'Happy Birthday Mr President': Rare black and white pictures released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's iconic Madison Square Garden performance to JFK

Exactly 50 years ago today, Marilyn Monroe performed one the most famous versions of 'Happy Birthday' ever sung - definitely to a sitting U.S President.

Wearing the iconic rhinetstone dress that she was literally sewn into, Monroe performed a sultry version of the popular song to President John F. Kennedy at a fundraiser on May 19, 1962.

And to commemorate that fact, LIFE magazine has released a series of rare black and white images taken by photographer Billy Ray from the gala held for JFK's birthday put on at Madison Square Garden when it existed between 50th and 51st streets.

All alone on stage, Marilyn Monroe sings 'Happy Birthday' to President John F. Kennedy, New York, May 19, 1962

The evening will always be remembered for 36-year-old Monroe's intimate rendition of 'Happy Birthday', sung to preempt the Democrat's 45th birthday by ten days.

Photographed by Bill Ray, the collection has been released for the anniversary, including his unique vantage point of Monroe as she sings, from behind her and up in the rafters of Madison Square Gardens.

Singing to married father-of-two Kennedy like they were the only two people in the 15,000 seater arena, the sex-symbol's performance has been much analysed and even parodied by the likes of Lady GaGa over the years.

 

That indelible night, Kennedy was on his own, as his wife Jackie was visiting friends in Virginia.

Already thought to have begun their alleged affair, Monroe's sexy rendition of 'Happy Birthday' merely added fuel to the fire of rumours at the time claiming the two were an item.

John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden for the 'Birthday Salute' in his honor, New York, May 19, 1962

John F. Kennedy arrives in a limo at the old Madison Square Garden for a 'Birthday Salute' in his honour

John F. Kennedy enters Madison Square Garden prior to Marilyn Monroe's iconic birthday wishes to him

John F. Kennedy on stage at Madison Square Garden during his 'Birthday Salute', New York, May 19, 1962

President Kennedy arrived without his wife Jackie for the evening

Cake at Madison Square Garden during a 'Birthday Salute' in honor of President Kennedy

As she performed, the slightly embarrassed president took to the stage to announce, 'Thank you. I can now retire from politics after having had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way.'

Monroe's famous dress was noted for being made of a sheer and flesh coloured marquisette fabric, that had 2,500 rhinestones sewn into it.

Apparently, when viewed under the spotlight, the fabric seemed to disappear and the rhinestones simply glittered on the Jean Louis designed dress.

The evening was all the more poignant for the fact that less than three months later Monroe was found dead and of course in November 1963, JFK was shot dead in Dallas.

'For stargazers and dusty old historians, alike, the night that Marilyn sang to JFK remains an uncanny, once-in-a-lifetime collision of sex, politics, power and pop culture,' said LIFE magazine.

The stage and seating at Madison Square Garden during a 'Birthday Salute' in honor of JFK, New York, May 19, 1962

The program from a 'Birthday Salute' in honor of President John F. Kennedy

Vice President Lyndon Johnson, Madison Square Garden, New York, May 19, 1962

Singer Peggy Lee on stage at Madison Square Garden during a 'Birthday Salute' in honor of President Kennedy, New York, May 19, 1962

Actress Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday at the Democratic rally for President John F. Kennedy's birthday

Read more:

• Digg.com: The Night Marilyn Sang to JFK: Rare Photos
• Bill Ray Photography ¿

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2147038/Happy-Birthday-Mr-President-Rare-black-white-pictures-released-celebrate-50th-anniversary-Marilyn-Monroes-iconic-Madison-Square-Garden-performance-JFK.html

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They really were the fabulous Fifties: Decade of Liz Taylor and Audrey Hepburn is voted most attractive ever

It was an era of true Hollywood beauties featuring timeless glamour from screen goddesses still celebrated today.

Now in a reflection of the traditional beauty so often found in the Fifties, the era has been voted the most attractive decade in a poll of modern men.

Over 1,000 males were asked to decide which women were the most attractive over the last 60 years.

Glamour girls: The likes of Elizabeth Taylor (left) and Grace Kelly helped give the 1950s the reputation for star appeal it has today

Icons: The likes of Audrey Hepburn (left) were also stars of the age, along with Elizabeth Taylor

And far from choosing modern beauties like Cheryl Cole and Scarlett Johansson, the most popular period was that of the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.

The hour-glass shapes of the Fifties saw it selected as the most alluring decade ahead of the Noughties.

The Sixties came third in the poll, with the Seventies fourth.

Perhaps less surprisingly, the outlandish hairstyles and even more bizarre fashions of the 1980s saw it named the least attractive decade, in the poll by online casino RoxyPalace.com.

A spokesperson from RoxyPalace.com said: 'The Fifties was an age when women looked like women – there were none of these fake tans and false eyelashes.'

Symbolic: Doris Day was another Fifties star from the era where 'women dressed like women'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2146831/Fabulous-Fifties-decade-Elizabeth-Taylor-Audrey-Hepburn-voted-attractive-ever.html

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We're all hooked on fishtails: The divas make a dramatic fashion statement from the red carpet in Cannes (well, they are all beside the sea)

Only the most show-stopping, eyepopping glamour will do at the Cannes Film Festival, the world’s biggest fashion photo-opportunity.

And this year, Hollywood A-listers seeking to make a splash are taking their inspiration from the sea.

The red carpet has been dominated by dresses featuring a dramatic fishtail silhouette – figure-hugging around the bodice, waist and hips but flared out from the knee and finishing with a flowing train. 

Black beauty: Spanish actress Paz Vega draws gasps in her daring monochrome Stephane Rolland gown with a keyhole bodice and skirt with a feathered fishtail

Timeless elegance: Jane Fonda, left, may be 74, but she looks decades younger in her shimmering Atelier Versace bronze gown, which shows off her tiny waist, while Eva Longoria, right, looks every inch the retro Hollywood siren in an Emilio Pucci creation

Catch of the day: Chinese actress Fan Bingbing pays homage to her heritage in a Christopher Bu gown

Stars including Eva Longoria and  Jane Fonda have taken advantage of the effect the shape has on a woman’s figure, with Ms Longoria dazzling in a sleek white version with a plunging neckline by Emilio Pucci and Ms Fonda defying her years in a skin-tight bronze version by Atelier Versace. 

 

Mermaid-style dresses, which were at their peak of popularity during the Hollywood golden era, began making a comeback at the Golden Globes in January, when a host of actresses including Reese Witherspoon and Rooney Mara turned up wearing the shape.

Now, with every big-name designer from Christian Dior to Vera Wang, Marchesa and Zac Posen featuring it in their collections, the fishtail frock has become the look of the year.

The style dates back to the Victorian era, when Charles Frederick Worth, the British designer known as the father of haute couture, made dresses with hems which skimmed the top of the feet at the front and flowed on to the ground at the back.

Topped and tailed: The previous night, the Desperate House stunned in a Marchesa fantasy

To bead or not to bead: Salma Hayek, left, maximises her assets in Gucci with beaded bodice and chiffon skirt, while Inglorious Basterds star Diane Kruger scales the heights in a billowing Giambattista Valli gown

During the Fifties it became the design that starlets including Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe chose when they wanted to showcase their curves with maximum impact.    

The mermaid style is a look which oozes old-school glamour, and its comeback reflects the recent resurgence in demand for fashion which celebrates women’s bodies.

‘After years of the pencil-thin, androgynous silhouette being fashionable, we are seeing a welcome return of a more womanly shape in Hollywood,’ says fashion expert Karen Kay.

‘Fashion is reacting to the changing mood, with designers responding to the demand for dresses which celebrate curves with the dramatic fishtail skirts we’ve seen in Cannes.’

Making a nude impression: Israeli model Hofit Golan in skin-colour ballgown by Jean Fares Couture

Chiffon chic: Naomi Watts is a study in understated elegance in a Marchesa dress covered with feather-studded bodice and cascading chiffon skirt

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2146981/Cannes-Film-Festival-2012-Divas-make-dramatic-fashion-statement-red-carpet.html

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Cheryl Cole shines bright in show-stopping white dress making her big entrance at Cannes by melting into the floor with dramatic scarlet train

She has only had a minor role in one film but Cheryl Cole looked every inch the big Hollywood star as she stepped out in Cannes tonight. 

The 28-year-old singer dazzled in a dramatic white dress by Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture as she made her big entrance at the Film Festival. 

And the singer certainly knew how to make a big impact as she appeared to melt into the carpet with her scarlet train matching the floor. 

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Shining bright: Cheryl Cole looked every inch the big Hollywood star as she stepped out onto the carpet in Cannes this evening in a dramatic white and red dress

She teamed the dramatic gown with bright red nails and a small matching clutch bag. 

The British beauty had her long brown locks in loose waves around her shoulders and she had diamonds dripping from her ears. 

While the dress had a fairly modest neckline there was a demure flash of skin from the low cut design at the back. 

Ruffling feathers: Cheryl's impressive gown stole the limelight from the other stars at screening of Amour 

Working her magic: Cheryl had photographers captivated and happily posed for plenty of snaps

Simple but stunning: While the neckline of the dress was high at the front it dipped down at the back

As well as glittering detail at the top of the train, the train of the dress was covered in bold red feathers.

Cheryl made her dramatic entrance at the screening of French film Amour and there were plenty of familiar faces joining the singer at the event including Diane Kruger. 

What a poser: The 28-year-old starlet was seen looking back to photographers over her shoulder

English rose: Cheryl was more than happy to pose up for as long as was needed and beamed at the doting photographers

But none could match Cheryl's impressive arrival in her unusual dress. 

Even a spot of rain couldn't take the smile from Cheryl's face ans she was seen beaming as she made her way up the steps.

A man appeared more than happy to hold an umbrella out for the singer as she entered the screening. 

Time to shine: Despite not being the star of the film Cheryl was the one who got the most attention as she arrived

Mingling and shaking: The singer was seen chatting with other guests ahead of the screening

The stars of the film Emmanuelle Riva, Susanne Haneke, director Michael Haneke, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant posed up together ahead of the screening. 

The film tells the story of an elderly married couple who are living in Paris when one of them suffers a strokE. 

Cheryl's trip to France is brief as she is set to be back in London on Tuesday for the premiere of her film What To Expect When You're Expecting. 

Damsel in distress! Cheryl didn't let a bit of rain bother her and a man helped her make her way in the stairs by holding out an umbrella for her

The stars of the show: Emmanuelle Riva, Susanne Haneke, director Michael Haneke, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant posed up together ahead of the screening

Glitter girls: Diane Kruger looked gorgeous in her sparkling silver gown while Josephine Jobert opted for a high-impact black dress

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2147203/Cheryl-Cole-shines-bright-stopping-white-dress-Cannes-makes-big-entrance-melting-floor-dramatic-scarlet-train.html




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Sex and the City: Sai o primeiro trailer de série que traz Carrie Bradshaw adolescente

A atriz AnnaSophie Robb recebeu a missão de interpretar Carrie Bradshaw - a fashionista de Sex and the City - adolescente na nova série The Carrie Diaries. E a expectativa não é pouca para a novidade!!

Enquanto o programa não estreia, dá para conferir o trailer recém-lançado e ter um gostinho do que vem por aí. A historinha, ao som de Madonna, mostra a chegada deCarrie na Manhattan dos anos 1980 e suas primeiras experiências com moda. Confira:

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