Pass the popcorn: a brief introduction to cinemas | Heritage Calling
Film was first shown in Britain in 1896 in temporary fairground booths and converted shops – so-called ‘penny gaffs’ or theatre ‘turns’. What followed was an endless love affair between … Continue reading
R.I.P. Frank Delaney – charles french words reading and writing
The literary world lost an important figure in late February. Frank Delaney, (October 29, 1942-February 21, 2017) the novelist and historian from Ireland, died at the age of 74. Delaney, … Continue reading
Myrna Loy says: | The Müscleheaded Blog
“Life, is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming.” Source: Myrna Loy says: | The Müscleheaded Blog
Digging Down the Curtain
Last week, as guests of Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), we visited one of their current explorations, that of the old Elizabethan playhouse, the Curtain Theatre. The opportunity for access … Continue reading
The Curious Origin of the Word ‘Trilby’ | Interesting Literature
How did the famous trilby hat get its name? Here’s a question for you: what was the biggest-selling novel of the Victorian era? And who wrote it – Dickens perhaps? … Continue reading
Happy Birthday Fred Astaire! For I’ll be there. Puttin’ down my top hat. Mussin’ up my white tie. Dancin’ in my tails…
I just put my feet in the air and move them around. Fred Astaire Source: Happy Birthday Fred Astaire! For I’ll be there. Puttin’ down my top hat. Mussin’ up … Continue reading
Disaster at Drury Lane | London Historians’ Blog
On this day in 1809, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was destroyed by fire. Theatres were always burning down, so nothing really unusual in fact. What made this conflagration different, is the … Continue reading
Five Fascinating Facts about David Garrick | Interesting Literature
The life of actor David Garrick (1717-1779), told through five pieces of interesting trivia 1. He helped to bring a new degree of realism to acting. In his An Essay on … Continue reading
Willkommen, again: “Cabaret” and its renewed relevance.
“Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome…” These words, sung by Joel Grey, open the classic 1972 musical/drama film Cabaret, directed by Bob Fosse, which is based on the 1966 Broadway musical, itself based on … Continue reading
November 25 in Literary History: The Mousetrap Opens in London
1952: Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery play The Mousetrap opens at the Ambassadors Theatre, London, having had its world première at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham on 6 October 1952. Now, over sixty years later, … Continue reading
USO and Nurse – Martha Raye
Martha Raye was a Vaudeville born actress, comedian, and movie star that was known for bold comedy. She was named “The Big Mouth”, not only because of her comedy, but … Continue reading
On this day: the premiere of Steamboat Willie
Steamboat Willie, a Disney animation that is credited with making Mickey and Minnie Mouse famous, premiered on the 18th of November, 1928. It was the first Disney cartoon to have … Continue reading
Archive Interview • IAN RICHARDSON • Part 4 • 2006
Passions and Portents “It wasn’t very pleasant,” says Ian Richardson with understatement. He is referring to his experience of active duty during National Service in the aftermath of World War … Continue reading
History Behind the BBC Series “The Last Kingdom”
[Regina Jeffers] I am watching “The Last Kingdom” on BBC America (Saturday’s at 10 P.M.). It is a tale of Saxon history, with England struggling to become a “nation” in itself, … Continue reading
What Happened on September 15th – Marilyn Monroe, A Skirt and a Subway Vent
Originally posted on IF I ONLY HAD A TIME MACHINE:
The iconic photograph of Marilyn Monroe and the subway blast On September 15, 1954, the famous picture of Marilyn Monroe,…
Favorite direction, ever, “Good. Do it again, and this time make it something resembling human behavior.” David Fincher. Fabulous! Happy birthday!
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TimePlays – 500 years of stories brought to life in daily performances
Originally posted on First Night History:
Originally posted on Historic Royal Palaces. Every day at Hampton Court Palace from 3 April to 31 August: Meet characters from the palace’s past and witness scenes…
On this day: the premiere of Giselle in 1841
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Carlotta Grisi as Giselle the year after the premiere The Paris Opera Ballet (then the Ballet du Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique)…
“A painter paints, a musician plays, a writer writes – but a movie actor waits.” Mary Astor
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Marilyn And Ella
Originally posted on THE EDITOR'S JOURNAL:
When Marilyn Monroe learned that the Mocambo, a popular Hollywood night club, would not book Ella Fitzgerald because of segregation, Marilyn phoned the…
The one where Rachel rattles the teacups
Originally posted on SCRATCH POST:
It’s Rachel with a “sh”, not Rachel with a “ch”. Her full name was Elisa-Rachel Félix, but she was known to everyone by her professional…
“Listen, there is no acting style. Most people just play themselves.” Myrna Loy
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“I’ve been close to Bette Davis for thirty-eight years – and I have the cigarette burns to prove it.” Henry Fonda
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Don’t be an actor, my son, not even a comical one
Originally posted on SCRATCH POST:
AN ACTOR’S TRAGEDY “Though the world is so full of a number things, I know we should all be as happy as….” from ‘Make ’em…
In this world and the next: a tragedy of gender and celebrity
Originally posted on SCRATCH POST:
“Perhaps in the next world women will be more valued than they are in this.” SARAH SIDDONS (1755 – 1831) Part Eight: Out of clay…
In this world and the next: a tragedy of gender and celebrity
Originally posted on SCRATCH POST:
“Perhaps in the next world women will be more valued than they are in this.” SARAH SIDDONS (1755 – 1831) Fanny Kemble (1809 – 1893)…
The Prophetess and the Muse
Originally posted on SCRATCH POST:
Part Four of ROMANTIC FICTIONS AND CASUALTIES Shortly after the death of the Tragic Muse’s eldest daughter, in the same year of 1803, the artist…
Lots of “Firsts”
Originally posted on Bite Size Canada:
A painting of Joseph Quesnel, by Gerritt Schipper. Collection du Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (Photo credit: Wikipedia) On January 14, 1790, Joseph Quesnel premieres his opera Colas…
Music Hall – not just a lovely war? | objectingtowar
I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier Cards by FirstNightVintage Re-blogged from objectingtowar. It’s hard to imagine but one hundred years ago the cultural life of this country was … Continue reading
Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’: Comedy or Tragedy?
Originally posted on A R T L▼R K:
On the 17th of January 1904, The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov had its premiere at the Moscow Art Theatre. The…
Rogues & Vagabonds 