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For those too young to remember, a 1980 romantic comedy—just the kind the just-deceasedDanielle Darrieux (above) made famous a half century before—called Those Lips, Those Eyes (below left) charmed audiences and introduced GlynnisO’Connor to the world. “Tom Hulce falls for the lovely Glynnis,” read one review, “who looks like the kind of high-school classmate that every boy dreams about—before he goes to sleep. He winds up spending a night with her too!”
“She’s a pretty toothsome morsel in the nude (above right). Hulce gawks rapturously. And like the hero says to him: ‘Once you’ve seen Those Lips, Those Eyes … ‘you’re hooked, kid.’”
The same applies to our succulent subject, according to Seein’ Stars Weekly on 11/27/38: “Danielle Darrieux has one of the best figures (below left) of any screen actress {a perfect 36-24-36 hourglass, below right} …
… yet twice European critics have voted her eyes the most beautiful in all Europe!”
Fittingly for the daughter of an ophthalmologist, Danielle recorded this hit single about her perilous peepers:
And showed why those lips and eyes drew so many sighs.
“Ms. Darrieux has a cameo-like perfection of feature and a limpid serenity of manner,” raved the New YorkTimes when she hit our shores, “which makes for one of the hauntingly charming performances of the year.”
Yet, as the Times wrote 80 years later in her recent obituary: “After dipping her toe in the Hollywood waters (below right), she declined to plunge in—returning to France (below right) immediately after making The Rageof Paris and pleading illness (‘ill health resulting from nervous strain’).”
And to say she was welcomed back to Paris with open arms is putting it mildly {arriving at the airport in 1938}.
Why the mesmerized men of France even erected a statue in her on•her.
But the beautiful bust didn’t do justice to Danielle’s finest feature: legs so long and lovely that she was picked to promote the first pairs of ‘nude’ stockings!
Horny Hollywood honchos had made every effort to showcase her Gallic gams …
… inspiring one young Louisiana lad to become a designer. “I was just étonné, as the French would say,” recalled fashion fixture Geoffrey Beene {below left, it means ‘amazed’}. “I remember seeing a magazine with Danielle Darrieux on the cover (below right), and I said, ‘I just have to go to Paris.’”
“Beene’s design process was firmly rooted in the capacities of the fabric and the structural anatomy of the female form,” Curated.com reflects on the late legend, “rather than seasonal trends. For this, his designs retain the same daring yet timeless quality now as they did during his prolific career.”
And speaking of daring, Darrieux’s diaphanous dresses and ever-erect braless breasts have proved timeless as swell:
Part•icularly at age 18 in director Billy Wilder’s first film, Mauvaise Graine {‘Bad Seed’} which shocked audiences—even in Europe—where her nipples were ‘up’ for Best Unsupported Actress of 1935!
As jiggly Jeannette, Danielle’s character lures men away from their expensive cars …
… so her brother’s henchman can steal them.
Indeed, all eyes were on DD—once the gang of car thieves had slyly succeeded in stealing her brassiere.
Amazingly, she would leave it off for an anonymous modeling pose titled Le Sein (‘The Breast’} … which Sleuth uncovered on a ‘figure-finding mission’ to Paris.
