Finally, White Collar, is back tonight on the USA Network at 9:oo Eastern/8:00 Central. Led by the brilliant Matt Bomer, and the stellar Tim Dekay, the cast of this entertaining look at the pairing of a master forger and an FBI agent, includes Tiffani Thiessen, Willie Garson, and Marsha Thomason. We at Stalking the Belle Époque have at special respectand affection for Mr. Bomer, so we encourage you to tune-in to USA tonight. And, even though Bertie and I have invested what seems like endless months watching the fashion histrionics of Project Runway and even though the Project Runway season finale--the payoff for many weeks of viewing meltdowns, violent outbursts, some hideous and some lovely dresses, and, even, Tim Gunn falling up a flight of subway stairs, we're just going to have to watch the repeat of the finale at 1:00 Eastern/12:00 AM Central on Lifetime because NOTHING beats Bomer.
The artist who was known as “The Spanish Forger” was the “Neal Caffrey” of the early Twentieth Century—except maybe for the sparking blue eyes and cool fedoras. In the mid Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries both in Europe (especially Britain) and in the U.S., the fashionable elite turned their attention to collecting medieval panel paintings and illuminated manuscripts. “The Spanish Forger” seized upon this opportunity, noting an opportunity to not only make some money, but to put his talents to good use, and soon became one of the most skilled and prolific forgers in history.
This forger was responsible for a host of paintings which the V&A says are, “of sweet faced figures set against a background of steep hills and castles derived from the study of illustrated books on the Middle Ages.”
For decades, these expert forgeries were attributed to the Fifteenth Century Spanish painter, Jorge Inglés. The works were discovered to be forgeries in the 1930s. And, yet, we know almost nothing of the person called “The Spanish Forger.” He’s given this name because of the nature of the paintings he produced, but we can’t be sure that he was Spanish. In fact, it is thought that the artist was active in France in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries.
Here we see one of the Spanish Forger’s works--one of a group of five or six miniatures of similar size and borders. The miniatures are very cleverly painted on the back of cuttings from a real Fifteenth or Sixteenth Century page from an Italian choir book.
The scene depicts Jonah and the Whale from the Biblical Old Testament--at the moment when Jonah is thrown overboard from the ship upon which he sailed. The whale can readies himself to swallow Jonah.
The work of the forger is very convincing. Chemical dating would have indicated that the page itself was quite right in age. However, the forger, as clever as he was made one mistake. The headdresses that the men are wearing had not been developed in the fifteenth century. This anachronistic error gave away his entire con.
Over the past two years, thus far, I’ve posted just shy of 4900 articles to Stalking the Belle Époque including the 588 Chapters of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square and Punch’s Cousin. There’s a little something for everyone here from discussions of antiques to the television programs which Bertie most enjoys.
Regular readers know that the ten most popular posts of “all time” are always listed on the right side of the page. However, here are fifteen more of your favorite posts. These posts are the among those which you have read the most.
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
This magnificent work of art, housed in Windsor Castle, was made for Queen Mary, consort of King George V as a means of showcasing the finest in British craftsmanship. It remains a gorgeous testament to a brilliant period.
Made in 1835, this tiara doubles as a necklace. Housed in the V&A, it’s indicative of the magnificent naturalistic jewelry which dominated Britain in the 1830s.
Sarah Winchester’s Sprawling Queen Anne mansion in San Jose California may appear, from the exterior, to be just another of America’s Victorian castles, but it holds a series of odd secrets and features no shortage of weirdness.
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Mary managed to return many lost treasures to the Royal Collection, but she took special delight in her acquisition of her grandmother’s magnificent emeralds.
The primary official residence of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace began its long life as a country house. Centuries of expansion and alteration have made it into one of the grandest homes in the world.
Known to fans of the dearly departed daytime drama, “All My Children,” know this fine Tudor-style estate as Cortlandt Manor, but Waveny House remains one of the most elegant historic homes in the U.S.
They were Thomas and Sarah from the original “Upstairs, Downstairs,” and this real-life couple continue to be one of Britain’s premier acting families.
The world watched with pride as Prince William of Wales married his longtime love Katherine Middleton. The newly created Duchess of Cambridge was the focus of global attention as she appeared at Westminster Abbey on her wedding day. Wearing the “Halo Tiara,” the Duchess’ beauty was not outshined by the jewels, but rather, only heightened.
While not a faithful husband, King Edward VII was loyal to his pets, and they to him. No dog was closer to the King than Caesar who famously followed his master’s coffin during his funeral procession.
The wife of the celebrated designer William Morris, Jane Morris was also a favorite of the Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti who famously gifted her with many jewels including this stunning brooch.
We are fans of Mr. Matt Bomer and, it seems, you are too. The talented star of USA’s “White Collar” has become quite the film star of late. However, more so than his celebrity and incredible good looks, it’s his spirit and humble charm which afford him limitless appeal.
The USA Network’s White Collar remains one of the best shows on television due in large part to the excellent cast, brilliant writing and slick production. I’ve always contended that the pairing of the show’s leads Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay is among the finest moments in casting in television history.
Bomer as the charming con-man “Neal Caffrey” brings both danger and sensitivity to the role. Bomer’s “Neal” is more than the typical gorgeous bad boy. He’s a complicated young man who is conflicted. Is he simply greedy? No. The writers and producers of the show have cleverly revealed bits of Neal’s past, giving us a nod that he acts as he does in response to some deep disappointment. Neal is constantly searching for something, trying to fill his emptiness with each new conquest. Still, such back-story would be moot without the right actor. Bomer—with each sly smile, each fleeting pained look, each shrug of his shoulders conveys more in one glance than most actors do with a whole monologue.
Similarly, Tim DeKay as FBI Agent Peter Burke is not the usual one-note fed. Peter is both on the side of the law and loyal to Neal with whom he has developed a reluctant friendship. Peter’s affection for Neal is palpable. He wants Neal to be reformed, to be successful and happy. He wants to believe in Neal, but Neal—at every turn—makes this a difficult task. Again, in the hands of a lesser actor, the relationship could seem flat and forced. But, DeKay brings a heart to Peter which is believable and natural.
Rounding out the cast are Willie Garson, Tiffani Thiessen and Marsha Thomason. The program is elegant, sharp and sumptusouly shot. In many ways, it’s a love-letter to Manhattan with long, luxurious shots of the city.
White Collar returns to USA tomorrow, Tuesday, July 10 at 9/8 Central.
Regular visitors to Stalking the Belle Époque, on any given day, can expect to see something pertaining to Mr. Punch--the lovable, but decidedly criminal character which originated in the pantos of the Italian Commedia dell'Arte. That's what you get reading the daily musings of a puppet-loving art historian and author. Fridays, especially, tend to focus on Punch and his family. But, today, I thought--with Bertie's firm encouragement--we would celebrate the world of the charming rogue by reminding you that another Punch-like figure will be returning with the Tuesday, January 17th premiere of White Collar, Season Four on the USA Television Network at 10/9c.
Two extremes of the adorable rogue. Mr. Bomer is not saddled
with a Punch-like visage, but his "Neal Caffrey" does share
some of Old Red Nose's characteristics, both charming and
otherwise.
Photo of Matt Bomer from USA Television.
While White Collar's Neal Caffrey is not burdened with Punch's physical attributes--luckily for his portrayer, the impossibly good-looking Matt Bomer--he does rather share some of our Mr. Punch's characteristics. Like Punch, Neal is charming, sly and cunning; an accomplished thief and artist who is, at times, over-confident in his abilities, but nonetheless manages to get the better of those who would pursue him and, "beat the Devil."
Here, however, instead of Jack Ketch, the Hangman, our adorable rogue is pursued by an FBI agent, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) with whom he shares a complicated affection. Their fraternal (and, at times, filial) friendship is often, no, always, tried by Neal's overwhelming impulse to seek the high of the next con. Neal's frequent Scaramouche is the anti-establishment Mozzie (Willie Garson) who urges Neal to forget about the appeal of the temptingly cozy life of a do-gooder and to keep his eyes on their increased fortunes.
Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer star as
Agent Peter Burke and Neal Caffrey in this
contemporary take on Jack Ketch and Mr. Punch.
Photo from USA Network.
And, there the similarities to the pantomime end. Creator Jeff Eastin and a team of accomplished writers have ensured that White Collar is at once intelligent, exciting, witty, emotionally-charged and engaging. This is not just your typical "handsome boys in suits" show.
Led by the talented and infectious duo of Bomer and DeKay whose interaction is one of the most delightful and interesting of any team on television, the cast also includes Tiffani Thiessen as Burke's wife, Elizabeth; and Marsha Thomason as Agent Diana Beragon.
When Season Three concluded, Elizabeth Burke had been abducted by Neal's greatest enemy, leaving Neal torn between loyal friendship and a life of freedom. I hope you'll take Bertie's recommendation and tune in to see this blue-eyed, modern-day Pulcinella try to triumph over his own particular demons.
White Collar's new season starts Tuesday, January 17 at 10/9c. on the USA Network.
Fan’s of USA’s White Collar know Marsha Thomason as Agent Diana Barrigan who adds a feminine touch to the ultra masculine team of Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) as well as Neal’s eccentric confidante, “Mozzie” (Willie Garson).
The Manchester, England-born Thomason attended Oldham Sixth Form College to study for her “A Levels” in Media Studies, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts. Later, Thomason attended the Manchester Metropolitan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. But that wasn’t the start of her ambition to become a professional actor. Miss Thomason , from the age of thirteen, knew the path she wanted to take and, at that young age, attended Oldham Theatre Workshop. There, she was able to join in youth theatre productions both on stage and behind the scenes.
Thomason’s career began on British television in the series Playing the Field and Where The Heart Is. She also starred in the first series of the BBC Three drama Burn It. Miss Thomason’s U.S. career took off with her starring role in Disney's The Haunted Mansion. She also appeared in the films My Baby's Daddy, Black Knight and Pure. Her US television work included Las Vegas and Lost.
Miss Thomason with Matt Bomer
Miss Thomason first appeared in the pilot episode of White Collar, returning for the first season finale and joining the cast as a fulltime regular with the second season. Thomas married in 2009 and is an staunch supporter of the Machester City Football Club.
With the Season Three of USA’s White Collar beginning tomorrow, June 7, 2011, the perfect opportunity has arisen to revisit this talented ensemble of actors. Though Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay may take center stage as “Neal Caffrey” and “Peter Burke” respectively, they’d be quite lost without their quirky sidekick, “Mozzie,” played by Willie Garson.
USA Network uses the tagline, “Characters welcome.” Garson’s “Moz” is just the kind of character that can elevate a show to something much more than its original concept. Sure, Bomer’s got the looks and the playful charm, and DeKay offers the down-to-earth masculinity and authority needed in a crime drama, but without a character like “Mozzie,” it would really just be a program about two handsome guys running around with guns and stolen artwork.
Garson has been acting since 1986, mostly as a character actor in minor parts in films and television. He became quite a popular name during his longtime stint on Sex and the City, playing Stanford Blatch. With training from both Wesleyan and Yale, Garson brings a believability to roles which in the hands of a lesser actor would come off as cartoonish. “Mozzie,” for example, is a con-man with a photographic memory and a total paranoia regarding the government. Such an extreme character could easily become a buffoon, but Garson balances the role with a boyish naiveté and a fierce loyalty. Since Mozzie is Neal’s closest friend and confidant, he’s constantly in the middle of the action. Garson allows Bomer and DeKay to take center stage, all the while supporting their performances, and letting the audience love “Mozzie” in his own right.
Garson, Bomer, Dekay and Tiffani Thiessen
USA Network
Aside from acting, Mr. Garson is also a proud father to his son, Nathen, whom he adopted in 2009. After over a year of paperwork, screenings and interviews, Garson was allowed to adopt Nathen and the two share a wonderful home and family life.
For his understated brilliance as a performer and for appearing to be a very nice fellow, Willie Garson is our “Person of the Week.” For your viewing pleasure, here are some out-takes from White Collar. Warning: Adult Language. And, don’t forget to tune in to USA tomorrow at 9:00 PM Eastern, 8:00 Central for Season Three of White Collar!
As a follow-up to other recent posts from Stalking the Belle Époque, I wanted to take a moment to offer two reminders about upcoming events.
Tonight—Tuesday, March 1, 2011—is the last episode before next week's season finale of the USA Network’s brilliant White Collar starring the charming duo of Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay. White Collar season finales are always quite exciting and this one promises to be no less exceptional. With only two episodes to go, make sure to tune in to USA at 10/9 Central tonight and for the finale on March 8, 2011.
Also, last week, I cast the spotlight on the artwork of Christopher J. Miller. If you’re in the Dallas area, Mr. Miller’s current exhibition of his paintings—The Silence Between the Sounds—opens tomorrow night at the WaterTower Theatre in Addison. The exhibit runs through May 1. For more information, visit Mr. Miller’s Web site.
