Sunday, December 2, 2012

Ginalollobrigida

She beckoned... as if pulchritude ever needs to.  Her shapely curves and exotic charm had already stolen my heart.  She beckoned again, with growing urgency...

"It's time, my dear...", she whispered.  I drew nearer.  With no further warning, she revealed herself to me.  My baby, my darling.  My beautiful new Abarth told me her name.

"Ginalollobrigida.  And you can call me Gina."

It was smart to heed the caution others had given me, not to unilaterally foist some appellation on her.  To wait, as excruciating as that was, until she was ready.  Until she wanted to tell me her name.

Ginalollobrigida.  I like it.  The name suits her.

There is, as always, a history behind this.

For those of you too young for Gina's name to ring a bell, there is a gong being struck.

Gina Lollobrigida, who is still alive at age 85, was the greatest beauty to emerge from Europe.  Born Luigina Lollobrigida in 1927, Gina grew up as a girl in the mountains of Italy before her natural assets attracted attention.  She modelled and then acted, first in European films and later in Hollywood movies.  Her first American film was with Humphrey Bogart ("Beat The Devil" [1953]).

Gina's acting range was impressive.  She appeared in both epics and comedies.  She made romantic comedies with Rock Hudson (then considered by many to be the most handsome man on the planet), one of which won her a Golden Globe award ("Come September" [1961]).

During the 1950's and 1960's, Gina was the sex symbol of the world.  Her beauty and charm captivated legions of fans.  Her life, as you'd expect, was outsized -- during the Sixties, she enjoyed a romance with heart-transplant pioneer, Christiaan Barnard.

Today, Gina lives in quiet seclusion at her mansion in the hills of Italy.  Her name is acquiring second life through my passion for the new Abarth.

Do you approve of the name?  Have you heard of Gina, the actress?

27 comments:

  1. Oh, that is a PERFECT name! I remember Gina Lollabrigida; even her name was sexy and rounded.

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  2. I love the name Gina, and no, I hadn't heard of her before. I'll be googling for images of the actress :)

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  3. Perfect name!! I have heard of Gina Lollabrigida but I didn't know anything specific about her. I think it's a very fitting name though for a very awesome car!

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  4. Nice to meet you, Gina! You little Italian vixen!
    xo
    Lauren

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    1. Wow I am just noticing her flawless makeup in that last photo, she was WAY ahead of her time!!

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  5. Perfect name. Love it.
    Yes, I do remember her. My Dad was in love with her......and Sophia Loren. He had a thing for gorgeous, bombshell Italian women.

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  6. Oh so gorgeous!! What a great name you chose. ;)

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  7. She was a great actress indeed. I've seen a couple of her movies. So the name you chose is fantastic :)Thanks for your comment on my blog
    xo
    Anastasia

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  8. Perfect name and yes, I've seen some of her movies (because I love older flicks!). :-) I love your new car, too. Makes me wish I had a car. Or knew how to drive.

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  9. Gina is good. I've got a big F250 Diesel raised with running lights named Big Mama. And a Nissan named Minnie. Names are fun.

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  10. PERFECT name ... You car is nearly as beautiful as the person she is named after!!! Sadly I am certainly old enough to know the name!

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  11. I hadn't heard of her, but one look at her and I can totally see the inspiration! What a perfect name for your sleek and sexy new car. I knew it would be just a matter of time before you figured it out!

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  12. Seriously, that is a perfect name for that dark beauty of an automobile of yours. Watch those curves >wink<

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  13. Although I could be her grandaughter I know Gina LLollobrigida is...cause my family passion for cinema was sooooo awesome that I was raise up by watching classics on tv...so I think that´s still my passion for Cinema!, Gina was and is still a real Italian beauty...on plus Sofia Loren..is marvellous!!...on the other hand my faves too are Marilyn Monroe...the inmortal goddess and my passion for her started at the tender age of 8 y.o hahhha...by collecting photos on magazines,postcards as well as books..and also admired actors as James Dean..the rebel without a cause!!( love the postcard you sent me!!! wooahhh one of my fave photos of James Dean!!!...
    Anyway as you can see...I´m very fond of great jewels from the old cinema;)

    P.d: love the car!!!! yeahh

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  14. Sexy namesake for a sexy car :) Congrats on picking up your baby!

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  15. I know that name !
    I think it fits your new baby perfectly well.
    Nice pick - they are both Italian.

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  16. PERFECT name!!
    She is gorgeous--the real Gina and the vehicle Gina!!

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  17. And there you have it, the perfect name. :-)

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  18. Gina is amazing name. I've always find this actress one of the most beautiful women ever.I love the mimics a lot (I used to watch tons of her films with my granny).
    and Gina is so darling! perfect look and size! very nice car

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  19. Though I'm not Italian myself, I married a full-blooded, born and raised native son and quickly became IBM (that is to say, Italian by marriage), and as such quickly threw myself into learning a great deal more about the culture. One of my favourites way that I did, and still (we've been married for over eight years now) do, that is by watching Italian films. Though I knew of Gina before I met my husband, it wasn't until after that point that I really fell in love with her via some of her classic films like Women of Rome and Come September. She's a tremendous actress, and an excellent choice to name your delightful new car after.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thanks, Jessica. What an interesting comment. :)

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  20. how did i not know of her before? i've seen films with her when i was younger but that was before i chose to remember actors' names. and an italian girl, like me, although my family is from lake como in N Italy. perfect name for your car!
    I will always love Rock Hudson. Dreamy!

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  21. So beautiful, look at those eyes. I only know of her from my mother, watching films growing up. I think it's a fittingly sexy name. :) Have a nice weekend.

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  22. Gina is very popular in Russia. And your choice to name is excellent.

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