Ava Gardner combines patriotism with cheesecake. The dolls she cradles are wearing military uniforms.
The photos seem to be from another planet, or at least a parrallel universe.
It was not so long ago that Hollywood was institutionally patriotic. Studio photos always included an Independence Day shot, frequently an innocent piece of cheesecake. Because what’s more American than igniting fireworks while wearing a bathing suit.
L.B. Mayer of MGM did not know his birthday—common for Jews born in the Pale of Settlement—and so the powerful studio chief symbolically adopted July 4 as his own and threw America and himself a huge birthday party on the studio lot. Everyone was expected to attend. Only Greta Garbo, the great narcissist, refused to attend.
Here’s a sample of studio shots celebrating America’s birth.
Marion Shilling starred in dozens of B westerns from 1930-’36. Here, she shows off patriotic silk stockings.
No star worked harder at being a star than Joan Crawford. Whereas most actors endured publicity photo shoots as a necessary chore, Crawford understood that without her fans she was nothing.
Madge Evans started her career in the silent era as a child actress. She transitioned into ingenue roles and MGM signed her to a contract. She usually played the good girl. In 1939 she married playwright Sidney Kingsley and retired to raise a family. You might have seen her in the classic 1935 version of “David Copperfield” where she plays Agnes.
This was not the pin-up photo that helped catapult Rita Hayworth to mega stardom. The Freudian implications of this photo are, sigh, comical.
Marian Marsh (b.Violet Ethelred Krauth) was chosen by philandering alcoholic superstar John Barrymore to play Trilby in the 1931 “Svengali.” With her sweet innocence it was a role to which she was perfectly suited. She also starred opposite Edward G. Robinson in the excellent “Five Star Final,” 1934. And in 1935 she appeared with Peter Lorre as Sonya, the kind-hearted prostitute in Josef von Sternberg’s “Crime and Punishment.” Here, Marian visits the Liberty Bell.
Is there an actress with more photos documenting her rise to stardom than Marilyn Monroe? Like Joan Crawford, MM understood the value of publicity and used the still photos to advance her career.
Of course, there was no greater Hollywood patriot than the Depression era’s most potent sex symbol Betty Boop.
Karen and I wish all our friends a happy and patriotic July 4th. As Jews we understand that America has blessed us with unequaled freedom and opportunity for which we are deeply grateful.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
7 Comments
Happy 4th to you and your family Robert. I was listening to Michael Medved today and he had an interesting background on the 4th – the British who just fought an expensive war that forever rid the French of North America (French & Indian War) , wanted to tax the colonies to help pay for it.
And the American legislative bodies, accustomed to semi autonomous rule – started to resent it.
Regardless, I still find the outcome of the 4th Amazing. I have been reading this British magazine on history – from the BBC, and in a recent article was one on the British Empire.
It was the belief o f the author that it was the British Army, and not the Navy, who was predominately responsible for the building of the Empire.
And in listing all of their major battles of the 17th and 18th century there was only one that they lost – Yorktown.
i have always felt that our independence was divinely inspired.
Oh, the MM pose – looks like the infamous Betty Grable pose! I am sure the photographer had that in mind.
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>>i have always felt that our independence was divinely inspired.
I agree with you. The more I read about the Revolution and George Washington, the more miraculous it all seems. So many things could have gone wrong, but didn’t.
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Bill:
Michael’s series on the American Revolution and Divine Inspiration was one of Ariel’s favorites. He ordered it on tape and listened to it when receiving chemotherapy.
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We are reading the Declaration this afternoon. I just got back from a blisteringly hot parade where we saw vets of all ages stand and salute Old Glory as we walked by. Looking forward to fireworks tonight, especially the part where we sing the Star Spangled Banner.
I am so grateful to my ancestors who left all they knew and came here to build a life. G-d bless them, every one, and G-d bless the USA.
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Dr. Carol:
My grandfather, Rabbi Samuel Avrech, emigrated alone to America. My grandmother, Miriam, and my father and his brother Chaim stayed behind in Poland. Samuel worked for 5 years to earn the money so his family could come to America. I owe my wonderful life to my grandfather’s courage and America’s greatness.
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Dear Robert:
Today after minyan we read the Declaration out loud and this letter of George Washington to the elders of the oldest shul in America:
Gentlemen:
While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.
If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.
The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy–a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants–while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
If my father were still alive this would have been his 94th birthday. Blessings on us all on this day.
Your Friend
Dovid Fauman
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Dovid:
You attend a wonderful shul. Every shul in America should follow your example. I’m going to bring it up to my shul at the next board meeting.
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