Talking heads III

More reference worthy must see films.

Film History by Decade: 100 Years of Movies written and edited by Tim Dirks

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), 129 minutes, D: Frank Capra

One of Frank Capra's time-honored classic comedy/dramas about the triumph of the ordinary man over the corrupt political elite, restoring faith in democracy. An idealistic, naive Boy Rangers leader Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) is drafted by his state's governor to the Senate in Washington as a freshman senator to complete the remaining term of a dead Senator. The corrupt "political machine," led by his state's senior Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains) believes he will easily be controllable, but when Jefferson discovers the land-scam plans of his supporters, he becomes stubbornly determined to not forsake his dreams and to do what's right against the corrupt, greedy forces running his state. With the support of his secretary Saunders (Jean Arthur), he delivers a powerful, rousing and passionate filibuster on the Senate floor in the final climactic moments.

The Wizard of Oz (1939), 103 minutes, D: Victor Fleming

One of the most popular films of all time, a children's fantasy classic, based on Frank Baum's novel. A farm girl Dorothy (Judy Garland) from Kansas (Kansas sequences are in sepia-tone) is transported with her dog Toto in a twister to the magical fantasy land of Oz (Oz sequences are in Technicolor). There she meets delightfully colorful characters including the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) and three companions - the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), the Tin Man (Jack Haley), and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr). With them she sets off on the yellow brick road to seek the Wizard's (Frank Morgan) help to get home. The Wizard grants all of their wishes when they subdue the Witch. In the land of Oz, she discovers that things aren't always better somewhere else. With the well-known theme song, "Over the Rainbow."

The Women (1939), 132 minutes, D: George Cukor

With an all-woman, all-star cast of more than 125 strong-minded women, from Clare Boothe's (Luce) play. A comedy/drama full of biting wit, fast dialogue, and superb performances. The complex story line about matrimony and men and women is full of twists and diversions, almost unimportant. One of the socialite women Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) learns that her husband is having an affair with an amoral perfume sales clerk Chrystal Allen (Joan Crawford). She seeks a divorce with a six-week stay in Reno. The cast of women engages in cat-fighting and bitching, vicious gossip and cattiness, husband-stealing, and back-stabbing, while the film provides insight into female bonding and the role of women in society.

Wuthering Heights (1939), 104 minutes, D: William Wyler

One of the greatest romantic love stories ever filmed, from Emily Bronte's tragic Victorian novel. An abandoned orphan Gypsy boy Heathcliff (Rex Downing as child, Laurence Olivier as adult) is taken in by a well-to-do 19th century English family, the Earnshaws (Cecil Kellaway as the father) on the isolated moors. He becomes their stable boy and falls in love with the family's spoiled young daughter Catherine Earnshaw (Sarita Wooten as child), his childhood friend. The beautiful Cathy (Merle Oberon as adult) is desperately in love with Heathcliff, but because of his low birth begins seeing a wealthy neighbor's son. Heathcliff leaves during a misunderstanding and with driving ambition later returns moderately wealthy, discovering that she has married rich Edgar Linton (David Niven), in spite of her passionate love for him. In revenge, he spitefully marries Edgar's naive sister Isabella (Geraldine Fitzgerald) and then neglects her. The long-suppressed passionate feelings that they have had for each other continue to torment them as haunted, star-crossed lovers.

Fantasia (1940), 120 minutes, D: Ben Sharpsteen and Disney

An innovative and revolutionary animated classic from Walt Disney, combining classical music masterpieces with imaginative visuals, presented with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The eight animation sequences are colorful, impressive, free-flowing, abstract, and often surrealistic pieces. They include the most famous of all, Paul Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with Mickey Mouse as the title character battling brooms carrying endless buckets of water. Also Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," dinosaurs and volcanoes in Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," the delightful "Dance of the Hours" by Ponchielli with dancing hippos, crocodiles, ostriches, and elephants, and Mussorgsky's darkly apocalyptic "Night on Bald Mountain.

The Letter (1940), 95 minutes, D: William Wyler

A superb melodrama, adapted from the W. Somerset Maugham play. In the opening scene, Geoffrey Hammond (David Newell), an old family friend, is killed and shot point-blank on the front steps of the Crosbie Malayan rubber plantation by Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis) while her husband Robert (Herbert Marshall) is away on business. She claims that she killed him in self-defense to protect her honor (in fact, she killed him because as her lover, he threatened to leave her). Her husband faithfully believes in her and hires respected lawyer Howard Joyce (James Stephenson) to defend her, but soon the lawyer has his doubts. An incriminating letter (from Leslie to Geoffrey) surfaces in the possession of Hammond's Eurasian widow (Gale Sondergaard), and she blackmails them for $10,000. The letter must be retrieved personally in a dramatic scene. Leslie is found innocent of murder charges in the court trial, but she suffers a fateful retribution in the conclusion.

The Philadelphia Story (1940), 112 minutes, D: George Cukor

A classic romantic comedy, a witty adaptation of Phillip Barry's Broadway hit. Set among the upper class society in Philadelphia, a spoiled, wealthy heiress, Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is about to be remarried to a stuffy executive, George Kittredge (John Howard). She divorced her first husband C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) because he drank excessively and was irresponsible. He still loves her and shows up in attendance. So do Spy Magazine's scandal reporter Macauley "Mike" Connor (James Stewart) and a photographer. Dexter is there to prevent them from publishing an expose about the womanizing reputation of Tracy's father Seth (John Halliday), his ex-in-law. Things get complicated when the inquisitive, cynical Connor falls in love with Tracy and teaches her what love is.

Rebecca (1940), 130 minutes, D: Alfred Hitchcock

Adapted from Daphne du Maurier's novel of gothic romance and mystery, a compelling romance-mystery with intense psychological suspense. Following a rapid courtship, a shy, naive young woman becomes the second Mrs. de Winter (Joan Fontaine) by marrying a dashing, but brooding British nobleman (Laurence Olivier). She is haunted by the memory and shadow of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca, who died under mysterious circumstances. At his huge Manderley mansion, the icy-cold housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson) taunts and frightens her. The untold secrets of the past are slowly unraveled, finally freeing her from her fear and uneasiness. A winning Best Picture film.

The Thief of Bagdad (1940), 106 minutes, D: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell and Tim Whelan,
Produced by Alexander Korda

One of the best, most enchanting fantasies ever made - with an Arabian Nights theme, including spectacular special effects, amazing photography, a memorable musical score, and wonderful performances. A mischievous young urchin/thief Abu (Sabu) is thrown in a dungeon for theft. He helps the good-hearted, prince Ahmad (John Justin) of the city of Bagdad - who is tricked out of his kingdom - save his kingdom, his throne, and his love for the Princess (June Duprez) from an oppressive, evil magician Jaffar (Conrad Veidt) with the help of a giant genie Djinni (Rex Ingram) and a magical flying carpet.

Now playing: Joan Armatrading - The Weakness In Me

Red

The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love colour the most. - John Ruskin

Now playing: Sting - Desert Rose

Bits and pieces

Guestroom in a temporary house until the clients can find one to buy.

Had this have been their permanent abode I would have fitted it out completely in this particular toile.
When they move, that is the plan.

Now playing: The Zombies - She's Not There

Seven

As I have managed to avoid doing this on previous occasions (Fashion's Most Wanted and Thea Beasley) it seemed churlish not to participate when Mode Parade so kindly decided to include me. However, I really must draw a line at the passing it on bit.

1. The sum of many parts - French born of European, Chinese and Carib decent.

2. Consequently, I have almond shaped blue eyes.

3. My eyebrows are registered lethal weapons.

4. I have a dark, almost black, sense of humor.

5. The very idea that things can be aspirational is ugly and repellent.

6.While I absolutely love what I do, it is hardly all consuming.

7. I do love a happy ending, even though I know it is not always possible.

Now playing: Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush - Don't Give Up 

Vintage

Miss Streisand

Mission: Impossibly Smart

Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999)

 

1960s Danish King Chair and sofa.

For some, the be all and end all is Wegner's Papa Bear Chair. 

If that concept existed here, then Wikkelsø's  King Chair would fill the bill.

Now playing: Kate Bush - King of the Mountain

T O M

Mermaid Blues

Ghost Of A Shark

McRae

Vintage

Baguès style gilt bronze ceiling light with obligatory glass accents.

 Now playing: The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Polished, not painted

An 18th century Norwegian Rococo dark polished sofa, 

with carved c-scrolls and ornaments, the cabriole legs terminating in ball and claw feet. 

Mid 18th century Rococo dark polished canapé, carved with shells and foliage. 

Time will pass, and we shall go away forever, and we shall be forgotten, our faces will be forgotten, our voices, and how many there were of us; but our sufferings will pass into joy for those who will live after us, happiness and peace will be established upon earth, and they will remember kindly and bless those who have lived before. - Anton Chekhov, The Three Sisters

Now playing: Zero 7 - Simple Things

In the right light,

at the right time, everything is extraordinary. - Aaron Rose

PH-Septima 5  designed by Poul Henningsen

Pendant light with seven shades of clear glass, with alternate frosted fields.

Manufactured since 1931 by Louis Poulsen.

Now playing: Foy Vance - Shed a Little Light

Meet my little friend

Mike Diaz 

Impresario of Latin American chic.

Formerly of Mexico City's Chic By Accident, now with Arizona's Holler and Saunders, Ltd.

Now playing: Cheo Feliciano - Sali Porque Sali

Curtains

Miss Jane Russell

1921-2011

As Mary Mame Carson and looking for trouble in Howard Hughes' The French Line (1954)

Nothing more, nothing less

Mid 18th century Norwegian Rococo partly gilt beech wood armchair.

The devil is compromise. - Henrik Ibsen

Now playing: Tom McRae - You Only Disappear

Of most excellent fancy

Danish modern.

Classically  inspired and timeless.


The lampshade being the only thing that one would change.

Now playing: Beck - It's All In Your Mind

Iron butterfly

Portrait by Richard Avedon

Kimono style evening dress

Hanae Mori, doyenne of Japanese fashion.

And master of the print.

But to be a woman? It seemed to mean being a woman at the beginning and being a woman forever.

— Yukio Mishima

Boys and ballerinas

Wonderful Life 





Better Than Love


Hurts

And I am all forgotten.

Mrs. Arthur Henry Paget (1853-1919), 1891

Watercolour on ivory 

The subject is dressed as Cleopatra, the costume she wore to the 1875 Delmonico Ball in New York City. In mock ancient Egyptian costume, including a headdress in imitation of Egyptian pharaohs, she is posed against a background of palm trees, a river, and distant pyramids.
New York Historical Society - ALLURE OF THE EAST: ORIENTALISM IN NEW YORK, 1850–1930

Mrs. Paget would attend The Duchess of Devonshire's Ball in 1897 also dressed as Cleopatra. 

Of all the private entertainments for which the Jubilee has provided the occasion, none is comparable with the magnificent fancy dress ball given last night at Devonshire House by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Amid all the public excitements of the last few weeks, when the world, one might have thought, has been sufficiently occupied with the procession, the two reviews, and the garden party, the inner circle of what is still called society has preserved in the background of its mind an anxious preoccupation - namely, how it was to appear at Devonshire-house, supposing it was fortunate enough to be asked. Never in our times has so much attention been paid to old family pictures, never have the masterpieces of portraiture in the National Gallery been so carefully studied, while for weeks past the Print-room at the British Museum, commonly given up to quiet students, has been invaded by smart ladies and gentlemen anxious to search the prints and drawings of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries for something in which they could obey the Duchess's summons to appear "in an allegorical or historical costume dated earlier than 1820". Never in our time have the costumiers been so busy, and the houses so well-known to everybody who has ever organized private theatricals, such as Messrs. John Simmons, of the Haymarket, Messrs Nathan, and Messrs Alias, have been driven districted with orders and counter-orders. As usual on such occasions, the gentlemen, it is said, have proved far more exacting than the ladies; for the stronger sex, when once it makes up its mind to desert the sobriety of plain broadcloth, knows no limit to its requirements or to its suddenly developed fastidiousness. But, whatever may have been the anxieties and the difficulties of the preparation, there can be no doubt as to the splendour and beauty of the result. It is 23 years since a ball of similar design and magnificence was given. We are referring to the famous ball at Marlborough House on July 22, 1874. Many of those who were present last night were present also at the earlier festivity, and those who were, or those who have read the full account that was published in "The Times" on the following day, will find it difficult to award the palm for Royal magnificence and good taste. 

BALL AT DEVONSHIRE HOUSE

Saturday July 3, 1897

The Times




Now playing: The Magnetic Fields - With Whom To Dance?

A good musical is hard to find

And  DuBarry Was a Lady (1943) isn't one of them. 

The dialogue and plot are almost as  diabolical as the musical numbers.  The only points in its favour are its stellar cast (Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball, Red Skelton and Zero Mostell as Rami the Swami), its glorious technicolor, and its inspired costume and set design. This is most certainly one that should be watched sans sound.

Virginia O'Brien as Ginny in her Salome number. The only number with any oomph.

There ain't nothin' an ol' man can do but bring me a message from a young one.

So said Loretta Mary Aiken (1894-1975), better known as Jackie Moms Mabley.

Quite possibly one of the funniest comedians of all time. And most certainly a pioneer. 

The social issues that boiled over in the late sixties were something Mabley had been addressing for decades. When the struggle against war, racism and varied discrimination became the focus of a new generation, Mabley suddenly found herself a bigger star than before, her message embraced by those involved in the fight.   From,  Moms Mabley - Agitation in Moderation

Amazing Grace (1974)

Mabley's last role

Now playing: Heatwave - Super Soul Sister

À la recherche du temps perdu

Christian Dior

Haute Couture, Spring Summer 2011

A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.

- Marcel Proust

Now playing: Richard Wagner - Tristan und Isolde, Prelude