Weird Wednesday: Vibrating Curling Iron

Popular Science, 1940



Looks complicated, but I wonder if it really worked? Can't say I'd be at ease in that situation. And how much vibration are we talking about? Was it jarring, or more like an electric toothbrush? I have to say the woman testing out this vibrating curling iron does not look like she is comfortable.

Sylvia's Diet Lore 2 - Vegetables and Butter

More Diet Lore According to Madame Sylvia

Vegetables

• Should be boiled or steamed in only as much water as will prevent burning and should be cooked no longer then is necessary to make them palatable.
• The better parts of vegetables being absorbed in the cooking waters, preserve all these for making the pure vegetable broths and soups you should habitually eat.

Butter

• Harmless in small quantities if never cooked. Therefore, butter should always be added to hot dishes with which it is served; yet before they go to the table.
• Sweet butter is best and can always be obtained in Jewish store.

Sylvia's Diet Lore 1 - Meat and Fish

Thought I'd return to a popular topic from a few years ago, Madame Sylvia of Hollywood and her tips. So here is day 1 of Sylvia's Diet Lore: Meat

• Pay no attention to meatless diet fads
• Broil or roast the leaner meats in such a way as to eliminate the fats, first by cutting away the visible excess fat before cooking and, second, by taking the measures I have described for eliminating contact between meat and their drippings.
• Do not boil meats. However you may eat cold-boiled ham as often as you wish.

Fish

• Incontiadistinction to meats, fish should be boiled. Only the lean varieties should be used. No idea what this means. I assume it refers to indigestion or kidney problems or something like that. I couldn't even find a definition for it.

Book Review: Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead

I have to say I have never read any of L. Ron Hubbard's books. Not a huge fan of sci-fi and there is that whole Scientology issue, but I have to say this was a ripping good read. I'm glad I received an Early Review copy because I had no idea what an exciting author Hubbard was. "Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead" is an action-packed adventure ride centered on a treasure map from Alexander the Great. He left jewels in the Indian desert in a tomb which has yet to be found. Captain Charles Gordon's quest is incredibly exciting and fast paced. Loved it.

The book also includes two other short stories, "Price of a Hat" and "Starch and Stripes". In "Price of a Hat", a Russian hat brings death wherever it goes, but what is the mysterious secret it hides? The fall of the Russian Monarchy takes center stage in a classic question of "What if?". I found this story utterly fascinating and a wonderful read. I'm not much of a fan of military stories so I wasn't a huge fan of "Starch and Stripes", but it was well written.

On the whole, this was a great adventure read and a must for anyone who is a fan of pulps, life myself. The cover looks exciting and definitely captures the feel of the book. A wonderful glossary and section of L. Ron Hubbard's contribution to pulp literature accompanies the book. A definite keeper. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Judy Garland Works It Out

Judy Garland
“Somebody told me I work as if I have only ten minutes left in which to do everything.”

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

Are Keefe and His Wife Separating?

Keefe Brasselle, Ray Anthony and Norma Jean Aldrich at the Ciro's

Keefe Brasselle

Is keeping those separation rumors quiet by taking his wife along with him on the road of personal appearances. Although “The Eddie Cantor Story” didn’t do much for Keefe, don’t count him out of movies. He’s in there pitching every minute of the day and with such persistence, luck is bound to fall his way.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

Keefe Brasselle and Arlene DeMarco

Keefe Brasselle was married twice. First from December 18, 1942 until December 6, 1956 to Norma Jean Aldrich (which the above gossip refers to). Keefe was married to Arlene DeMarco of the DeMarco Sisters singers from December 23, 1956 to 1967.

Edmund and Tita's Marriage Drama

Edmund Purdom
Looked like a sure bet when he took over the acting part of “The Student Prince” for Mario Lanza. Now he’s rapidly approaching the point where he is the subject of as much discussion as Lanza, who, by the way, is really on the road to recovery and may yet do “The Vagabond King” with Kathryn Grayson. You’d think Purdom would be a model of co-operation because of the tremendous break he received but those temperament rumors have been circulating about Edmund almost from the time he started “The Student Prince”. His wife, Tita, worked as a ballerina to help support the family during their lean days but she gave up her career to take care of their children after Edmund started clicking. Now, Mrs. Edmund Purdom has announced that she will proceed with plans for a separation or a divorce. At the time she announced these plans, Mrs Purdom reportedly said, “We had four years of poverty and we clung together like babes in the woods. But when he became successful it all changed. Now he says he dreads seeing me.” Edmund and Tita were married on January 5, 1951 in London. They have two children, Lilian, aged two and Marian, aged six months.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)


Edmund Purdom (December 13, 1926 - January 1, 2009) was born in Hertfordshire, England. His acting career began in 1946 and continued almost until his death. His starring roles were mostly in the 1950s. Finding his career fizzling out, Edmund relocated to Italy where he spent the rest of his life. He was one of the main dubbers of Italian films. Married four times, his marriage to Tita Phillips from January 5, 1951 until March 5, 1956. Word has it that he was secretly seeing dating Tita's co-star. Edmund married Alicia Darr on April 10, 1957 and they were married until August 17, 1958. His best known wife was Linda Christian, former wife of Tyrone Power. Linda Christian and Edmund Purdom were married from March 24, 1962 until January 10, 1963.

Edmund Purdom and Linda Christian

Edmund Purdom was also known for lucking into some great roles. He got his role in The Student Prince from Mario Lanza. Some sources say it was because of a disagreement between Mario and the director - others say it was because Mario was seen as too heavy. One of Purdom's other starring roles, that of Sinuhe in The Egyptian, came to him after Marlon Brando turned it down.

Doris Takes Over for Lana and Ava

Doris Day
Will have sixteen numbers to sing in “Love Me or Leave Me” – enough to please the most ardent Day fans. This picture has a strange history. Both Lana Turner and Ava Gardner turned it down. Doris took it for a reported $200,000. Cameron Mitchell, who was borrowed by MGM for the film, says it has one of the best scripts he’s ever read.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

I've never seen this film about singer trying to get away from the gangster who made her a star. Lucky for me, it's appearing on TCM next Friday April 22, 2011 at 8:45 am est. Can't beat James Cagney and of course the wonderful Doris Day so I might have to check it out.

Fred Astaire Stops Dancing

Fred Astaire
Since the tragic death of his wife, is resuming his career full-time to keep his mind busy. Their’s was a true love affair! Next to his home life, dancing and race horses are his chief interests. Fred, worth a mint, decided to retire once, but got so busy with hobbies and outside demands that he had to return to the screen to get a rest.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

Fred Astaire and Phyllis Livingston Potter were married from 1933 until her death from lung cancer at age 46 in 1954. They had two children together, Fred Jr and Ava. When Phyllis passed, Fred did not even want to finish the film he was working on, Daddy Long Legs, and offered to pay the production costs to back out, but was persuaded to stay. Fred would stay single until 1980 when he married jockey Robyn Smith, 45 years his junior. On a side note, Fred mostly retired from dancing after his wife passed.

Donald Tries to Take it WIth Him

Donald O'Connor and Marilyn Monroe

Donald O’Connor Looking worn from overwork, was warned again that he couldn’t take it with him “No,” said he, “but it’s fun trying.” (Source: Movieland; Feb 1955)