prussianblue

The Bonhams auction is now live, if anyone is curious to browse the lots: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27705/ Interesting selection of film and travel posters, art, books, jewellery, furniture, etc.. Lots of affordable three-figure estimates, but I dare say these might be exceeded. Who wouldn't want this Muppet Christmas Carol bomber jacket?

What a strange selection of people, from household names to the obscure. I've never heard of Peter Guinness, and his filmography doesn't suggest that I should have. I see he's married to Roberta Taylor though, so maybe there was a two for one deal on talking heads?

Damn, beaten to it. Seems like it's more about him not being able to muster the necessary number of votes, despite the charm offensive. Article in Italian: https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2022/01/22/news/quirinale_e_il_giorno_di_silvio_berlusconi_il_vertice_di_centrodestra_slitta_di_due_ore-2838188/

Sad to see that the BBC obituary omitted his greatest acting role, Dennis the bus driver in Spice World.

Through more convoluted bloodlines, the current (5th) Earl of Wharncliffe is a construction worker from Maine.

Hardy Krüger counts for this category as he was conscripted as a 16 year old in 1944, first into the Wehrmacht and then, in March 1945, the SS! Narrowly avoided being sentenced to death for cowardice when he refused orders. The sorry last days of the Reich when they were reduced to putting children on the front lines.

Not sure if that sentence was accidentally included, but Edward VIII was never Duke of York. He did start off as Prince Edward of York, as he was the son of the then-Duke of York, later George V. Edward was also known to the family as David (his last middle name), not Bertie.

I see that Louis Garrel was also in the Saint Laurent film as a previous lover, which definitely increases my interest!

A fun summary of the publicity and campaign blitz to get him elected: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/18/silvio-berlusconi-courts-parliamentarians-in-italy-presidential-bid I know he's a deeply corrupt sleazeball, but as a long-term fan of Silvio (in a semi-ironic way), I'd love to see him get the job.

He's made it to the front page of the BBC News website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-60054237 The headline does however say 'Moon Knight actor', which was a mental shrug for me, but I was shocked to see who that actually was when I clicked on it. I recognise him mainly from the Chanel adverts. He was gorgeous.

People may recognise Les Espaces d'Abraxas in Noisy-le-Grand from its use as a location in Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985): https://youtu.be/0gVnQ_KnKVg Also used more recently for one of the Hunger Games films.

I think I'd rank Edward Fox as being a bit above 'character actor'. He was starring in major films for a couple of decades, not bit parts in episodes of Crossroads. On the other point, would definitely agree on a Keeping Up Appearances thread. Have been rewatching it on iPlayer and really enjoying it. Main cast is pretty much 50/50 dead, and quite a few actual noted character actors popped up in the odd episode.

Bofill was one of the big names of Postmodernism. As well as his work in France he was responsible for major projects in his native Barcelona, including most of El Prat airport, the National Theatre of Catalonia, and the huge sail-shaped W Hotel on the waterfront.

A list I meant to create after Jessica Walter died last year but never got around to, here is the cast of Arrested Development (2003-2006, 2013, 2018-2019): George (and Oscar) Bluth – Jeffrey Tambor (1944- ) Lucille Bluth – Jessica Walter (1941-2021) Michael Bluth – Jason Bateman (1969- ) George Oscar 'Gob' Bluth – Will Arnett (1970- ) Lindsay Bluth-Fünke – Portia de Rossi (1973- ) Tobias Fünke – David Cross (1964- ) Byron 'Buster' Bluth – Tony Hale (1970- ) George Michael Bluth – Michael Cera (1988- ) Mae 'Maeby' Fünke – Alia Shawkat (1989- ) Most of them are probably safe for a few more decades at least. Jeffrey Tambor is the obvious standout age-wise, but in the lifestyle category Will Arnett has a history of alcoholism and David Cross has been open about drug use. Apart from the core family, the show featured a vast ensemble of recurring and guest stars, many of whom are highly obitable. The following played various friends, associates, lawyers, acting coaches etc. of the Bluth family and are now aged 60+: Stefan Gentles – James Lipton (1926-2020) Argyle Austero – Tommy Tune (1939- ) Larry Middleman - Bob Einstein (1942-2019) Gene Parmesan - Martin Mull (1943- ) Barry Zuckerkorn – Henry Winkler (1945- ) Lucille 'Lucille Two' Austero – Liza Minelli (1946- ) Carl Weathers – Himself (1948- ) John Beard – Himself (1948- ) Stan Sitwell - Ed Begley Jr. (1949- ) 'Uncle Trevor' Leeds - Dave Thomas (1949- ) 'Uncle Jack' Dorso – Martin Short (1950- ) Lottie Dottie DA - Frances Conroy (1953- ) Ron Howard – Narrator/Himself (1954- ) Cindi Lightballoon – Jane Lynch (1960- ) Maggie Lizer – Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1961- )

He's certainly being active in pursuing the keys to the Quirinale, apparently now threatening to pull out of the coalition government if Draghi gets the job instead: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/11/silvio-berlusconi-steps-up-presidential-campaign-threat-italy-coalition

Auctioning off some of his stuff at Bonhams in March: https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/33728/ 'as Sir Michael starts taking life at a more leisurely pace, he and his wife, Lady Caine, are downsizing and putting some of their treasured possessions up for auction' The start of getting his affairs in order, or just a high-end clear-out?

Stepping down as president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. He's been in the post since 1969. Making way for new blood, or getting his affairs in order? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57784464

I watched 1964's Southern Gothic classic Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte yesterday, which Olivia stars in opposite Bette Davis. It was weird to think that the woman on screen was pushing 50 yet is still with us.

House of Fraser have just sold their Edinburgh flagship store for over £13 million. Not a good sign when they start liquidating assets!

Not for the first time, Franco Zeffirelli (94) is being accused of sexual assault, in this instance for events 25 years ago. His adopted son says that he's too ill to understand or respond to the claims. https://www.thelocal.it/20180112/franco-zeffirelli-accused-sexual-assault

I don't think that Gianni Morandi has anything to fear. Just last year at a mere 72 years of age he collaborated with rapper Fabio Rovazzi (23) on the summer dance hit 'Volare', doing plenty of running, driving and being suspended by cables in the video: https://youtu.be/MtJ0lrIGSAE

If the Edinburgh branch of Debenhams is representative of the company as a whole, it's had the stench of death for some time. If we're ever passing my friend and I make a point of going in to marvel and laugh at their horrendous offerings. Jacques Vert (mother of the bride clothes) and Star by Julian Macdonald (trashy Footballers' Wives-style 'glamour') are two of our favourite lines. The menswear floor is utterly depressing. A basement full of ugly, ill-fitting shirts and jeans for 50-plus men to potter about in on the golf course or at the garden centre, Pringle socks for their uninspired wives to buy at Christmas and hilariously out of place Calvin Klein pants. House of Fraser is similar, with the added bonus of seemingly trying to eliminate as much natural light from the shop as possible and cram as much merchandise in the smallest amount of floorspace as they can. To make things worse they bought up Jenners, the Scottish equivalent of Harrods, about 15 years ago and have turned it into a clone, so that it doesn't appeal to the former high-end customer base or the middle and lower tiers.

I attended the garden party at Holyrood yesterday and got to see Philip up close. I'm not a royalist but I love him and was far more excited to see him than the Queen. When they arrive they came down a steep stone staircase with around twenty steps, and both managed that fine. They then split up and did a separate meet and greet circuit each for about forty minutes before going into the tea tent. I had unknowingly managed to end up on his route. It took him ages to get around but he was stopping every few feet and talking to dozens of people, so no real indication of his abilities. When he appeared in front of me he seemed in remarkably good form for a man his age. Walking and standing straight, unaided unless you count his rolled up umbrella. Shorter than I expected but I suppose he's shrunk a bit. The familiar aged skin. He appeared to have a tiny hearing aid behind his left ear, but seemed very alert and responsive in conversation. As you can see, he's also a snazzy dresser.