By PJ Stratton and Sarah Ingersoll
Penelope Cruz
HOLLYWOOD,CA (Hollywood Today) 02/24/07 — Alan Arkin’s win for best supporting actor at the 79th Annual Academy Awards was a vote for the traditions of old Hollywood values. That was reflected on the red carpet directly before where there was a return to the classic glamour of Hollywood in both style and attitude. Gowns and tuxes with tails and a welcome absence of showboating marked a casual elegance in dress and remark.
There was a concerted effort not to make too big a deal of the Oscars. Said Al Gore, who walked up the glittering way with wife Tipper, “A red carpet is just a rug.” Nominee Will Smith, with wife Jada and son Jaden in tow, sounded a more ominous psychological note to taking it too seriously. “You just can’t allow this to be a necessity for you to validate your work. It’s almost a cancerous idea if you allow yourself to need it.”
“This is all such Old Hollywood glamour,” said music and film actress, Beyoncé Knowles, who twirled in a mint green off-the-shoulder halter, then curtsied and smiled. “I’ve been watching a lot of amazing old stars and trying to imitate them.”
Ellen Mirren epidomized the glamour of Hollywood of days gone by.
Commented Mirren, “I never expected this to happen to me – a girl from Essex”
Jennifer Lopez was just thrilled to be on the carpet. She wore a pale grey lavender pleated chiffon beaded bodice, shoulder-to-shoulder affair, sort of a Roman goddess gown adorned with jewelry designed by Marchesa. “It’s always a great honor to be invited to the Oscars. There’s such a sense of community, of the filmmakers community and I just love it. I just love it. I love movies and I love what I do and I love being here”. It really does feel like a fairy tale being here.”
Penelope Cruz, nominated for ‘Volver’, wore a fitted pink, strapless Versace gown and sweeping long ruffled skirt and train, accessorized with Chopard diamond earrings. “The nomination is a huge deal for me, especially to be in the company of all these amazing actresses this year…. and the fact that I got a nomination for a movie I did with Pedro Almodovar, who is also one of my closest friends and my favorite directors in the whole world.”
Anne Hathaway from “The Devil Wears Prada” decided the chance to get diamond baubles on loan from jewelry designers was just too good to pass up. “I’m wearing Valentino… and since its my first Oscars, I thought I’d wear every single diamond I could find”
Steve Carell deadpanned “This is all a rarity. It’s rare and unconventional. The movie will definitely win, and if it doesn’t, I’ll have a conniption. I’ll have a fit. I mean it, I’ll make a scene.”
-Jeffrey Jolson contributed to this report.