Jean Dujardin took home the golden statue at this year’s Academy Awards but he was only one part of the wonderful, silent ensemble behind ‘The Artist’. Another key addition to the cast was James Cromwell, who plays Clifton, the main character George’s trusted and steadfast chauffeur.

A native of Los Angeles, Cromwell is a child of the movie business; both parents, as well his grandmother and stepmother, worked in the industry. “My father arrived in Hollywood at the advent of the sound era and became a director in the 30s. My mother was DeMille’s leading lady when he first moved into sound pictures,” the actor remarks.

Prior to meeting with director Michel Hazanavicius, Cromwell reviewed a presentation book the filmmaker had put together that included detailed storyboards. “The book was wonderful. Michel had put a lot of thought into how exactly he would make this movie, and had a very clear vision. To me, the project was too good to pass up, and I’m certainly glad I didn’t.”

Cromwell describes the chauffeur as a steady, reassuring presence in George’s life. “Clifton is more than a chauffeur. He’s really George’s right-hand man and he cares for him a lot,” says Cromwell.  At the same time, there is a formality to their relationship that is true to the period and true to Clifton’s nature. “Clifton is old-school: gentlemanly, quiet, unobtrusive, sympathetic, handy and dependable.”

Hazanavicius also sought out actress Penelope Ann Miller, who portrayed silent movie actress Edna Purviance in the biopic ‘Chaplin’ with Robert Downey Jr. In ‘Chaplin’, Miller had played silent scenes recreating portions of Chaplin’s work, and she was intrigued by the notion of acting in a feature-length silent.

The period setting also held great appeal to the actress, a lifelong movie buff who  is extremely knowledgeable about Hollywood cinema history. She gravitated to the part of Doris, George’s increasingly disaffected wife.

“I saw a lot of emotion to work with in Doris,” says Miller.  “At the point where we come into the movie, there’s clearly some tension in the marriage. Doris is a proud woman, upright, and it’s very important to her to keep up the appearance of a stable marriage. They’ve grown apart, but deep down, Doris still loves George, and still wants him to adore her. I think she’s suffering as a result of that.”

‘The Artist’ was an unusual casting proposition in Los Angeles: a film without dialogue and only a handful of supporting roles, some quite small. Nonetheless, the film attracted an ensemble of accomplished, well-known actors whose faces will be very familiar to American moviegoers.

Among them: Missi Pyle, who plays Constance, an actress who is none too pleased when George upstages her; Beth Grant, who plays Peppy’s maid; Ed Lauter, who plays Peppy’s butler; Ken Davitan, who plays a pawnbroker; Joel Murray, who plays a policeman; and Bitsie Tulloch, who plays George’s co-star in a jungle adventure.

Veteran star Malcolm McDowell heard about the production and requested a meeting with Hazanavicius. “I only had a very small part to offer him, almost an extra, and he was delighted!” marvels the filmmaker. “I really had tremendous good fortune with the entire cast.”

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/TheArtist.TWC

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Suzy Amis Cameron, founder of the Red Carpet Green Dress design contest, announced the winning dress and surprise actress who will wear the sustainable gown to the 84th Academy Awards.

Actress Missi Pyle, recently seen in the Academy Award nominated film “The Artist,” will wear a design by Valentina Delfino when she attends the 84th Academy Awards. Delfino – born in Venezuela and based in Miami – was among hundreds from around the world who submitted a sustainable dress design for the competition, which began last November.

“The Red Carpet Green Dress contest gives aspiring or established designers a chance to make a beautiful and sustainable gown that will be seen on the single most anticipated red carpet,” said Suzy Amis Cameron. “When the talented actress Missi Pyle steps onto the red carpet at the Academy Awards this Sunday, everyone will see why sustainable design can also be stunning design. Valentina Delfino has created an Oscar worthy dress, and I am thrilled Missi has joined us in creating an important fashion moment.”

Environmental advocate and wife of Director James Cameron, Suzy Amis Cameron started the Red Carpet Green Dress contest in 2009, during a non-stop red carpet bonanza she experienced while attending “Avatar” premieres, in which she wore countless dresses and began to understand the environmental footprint fashion can have on our planet. The experience helped her shape the global challenge, now in its third year, in which designers submit red carpet worthy designs made entirely of sustainable materials.

“All the world is watching this red carpet,” said actress Missi Pyle. ”And as artists, I believe it is our job to show the world that we not only care about creating incredible art, but that we are mindful of the fact that, in doing so, we can make something beautiful that is also sustainable. It is an incredible honor for me to walk the most glamorous red carpet in the world in such a stunning and meaningful dress.”

“This is a winning year for all involved in the Red Carpet Green Dress contest,” said Samata Angel, Red Carpet Green Dress Global Campaign Director.  ”We not only have a stunning garment from Valentina Delfino, but we have an actress who is part of an Oscar nominated ensemble. Missi Pyle is a talented artist whose commitment to sustainability extends to the red carpet. Her gown will shine both for its strong design, and for the important statement it makes about sustainable fashion.”

Red Carpet Green Dress benefits MUSE School CA and Global MUSE – a non-profit founded by Suzy Amis Cameron and her sister Rebecca Amis to provide resources to their partner schools around the world.  Their initiatives include assistance for basic school operations, curriculum development, and nutritious lunches for every student.

Partner Support

Red Carpet Green Dress has received support from notable partners around the world.

Missi will be wearing shoes designed by Christian Louboutin and accessories from Stella McCartney.

The dress itself was made under the guidance of award-winning designer Birgit Muller.

The Ambrose Hotel, Santa Monica’s only award-winning sustainable boutique hotel, will host winning designer Valentina Delfino. The Ambrose’s green values are the perfect compliment for the Red Carpet Green Dress contest.

Zem Joaquin, Founder & CEO of Ecofabulous.com, has supported Red Carpet Green Dress and assisted in the selection of the winning garment.

Cradle to Cradle and the Natural Resources Defense Council have worked in partnership with Red Carpet Green Dress to ensure the final design is sustainably created.

Eco fashion is a growing trend and movement among red carpet regulars, including Livia Firth and Viola Davis.

About the Winning Design

The gown will contain silk peace chiffon, lined with recycled polyester and a sustainable zipper located on the left side seam. The silk chiffon will be dyed with a natural mineral dye, which is both environmentally friendly and OSHA approved.

Peace Silk (or Cruelty–Free Silk) is the non-violent silk created through the process that permits the full life cycle of the silkworm pupae. The silkworm is able to emerge naturally and only then the cocoons are unwound.  On the contrary, the traditional sericulture approach kills the worm inside. This is done through the process of heat or steam, in order to keep the pupa from breaking through the cocoon – causing numerous threads rather than having a single fiber.

For more information, visit redcarpetgreendress.com

Image Courtesy of   Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

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