Paintings of the Stars - Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda; 1963

I found a half article about Henry Fonda and his painting.  He began experimenting with pastels while filming Mister Roberts.  Self-taught, he found his own techniques such as working from the left-top corner down, so that the drawing is not smudged.  His favorite painting technique, according to this source, is drybrush.

Henry Fonda; 1963

His technique is simple, a slight pencil sketch which he erases as he goes, and then he digs right in and paints.  Several of Henry Fonda's paintings (or copies of them at least) are around.  Fonda lists his major painting influences as William Harnett, Andrew Wyeth, and Dutch realist painters.
[Source:  Henry Fonda: a Bio-Bibliography; Greenwood Publishing; 1992; p 54]

Christina's World; Andrew Wyeth; 1948

I think Fonda made quite a lovely picture.  I haven't been able to find out where the particular painting from this Life photograph session ended up, but I'd be curious to know.  If anyone has the answer, please be sure to share it.

A Study Table; William Hemett; 1882

Paintings of the Stars - Part 1

Beatrice Lillie; 1963

Life Magazine did a series on paintings done by celebrities in 1963.  I find it interesting to see what artists do in art fields other than their own.  Well, it turns out that several actors and actresses were wonderful painters as well.  Beatrice Lillie was an actress I would have loved to see.  While known for her wonderful stage work, she made some films as well.

Beatrice Lillie; 1963

One of the stories about her I find most striking is from World War II.  Lillie entertained the troops quite frequently.  One day, she found out her son had been killed in action and refused to cancel her performance. Her quote:  "I'll cry tomorrow" (Source).  Beatrice Lillie sounds like an amazing woman I would loved to have met.  Her strength, generosity, and talent are worth remembering.

As to these paintings, I'm not sure what happened to these particular ones, but several of her paintings are stored at the New York Public Library. 

Movie Review Monday: Macabre (1958)

Macabre (1958)

I love vintage scary movies!  I can't stand scary movies made today since I have yet to see one that is about the story, as opposed to a gross back story and the most disgusting ways in which to kill people.  I much prefer the likes of Val Lewton and William Castle.  So after watching a fascinating film about William Castle, I was excited to see Macabre was on after it.

Macabre (Source)

After the film began, I realized that I had seen part of it before and realized why I did not remember the end. The premise was quite disturbing to me, and I am sure I turned it off the previous time I had viewed it.  Well, this time I sat through the entire thing.

Macabre (Source)

The premise is basically this:  A doctor's child has been kidnapped and buried alive and he has only a few hours before she suffocates.  It is so difficult for me to watch things involving children in pain since I spent my childhood dealing with physical pain (my disabilities) and to see the suffering of the innocent is just sad.  My anxiety was at a 10+ the whole time.  I was able to appreciate the film after I knew the ending (I won't spoil it for you).  

Macabre (Source)

The actors in the film were wonderful.  They played it just right.  The doctor, played by William Price, was perfect in the role.  He played to role seriously, so the film was suspenseful, as opposed to really cheesy, like it could have been from the gimmicks Castle employed like offering life insurance to anyone dying of fright while viewing the film.  I also was thrilled to see one of my favorite actors, Jim Backus, as the police chief.  I'm willing to see anything with him in it.

One of my favorite parts of the film was actually the ending credits.  It's macabre, in a good way.  It's so fun, and definitely summarizes the film if you missed anything.  I would definitely say "see it", but know the premise definitely is anxiety inducing.

American Duchess Giveaway

I'm super excited about the giveaway on American Duchess.  You may win a pair of these super cute Highbury shoes.  I adore the American Duchess.  I just wish I could afford all of her fabulous reproduction shoes!  One of these days . . . 


If you want to enter the giveaway too, you may check it out at:
http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2013/04/giveaway-win-pair-of-highbury-regency.html

Cheesetastic Film Review: The Hypnotic Eye (1960)

Hypnotic Eye Poster

I just love films with a gimmick.  They are cheesetastic and fabulously campy, so I was thrilled to see The Hypnotic Eye on TCM.  The premise of the film is that women are finding themselves hideously deformed.  The catch - they deform themselves without being aware of it.  The opening scene alone was shocking - a woman sets her hair on fire.  Grotesque, yet absolutely no way I was turning the channel.  Jacques Bergerac plays hypnotist Desmond.  Through the course of the film we find out that the women who are disfiguring themselves have all been hypnotized by the enigmatic Desmond.  I won't spoil the ending, but cult icon Allison Hayes, who plays Desmond's assistant Justine plays heavily into it.

Hypnotic Eye Opening Sequence

What was so interesting about the film is Bergerac was really trained by a hypnotist and the segments of the film with the hypnotic elements really had actresses that were hypnotized.  I found the stage portions intriguing.  At home, I followed along with the film, and it really added to the experience.  I wish the main audience participation element was earlier in the film, because it totally took you out of the plot of the film.  The point of the participation segment occurred right before the climax of the film.  Taking the 10 minutes out at that point detracted from the plot itself.  It would have made much more sense near the start of the film.

Allison Hayes

I would have to give this film a 8 out of 10 on the Cheesetastic Film Scale.

Hypnotic Eye Lobby Card

WACs Working Wonders

These lovely WACs are getting beauty treatments at Fort Des Moines in 1942.  How fantastic is it that there was basically a beauty salon at the fort?  One thing I love about the 1940's is that even when they were busy saving the world, women always made time to look good.  How awesome is that?  I don't think I'd have enough energy to do anything more than throw my hair in a ponytail, yet these fantastic women slept in pincurls and made sure their makeup was perfect.  Amazing.

Posts of the Week: Glamour Daze

1940s Makeover

Glamour Daze has been on point this week.  It has some of my absolute favorite posts of the week.  Two of my favorites are a fun post about WAC exercise and a cool post about a 1940's makeover.  What I love about the WAC exercise, is that it seems entirely possible to perform today by a variety of fitness levels.  I could see myself doing it today.  The makeover is intriguing, and doesn't seem completely impossible.  No matter how easy a makeup tutorial seems, I never seem to be able to do it properly.

Fashion Friday: Martha Raye Shows Us Her Shoes

Martha Raye and her shoes

Martha Raye has cool shoe collection.  Even one of those pairs would be fabulous, let alone a full cupboard full.  I'm totally jealous!

Book Review: League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout

Sydney Greenstreet as Nero Wolfe

When I think Nero Wolfe, I envision Sydney Greenstreet, since the only exposure I've had to Nero Wolfe is the radio program he starred in. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the books, so I've waited to give this one a try. Another case of should not judge a book by its cover. The book follows Paul Chapin and a group of men who had been responsible for his crippling when they went to college. The group has formed a league to try to make amends for their prank gone wrong, but begin to get scared when members of the league starts to turn up missing or dead. 

The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout

What I found interesting about this book was from the very beginning, you were basically given the killer. The rest of the book involved trying to find ways in which to convict Paul Chapin. The journey was a fascinating exploration into human nature and psychology. I found the thought process of Wolfe, his helper Archie, and the surrounding characters intriguing. The characters were so fully developed that I found their eccentricities completely believable and endearing.  Stout has a real gift for language, and that became one of the great features of the book. I enjoyed Stout's voice immensely, and I can't wait until I have the chance to read another Nero Wolfe book. I found myself only reading a bit every day because it was a treat, a little morsel of mystery goodness I felt privileged to read.

The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout

The League of Frightened Men
Rex Stout
Pyramid Books R-919
1935

Fashion Friday: Late 18th Century Gowns at American Duchess

Dames a la Mode, July 1798

American Duchess has a fantastic post about Late 18th Century Gowns.  Very informative and the illustrations corresponding to the descriptions were stunning.  She also has a wonderful post about panniers.  American Duchess has to be one of my favorite historical costume sites.