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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“I think anger does fuel a successful acting career. To play the great roles, you have to learn how to blaze.”
—Christopher Plummer, RIP, Canadian, 1929 – 2021

Frederick Simpson Coburn (Canadian, 1871 – 1960)
The Letter, 1905
oil on canvas: 62.23 x 77.47 cm.
Private collection

 

Photo by Robert Doisneau, Paris, 1947

 

Rick McGinnis
Ireland, 2016

 

The epitome of Art Deco style: Helen Twelvetrees, a star of the early 1930′s, in a nightgown by Gwen Wakeling.

 

Nablus Gate, Jerusalem

 

“I’m so many people. They shock me sometimes. I wish it was just me.”
—Marilyn Monroe

 

The Garrick S 4 is a stunning wrist watch that harkens to an age of easy elegance. Produced in England, each watch is made to order. The price is surprisingly affordable—by the insane standards of high horology. For a complete review go here.

 

December, 1918 The U.S. Army 39th regiment wear masks to prevent flu in Seattle, Washington. They are on their way to fight in the bloody fields of France.

 

Harriet Backer (Norwegian 1845 -1932)
Evening, Interior, 1890
oil on canvas: 54 x 66 cm

 

An as yet unknown Clark Gable (far left) as “Jake the Reporter” in the first Broadway staging of Chicago!, 1927

 

Built in 1924, the American Radiator Building, 40 West 40th Street, New York City, combines Gothic and modern styles.

 

“Every time I get a script it’s a matter of trying to know what I could do with it. I see colors, imagery. It has to have a smell. It’s like falling in love. You can’t give a reason why.”
—Paul Newman

 

1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.

 

Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower at Camp Colt, Pennsylvania, 1918.

 

“The Lights and Shadows of Manhattan” Art Deco coffee service designed by Erik Magnussen for Gorham, with silver gilt and ivory;  1927.

 

Willi Ruge (German, 1892-1961)
Self-portrait from earthworm perspective c. 1927, or an early selfie.

 

Charlotte Birdie wishes all our friends and relatives the best Shabbat ever.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Like Ricks photo, and the photo of the Mademoiselle in 1947 Paris – to think just 3 years earlier she was under Nazi occupation. Life seemed to return to normal quickly.

    Michael, since you are a renowned Dr – just for you I will get off my tired rear and review this wonderful book I read on the First World War. It concentrated on the 6 hours between Armistice signing and the cessation (when another 10,000 died) but the author talked about the “Spanish” flu (which affected both the Germans and the Allies in a big way but was censored and the only place in Europe it was publicized was Spain – hence the name. But I do remember on just one ship (all crammed with doughboys on 6 high bunks), 200 were buried at sea just on one troopship.

    Now for some research. Tell me if you think this is plausible

    Well, I can’t believe it. Neither “Flu” or “Spanish Flu” is referenced in the index.

    But IIRC it started at an Army post in Kansas when a manure pile was burned? Does that make any sense? The author went into great detail on its effects on the War – at one point it was argued to stop sending doughboys over but the Allies were desperate. .

  2. I agree about the date for the photo of the army going to France. Although the 1918 flu was called “Spanish” there is a pretty good argument the flu began in Kansas and may well have been transmitted to Europe by American soldiers. How it got to Kansas is another question.

    Poor Marilyn. A friend of mine was working part time at the LA coroner’s office and did her autopsy. She certainly was “a candle in the wind.”

    I think painted doors is an Irish thing, if I remember correctly. Beautiful photo.

    Christopher Plummer was a favorite. He was interesting in “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Movie sex has certainly changed. I remember a flap about “Susan Slept Here.” Shows how old I am.

  3. Good morning Robert,

    I love the Doisneau photo. It looks so “normal” to see a young woman relaxing near the Seine River until you realize this is just 2 years after the end of WW II. Much of Europe still lay in ruin and life was probably anything but normal yet.

    I also love Rick’s photo. In a casual glance, you might see “twin doors”, but when you really look, there are more dissimilarities than similarities. The color (obviously), but the sidelights and the transoms are different, the brick is different, the windows on the second floor are different. You did an excellent job framing this photo, Rick. Very well done!

    Robert, I like this watch. The rocker on the hands are certainly unusual.

    The Art Deco examples are lovely.

    The American Radiator Building is a nice bit of architecture. It was a “losing entry” for design of the Tribune Building in Chicago. The black brick represents coal and the yellow brick represents fire.

    Sometimes I can’t tell if MM was being philosophical (I’ve read that she was very intelligent) or if she was mentally ill, or both.

    I feel like the young Capt. Eisenhower could have had a devilish side to him.

    The 39th Regiment might have been headed to France, but maybe the date was December, 1917 – the fighting should have been over by December, 1918.

    Lastly, Charlotte is adorable. Have a wonderful weekend!

    • Prophet Joe:

      Marilyn, like so many, was intelligent, but deeply troubled.

      Thanks for the date correction on the WWI photo.

      Have a wonderful weekend.

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