Australian Women's Weekly Icons

Revisit the magic of Hollywood’s golden age with a new Icons issue. From leading lady Lucille Ball’s path to becoming our favourite funny girl to the secret lives of stars including Frank Sinatra, Leslie Caron, Burt Lancaster and more there are 164 page of gripping reads and vintage photos to enjoy.

From the editor

LEADING ladies • Katharine Hepburn Vera-Ellen Sophia Loren

The man before Tracy • When the actress met iconic director John Ford, the pair couldn’t deny – or reconcile – their chemistry. And despite her long-lasting romance with Spencer Tracy, her connection to John would remain both intense and far-reaching, Tim Gill reports.

All the right moves • The lithe blonde with the sunny smile and impressive dance moves wowed audiences and co-stars alike during the reign of Golden Age movie musicals in Hollywood.

The love goddess • At the peak of her fame she was one of the most recognisable women in the world – her beauty as legendary as her towering talent. Yet in this story from our archives, a much more complicated woman emerged.

Stars OFF DUTY • Stars dining out The Cotton Club

Serving up the stars • At popular restaurants or on studio lots, the stars of the Golden Age socialised, gossiped, made deals and cemented relationships over shared meals.

The home of jazz • When gang leader Owen “Owney” Madden landed behind bars he figured it was time to get into a new business – show business. And so, writes Tiffany Dunk, a nightclub featuring the cream of the jazz crop was born.

DYNAMIC duos • Cary Grant & Irene Dunne Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy

The perfect marriage • They say that behind every successful man there is a woman. And for one Hollywood rising star that was a triple threat actress who would make him a go-to leading man for generations to come, writes Sarah Rodrigues.

America’s singing sweethearts • This operatic duo would make eight hit films together during the ’30s and ’40s for MGM. Each was supposedly happily married. Yet, writes Georgia Moore, when cameras were down, their on-screen love affair became a long-running passion that lasted well after their movies were over.

SCANDALS & tragedy • Marsha Hunt Wallis Simpson Hollywood ghosts

The black sheep • With a rising career unjustly coloured by the Red Scare and blacklists, this talented actress saw her trajectory stalled before its time, reports Tim Gill.

A passionate affair • When former King Edward VIII died on May 28, 1972, The Weekly’s long-time royal correspondent, Anne Matheson, wrote about the love affair – and the woman – who would define his legacy. We revisit that story here.

The haunting of Hollywood • Their fame and memories continue long after they’ve gone, but for some stars, death is not the last act. Bronwyn Phillips explores some of Hollywood’s most famous ghost stories, and places the stars are known to still linger.

LEADING men • Anthony Quinn Robert Redford Nils Asher

Man of many • The Mexican American actor lived his life with passion on-screen and off, with a career in the spotlight that spanned more than six decades and broke barriers in Hollywood, as Nicole Hickson discovers.

The timeless icon • A defining star of his generation, the Academy Award-winning actor and director’s career has endured from the Golden Age of Hollywood to modern screens.

The male Greta Garbo • The Swedish star was as talented and as blessed with good looks as his fellow countrywoman, Greta Garbo. And, writes Tiffany Dunk, this wasn’t the only similarity between the two, with the star’s intense aversion to publicity and hidden private life fuelling rumours that last to this day.

THE STYLE makers • Helen Rose Yves Saint Laurent Iconic movie sets

The fairytale...