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Over the years, men have had favorite pinup girls; during the 1940's there was Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, and Jane Russell; in the 50's there was Marilyn Monroe, Gina Lollobrigida, Jayne Mansfield and Elizabeth Taylor, and during the 1960's there was Brigitte Bardot and Raquel Welch. I don't know who the latest sex symbols are these days, but they have a hard act to follow as far as I am concerned. There was one, in particular, that captivated the public for a number of years, Sophia Loren, an Italian actress with incredible looks and acting skills.

Loren has spent over sixty years in the public eye, which is a tribute to her endurance. At age 78, she still looks fabulous. If you were to ask people which actress appeals to both sexes, you would be hard pressed to find someone who can top Sophia Loren. It's more than just looks too. She's starred in movies opposite such notable leading men as Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Marcello Mastroianni, Richard Burton, Charlton Heston, Peter Sellers, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, and Marlon Brando. She was always able to hold her own against such heavyweights and won numerous acting awards, including being declared in 1991 as "one of the world cinema's treasures."

Even though she was always admired for her beauty and acting skills, there is something else that captures the imagination of her fans, some sort of mystique she possesses, perhaps it is European or Italian in nature. I think the word I'm looking for is "class." In public, I have never known her not to be the picture of poise and grace, yet she seems to be very down to earth, very approachable. She is a sort of royalty who can relate to her subjects, probably because she remembers her modest beginnings. It is this sense of class, coupled with looks, that makes her attractive to both men and women, and you see it in just about every film she has made, as well as in interviews.

When the movie "Grumpier Old Men" was produced in 1995, she was already 61 and making fewer films. People wondered if she still had "it" to play a femme fatale opposite Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, and competing with Ann-Margret. She had "it" alright, helping to make the movie a box office success. On the screen, she still exuded class and sensuality.

Sophia is still active but has understandably slowed down her volume of work. Now and then, she will appear at a public function and still looks smashing in her cleavage revealing gowns; even better than a lot of actresses a third of her age. So, if I had to vote for a favorite pinup, I would have to give the nod to Sophia Loren. She has looks, class, longevity, and a certain savior-fare about her. She certainly has "it."

Keep the Faith!

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Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.