
—James Stewart revisits one of the air force bases where he was stationed during his service with the United States Army Air Corps during WWII.

Sandringham Beach
c. 1933
Oil on canvas
55.8 h x 50.9 w cm
National Gallery of Australia




Rose, Toronto, March 2020

—Veronica Lake

Walking home
c. 1931
Oil on board
Gift of Alastair Hunter OAM and the late Tom Hunter in memory of Elizabeth through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2019
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Huangshan Mountains Study, Anhui, China, 2009


Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, MacKinlay Kantor
Based on “Gun Crazy”
1940 story in The Saturday Evening Post by MacKinlay Kantor




—Joan Crawford

Motor lights
1929
Melbourne
Oil on board
Gift of Alastair Hunter OAM and the late Tom Hunter in memory of Elizabeth through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2019
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Untitled, 1971


Johnny on the Pony, New York City, 1943

That picture of James Stewart reminds me of the opening scene in 12 O’Clock High
I’d love to tour some of those bases, but I think ,most are on private land now. There is quite a story on how the British Govt, during those dark times in 1040, expropriated these lands for bases from the farmers.
As far as (then) Princess Elizabeth, I read years later as Queen she quipped that she became an expert in Propeller Shafts (drive shafts) .
I believe that her family during those times was as much an inspiration to the British people as Churchill. It was urged to King George that he and his family move to the safety of Canada. Which he wouldn’t do.
Much respect to them.
Charles? Not so much.
You always have nice pictures of your grandchildren Robert.
There is at least one base in England that is open as a museum. The movie, I believe, was all filmed at Eglin AFB in Florida.
Apparently some of the base shots were done in the UK.
Duxford is on my bucket list. Didn’t know that about 12 O’Clock High .For many years the Air Force used that as a training aid in leadership.
I like the, possibly apocryphal, story where James Stewart was refused registration at a hotel in Italy (?) because they didn’t permit actors as guests. He pulled out his military ID, then as a Brigadier General, and had no further problems.
Barbra Streisand lived in Seagate, Brooklyn, and I met her once when she was first starting. I love everything she ever sang. As a kid, I was in love with Veronica Lake. Queen Elizabeth was always the best member of the Royal Family, going back to her service during WWII. As for Charles and his horse-faced wife, he should resign in favor of Prince William. Sad to learn of the Passing of Prince Philip. Best to the family!
Prince Philip is dead? Then, sadly, I expect Her Majesty not to be far behind. More is the pity – like Victoria, she was instrumental in keeping the monarchy a going institution. I shudder to think what will happen with a Charles III or even a William V.
Like Prophet Joe, I’d never heard of Clarice Beckett. That “Motor Lights” painting is wonderful; to my untrained eye, it reminds me of Turner somewhat.
A lovely weekend to you and yours, Robert.
Streisand’s brother was a lot better looking. Could he sing ? Queen Elizabeth may be the only sane member of the Royal Family, as well. May she outlive Charles. Jimmy Stewart made up for a lot of Hollywood nonsense. I remember reading some thing about how the westerns revived his career after the war. I hope Grace Kelly’s information about her grandfather was better than the Kennedy family’s. They had no idea of where the ancestor was from. I was given the file in the Dublin genealogy office.
Have a great weekend.
The watch is a technical achievement, I’m sure, but it’s not my style.
The Art Nouveau door is beautiful, but I’m a little surprised by its symmetry.
Clarice Beckett is very talented. I had never heard of her and I learned about the tonal movement and why her paintings have so much depth to them. Excellent. Sadly, she died at only 48.
Jimmy Stewart and Queen Elizabeth II — 2 shining examples of the Greatest Generation.
Have a wonderful weekend.
And shortly after posting here, I read that the Queen Consort has passed away at the age of 99.
Rest in Peace, Prince Philip.