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

by 9 Comments

“I’d like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said.”
—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.

Clarice Beckett (Australia, 1887-1935)
Sandringham Beach
c. 1933
Oil on canvas
55.8 h x 50.9 w cm
National Gallery of Australia

 

Grace Kelly visits her grandfather’s cottage, County Mayo, Ireland, 1961. His name was John Peter Kelly. He emigrated to Philadelphia when he was 30 years old and founded a leading construction firm.

 

The De Bethune Meteorite is limited to 10 pieces and is priced at—hold on to your hats—$138,000. Full review here.

 

Clark Gable and his customized Duesenberg, 1930s.

 

Rick McGinnis
Rose, Toronto, March 2020

 

“There’s no doubt I was a bit of a misfit in the Hollywood of the forties. The race for glamor left me far behind. I didn’t really want to keep up. I wanted my stardom without the usual trimmings. Because of this, I was branded a rebel at the very least. But I don’t regret that for a minute. My appetite was my own and I simply wouldn’t have it any other way.”
—Veronica Lake

 

Clarice Beckett (Australia, 1887-1935)
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

 

Michael Kenna
Huangshan Mountains Study, Anhui, China, 2009

 

Art Nouveau doorway, Strasbourg, France

 

Peggy Cummins and John Dall, Gun Crazy, 1950
Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, MacKinlay Kantor
Based on “Gun Crazy”
1940 story in The Saturday Evening Post by MacKinlay Kantor

 

An 18-year-old Princess Elizabeth joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, training in London as a mechanic. As such, she is the only female member of the British royal family to have enlisted in the armed forces. She is also the only remaining head of state who served in World War II.

 

Barbra Streisand and her brother Sheldon, Brooklyn, 1950.

 

Sean’s Pub in Athlone, Ireland is the world’s oldest pub, established around 900 A.D.

 

“I never go outside unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want to see the girl next door, go next door.”
—Joan Crawford

 

Clarice Beckett (Australia, 1887-1935)
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

 

Vivian Maier
Untitled, 1971

 

IDF soldier stands guard in the Jewish state.

 

Arthur Leipzig
Johnny on the Pony, New York City, 1943

 

Maayan, Lielle, and Livia wish all our friends and relatives an out of this world Shabbat.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

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