RIP Deborah Kerr 1921-2007

Beneath the stylized dramatics of Rufus Wainwright's plaintive chorus in "Release The Stars" lies a harsh lyrical truth (as tends to occur in most florid, overly expressive personal anthems): "Old Hollywood is over". As if we needed another reminder - with contemporary cinema marquees brandishing the names of pseudo "stars" such as Vince Vaughn or Julia Roberts, and cable movie stations littered with non-entities like Meg Ryan and Bruce Willis. Now add to the list of immortals to whom few living screen personalities could hold a dim candle Deborah Kerr.

The flame was extinguished, long grasped by those impossibly elegant hands, in October of the recently past year. We at Cafe Drake will continue to bask in her celluloid glow and draw keen inspiration from the grace and poise all of us hosts strive to perfect in our own quiet lives.