Ça va? That’s French, pronounced like sa-va, for how are you? Brrrrrr is the universal sound made by those of us living somewhere in the frozen northeast of the USA, or anyplace where winter lives, as both Mother Nature and Old Man Winter continue to bedevil us and wreak havoc on our leisure activities. Yes, the icy grip of Nature is keeping most of us indoors for extended periods. And if you do venture out, Jack Frost will definitely be nipping at your nose. Today’s date, January 29th, is almost the 1st of February, which marks the beginning of everyone’s least favorite month.

But better days are ahead. Soon you will be ready to resume the good life. You remember those carefree days, those coat-free days when you might be found on a beach, or a vacation paradise. Or you might sit at a café on a hillside, or at a seaside village bistro sipping an aperitif and enjoying the sun’s warmth, which pleases you as it melts the ice in your drink.

Playground of the rich and famous, the movie star, the international jewel thief — the French Riviera in photos above and below

One such playground for the rich, the very rich, and the super-rich, is the French Riviera. There you will hear ‘ça va’ as often as you hear ‘what’s up’ on this side of the pond. You know the names — you’ve heard them often enough — Cannes, Nice, Monaco, St Tropez, Antibes, and the Côte D’Azur.

In 1955, director Alfred Hitchcock gave us the classic film set on the French Riviera, To Catch a Thief, where Cary Grant plays John Robie, who may or may not be an un-retired jewel thief. Grace Kelly essays a role as Frances Stevens, the beautiful blonde daughter of a nouveau riche American oil millionaire. We get two car chases along the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, and visits to many luxurious hotels, palaces, and mansions, as Hitchcock teases us with his entertaining comedy/thriller concerning jewel-heists and the pursuit of the good life.

We get to watch a suave and sophisticated Grant intentionally yet seemingly accidentally drop a 10,000 franc Monte Carlo casino plaque (chip) down the front of a lady’s low-cut dress, right into her cleavage.

In another ‘tender seduction” scene, Kelly and Grant are having a picnic. When Kelly, offering some chicken to Grant, asks, “Do you want a leg or a breast,” we all know what she is really offering. Thank you, Alfred Hitchcock.

In 1988, Steve Martin and Michael Caine partnered up to give us the very funny Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This film was also set on the French Riviera as Martin as Freddy Benson and Caine as Lawrence Jamieson, scheme and scheme to separate yet another heiress to millions from a sizeable chunk of her bank account. In a funny moment, Jamieson says to Freddy, as they are both pursuing this woman, “Do you ever have a single thought that originates from above the waist?” Freddy quickly and honestly says, “No!”

In another manic moment, Martin as Freddy gleefully announces in a childlike voice, “Oh, Lawrence. This is the happiest day of my life. I think my testicles are dropping!”

Yes, the Riviera is quite the place. Artist Kerry Hallam also thinks so. His works are notable and enticing. The bold use of color and light is both captivating and magical. We cannot help but evoke emotion when looking at his works, as the opulence revitalizes and energizes us. And who doesn’t need revitalization in February. Thanks.

Check out these lush and fabulous paintings that display the essence of the good life and the Riviera.

Speaking of the good life, is there anything more welcome, on any wintry February morning, than a view of a passionate woman asleep next to you? Of course not: this being Also on Video, we always serve up this kind of beauty for your delight.

So leave your credit cards and your passport at home, you’ll not need to fly into Nice, France, and then motor along the Grande Corniche to find these lovely and sumptuous women. Please visit JustMeMike’s New Also on Video every so often and voilà, we’ll be on our way.

Originally published in February 2004. Updated for JMM’s New Also on Video on January 28th, 2007