haunted hero ALAN LADD • As Hollywood’s hottest box office attraction in the 1940s, he received thousands of fan letters a week. Yet insecurity about his height and doubts about his own talent, writes Dann Lennard, led the troubled actor to addiction and death at 50.

A true drama queen CONSTANCE BENNETT • She was born into high society and would go on to become one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. But behind closed doors, the actress’s private life, as Kylie Walters discovers, was far more tumultuous than any of the characters she played onscreen.

A forgotten talent ROCK HUDSON • In the years since his passing, the actor’s story has been shrouded in scandal and mistruths. Now, a new film aims to resurrect the magnificent memory and legacy of a man who was far more than just the famous face of AIDS. Tiffany Dunk reports.

LEADING men • Spencer Tracy Dean Martin Cary Grant

The troubled talent SPENCER TRACY • He was one of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Yet Spencer Tracy’s early years were full of disappointment, and a battle with the bottle would almost derail his career, as Nicole Hickson

King of cool DEAN MARTIN • The handsome, charismatic crooner found fame thanks to his smooth baritone sound onstage and effortless charm onscreen, as well as a little help from his friends.

Hollywood’s most handsome CARY GRANT • He was one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men, and even after his retirement from the silver screen the dashing actor was still captivating his fans. This article from The Weekly’s archives proves why.

THE STYLE makers • Chanel Stars hit hair and make-up The French Mannequins

The game changer GABRIELLE CHANEL • More...