MANILA, Philippines?Each movie fan remembers his era best of all. We who fortunately saw Hollywood?s grand epics and sumptuous musicals naturally consider the 1950s unbeatable.

At the time, if a spectacle claimed to have a cast of thousands, it meant it. (These days, the zillions we see onscreen are ?cast? by the power of digital technology.) When a film claimed it was shot on location, it was indeed Africa, Hong Kong, Japan or the snowy mountains of the United States viewers saw.

And, when Hollywood claimed that an actress was a beauty, she?d look like Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor or Arlene Dahl! Alas, today?s biggest stars pale in comparison to those classic beauties?in persona and audience appeal.

Fashion sense

The ?50s also produced classic stars like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, who are known not only for their beauty, screen presence and acting talent, but also for their fashion sense. Imported Italian delicacies like Sofia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida were famous for their stunning looks and curves.

Reese Witherspoon? Sally Field? Yes, they?re cute?but if you see them at par with Greta Garbo, Ava Gardner and Elizabeth Taylor, get your eyes checked at the nearest optical clinic, Asap!

Leading men then included the likes of Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck?and Cary Grant, Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis were three of the best-looking leading men of that era. Marlon Brando, Paul Newman and Montgomery Clift were icons of the ?50s, as well.
Among the popular teenage idols were Tab Hunter and Troy Donahue. Like Rudolf Valentino, James Dean became even more popular after his untimely demise.

Judy Garland, the incomparable singer-dancer-actress, ruled the pack when she starred in the memorable ?A Star Is Born.? Esther Williams appeared in a series of ?aquatic? spectacles. Cyd Charisse gave new meaning to movie dancing and sex appeal. If you enjoyed slapstick comedy, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin delivered the goods?in hearty heaps!

Movie themes

In those days, the industry?s best, sweetest voices belonged to Dinah Shore and Doris Day. If you preferred jazzier songs, Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney provided aural bliss. Vic Damone and Nat ?King? Cole waxed many movie themes, and Mario Lanza and Howard Keel ruled from their own special singing thrones.

Elvis Presley starred in successful movies and made millions of fans happy. If the singer from Nashville was too naughty for you, Pat Boone, Bobby Darin and Tommy Sands were less shocking substitutes.

In the heyday of Hollywood, the spectacles included ?The Robe? and ?Quo Vadis.? Among the actresses who excelled in drama were Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Vivien Leigh, Deborah Kerr and Simone Signoret. And the quintessential sex star was Marilyn Monroe?although Mamie Van Doren, Anita Eckberg and Brigitte Bardot gave her some competition.