— RIP Jane Powell ((born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; 1929 – 2021)
The String of Beads, 1903
Oil on panel 96.8 cm x 59.4 cm.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
White Water Walk, Niagara Falls, ON, July 2021
—Janis Paige b. (born Donna Mae Tjaden; 1922)
Screenplay by Jo Eisinger, Marion Parsonnet,
Story by E.A. Ellington
—Cyd Charisse (born Tula Ellice Finklea; 1921 – 2008)
Jane and Cyd were completely in accord about the studio and Mr. Mayer, as opposed to the executive inadequacies of Dore Schary. I knew Cyd quite well, she did play with me in Toronto, and when I announced she was going to work for us, someone phoned and said, she was not a good actress, a nice person, or much of an attraction. I found Cyd to be a wonderful friend, terrific attraction, and capable of being effective in the right part, but she was overly sensitive and needed encouragement. She got it in It’s Always Fairweather, a film, praised for the wrong reasons, not a success, but Cyd aced her a performance.
Sidebar: Cyd and Tony were Republicans. Loved them
Barry:
Can you elaborate on what kind of work you were doing with Cyd Charisse. Was it film, stage? Love to hear more. Thanks.
Robert, I played a bit part in a mini-series called Evergreen and one of the other actors said I should speak to his agent about an idea she had for a play. I did, and we co-produced a fresh production of The Pleasure of His Company. My intention was to bring in either Efrem Zimbalist or Stewart Granger to play Pogo, but that did not work out. Someone gave me the idea of Cyd Charrise heading the cast, which was exactly the way it was originally done with Cornelia Otis Skinner on Broadway. The woman top billed. Normally, I did not think of Cyd as a great actress, but she really was this woman, and we got on like gangbusters. We cast a Canadian actor, who had done extensive work in both the states in Britain, Austin Willis for Pogo, and he was not only fine but became a lifelong friend of mine. sadly, after the first week of rehearsal, Austin’s agent phoned early on an off day set aside for publicity, that he needed emergency surgery on his prostate, and would miss the next few days of rehearsal. I bought that. On break, I mention it to Cyd, who looked at me as if I had the sense of a carrot.
‘Darling,’ she said, and I knew I was in trouble. ‘That operation is a bitch. My brother had it, He won’t be back for six months’. So we brought in John Ireland, at the suggestion of Tony Martin, who got us opened, and while he was not right for it, that in itself modernized the play. Our reviews were at best indifferent, but our business was enormous. For example, I was paying Cyd $5,250.00 per week plus car and driver and condo. When she left Toronto she went to London, replaced Anna Neagle in Charlie Girl for $7,500.00
I had intended to bring in Zsa Zsa for Bell, Book, and Candle, plus a big straight play, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, but I got sick, a massive internal hemorrhage, and when I recovered I went back to doing commercials, until the day Cary Grant died, and all the fun went out of for me. Since that time I have monkeyed with a few film projects, but…
Barry:
Thanks so much for filling us in. Just fascinating. You should write a memoir.
Jane Powell and Cyd Charisse were favorites from my days as a kid going to movies every Friday night. I think the last movie I saw was “The Cold Blue” a couple of years ago. Times have changed and so have I. I still have my DVD collection and watch movies like “My Man Godfrey” once in a while.
I do like the Art Deco photos and Rick McGinnis’ photos, as well.
Have a nice weekend.
I frankly hadn’t known Jane Powell was still alive. I immediately thought of “Royal Wedding,” one of my favorite movies and her “How Could You Believe Me. . .” number with Astaire. It still makes me laugh, no matter how many times I’ve seen it.
I don’t generally care for Art Deco, but that lobby is amazing. I wonder what building it’s for (apartments? offices?) and if it’s still as pristine as it looks.
Regarding Charisse, Alan Jay Lerner tells a story (sorry, but I can’t find the details at the moment) of two Broadway lyricists walking along when the first challenged the second to rhyme “Cyd Charisse.” The second thought for a moment, then came back with “Cyd Charisse / Up there on the mantlepiece! / You’re quite a shock there / We need a clock there!”
A lovely weekend to you and yours, Robert.
I only remember Jane Powell from <Seven Brides… and, honestly, I’m not sure I saw the whole movie. But I find her comment refreshing from an entertainer.
Janis Paige seemed to be in every TV show when I was young — Mannix, Columbo, Police Story, All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Hawaii 5-0, The Rockford Files, Charlie’s Angels. It’s like a TV Guide listing for my teenage years. I also find her comment well-grounded for an entertainer.
I love the symmetry of the Art Deco lobby.
I like Rick’s photo this week, but then again, I like most of his photos.
I’d love to drive that beautiful Alfa Romeo.
When I was a kid, I thought Cyd was spelled Sid and I assumed he was an actor. I was very wrong. She looks especially striking in this photo.
The IDF soldier has beautiful eyes.
The American soldier and the French girl was obviously a staged photo. Everyone in the background appears to be focused on them. Even the German Shepard is fully committed to what’s happening there. He appears to be at Attention.
The watch is impressive, but a little too modern for my tastes.
And, finally, you’d think someone could get a big star like Grace Kelly a canopy, a tent, or at least an umbrella to shade her from the African sun.
Your grand daughter is lovely. Have a wonderful weekend, Robert & Karen.
PJ:
I think Seven Brides was Jane Powell’s best role and best film. My granddaughter Maayan adores the film and was quite sad when I told her of Jane’s passing. She said: “We should watch the film in her memory.”