Rococo Day: Shoes

!8th century court shoes often had leather soles, and were made primarily from silk. The tips were pointed and the shoes were heeled. At the time there was no left or right shoe, but the shoes were identical. They then shaped themselves a litttle after the feet of the person wearing them, and so became more comfortable.

1) Yellow silk shoes, France, c.1760s
2) Pink silk shoes, England, c. 1735-1750
3) Embroidered black silk shoes, England, 1780-85
4) Silk shoes, France, c. 1760

Wants of the week! (4)

1. SMYTHE smoking jacket from stylebob.com

2. Ring from fantasyjewelrybox.com

3. Leggins brilan from mango.com

4. Pink Pearl bracelet

5. Alexis Bittar Sugar Diamond Kite Earrings

6. Ted Baked shirt

7. Christian Louboutin boots 

8. Seeking Thrift Shopper Earrings

Wedneydays Film Review - Dracula 1931

Dracula 1931

Now, this is of course a horror classic, and therefore I'm a little hesitant at writing a review of this. A negativ opinion might lead to drama. But, it 's not as if I'd have many of those. The principle of this is that I bring you films, which I believe you should bother watching  - either for a cinematic experience or a good laugh at old technology. And in addition I'd just like too apologise for posting this on a sunday.

Main Cast:

Count Dracula: Bela Lugosi

Mina Harker: Helen Chandler

Van Helsing: Edward Van Sloan

John Harker: David Manners

Renfield: Dwight Frye

Lucy: Frances Dade

DR. Seward: Herbert Brunston

The film was directed by Tom Browning and based upon Bram Stokers novel of the same name. 
No, summary seems needed, as I'm quite sure we've all encountered Dracula in some form or another. However, a man named Renfield is making his way through the Carpaithian mountains of 
Transylvannia in a carriege. He and Count Dracula are closing a deal. 
Dracula has leased Cairfax Abbey in England. When Renfield is about to retire for the night, 
he is attacked by Dracula, who turns him in to his slave and gives him a crawing for insects. 
The two now make their way to England. When the ship arrives, it is discovered that 
every single man on the ship is dead, exept a raving Renfield, 
who is found among the cargo by the police. He is now placed in Dr. Sewards sanatorium for mentally ill people. A night Dr. Seward is in the teater with his daugther Mina, his ward Lucy and John Harker. 
There they meet a charming foreign gentlemann, who introduces himself as Count Dracula. 
This man takes an interest in first Lucy, then later in Mina. Meanwhile, bodies a being found all over the city with two holes in their necks. When Lucy is found dead as well, and Mina begins to act strange, Dr. Seward seek the help of Van Helsing, who seems to know exactly what they're dealing with - and how to stop it. The question remains: Who is the vampire? Is it the insane Renfield as the suspect? And more importantly: How do they trap him in time to safe poor Mina?

Well done! Allthough the lighting is disturbing in some parts of the film, the acting is wonderful. Do I have to comment upon Bela Lugosi? Everyone knows he IS Dracula and no one can do it quite like him. Helen Chandler is certainly worth noticing. Her performance differs greatly from the typical lead female roles of the period, as she is not only a pretty face with a loud scream. She gives the character so much more. Mina becomes quite 3d, especially when she is under the spell of  Dracula. The two other major acting performances must be Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan. 

Frye fills out the character and gives it such depth, that you dont know whether to laugh at him or cry with him. For Renfield is truly a man torn between his loyalty and obedient affection for his dark master, and his own humanity and care for his fellow man. Half undead, half man.  

Van Sloan dominates the conversations of huge parts of the film, and  his perfomance is brilliant - althought at times a little 2d. All in all, if you haven't seem this - shame on you! Have a nice day. :) 

Rococo Day: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wants of the week! (3)

1. Boudoir dress from suzannah.com

2. Hat from debenhams.com

3. Purple dress from dorothyperkins.com

4. Black Burberry coat from stylebob.com

5. Worthington Pearl Bracelet

6. Two Lips Caskade I from zappos.com

Wedneydays Film Review - M 1931

M

"M"is a German thriller directed by Fritz Lang, and written by Lang a his wife Thea von Harbou. 

It takes place in Berlin, in what appears to be the late 20s. 

Main Cast:

The murderer Hans Beckert: Peter Lorre

Inspector Karl Lohmann: Otto Wernicke   

Der Schränker: Gustaf Gründgens

Mrs. Beckmann: Ellen Widmann  

Elsie Beckmann: Inge Landgut

Inspector Groeber: Theodor Loos

Georg John: Blind ballon salesman

Franz: Friedrich Gnaß

In the beginning we see a group of children standing in a circle. One of the girls leads the other in a song about a child murderer - to much discontent for the parents, as there recently has been a number of murders of little girs. Mrs. Beckmann is waiting for her daughter, Elsie, to come home from school. As Mrs. Beckmann is preparing dinner, we see little Elsie leaving the school. In her hands she has her beloved red ball, which she bounces against a poster pole with a poster about the murders. Suddenly, we hear a voice coming from behind Elsie. A man greats the girl, and politely speaks with him. Suspecting nothing she lets him take her by the hand, and leves with him. Meanwhile, Mrs. Beckmann is getting more and more nervous and calls for Elsie through the window. She eventually goes out to look for her. 

Elsie and the man (whose face we have not yet seen) are walking down the street. They stop by an old blind man selling ballons, and the man buys Elsie a ballon. As they walk on, he begins to whistle "In the hall of the mountainking" by Edvard Grieg. In the next shot we see Elsies ball rolling through grass and the ballon flying away. 

Inspector Lohmann gets a call from his superior urging him to catch this murder, who has been terrorising Berlin. Karl Lohmann organises a nightly raids in the criminal parts of the city, to great anger of the criminals (burglars, prostitutes, robbers, theirs bosses ect.), who are forced to show their papers and have their business made imposible. The police uses fingerprinting and handwriting analysis in order to try to catch the murderer. Meanwhile, the criminals decide that they cannot just sit around waiting for the police to catch him as the raids are costing them money. And as an innkeeper remarks to the police, they would surely kill him themmselves if they saw him, because even the toughest criminals have a soft spot for children. The criminals decide to cath him themselves, inlisting the beggars to watch every street in the city. 

As the police follows the idea that the murderer may have a record in the psykiatric hospitals and seach for him in the archieves, the question remains: Who will catch the killer?    

This film is the stuff legens are made of. If you are in any way interrested in crime, vintage or thrillers, you simply MUST see this. This is Peter Lorres first major film, and the popularity of it made  his career, Especially the monoloque he has at the end upon the reasons for the killings is simply breath taking. Even though the film is old and techniques so far from the modern, it still takes you in. There's not much to say, butt well done to all involved! It is the first of it's kind. This is a masterpiece. Period.  

Rococo Day: Marie Antoinette's Dress

Wants of the week! (2)

1. Strawberry Tea Dress from modcloth.com

2. Ring from swarovski.com

3. Vintage Tabitha Dress from coggles.com

4. Nadine Alice shirt by Temperly

5. Necklace from 1928.com

6. Gabrielle Rocha Tama shoes from zappos.com

7. Pinup dress from modcloth.com

8. Ring from fantasyjewelbox.com

Wednesdays Film Review - Gilda 1946

Gilda 1946

 

Main Cast:

Gilda: Rita Hayworth

Johnny Farrel/Narrator: Glenn Ford 

Ballin Mundson: George Macready

Singing voice of Gilda: Anita Ellis

 

In the beginning of the film we meet the main character Johnny Farrel. Mr. Farrell is newly arrived in Argentina, where he is gambling with American sailors. Using a pair of false dice he winds the game and takes the money. When out in the streets he is attacked by a man, who wishes to rob him and is armed. Farrel is saved by a mysterious gentleman with a peculiar cane (There's a blade hidden in the cane, which shoots out of the end by the press of a button). The gentleman introduces himself as Ballin Mundson and offers Farrel a cigarette. He gives Farrel an access-card to an illigal casino, but advises him not to "bring his own dice", as Mundson is aware that they are false. However, when he arrives at casino, Farrel cheats again, this time in a cardgame. Two men take him to see the boss. In the office, Mundson reveals himself as the owner of the casino. The two become friends as Johnny Farrels is given the job of managing the casino. One day Mundson comes home from a shorter trip and calls Farrel to his house. Mundson introduces Farrel to his new wife Gilda, noticing the odd reaktion from Gilda and Farrel when they meet. Gilda and Johnny Farrel have in fact already meet. But how will they succeed in keeping this from Ballin Mundson, and how far will they go in their hate and contempt for each other? What will Farrel do, when he is asked by his boss to control his young, beautyful, outrageous and provoking femme-fatale of a wife? What is the past that unites them?    

"Gilda" is a film-noir directed by Charles Vidor. It has achived legend status within this genre, which absolutely understandable. My sincere admiration to Mr. Vidor. 

First of all I must comment upon the ligthing of this film and the beautyful photography by Rudolph Mate. Yes, I am aware that you do not watch films for the ligthing, but the way in which this is done is simply amazing.

Even though the role isn't giving her very much to play with, the acting by Rita Hayworth is not to be missed. She lights up the film and brings such depht and charisma. Also her wonderful dancing is completely worth watching the film for. 

For those of you whose mother tongue is not English - have no fear. The dialog is very clear - provided of course that you have a proper sound system. 

All in all, "Gilda" is a wonderful, charismatic film and Miss. Hayworth shines as a goddess upon the screen!

 

 

Portraits: Nita Naldi

Nita Naldi (1894-1961)

 Nita Naldi was born Mary Dooley in New York. She began her carrier as a model and later moved on to vaudeville. Later she became a silent film actress and starred in such films as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,  (1920), Divorce of Convenience,  A Sainted Devil and La Femme Nue/The Model From Montmartre.

The Shirelles

 

 

Rococo Day: Floral Designs

1) Marie-Louise de Parma in her weddingdress, 1765
2) Wall at Sturehov Manor
3) Floral Print
4) "Bouquet Of Flowers In A Sculpted Vase" by Jan Frans Eliaerts
                  

Wants of the week (1)

1. Blue vintage inspired dress.

2. Vintage peach ring from debenhams.com

3. Vintage Chanel Suit

4. Jewelry Red Cranberry Vintage Drop Earrings from 1928.com

5. Vintage-Effect Boot by Maison Martin Margiela Line 22

6. Retro 80's sunglasses from urbanexcess.com

7. Beautiful yellow dress from modcloth.com

Portraits: Frances Dee

Frances Dee (1909-2004)

Frances Marion Dee was an American actress, born in Los Angeles. Frances Dee began her carrier as an extra, and had her first lead in the pictury; Playboy Of Paris. She went on to make such films as An American Tragedy, Becky Sharp, Little Women and June Moon.

Wedneydays Film Review - The Maltese Falcon 1941

The Malteese Falcon 1941

 

"The Maltese Falcon", in this case the 1941 remake of the 1931 film based upon the novel of the same name, was produced by Warner Bros. and written/directed by John Houston. 

Cast:

Samuel Spade: Humphrey Bogart

Brigid O'Shaughnessy: Mary Astor

Joel Cairo: Peter Lorre

Kasper Gutman: Sydney Greenstreet

Miles Archer: Jerome Cowan

Wilmer Cook: Elisha Cook Jr.     

The story begins with private detective Sam Spade, who runs a detective agentcy with his partner Miles Archer. One day a new client walks through the door. The young, beautiful woman introduces herself as Ruth Wonderly. She asks the detectives for assistance in a difficult matter. Her sister, she says, is missing. She has tracked the sister to San Francisco, but the young woman is with her boyfriend, Floyd Thursby, who has a violent nature. Miles Archer agrees to join the woman, when she is to meet Thursby this same night. That night Miles Archer is shot. Sam Spade arrives at the crime scene, but quickly learns that the police is suspecting him, because he once had an affair with Archer's wife Iva. Samuel Spade also learns that the true identity of Miss Wonderly is infact Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and that the reason for her visit is something complety differrent. The situation becomes even more intense, when a criminal named Joel Cairo shows up at his office with an offer, a request and a gun. Spade also notices a young man following him in the streets. Before to long Spade finds himself with three clients: O'Shaughnessy, Cairo and "The Fat Man", who all wish him to recover at mysterious black figure of a bird. 

"The Maltese Falcon" is a wondeful mysterious film, which dragges you in to the story. If English is not your native lauguage however, you might want to watch this with subtitles as the dialog is sometimes mumbled - especially by Bogart. The setting is very well done and contributes nicely to the mood of the film. Even though Humphrey Bogart does the main character of Sam Spade well, the major acting performances are by Mary Astor and Peter Lorre. Mary Astor is right at home in the part of this femme fatale. She succeeds in making this character very threedimentional, and even though the feeling of both Spade and the audience towards O'Shaughnessy shift back and forth from being on her side to suspicion and contempt, she still maintains some of our sympathy - even in O'Shaughnessy's darkest hours. 

Peter Lorre is brilliant in the role of the eccentric and mysterious Joel Cairo, who is also a major participant in the comedy which sometimes appears. His experience as an actor is a very positive thing for this film. Also he is very threedimentional compared to other minor character and even Samuel Spade. 

The film is simply a "must" for vintage film lovers, and very recommedable - and everybody likes a good crime mystery!  

A new beginning...

Hi, for personal reasons I decided to abandon my old blog. I plan to make this one even better, and I hope you'll like it. <3