Picture Of The Day

Just Carole Lombard in her jammies jumping over a fence!

A Closer Look At...

....Ralph Bellamy

Born in 1904 in Chicago

Ran away at 17 to join a band of Shakespearean players

Became an acclaimed theater actor before jumping to film

Helped found the Screen Actor's Guild and served as president

Helped found and rally the Actor's Equity, which helped actors during the black listing years

Was married four times, three ending in divorce

Famous for the roles in movies such as, "The Awful Truth", "Carefree", "His Girl Friday", and "Rosemary's Baby". Who can forget his awesome performance in "Trading Places" with co-star Don Ameche?

Played many types of characters but set the standards for the "push over" type. He lost his gal in movies to the likes of Cary Grant and Fred Astaire.

Owned his own stock company for four years called the "Ralph Bellamy Players" 

Died at the age of 87 in Santa Monica

Thrill Of A Romance

Will I ever tire of Esther William's? Once I think I have seen all of her films, another one sneaks in and I am happily taken away to the land of technicolor.

In Thrill Of A Romance, Esther plays Cynthia, a swimming instructor who falls for a handsome rich guy who gives no indication in the 20 hours they court that he has time to be married. Things seem swell, so they get hitched and off they go on their honeymoon.

Why didn't I think to wear a khaki wrap dress with a leopard print scarf belt on my honeymoon?! And I seriously want this wallpaper in my bedroom.

 It's their wedding night and the newly minted husband gets a call to work and takes it! Esther is left alone on vay-cay as hubby of the year promises to come back soon.

Bummed out, Esther takes to where else - the pool! Here she meets stylish Maude, who's father just happens to be her newlywed's boss. They strike up a friendship and Esther helps Maude search for a man. 

Can we take a minute here to soak this set in? The swirly blue pool deck, the tasseled umbrellas, multicolored lounge chairs, vintage pony pool toys...and check out those tie up sandals! 

*Swoon*

Before the night is over Esther finds herself crying on her balcony and roaming the grounds where she meets hunky war vet Thomas played by Van Johnson. 

Esther gives him the scoop on her awesome marriage situation and he is pitifully in love. Lucky for him, there is plenty of time for the two to hang out, as Esther's husband is kept away on business much longer than expected. 

Esther doesn't want to fall in love with someone else, she'd rather be happy with man #1. But after a week of someone of the opposite sex giving her attention she falls hard. Now what to do about the loser hubby who btw only calls her like twice and can't understand why Esther is so peeved!?

Van is thinking...How can I swoop in and make this my honeymoon?

Esther and Van go on a walk when they get lost in the forest and are forced to spend more time together than expected after dark only to find out Esther's husband has returned and is looking for her!

This film is full of swimming, bathing suits, bright colors, and Esther being cute. I loved it! There is also a beefy part for Tommy Dorsey and his famous band, including a cameo by his talented daughter who rocks out on the piano. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Affair to you! While I sit back and give thanks, please enjoy Jean Arthur and Lillian Roth dressed like slutty pilgrims hunting for turkey in the snow wearing heels. Gobble Gobble!

Boo!

Happy Halloween!

Love, 

Clara, an over sized paper mache pumpkin, and The Affair

A Sign Of The Times

Not too long ago I also stumbled upon the Museum of Neon Art storage unit. This warehouse is currently home to hundreds of old and new neon signs from all over California. As I walked through I noticed tucked in the back was the one and only Grauman's Chinese Theater sign.  

Before the sign was added

Pictures courtesy of The LA Times Past

 Grauman's Chinese Theater opened in 1927 but the neon dragon signs were not added until 1958.  The signs were torn down in 2001 as a plan to restore the theater to it's original facade. One of the dragon signs was left outdoors to rot and the other sign went temporarily missing! The signs are now at the MONA. It was really special to see a bit of history, and even more fun when you least expect it. The director of the MONA, Kim Koga, told me that they are hoping to restore the sign and had recently been receiving phone calls from some "very important people" who she is thinking might help with the restoration, since it will cost thousands of dollars due to their condition. We shall see! If you would like to visit this amazing space (which also houses the original Brown Derby neon light hat) you must check it out! You can even take an 8 week class to become a "bender" or as we know it, a person who makes neon signs. The museum's physical building will be in Glendale with hopes to open soon.

Check out more at: www.neonmona.org and read up here for an article I found in the Glendale News Press.

www.pomonapackingplant.com

Everyday Alfred

Show us your bones, Alfie.

A Closer Look At...

...Ann Sheridan

Born Clara Lou in Texas, 1915

 Youngest of five children

Was entered into a beauty contest by her sister in college where she won. 

Part of her prize was a cameo in a Paramount film. 

Worked bit parts at Paramount including time as a hand and leg model before heading to Warner Brothers.

Is said to have received as many as 250 marriage proposals in a week.

Was Max Factor's "Girl of the Year" in 1939.

Worked with Bette Davis, Ronald Reagan, Bogie, Jimmy Cagney, and Errol Flynn to name a few.

Married and divorced three times.

Was known as the "Ohmph Girl", which she hated.

Died at age 51 of cancer.

Picture Of The Day

Scalloped trimmed gloves, fur sleeves, and a cap. Bette doesn't get much better than this!

Picture Of The Day

The Bogarts on holiday. Lauren looks like she could use some hand warmers!

Perfectly Polished

Nails are all the rage right now but don't be fooled, our ladies of the silver screen where all about their perfectly polished fingers. And if you ask me, I'll take red nails any day!

Courtesy of LIFE magazine

Bette polishing away.

Carole concentrating

Joan and her half moons

Rita files away

An iconic scene from The Women with Rosalind Russell and Dennie Moore 

Don't mess with Joan and her fabulous talons!

Audrey and her perfect manicure

On An Island With You 1948

In the wake of Esther Williams death on June 6th, TCM played a 24 hour marathon. Did anyone watch? I ended up recording all of them and am slowing enjoying her films again. On An Island With You was her 12th film and a good one at that.

Esther is Roz, an actress who is filming a movie in the South Pacific with actor boyfriend played by Ricardo Montalban. They slather her in self tanner and throw a sarong on her and off they go.

For continuity they bring in Lieutenant Larry (Peter Lawford) to make sure they film looks legit. Little does Roz remember, but Larry met her a few years back and has had an obsessive crush on her ever since. He makes this very clear early on. Roz wants nothing to do with him.

He vents his frustrations to assistant director Buckley (Jimmy Durante) who helps him out best he can. Cyd Charisse is there too as Yvonne who seems depressed.

I want to steal Cyd's peasant top. Those colors!

Larry films a scene where he flies Roz around the island. When they yell, "cut" they realize Larry has flown away with Roz in tow! He takes her to the island where they met and tries to suck some face with her. She goes from mad to understanding to happy to irritated. Make up your mind woman!

One must not forget orange lipstick when 

heading to the tropics.

The crew finds Roz and Buckley goes off to find Larry who is hanging out with the natives. Ricardo is furious but Roz starts to have a change of heart. Larry is still crazy about Roz, and doesn't seam worried that he is going to be arrested for kidnapping!

Roz still wants to marry Ricardo but she starts to question her love. Even a romantic synchronized swim can't get her mind of the current events. 

You will have to watch this cute film to see who Roz picks. But really it is a no-brainer, who wouldn't want Peter Lawford?! This film is true to form with colorful dances, amazing wardrobe, and Esther swimming her heart out. Xavier Cugat has a beefy role in this film as himself naturally and is great. 

I love films with him and his band! A must see!

The Palm Beach Story 1942

Gerry (Claudette Colbert) and Tom (Joel McCrea) are six years into their marriage and broke. 

 Gerry is home when the landlord brings over new tenants since they are being shoved out for unpaid rent. Turns out to be "The Weenie King". An old, deaf man who takes a liking to Gerry when he runs into her in the bathtub in her wrap!

 The weenie king thinks she is a cutie and gives her $700 to pay off her dues. She is ecstatic and pays the bills, gets her hair done, and buys a new dress. Hubby Tom comes home and is irritated at her new found wealth and the way he thinks she earned it.

Now that the bills are paid they can get a divorce according to Gerry. They think they are unhappy together and Gerry wants to use her looks to get money to help Tom's business. He thinks she is crazy.

The next morning she shoves out and runs away to Palm Beach to get a divorce and meet a new rich guy to give her money. Tom wants to chase after her but he has no money. Good thing the weenie king turns up and gives him the cash! He plans to meet her at her in Palm Beach with open arms. 

Meanwhile, Gerry uses her hotness to score a ticket on the train for free. This ticket comes with a price, as she is followed around by a mob of crazy drunk hunters who sing songs and shoot out train windows. 

 The conductor leaves the rowdy bunch's train car on the tracks and takes off, but that includes Gerry's purse, makeup, clothes, and ticket! She is trapped in her train bunk with noting but men's pajamas. As she is fixing how to get out of this mess, she meets her bunk neighbor and breaks his glasses. Fail.

He is forgiving and wants to help Gerry. He buys her lunch and she gets off at the next stop wit him and he spoils her with a new wardrobe and diamonds! Who is this guy? He is sweet, apparently rich, and quiet the OCD case. He writes all his expenses in a notebook for organization.

 He's planning to get to Palm Beach by boat and asks Gerry to go wit him. She does and finds out he is J.D., one of the richest men in the world, and a bachelor to boot! He is meeting his 5 time divorced sister Princess Centimillia and her latest boy toy. Guess who is also waiting at the dock? Tom, with roses.

The four meet and Gerry tells the gang that Tom is her brother! He goes along with it but is mad. 

Rich J.D. is falling for Gerry and Gerry realizes she is still in love with her hubby.

Gerry is in a pickle. If she marries J.D. she is set for life and Tom can get his business going too, but she won't have Tom, and Princess Centimillia is taking quite a liking to Tom as well. Should she choose for her pocketbook or her heart? 

The plot of this film is weird and so unrealistic. But the costume design is great and I love a good Claudette film. Silly but fun viewing!