Category: Writing

October 19, 2012 /

WORKING WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD – GRAND HOTEL

Okay my darlings, I too am sitting at a device that conveys words into world, drinking a cup of coffee… But I would say the element I lack in my yoga pants and husband’s T-shirt is glamour (and a Marcel Wave).

October 18, 2012 /

JEAN HARLOW AND HAL ROACH

Hal Roach was the first to spot Jean Harlow’s comedic talents: Harlow (the real bathing beauty) is to the right of Charley Chase. Harlow was seventeen when she made “Double Whoopee”, a Hal Roach short, with Laurel and Hardy. Leo McCarey, who went on to become a preeminent director of…

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October 17, 2012 /

JOAN CRAWFORD AND WALLACE BEERY – BEHIND THE SCENES OF GRAND HOTEL

I love these stills – here we have director Edmund Goulding by camera, the cinematographer was William H. Daniels.

October 17, 2012 /

GARBO – BEHIND THE SCENES OF GRAND HOTEL

Greta and John waiting on set in a pair of director’s chairs. See the satin coverlet to protect Miss Garbo’s delicate gown from set dust? Have you ever seen a movie scene in which someone is barefoot? If you catch a glimpse the soles of their feet are usually black.…

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October 12, 2012 /

A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT ~ For Vickie Lester

A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT ~ For Vickie Lester.

October 9, 2012 /

NOEL COWARD IN HOLLYWOOD

This week is going to be light on text and heavy on pictures as I reassemble my kitchen (and put my household back in order). Saturday my breakfast companion was aghast when I turned up at our weekly dim sum rendezvous wearing black slip on sandals, jeans, a black T-shirt,…

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October 7, 2012 /

UNDER PRESSURE – CONTINUED

As you might have gleaned by now, when there’s a story to tell about Hollywood, I’m inclined to change the names and mix it up a bit to protect the innocent. What follows is mostly true, except what’s not. “Okay. No baseball. What you’ve got to do is barge back…

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October 7, 2012 /

UNDER PRESSURE

As you might have gleaned by now, when there’s a story to tell about Hollywood, I’m inclined to change the names and mix it up a bit to protect the innocent. What follows is mostly true, except what’s not. Bill Aagard, a first time film director, met Tessa Moynihan, a…

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October 6, 2012 /

EVERYDAY IN OLD HOLLYWOOD

Hettem’s on Vermont opening day 1931: Look at those light fixtures! If the Depression hadn’t wiped me out I may have gotten my De Soto out of the garage and headed over to the store. Another of the lesser known buildings by Morgan, Walls, and Clements – a car dealership…

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October 5, 2012 /

TO MARKET I GO IN HOLLYWOOD

Even the grocery stores were glamorous – designed by Morgan, Walls & Clements (also designed the Chapman Market) – this firm designed some of the most iconic buildings of early Hollywood (and I promise we’ll get to these landmarks) but for now we’ll roll with my fascination with the mundane…

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