L a - b e a u t é - s a u v e r a - l e - m o n d e ~ D o s t o ï e v s k i

L a - b e a u t é - s a u v e r a - l e - m o n d e  ~  D o s t o ï e v s k i



Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Miss Desmond gives a financial statement



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As an example of one of my horrendously pedantic asides, I feel compelled to let you know that the rather flashy necklace Miss Swanson wears in this scene in the film and in the publicity portraits was a costume piece - perhaps that goes without saying - which was also worn (with a small crown-shaped pendant attached) nine years before by Barbara Stanwyck in her impersonation as "Lady Eve Sidwich" in Preston Sturges' sublime "The Lady Eve". But the two bracelets Swanson wears in the pair of publicity shots at the top of the page were hers, and quite the real thing: flexible bangles of platinum-set diamonds and rock crystal that she'd purchased from Cartier in 1932.



3 comments:

  1. This made my day -'shut up i'm rich' is the best GIF (or whatever those are called)!

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    Replies
    1. I know, I'd love to be in the position to be able to toss out such a declaration - "Shut up, I'm rich!" ; )

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  2. Gloria Swanson, the critics called her "swansong", they had written her off as a has-been of Old Hollywood.
    Did she prove them wrong with the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. (a film of pathos and comedy) Only she could have pulled the roll off with director Billy Wilder at the helm.
    And Bill Holden, the Golden Boy of Barbara "Missy" Stanwyck, became the Golden Boy for Gloria Swanson. Gloria should have earned an Academy Award for one the most memorable characters in film.
    * Rj in the IE

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