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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“Nothing has changed since Little Red Riding Hood faced the big bad wolf. What frightens us today is exactly the same sort of thing that frightened us yesterday. It’s just a different wolf.”
—Alfred Hitchcock (born England, Alfred Joseph Hitchcock; 1899 – 1980)

Alfred Hitchcock sculpture at the site of Gainsborough Pictures, Poole Street, Hoxton, London, England.

 

Bill Brandt (British, born Germany 1904-1983)
Policeman in a Dockland Alley, Bermondsey, London
1934

 

Our friend Kishke ordered the Vario Trench Watch after reading about it here at Seraphic Secret. Says Kishke: “It’s an interesting, attractive watch; I’m looking forward to the brass getting a bit weathered with time; the one downside I see is that the lume is less bright than expected, which is a little disappointing. However, the power reserve seems quite good. I wore a different watch over Shabbos, and put this one on again Sunday morning – it had not been moved for more than 36 hours, and it was still ticking.”

 

Victor Mature and Laird Cregar in I Wake Up Screaming (1941), one of the first noir films produced in Hollywood.

 

Rick McGinnis
Niagara Falls, 2021

 

“I am the most fortunate self-taught harpist and non-speaking actor who has ever lived.”
—Harpo Marx (born America, Adolph Marx; 1888 – 1964)

 

Art Nouveau doorway, and drainpipe, Nancy, France

 

 

 

1967 Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports Roadster

 

Helen Levitt
New York City (Two Children Dancing) c: 1940

 

Eva Gonzalès, (France, 1849 – 1883)
“Nanny and Child” 1877/1878
oil on canvas: 25 x 32 inches

 

“Someone should keep reminding Mr. Average Man that he was born free, divine, strong; uncrushable by fate, society, or hell itself; and that he is a child of God, equal heir to all the bounties of God; and that goodness is riches, kindness is power, and freedom is glory. Above all, every man is born with an inner capacity to take him as far as his imagination can dream or envision—providing he is free to dream and envision.”
― Frank Capra, (born, Italy, Francesco Rosario Capra; 1897 – 1991)

 

Robert J. Avrech
“Swall Drive”
Acrylic on canvas: 20 x 20 inches
2021

 

Gene Tierney (born: Gene Eliza Tierney 1920 –1991)
Unknown photographer, undated
My guess, 1940s.

 

Always fascinated by, um, unique labels, I came across this head scratcher — in my refrigerator. Turns out a visiting relative enjoys craft beer. This brand is manufactured here in LA in small, precious quantities. I have been assured a few sips turns you into a philosopher king.

 

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in Israel for the filming of Exodus, 1960.

 

Ariel Chaim wishes all our friends and relatives the best Shabbat ever.

 

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Comments

  1. Wishing you and your family health, happiness, menuchat hanefesh and the fulfillment of all the best wishes of your hearts in the coming new year.

  3. That Hitchcock head is creepy; it reminds me of an ancient Olmec head. But somehow, I suspect Hitch would have liked the effect it has on people.

    With regards to Harpo – in Richard Anobile’s “The Marx Brothers Scrapbook,” Groucho noted that, since no one was around to teach him, Harpo tuned the strings of his instrument by ear and, as a result, the harp he played was actually slightly out of tune from what it should have been. Groucho also said that the one time Harpo tried to hire a teacher, it didn’t work out; the teacher was amazed at how a self-taught player could produce such beautiful music and said there was no use trying to teach Harpo anything.

    I agree with Prophet Joe on that Art Nouveau doorway. I wish I could walk through and see what is on the other side.

    A lovely weekend to you and yours, Robert.

  5. Love the Morgan. A friend had one that color when we were surgery residents together. In those days cars were cheap. I paid $3050 for a 1968 Mustang convertible. Didn’t seem that cheap at the time. I have a DVD collection of Hitchcock movies. “To Catch a Thief” is a favorite. My wife is sick of it. I’ve even visited the locations.

    Paul Newman is a favorite actor. “Absence of Malice” is a favorite film of his. I like the boat in it.

    Gene Tierney is still a favorite and “Laura” is a movie I watch every year or so.

  6. I find the giant head of Hitchcock a bit creepy myself, but he was such a talented film maker. Grace Kelly was certainly a favorite of his, but Kim Novak, Tippi Hedren and Eva Marie Saint were pretty notable as well (IMHO).

    I love the Morgan and it’s in the perfect color scheme for a British sports car — dark green with tan leather interior. I can just picture (in my mind) touring the winding roads of the green Yorkshire Dales a la James Herriot.

    I love the Art Nouveau doorway and especially the drainpipe. You seem to have a knack for finding these treasures.

    Kudos to you and Rick on your artwork. Nicely done.

    And finally, I had forgotten Harpo’s real name. How ironic that an iconic Jewish actor/comedian would have a name that brings to mind 2 rabid antisemitic fascists.

    Have a blessed weekend everyone!

  7. Beautiful picture of Paul and Joanne – it cought their intimacy. The other Bill Brandt was a master of B & W. I guess there are 3. While stationed in a NATO radar bunker in the early 70s, the German guards got a kick out of my Ausweiss (pass – ID Card) when reporting in. Willy Brandt was the chancellor. Later in my tour, when an East German spy was revealed in his cabinet, my stock seemed to go down too in that bunker.

    Beautiful picture of Niagara Falls, Rick.

    That Morgan has a timeless look to it. It’s been around since the 30s.

    Been watching a few Hitchcock movies with my invalid mother on Amazon Prime. Thanks to my Class from Prof Avrech (cinema appreciation) I am giving her a bit of history on them. To Catch a Thief was today, Vertigo tomorrow. He never did find the perfect blond after Grace did he?

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