Bettie Page Died
Playboy: January 1955 ~ www.bettiepage.com
Famous for her bondage photographs and innocently smiling eyes, Bettie Page at age 85 years old died on December 11, 2008 at 6:41pm in a Los Angeles hospital from a heart attack and pneumonia.
What led me to finding out about Ms. Page’s condition was that a few days earlier, I received the strangest midnight call from a photographer I knew, asking me to do all sorts of sordid things on camera for a big budget movie — a hardcore biopic on Bettie Page they were trying to unroll quickly so they could reap the big dollars of the cult icon’s death. Among other questionable things, I don’t think I have the right ribcage for the job. “We can fix that in post,” he said. And that is Hollywood, folks! Thank you very much, come again.
While we keep the Bettie Page fun-loving spirit alive, may our muse rest in peace.
www.bettiepage.com
Betty Mae Page was born on April 22, 1922 in Nashville Tennessee.
Bettie Page quote: “I’ve been a movie hound my whole life.”
The first incarnation of the ScreenwritingforHollywood website was actually designed in a Bettie Page bondage theme — whipping scripts into shape. Though Bettie was admittedly a terrible actor, like yours truly, designing much of her own lingerie and taking control of her model shoots, Bettie has been an endless source of inspiration to filmmakers, fashion designers, photographers, artists, and more.
We love her.
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11 Responses to “Bettie Page Died”
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Oh. Sorry to hear that.
Even though she was way before my time, I always thought she was pretty HOT. Even more so than Marylin Monroe.
What ever happened to Bettie, anyway? Seems she dropped off the face of the planet after the early 60′s.
I’ve never heard of her until the movie “The Notorious Bette Page” came out, and even then I still didn’t know who she was, but I had more of an idea. I ended up putting it on my Netflix but I think I’m going to bump it up so I can get it sooner now.
I love her name though, it just sounds destined to be famous for some reason.
@T.
You probably haven’t heard about Bettie, because her movies aren’t exactly the type you can rent at BlockBusters. ;-)
Friar — Bettie was put on trial for indecent exposure and all sorts of political nonsense and she was just over it, disappeared. She also had personal problems, childhood trauma, multiple marriages, psychological issues. Don’t we all?!
t.sterling — In California and New York, Bettie Page has always been pretty popular — in my lifetime — particularly in the rockabilly, retro, and punk movements.
There’s no doubt she was definately before my time, which is another reason why I heard so little about her. But CNN/Time had some pretty good pictures of her throughout the years. Tame ones, but nice nonetheless.
I agree Friar, she’s so much more attractive than Monroe. I always thought Monroe was overrated anyway, but that’s just some young whipper-snapper’s opinion.
I always thought Bettie Page was just the coolest – way hotter than Marilyn Monroe. I’m sad she’s gone, and can you even imagine the stories she could tell? Damn!
Bettie, even though she lived a hard life, has happy smiling eyes, while Marilyn always had such sad eyes. Bettie makes you feel empowered to be a woman, while Marilyn makes you feel weak and trampled.
I am doing a vintage photoshoot Wednesday using 1800s technology photography, super dooper old school stuff, with a guy who knew a guy that dated Bettie. Will have to fish for more details on that.
@jaden
That’s interesting, what you said about Bettie making women feel empowered. How so?
Because based on the roles she played in her movies, empowerment is not exactly the first word that comes to my mind.
Marilyn way have appeared weak, but then again, she didn’t make bondage films either.
Friar — The way Bettie comes off in her still images, she makes being naughty fun and sexy. That’s my perception, but I am not the all-knowing Lord Friar.
@Jaden
Oboy….I’m FAR from all-knowing! :-)
I was just askin’..
Because it’s pretty easy to guess what most GUYS would think of Bettie…but it would be interesting to hear what women think.
Bettie DID seem more comfortable with her sexuality, compared to Marilyn, I must admit.
Kinda like the Madonna of the 1950′s.
Though both were great icons of their time.
a part of America has died.I will always be in love with her