Veronica Lake was an American actress who rose to fame in the 1940s. She was known for her sultry beauty, with her signature long blonde hair cascading over one eye. This hairstyle became known as the "Veronica Lake peek-a-boo" and was emulated by many women during that era. Lake's captivating looks and mysterious persona made her a popular choice for leading roles in film noirs and war dramas. Lake's most iconic role came in the film "This Gun for Hire" (1942) opposite Alan Ladd. Her character, an alluring nightclub singer, became an instant cinematic archetype.
Unwilling, or perhaps unable, to play the Hollywood game, Lake was attracted to other oddballs like herself. With her clear eye for the absurd, she adored the “handsome devil” Errol Flynn, and the equally hard-drinking Gary Cooper who she lovingly recalls often spotting slumped asleep in the saddle on Sunday morning horse rides in the Valley. One of Lake’s favorite friends was the eccentric socialite Lady Mendl, who took tea with her while standing on her head.
In Lake s telling, it was her financially disastrous second marriage to the controlling, abusive, often absent Hungarian director Andre De Toth that sent her into a spiral. Just as I can connect to the gossamer image of Veronica Lake through my fevered viewing of This Gun for Hire , so we can see our own ancestors, and marvel at the pre-digital age.
Her character, an alluring nightclub singer, became an instant cinematic archetype. Lake's performance captivated audiences and established her as one of Hollywood's leading ladies. She went on to star in a string of successful films, including "Sullivan's Travels" (1941), "The Blue Dahlia" (1946), and "I Married a Witch" (1942).
Magical Veronica Lake
What is it about Veronica Lake that makes her so completely unlike all other 1940's blonde femme fatales? Something in her gaze reflects a sweet tender concern; something in her voice casts a gossamer warmth--the cinematic equivalent of a warm shoulder to weep yourself to sleep into-- even as her aura, face and beautiful blonde hair freeze you where you sit like a blast of Arctic air.
So many of her directors seemed determined to hide her beautiful hair in strict buns, or pulled under stupid hats and turbans. Perhaps her hairstyles reflected the tenseness and repression of the times. Veronica Lake's long blonde hair shone like a moon that could turn the tides, and so was kept locked up tight in buns of steel and bizarre hats. Repression hates changing tides. When Lake's hair was free it could wash all the sins of the depression and the war away, as in the amazing bathrobe scene of Sullivan's Travels (which is so aptly captured in Starlet Showcase). But when her hair was hidden, Alan Ladd sulked and Brian Donlevy and Joel MaCrea shot pained glances.
If my text is incoherent, forgive me. I've got a bad cold and am delirious. which I don't mind a bit with the cinematic ghost of Veronica Lake hovering above me on the TV screen. But what is it about her? Her voice always seems distant and far away, as if it was dubbed in later by the ghost of a flower. Rene Clair must have tried to access this supernatural power in I Married a Witch , because the film seems primed to take off into some alternate dimension. It never succeeds totally, but it spawned that TV show, Bewitched. Goddamn Dick York for his part in emasculating the male ego ideal of this great nation! Frederic March is at least a stronger force than Jimmy Stewart in Bell Book and Candle. Kim Novak has some of this weird Veronica Lake magic, but it's not the same brand.
Do you, dear reader, dare assume there are no such things as witches? Veronica Lake was a witch. Maybe that's why she's such perfect company in the fires of a late November fever!
P.S. Here's a true fact about me: Some of my relatives (on my father's side) were tried and hung as witches in Salem, Mass, back in the day (Mary Easty was hung; Mary Edwards escaped). My great grandmother, who recently died at 107, and my grandmother, now 94, both have inherited some of this weird magical daemonic power that Veronica Lake had. Is this why we like some stars over others? Genetics? We feel emotions through cinema's stars as if they were vessels, proxies; stand-ins for our dream selves. Now let's presume that, on an unconscious level, you can connect yourself through the past to these moving images of people long dead. is that not itself a form of black magic? To connect your soul with that of Veronica Lake is to merge with the past, facilitating not just the common shallow depth unconscious drive of returning to the womb, but the deep end unconscious drive of merging with the womb behind your mom's womb, back further still, behind you great grandmother's womb, to all-seeing I am Womb, from which all beings come, and from which comes birth, thought, expression, action, life, death, retention, release, all just facets of the same ever-sparkling tinsel-toed diamond?
Imagine your own ancient ancestors who lived before telephones and electricity -- what would they think if they could see you now? They couldn't see you if they tried, and oh how they tried. They tried with crystal balls but they couldn't look that far ahead. But we can see them, all the way back when they were young and pretty. Just as I can connect to the gossamer image of Veronica Lake through my fevered viewing of This Gun for Hire , so we can see our own ancestors, and marvel at the pre-digital age. And if this is true, it is also and obviously true that future generations of ourselves are right now looking back at us, peering through the silvery veils of screening room time to marvel at the age of tools and celluloid and pixelated flesh; a time before all was pure thought; a time when man and machine were separate entities; a time before the cleansing hand of 2012 came and washed it all away until there was nothing, just the eternal blazing brilliance of her blond and wavy hair, the peaceful calm stillness of a Veronica Lake.
P.S. Here's a true fact about me: Some of my relatives (on my father's side) were tried and hung as witches in Salem, Mass, back in the day (Mary Easty was hung; Mary Edwards escaped). My great grandmother, who recently died at 107, and my grandmother, now 94, both have inherited some of this weird magical daemonic power that Veronica Lake had. Is this why we like some stars over others? Genetics? We feel emotions through cinema's stars as if they were vessels, proxies; stand-ins for our dream selves. Now let's presume that, on an unconscious level, you can connect yourself through the past to these moving images of people long dead. is that not itself a form of black magic? To connect your soul with that of Veronica Lake is to merge with the past, facilitating not just the common shallow depth unconscious drive of returning to the womb, but the deep end unconscious drive of merging with the womb behind your mom's womb, back further still, behind you great grandmother's womb, to all-seeing I am Womb, from which all beings come, and from which comes birth, thought, expression, action, life, death, retention, release, all just facets of the same ever-sparkling tinsel-toed diamond?
Despite her undeniable talent and beauty, Lake struggled to maintain her success in Hollywood. She faced personal and professional challenges, including failed marriages, financial troubles, and struggles with alcoholism. These difficulties took a toll on her career, and she eventually faded from the limelight. Lake's life was undoubtedly tumultuous, but her undeniable charm and captivating presence on screen left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Her image continues to inspire and influence filmmakers and fashion enthusiasts to this day. Veronica Lake will always be remembered as a magical presence in the golden age of cinema..
Reviews for "The Untold Story: Discovering the Real Veronica Lake"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Magical Veronica Lake" to be extremely disappointing and underwhelming. The story was predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The magical elements in the book were poorly explained and felt like a tacked-on plot device. The writing style lacked depth and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and well-developed magical story.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical Veronica Lake," but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked coherence. The characters were unrealistic and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the magical elements in the story were poorly integrated, and their purpose was unclear. While the book had potential, it ultimately failed to capture my interest or leave a lasting impression.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - "Magical Veronica Lake" was a mediocre read for me. The storyline felt disjointed, with several subplots that didn't contribute much to the overall narrative. The characters were forgettable, and their interactions felt forced. The writing itself was average, lacking any standout moments or captivating prose. While the concept of magic had potential, it was underutilized and failed to bring any intrigue to the story. Overall, this book left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.