Happy Birthday, Jackie Robinson.

Painting by Graig Kreindler."He led American by example. He reminded our people of what was right and he reminded them of what was wrong.  I think it can be safely said today that Jackie Robinson made the United States a better nation."   American League President Gene Bud...

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Tuesday's Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film: THE SON OF MONTE CRISTO (1940) starring Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett and George Sanders

This is the perfect tale of adventure and derring do for those who are not expecting grand scale screen pyrotechnics or grand vistas or even fabulous sets. Louis Hayward was always the poor man's Tyrone Power or maybe Errol Flynn, but he had a charming sort of oomph to his screen presence which made him a very entertaining fellow, especially in swashbuckling roles such as that of Edmund Dantes, Jr. - the Count of Monte Cristo. (He was also quite...

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Sunday Salon: Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1704 - 1788)

Maurice Quentin de la Tour Self-PortraitMaurice  of SaxonyJean RestoutStudy of A Woman's FacePreparation to the Portrait of Anne Julie Boetie of St. LegerPreparation to the portrait of Joseph Amedee Victor Paris, son of Paris MontmartelMarie Fel, 1757Portrait of ManelliPreparation to the portrait of VoltaireLouis de SilvestrePreparation to the portrait of Mrs. RougeauIsabelle de Charriere, 1767Portrait of Unknown ManMaurice Quentin de la Tour...

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Forgotten Book Friday: A CIVIL CONTRACT, LADY OF QUALITY and THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE by Georgette Heyer

I doubt those of us who love Heyer would have forgotten her books, but it is hard to remember all the individual titles since she was a very prolific writer. Heyer not only wrote Regency romances, but 18th century ones (the era of powdered wigs) as well and also some rather good mysteries. (If you're not into romances, then for goodness' sake read the Heyer 'contemporary' mysteries, they're wonderful and are readily available in re-issues.)The main...

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Background: 'The Gossips' by Norman Rockwell

While searching for something else, I found this wonderful post on Rompedas, an art blog I'd never heard of before. (Isn't that always the way?) So I bookmarked the blog. But I was so taken (and intrigued) by one of the posts that I decided to share it with you with due credit given. Please use the link to read in detail about this wonderful piece of work by one of our greatest illustrators.The Gossips cover was the most popular Rockwell Post...

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Tuesday's Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film: THE THIRTEENTH GUEST (1932) starring Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot

It's Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film day once again. Todd Mason, our genial host, will have all the links at his blog, Sweet Freedom, so don't forget to check in and see what other films, television or other audio/visuals, other bloggers will be talking about today. It's always an eclectic mix.My entry is the 1932 mystery, THE THIRTEENTH GUEST, a film directed by Albert Ray and starring, of all people, Ginger Rogers.Ginger looking befuddled and who...

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Martin Luther King Day

'The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.'Martin Luther King, ...

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12 Seascapes I'd Love to Own

American painter Winslow Homer (1836 - 1910) 'Breezing Up'British painter Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775 - 1851) 'Snowstorm' 1842American painter Frederick Judd Waugh (1861 - 1940) 'At the Base of the Cliff' 1908American painter/illustrator N.C. Wyeth (1882 - 1945) for 'The White Company' by Arthur Conan Doyle pub. 1922Italian painter Pietro Fragiacomo (1856 - 1922) 'Nocturne'American painter Albert Bierstadt (1830 - 1902) 'Puget Sound' DetailAmerican...

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