Buster Keaton, one of my favourite creative geniuses, was born on 4 October 1895. I made a little slideshow in honor of his 120th birthday. Enjoy!
Movies
Coming up on the blog in a few weeks…
Happy Birthday, Myrna Loy!
Happy 110th birthday to my all-time favourite actress: the incredibly talented, inimitable, hilarious, gorgeous Myrna Loy!
2 August 1905:
Myrna Loy Publicity Shot for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Happy Birthday, John Gilbert!
John Gilbert, my favourite silent movie actor, was born on 10 July 1897.*
Let’s celebrate with some photos of the great matinée idol!
Poster for The Big Parade, 1925
Gilbert and Garbo Mural. Columbus.
John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in A Woman of Affairs, 1928
Publicity photo of John Gilbert and Joan Crawford in Four Walls, 1928
John Gilbert, 1930s
John Gilbert in The Merry Widow, 1925
John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in Flesh and the Devil, 1926
*I was born on the same day, nearly 80 years later.
Announcing the Beach Party Blogathon!
Another lovely upcoming blogathon in which we are participating!
We’re Off to See “The Seven Year Itch”…On the Big Screen
Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch (1955)
The Sun Sets on Lizabeth Scott
Lizabeth Scott, Famed Film Noir Actress of the ’40s and ’50s, Dies at 92 [The Hollywood Reporter]
Lizabeth Scott in Yank Magazine, 1945
[The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon] Design for Living: Part Three-“To Let: One Cheap, Roomy, Salubrious Flat”
“To Let: One Cheap, Roomy, Salubrious Flat”
Frances
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“As I was saying, Miss, a small bed fits in that nook, and the case over there holds at least fifty books.”
“I’m not sure I want to live here! The windows are grubby…”
“They’ve been cleaned twice!”
“There are so many pinholes in the walls.”
“You won’t notice them without your glasses on.”
“But I need my glasses to see.”
“Then don’t stand so close. Isn’t that better already?”
“This flat is awfully large.”
“It’s big enough for three!”
“I’m single.”
“You’ll have room to grow!”
“The price is nice.”
“It’s the best! There’s nothing cheaper, roomier, or more salubrious in this neighborhood.”
“The floor is covered with dust. Great mounds of dust!”
“Keep the windows closed.”
“I need sufficient light and air.”
“Buy a broom.”
“I’m just not sure if this is the place for me.”
“It won’t be on the market long, not with its literary connections.”
“Literary connections?”
“Don’t you know? This cheap, this roomy, this salubrious flat is where Tom Chambers wrote Good Night Bassington!”
“You don’t say?”
“Indeed, I do! As I recall, his typewriter sat on a desk right over…”
“Perhaps this is the place for me after all? Yes, I’m sure I’ll like it here!”
**
♠Frances is our [Flash] Fiction correspondent. The only thing she loves more than thinking, is dreaming.
Up next: In Part Four of our review, Venetia discusses why Gilda is more than your average heroine.
The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon
[The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon] Design for Living: Part Two-Gilda’s Tips for Dressing Like a Successful Commercial Artist
Gilda’s Tips for Dressing Like a Successful Commercial Artist
Charlotte
**
Have you always wanted to dress like a successful 1930s commercial artist? Yes? You’re in luck! No? Fortunately, these ensembles transcend time and career. Gilda Farrell, successful American commercial artist and delightfully grown-up woman, knew how to keep it chic at all times. Let’s see if we can follow her lead down the road to professional acclaim and (if it suits us) radical romance.
#1-Takin’ the Train to Glamourville
Opening sequence: This is how you meet chic cute
Gilda proves that, no matter what your destination, dressing well is all in the details. Beret? Matching bow? Check, double-check. A simple skirt and artful blouse complete her comfortable and stylish traveling outfit. It’s best to be prepared, because you never know who you’ll meet when you least expect it…
#2-Go Big or Go Home
Decision Time Dress
Those shoulders! That bow! Those…criss-cross ribbon things! When an important decision looms ahead, what better way to arm yourself with confidence than by dressing with sartorial bravado? Napoleon would agree.
#3-Mothers Can Be Avant-garde, too
Avant-garde Mother of the Arts
When you are a Mother of the Arts, it’s okay to stand out from the crowd. Having a strong style makes it easier to focus on the artists you are helping with your keen wisdom and cutting insights. Or something. A dress with an enormous Pilgrim collar and cuffs isn’t for everyone, but Gilda pulls it off. We can all learn from her nonchalance.
#4-Dressing for the Morning After
Morning After Confection
No matter what went down the night before, always dress with exceptional elegance for breakfast. Sometimes the most unexpected people show up at your door whilst you are canoodling over coffee. A decadent frock hides your surprise better than a tattered robe.
#5-Going to the Chapel…of Security
Wedding Dress
No matter how your marriage turns out, you’ll always have your wedding dress. Wear what makes you happy, and make sure that it fits like a dream. That way, you’ll have at least one good memory from you big day!
#6-Shimmery Shimmery Shake
Shimmery Dress with Tuxedo Bookends
Own one dress that makes you feel like a movie star. Bonus points if it sparkles! Everyone looks good with a little shine, and even better when they radiate happiness. Having a wardrobe designed by the great Travis Banton doesn’t hurt, either.
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♦Charlotte is our Fashion correspondent. Her dream closet consists of the collective wardrobes of 796 films.
Up next: In Part Three of our review, Frances ponders the pros and cons of going bohemian.
The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon
[The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon] Design for Living: Intro
A Note from Maedez:
Before SNL, before Rita, there was Miriam. Pronunciation differences aside, her Gilda, from the 1933 motion picture “adaptation” of Noël Coward’s sensational play Design for Living, is ten steps beyond delightful.
Knowledge of the play isn’t a prerequisite to watching the film: the two share little more than a superficial resemblance. Each can be enjoyed on its own merits. Of course, only one has our Miriam!
Miriam Hopkins, 1933
Up next: In Part One of our review, Effie argues why Design for Living’s Gilda Farrell is Miriam at her comedic best.
♥ Maedez
The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon
Font and Frock 