In the world of classic film blogging, ultimate lists of favorite actors and actresses is a post that is prominently displayed. Every classic film enthusiast marvels over the indelible talents that a certain star possessed, but while we all have our favorites, we also acquire a list of motion picture celebrities who we garner respect for and appreciate their contribution to cinema, though we really haven’t had the chance to delve into their filmography. Then there are those stars that other people seem to like, that some people might not care for.
My ultimate favorites list is long awaited. People have proposed the idea to me numerous times, but I just haven’t had the chance to do it. Of course, this list is purely subjective. This is my personal opinion of who I think is worthy of attaining a reputable position on my list. Some people would disagree with my selections, but we all have our different tastes. The world would be boring if everybody liked the same thing. So without further ado, may I present to you all, the top 35 stars that I am proud to call my favorites.
1: Barbara Stanwyck.
2: Ethel Barrymore.
3: Katharine Hepburn.
4: Joan Crawford.
5: Carole Lombard.
6: Lauren Bacall.
7: Bette Davis.
8: Agnes Moorehead.
9: Judy Garland.
10: Lillian Gish.
11: Angela Lansbury.
12: Greer Garson.
13: Dame Judith Anderson.
14: Olivia de Havilland.
15: Elizabeth Taylor
16: Ingrid Bergman.
17: Spring Byington.
18: Kate Winslet.
19: Mary Pickford.
20: Elizabeth Montgomery.
21: Gene Tierney.
22: Billie Burke.
23: Lucille Ball.
24: Irene Dunne.
25: Joan Fontaine.
26: Deborah Kerr.
27: Jean Arthur.
28: Mary Astor.
29: Jane Wyman.
30: Miriam Hopkins.
31: Ginger Rogers.
32: Hattie McDaniel.
33: Lana Turner.
34: Greta Garbo.
35: Jean Harlow.
There are other stars who I respect, but sadly they didn’t make it onto this list. I would also like to give an honorary mention to Audrey Hepburn, who I am starting to appreciate more now, and Claudette Colbert, another star who I hold in high esteem. Next up will be a comprehensive list of my favorite actors. Stay tuned.
In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood. 
Some fabulous ladies on this list. All are super talented and are always a pleasure to watch.
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Great list! 🙂 This is always someting very difficult to do! I’m glad to see Miriam Hopkins here. She’s very underrated IMHO. Impatient to see your list for the actors!
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Glad to see Deborah Kerr and Miriam Hopkins on the list.
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Nice last Crystal. All great actresses. Glad you picked a modem one as well- Kate WInslet yscan inspired choice.
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Yay – you’ve got The Gish on your list! 🙂
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Very nice list. Pleasantly surprised to see Winslet as a I was scrolling along.
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Great list! Katharine Hepburn is my most favorite too:)
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Agnes Moorehead!
Great choice, an underrated and often forgotten actress. I’m so happy to see her here.
And Audrey Hepburn, even if as an “also ran”.
But but but… where’s Dietrich?
And where is Ava Gardner?!
Jokes apart – given my tastes I’d have tried my best to find a spot for Dietrich, Garner, for Ida Lupino and Gloria Grahame.
Yes, I’m in a sort of noirish mood 🙂
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I guessed 5 of your top 10! 🙂
GREAT list!
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Wonderful list! It’s so hard for me to rank my favorite actresses that I keep only a TOP 5 – in no particular order!
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Great list almost all of those ladies would appear on a list of mine somewhere within a top 100. Well not Mary Pickford-I respect her pioneering power as a force in film but as a performer her allure escapes me. Particularly love the inclusion of Spring Byington & Elizabeth Montgomery, often when these lists are put together the supporting players or a favorite performer who was more of a success in television are left out.
My top 35 would run this way:
Linda Darnell
Julie Christie
Ida Lupino
Susan Hayward
Thelma Ritter
Margaret Sullavan
Jean Simmons
Gloria Grahame
Judy Garland
Doris Day
Ruth Roman
Veronica Lake
Deanna Durbin
Eve Arden
Suzanne Pleshette
Judy Holliday
Bette Davis
Mary Wickes
Natalie Wood
Priscilla Lane
Rosalind Russell
Stockard Channing
Vivien Leigh
Barbara Stanwyck
Claire Trevor
Diana Rigg
Emma Thompson
Geraldine Page
Alexis Smith
Debbie Reynolds
Glynis Johns
Kay Kendall
Alfre Woodard
Juliet Stevenson
Olivia de Havilland
Even getting it down to that is tough it could easily run another 50 actresses.
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Interesting list. I am glad to find here Gene Tierney, Joan Fontaine and Hattie McDaniel. And, also, just like you, strangely, I do not think that Audrey Hepburn will make my list. She will be close.
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Fascinating list; two of my top three are in your top five (I have Lombard #1 and Stanwyck #3, with Myrna Loy in between). Since I’m primarily a fan of comedies, my 35 would include the likes of Colleen Moore, the vivacious, quintessential flapper, as well as Marion Davies and Constance Talmadge. (Another Connie — Bennett — would make the list as well.) Among more recent stars, Goldie Hawn would rank high, as would Anna Faris.
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What a fun list. Stanwyck and Hepburn are on the top of my list too. I’m pleased to see Miriam Hopkins, Gene Tierney and Lana Turner as they tend to get overlooked or are underrated in my opinion.
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Thanks. This list needs to be redone though, as I didn’t really give it any thought. I would put Greta Garbo in the top 10.
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