Jean Louis: “But, you know, Columbia didn’t have many stars to design for. They had Rita Hayworth. Period. So I tried to make everything for her very special, because it was also my chance to do things, to do special things. She was very easy. She wore what we gave her. Rita was absolutely the most marvelous girl, but she stand like this, and that’s it, you fit her. She hate to fit. ‘Get me out of it.’ That’s it. That’s all she says. But I had great freedom in how I dressed her. She never, never said I don’t like one thing – she’s really wonderful, no trouble. With Rita you always had to design to show off her body – not her legs, but her body; I mean you couldn’t put her in a business suit. Not because the studio would have objected, but because that was her personality. Rita Hayworth was known for that, for being a beautiful woman, and people didn’t want to see Rita Hayworth in a business suit.”
—excerpt “People Will Talk” by John Kobal
Poplars, Three Trees in Autumn, 1891
oil on canvas; 93 X 74.1 cm.
—Jane Russell
Interior with the Artist’s Wife Sitting with her Needlework by an Open Window
no date
oil on canvas; 63 X 54 cm.
—Carol Lynley RIP; born Carole Ann Jones, 1942 -2019
“Sunset Boulevard, the Painting Not the Movie”
2020
acrylic on linen, 20 in X 20 in.
Chanukah in Germany Shortly Before the Nazi Rise to Power, Kiel, Germany, 1931
The woman who took this photo lived directly across the street from the Nazi headquarters in her town in Northern Germany.
From the Yad Vashem Archives:
“On Hanukkah 1932, just one month before Hitler came to power, Rachel Posner, wife of Rabbi Dr. Akiva Posner, took this photo of the family Hanukkah menorah from the window ledge of the family home looking out on to the building across the road decorated with Nazi flags. On the back of the photograph, Rachel Posner wrote in German (translated here): Chanukah 5692 (1932) “Death to Judah” So the flag says “Judah will live forever” So the light answers Rabbi Dr. Akiva Posner, Doctor of Philosophy from Halle-Wittenberg University, served from 1924–1933 as the last Rabbi of the community of Kiel, Germany. After Rabbi Posner publicized a protest letter in the local press expressing indignation at the posters that had appeared in the city: “Entrance to Jews Forbidden”, he was summoned by the chairman of the local branch of the Nazi party to participate in a public debate. The event took place under heavy police guard and was reported by the local press. When the tension and violence in the city intensified, the Rabbi responded to the pleas of his community to flee with his wife Rachel and their three children and make their way to Eretz Israel. Before their departure, Rabbi Posner was able to convince many of his congregants to leave as well and indeed most managed to leave for Eretz Israel or the United States. The Posner family left Germany in 1933 and arrived in Eretz Israel in 1934. Some eighty years later, Akiva and Rachel Posner’s descendants continue to light Hanukkah candles using the same menorah that was brought to Israel from Kiel. On Hanukkah 5770 (2009), their great-grandson, Akiva Mansbach, dressed in the uniform of the Israel Defence Forces saluted and read out a poem written in Hebrew in a similar vein to that written by Rachel Posner in 1932. Translated it reads: In 5692 the Menorah is in exile, it stands in the window It challenges the party flag that doesn’t yet rule “Judah die!” it says And Grandma ‘s rhyme responds In its own tongue, without despair: So the flag says, but our candle answers and declares “Judah will live forever” In 5770 the menorah stands in the window once again Facing the flag of the ruling State The descendant Akiva, named for his great-grandfather Salutes through the window and lights the menorah Grandmother, give thanks above and say a prayer That “the Redeemer will come to Zion” and not delay.”
I have often wondered if ones could go back in time and warn the Jews in Germany, how many would heed the warning? How many would say “This too will pass”? The future was too horrendous to believe that it would come to pass. I’ll bet the overwhelming majority, upon hearing the future, would disbelieve it.
Isn’t it a Jewish saying that to Save a life and you save the entire world? Rabbi Posner saved a world.
Love the Jane Russell quote.
I just remember Carole Linley from The Poseidon Adventure
Michael – I just turned in my Rolex to be cleaned. Mine is 50 years old, and it is a 5 week wait. $700. Or $800. They called me while I was still in bed.
It was stopping periodically.
Six years ago the same jeweler sent it to Rolex to be overhauled. That was $1600.
The watch originally cost $125 in Geneva in 1971.
Bill,
Your comment about the German Jews is insightful and probably true today; check out New Yorkers, Californians and anti-Trumpers. As for your Rolex, I have one, about twenty years old and they want a thousand for a cleaning, which is about right considering the difference in currency, but the time factor extends to three months. More shutdown baloney?
They told me at the jewelers there are only 125 Certified Rolex technicians in the US so the price probably represents supply and demand. I am sure in Canada the count is lower. I’m sure I could get it cleaned at a non-certified place but then what would they do do it? I think only the certified people can buy their parts.
I read an inciteful book on wilderness survival some time ago. The author profiled actual cases of people – like fire fighters lost in the Rockies or a Canadian rescue unit that went out to an area with an avalanche danger on snowmobiles, and after rescuing the victims (non avalanche related) – some proceeded to go into the dangerous area for some fun despite warnings.
And of course an avalanche came burying them.
And the point that the author, a psychiatrist, wanted to make is that we base our current decisions on past experiences. They never had a problem on that mountain before. And the runs on that mountain were pleasurable.
When you are in the current situation it is best to step back outside yourself and think as a third person – forget what you knew – what is it like now?
Germany prior to 1933 was a cultured nation and it would be inconceivable to the vast majority of the things that would happen shortly. I am sure that most felt that “this too shall pass”.
The Rabbi was thinking outside the box.
Bill, maybe that is an explanation of the Rolex fees. The dealer was originally “Hayes Jewelers” in Laguna Beach. I knew the old man. About 20 years ago, the son sold the jewelry store and moved to Mission Viejo into a sort of strip mall and did only Rolex repairs and sales.
A well known florist in Laguna named Eschbachs was famous for elaborate Christmas displays. About 40 years ago, they sold the business and moved to an industrial park in Lake Forest CA to do nothing but potpourri.
Small is beautiful, I guess.
Michael,
This jeweler has been in town for decades with 2-3 locations. They sell only high end watches, like Baum & Mercier.
Don’t think it is so much the size of the shop but are they certified? If they are there are only 125 or so in the US (or that was the number 10 years ago). The chain store Ben Bridge has a certified Rolex repairman – in Seattle. I sent it there once. All the stores on the west coast feed their watches to Seattle. Or at least did 20 years ago.
This sort of amuses me because the watch was only $125 in Geneva in 1971. I replaced the leather armband with a Rolex “bracelet” about 10 years later for $500.
Most expensive $125 watch I have ever had 😉
My grandparents were in that very position in Germany. My grandfather (who died young) saw the writing on the wall, and left instructions for my grandmother to get the family out. She, a young widow, worked on this for years, and in the end, they were allowed to leave in the nick of time, a month before Germany invaded Poland. Which is why I’m here today.
Thank you so much Rick.
I had already saved the picture and labeled it “Impending Darkness”; it left me feeling gloomy.
Then I saw the link in your response, and read it.
I went back to the picture and renamed it “Impending Darkness meets Eternal Light”; it lifted my spirit.
What a way to finish such a very special holiday.
Peter
I knew Jane Russell fairly well. My wedding reception was at her house 60 years ago yesterday. She was no nonsense except for her odd relationship with her husband at the time, Bob Waterfield. They had been high school sweethearts but, at the time I knew them, they would not speak to each other. She took good care of her family, her mother and brothers. She was a shrewd real estate investor. No airhead.
I spent the night on the island of Mont San Michel with the family about ten years ago. I was the only one up for breakfast in the small hotel’s breakfast room. It is a famous place, La Mere Poulard. On the wall was a photo of Rita Hayworth and Ally Khan when they spent part of their honeymoon there. The restaurant is described in wartime by Helen MacInnes in her novel, “Assignment in Brittany.” After the Normandy invasion, I have read that many American soldiers searched for her locations in the book. I have spent years looking for her locations in Europe. Something to do besides looking at churches.
I printed off the pages on the watch for my wife. My Rolex was $500 to service two years ago and now it stops if I am not wearing it. Maybe time for a new watch.
I sometimes confuse Carol Lynley with Lee Remick.
My Rolex was $500 to service two years ago and now it stops if I am not wearing it. Maybe time for a new watch.
That is the main reason I had mine serviced. It has stopped several times during the day despite wearing it a good 12 hours/day. I thought – just having it overhauled 6 years earlier that this seems premature but it is what it is.
Whenever I hear the name “Rita Hayworth,” I always think of her lament, “Men go to bed with Gilda, but they wake up with me.”
I’ve only seen Carol Lynley in “Harlow” (a terrible movie) and in the pilot for the TV series “The Night Stalker.”
Jane Russell is lovely, but she always struck me as a rather stern woman, who wouldn’t stand for any kind of dissembling or triviality, if you know what I mean.
A lovely weekend to you and yours, Robert.
And I agree with Prophet Joe wondering about the lives of people in a photograph. Somewhat connected to the menorah, there’s a frequently reproduced picture of Hitler with his teacher and schoolmates, none of whom are ever identified. I always thought it would make an interesting book if someone could trace all of the people in the picture: did some die in WWI, did some become Nazis, did some end up in the camps? Geneaology’s not my forte, though, so that author won’t be me.
When I see Jane Russell, I think of Bob Hope introducing her as “the two and only, Jane Russell”. Her life is an interesting study to say the least.
Carol Lynley – trying to battle the Hollywood system (or is it human nature) that merits youth and sex appeal.
The Beatles phenomenon made thousands of teenage girl scream in frenzied delight, but this photo could be captioned “2 nice lads dancing with their mums”.
I love your painting, Robert, and Rick’s photo. Well done.
I wonder what the Spencer photo was regarding. I see a photo like that and wonder what life has held for the people inside. I look at the Menorah photo and I fear I know what life held for that family. One can only hope they escaped Nazi Germany soon after this photo was taken.
In case you were curious about the menorah photo, and what happened to the people who owned it:
https://www.yadvashem.org/artifacts/museum/hanukkah-1932.html
Thanks so much Rick. I’ve updated the entry with the link you provided.
Thank you, Rick (and Robert).
Now, if you could just tell me what those young English girls were doing in 1970 and where they are now. 🙂
Joe – if they’re working class East Enders (which I assume they are – no middle class British girl would consent to have her picture taken in an alleyway) then I assume they’re all living in Essex, or have retired to the Costa del Sol.