Seraphic Secret

Robert J. Avrech: Emmy Award winning screenwriter. Movie fanatic. Helplessly and hopelessly in love with my wife since age nine.

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

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“It`s important to know where you`ve come from so that you can know where you`re going. I probably chose my profession because I was seeking approval, adulation, admiration and affection.”
—Cary Grant

Amadeo Modigliani
Boy in a Striped Sweater
1918
oil on canvas, 91.4 X 54.6 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

 

Bert Hardy
London Zoo, 1939

 

Spectacular poster for Footlight Parade,1932

 

“You have no idea what a long-legged gal can do without doing anything.”
—Claudette Colbert

 

The Sammezzano Castle has stood in the city of Lecio, in the province of Florence Italy, for more than four centuries.

 

Kim Novak on the streets of New York, c.1955. Newspaper photo.

 

Rick McGinnis
Allium, June 2020

 

The Chronoswiss Sirius Flying Regulator with Jumping Hour is a different way to tell time. It’s also a clever blend of Art Deco meets Steam Punk. The hours subdial is replaced by a digital indicator, with hour numerals in a curved aperture at 12 o’clock. The dial features a distinctive, 3D guilloché pattern. Inside the 40-mm case, with its prominent onion crown, is the self-winding Chronoswiss Caliber C.283 with a 42-hour power reserve. Price: $4,945. More here.

 

“Take care of your inner, spiritual beauty. That will reflect in your face.”
—Dolores del Rio

 

Robert J. Avrech
“Welcome to the World, Charlotte”, 2020
Acrylic and auto body paint on linen 20 in. x 20 in.

 

Vivian Maier
New York, 1953 – 1955

 

2012 Morgan Plus 4

 

The mechanical shark, nicknamed Bruce, on the set of Jaws, 1975

 

Photo by Flor Garduño (b. Mexico) 1957)

 

Lielle Meital wishes all our friends and relatives the best Shabbat ever.

 

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Comments

  1. The problem with having so many books about movies is that, when I remember a story, it takes hours to find the book that has it. So take this on faith – apparently, when Colbert read in “It Happened”‘s script that she would have to lift her dress and show off her leg to get a ride, she refused to do it and a stand-in was called. But when Colbert saw the stand-in’s gams, she cried, “Those aren’t my legs!” and decided to do the scene herself.

    I have “Footlight Parade” on DVD. As much as I love Cagney, I really prefer his fast-talking, snappy good-guy performances over his gangster roles (with the exception of “The Roaring Twenties”).

    Your painting is lovely, Robert. Very calming.

    And I mean this as a high compliment – Lielle Meital gives off a very Fanny Brice aura in that pretty picture.

    Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

    • Christopher:

      I have read the same story about Colbert and her Body Double legs.

      Glad you like my painting. I make a new painting as a gift for each of my grandchildren. My daughter hangs them in the children’s rooms.

      I’ll have to tell Lielle all about Fanny:-)

      Have a great weekend.

  2. I wonder if Cary Grant’s quote was an original thought or the result of therapy — to my ear, it sounds a bit clinical. Either way, there is truth to it and I still love his work. North by Northwest is one of my favorite movies.

    The Art Deco-inspired poster is awesome and shows us once again that “sex sells”. The 1930’s version is obviously more subdued than current standards.

    I’ve said it before. . . as a 12 year old boy, Kim Novak was my ideal of a sex goddess.

    The watch is a unique and interesting design. I like it.

    That Morgan Plus 4 is awesome. I would like it in British Racing Green with a dark tan interior please. . . or red. . . or blue. . .or black.

    Another nice photo, Rick. At first, I thought it was dill.

    The Castello di Sammezzano has some outstanding Moorish designs. I love the attention to detail in Moorish designs — the ceilings tend to be very ornate — but I would NOT have wanted to be the painter on that job. I believe this is the Hall of the Peacocks. According to Wikipedia, the Castle was abandoned sometime after WW II and in 2012 restoration was begun. I’m glad to see this historic building survive.

    Vivian Maier had such a gift.

    Robert, I have admired and enjoyed all of your paintings, but this one is my favorite. Well done, sir.

    • Prophet Joe:

      Cary Grant spent years in therapy, a therapy which included over 100 trips on LSD, Which he claimed helped him hugely.

      I love the watch and the car, and I think that Rick McGinnis is one of the most talented photographers around. I’m honored to call him a friend.

      Glad you like my painting.It took me nearly as long to conceive and execute—the auto body paint is tricky to apply properly—as it takes me to write a screenplay.

      Have a great weekend.

  3. That 2012 Morgan almost looks like a 1930s Morgan – just needs the leather hood straps and narrower wheels! A classic beauty. You can tour the Morgan factory if you have a mind to. Bet it is a bit different from a GM factory.

    The Jaws shark – I read that because it was so troublesome, Spielberg had to resort to making camera shots “from the shark’s perspective” that fed on the imagination of the audience – which of course made the movie.

    Claudette Colbert – still mesmerizing men after 80+ years!

    Didn’t know that you were a painter Robert! I have a similar abstract – a print

    • Bill:

      If I ever go to England I plan on touring the Morgan factory. But Karen says I have to promise not to buy one when I’m there.

      Bruce hardly ever worked.

      Painting is my second love… after the movies.

      Have a great weekend.

      • Robert,

        Disney’s Finding Nemo features a large shark with the memorable line “My name is BRUCE!” (delivered with great gusto).

        I’m wondering if his name is coincidence, an homage, or just a Hollywood insiders joke. 🙂

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