Goal for the Day: Keep Life Simple

Do you ever feel as if you’re getting bogged down in trivial things? Every day brings new challenges, and sometimes it’s difficult to separate the important ones from the inconsequential ones. It’s up to you to keep life simple.


Each day, remind yourself what’s really important and dedicate yourself to accomplishing the tasks that really matter. Don’t allow yourself to be dragged into situations which will only damage you in the end. Don’t worry about the myriad silly distractions which pop up along the way. Focus on what’s important, and let the rest sort itself out.

Object of the Day: An Autograph from Arlene Francis

Though not a household name any more, Arlene Francis was a pioneer of early broadcasting, and the first woman to be entrusted with hosting a television program in the 1950’s. This remarkable woman was welcomed into American homes first as a radio personality, and, then as the host of her own TV show, Blind Date. She’s also fondly remembered as a panelist on the extremely urbane and sophisticated, What’s My Line?


Francis, also a Broadway and film star, was the epitome of elegance and intellect. Known for her wit, her beauty and her grace, Arlene Francis was a role model for many women in the 1950’s and 1960’s. This autographed photo of Arlene Francis dates to the late 1940’s following her marriage to actor/producer Martin Gabel. She’s wearing the iconic diamond heart pendant that was one of Gabel’s first gifts to her. She wore the pendant almost every day until it was snatched from her throat by a mugger in 1988.

Arlene Francis plowed a path for women in broadcasting. She should be remembered not only for her beauty and sophistication, but for her fearlessness.

Her Majesty’s Furniture: Queen Charlotte’s Reading Stand, 1780

Reading Stand
English, 1780
Created for Queen Charlotte
Tulipwood, Kingwood, Mahogany,
Ivory, Mother-of-Pearl, Tortoiseshell
The Royal Collection

It wouldn’t do to have the queen prop a book up on a pillow. This exquisite reading stand was made for and presented to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, in 1780. The stand features two hinged panels of tulipwood and mahogany which are opened to reveal an ornately and masterfully inlaid panel which features the cipher of Queen Charlotte in mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell.


While we’re unsure of the maker, whoever he was knew Queen Charlotte’s tastes because this lovely object is a visual match to the other furnishings which the queen particularly favored.

Film of the Week: Notorious, 1946

Grant and Bergman
RKO

By, 1946, Alfred Hitchcock had made several films for David O. Selznick, and, every step of the way, had to answer to Selznick’s many demands. Selznick believed that he and he alone should be in charge of every picture made for his studio, and relished in writing stacks of memos in which he dictated everything from casting to costume choices. Similarly, Alfred Hitchcock felt that he (and he alone) was in charge of the pictures he was directing and bristled at even the slighted interference from anyone.

As Hitchcock toyed with the idea of making a picture about a female spy who was essentially sold into sexual slavery by her government (as well as the man she loved), he found himself increasingly bothered by Selznick who tried to control the director at every turn. Hitchcock was not so secretly relieved when failing finances and a distinct lack of interest in the project caused Selznick to sell the project to RKO for $800,000. Unfortunately for Hitchcock, it seems that didn’t mean that Selznick had any idea of not interfering. Selznick’s deal also gave him 50% of the picture’s potential profits. The despotic producer felt that that 50% entitled him to still have a say in the film even though it was being made at another studio. Selznick kept insisting that Hitchcock cast Joseph Cotten as the male lead beside Ingrid Bergman. They’d worked well together in Gaslight, after all. But, Hitchcock wasn’t willing to bend. He cast Cary Grant—his top choice all along, and gave us the first pairing of Grant and Bergman—a successful partnership that would continue for many years.

Rains, Grant and Bergman
RKO

Production on Notorious began in 1945 and wrapped in 1946. The story concerned a young woman (Ingrid Bergman) whose father was tied to Nazi Germany. She was pressed into service as a spy by an American agent (Cary Grant) with whom she’s fallen in love. Their relationship is complicated when, as part of her mission, she’s forced to marry the man on whom she’s spying (played with typical brilliance by Claude Rains). The cast is completed with Madame Konstantin—a German actress who was relatively unknown to American audiences—as Rain’s cruel mother.

Konstantin, Bergman and Rains
RKO

The relative freedom from Selznick allowed Hitchcock to continue to perfect the camera angles and trickery that became his hallmark. Dramatic zooming shots from staircases and dazzling close-ups define the visual style of the film which is at once suspenseful and romantic. Many—including Hitchcock’s daughter—consider Notorious his finest work.

If you’ve not seen it, you really should. It’s a visually and emotionally gripping film.

Humanitarian of the Week: Isabella Rossellini

The daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, Isabella Rossellini was exposed to a glamorous life at an early age. Yet, privilege and beauty has not prevented Miss Rossellini from being extremely down-to-earth and generous of spirit.


Throughout her career as an actress, model, business woman and writer, Miss Rossellini has always taken time to contribute to those causes in which she most believes. A board member of the Wildlife Conservation Network, Isabella Rossellini devotes her time and efforts to ensuring that animals and their natural habitats are protected so that they can continue to grow and thrive.

She is also the president and director of the Howard Gilman Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the preservation of endangered animals, supporting the arts and humanities, and funding research in the battles against HIV and heart disease. Also interested in historic preservation, Isabella Rossellini has campaigned to protect historic structures in her part-time home of Bellport, Rhode Island, as well as the conservation of New York’s historic Central Park.

In addition, Miss Rossellini is a former trustee of the George Eastman House—the world’s oldest photography museum, and has worked to ensure the preservation of classic Hollywood films. Among her other interests are providing funding and support for the training of guide dogs for the blind, and assisting children in need through her work as a National Ambassador for UNICEF.

As one of the most glamorous women in the world, Miss Rossellini has proven that real beauty comes from the heart. For this reason, Isabella Rossellini is our “Humanitarian of the Week.”

The Belle Époque Today: The Art of Jane Bond, RP

Jane Bond

A member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Jane Bond worked as a costume designer in opera, theater and television for twenty years before embarking on a career in portrait painting. Her previous work experience imbues her paintings with a monumental theatricality which is extremely appealing. Miss Bond said of her previous work as a costume designer, “This has probably influenced my enjoyment of textures, fabrics and lighting in my current work.”


Her appreciation for the drama of textiles is apparent. She often employs rich fabrics and heavily patterned rugs as backdrops in her portraits. Her use of props is equally theatrical. Her sitters hold objects which represent their personalities. Capturing her subjects’ personalities is essential to the artist. In fact, she spends time with each sitter before painting their portrait to see how they live, and, even, where in their home the portrait will hang. This preparatory work is evident in the finished products which perfectly capture the spirit of each subject.

Jane Bond

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 153

“Just let him die, Barbara,” Ulrika Rittenhouse purred as Barbara Allen unbuttoned her brother’s jacket to see how badly he’d been injured.


Barbara scowled at her former employer. “How could you…”

“Easily, my dear,” Ulrika laughed.

Barbara tore a section of her petticoat off to press against the angry wound in her brother’s chest. She looked at her husband, “I knew you were capable of awful things, but to shoot your wife’s brother…”

“Pet, how many times have you conspired with me against him?” Arthur snorted. “Now, you’re full of reproach?”

“What I’d like to know,” Iolanthe interrupted, “is what the two of you are doing in my house!”

“What do you think?” Ulrika laughed. “I think it’s rather obvious, really.”

“You’ve lost control, Iolanthe.” Marie Laveau smiled. “I knew it would happen. You’d do well to return to me.”

“Isn’t this utterly delicious?” Ulrika cooed. “All of us together. The famous whore, the Voodoo priestess, and the heiress—all in one room, watching this Englishman bleed to death. It’s positively literary!”

“Do stop talking,” Iolanthe grunted.

“Oh, really, Iolanthe.” Ulrika sighed. “You’re not seriously going to act as if this isn’t something you didn’t want to do yourself. We don’t have to be enemies. I offered you a partnership, and I meant it. Once this little impediment…” she wiggled her finger at Julian’s body, “is gone, there’s nothing to prevent me from claiming the Fallbridge fortune as my own. I can share it with you. In exchange for something…”

“Is that why you’ve done this?” Barbara shouted. “Are you truly that mad?”

“Ah, my girl,” Marie Laveau laughed, “You have no idea of what true madness is.” Marie turned to Iolanthe and grinned. “You’ve been bested, Iolanthe. The whole of New Orleans is turning against you. This slip of a girl is a red-headed reminder that you done lost what power you ever had here. You’ve gotten greedy! Join me again. I’ll restore you to what you once were.”

“I’d rather die,” Iolanthe spat.

“I wouldn’t.” Barbara Allen rose.

“What?” Ulrika interrupted.

“I will join you, Marie.” Barbara said. “I’m strong and young. You don’t want Iolanthe. She’s getting old. You said yourself that her power is waning. Me—I have years left in me. And, I am capable of great things. I will do your work.”

“Quiet!” Iolanthe shouted. “You belong to me!”

“She belongs to me,” Arthur grunted.

“I belong to no one,” Barbara shook her head. “But, I can belong to you, Marie Laveau. I can be yours.”

“Tempting.” Marie grinned.

“All you have to do is save my brother,” Barbara nodded.

Meanwhile, despite the chaos around them, Mr. Punch and Julian sat quietly in the cerulean blue room in the ether inside Julian’s body—the room that they had created together inside their fortress of flesh and bone, the place where Julian rested, the place from which he watched as Mr. Punch lived for him.

“’S comfortable in here,” Mr. Punch sighed.

“It is.” Julian nodded.

“So, this is where you stay?” Mr. Punch asked.

“Most of the time,” Julian smiled. “You’ve allowed me this luxury. And, Mr. Punch, you’ve done so well. I’m proud of you.”

“You’re…” Mr. Punch gulped, “Proud of me?”

“Oh, very much.” Julian smiled. “Very proud, indeed. Don’t you see, Mr. Punch, you’ve rescued me. Time and time again. How often have you stepped in for me? How many times have you faced the world where I could not? For most of my life. You’ve been my voice, you’ve been my arms and my heart.”

“I failed, Master.” Mr. Punch said, swallowing hard.

“Have you?” Julian shook his head. “I don’t see that you have.”

“The Duchess.” Mr. Punch responded, his voice quavering. “I left her with the ogress. I left her and she died.”

“I want you to stop thinking that.” Julian said. “My mother chose to stay. We both know that nothing could have moved her. You didn’t cause her death. You must stop thinking it.”

“Can you forgive me?” Mr. Punch sobbed.

“Dear Punch, there’s nothing at all to forgive.” Julian smiled softly.

Mr. Punch wept. “But, I’ve failed in so many ways.”

“You’ve been nothing but triumphant! Look at all you’ve done!” Julian disagreed. “You’ve been more of a man, more of a success than I could ever have been alone.”

“Do you mean that?” Mr. Punch asked.

“You know that I do.” Julian nodded. “I have no secrets from you.”

“No.” Mr. Punch sighed. “You don’t.”

“But, you have secrets from me, don’t you?” Julian said softly.

“I do.” Mr. Punch answered quietly. “But, Master, I only kept the things from you what would hurt you. I done it to protect you.”

“I know.” Julian responded. “And, I do appreciate it. But, now…now, it’s time for us to share those secrets.”

“Why now?” Mr. Punch asked.

“Because our life is dimming.” Julian sighed. “We only have a short time. If we’re ever to be unified, now is the time to tell me all you know…”



Did you miss Chapters 1-152? If so, you can read them here.