James Spada's Blog, page 5

TODAY IS PETER LAWFORD'S BIRTHDAY!

He would have been 91. In honor of the day, I have culled an excerpt from my book Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept The Secrets that describes the circumstances surrounding his birth (hint: there was a breath of scandal). I hope you enjoy!



Friday morning, September 7, 1923, dawned blustery in London, the first chill of autumn sweeping through after a warm late-summer rainstorm. Inside the gracious row house at 17 Artillery Mansions in Victoria Street, May Aylen, the wife of Ernest Vaughan Aylen, a major in the Royal Army Medical Corps, lay in her oak-paneled third-floor bedroom and waited to become a mother. When she felt the first of a series of sharp labor pains, she summoned Miss Hemming, the squat, earnest Royal Red Cross nurse she had retained to help her with the delivery. The labor, excruciatingly painful, lasted for hours, complicated by May’s slim hips and the fact that this was the nearly forty-year-old woman’s first pregnancy. She bore the pain as long as she could, but when Miss Hemming left the room to summon the doctor, May reached under her pillow, pulled out her husband’s service revolver, and put the cold steel barrel into her mouth. Just as she was about to press the trigger, Miss Hemming raced back into the room and snatched the gun away from her. “Such agony!” May later said of the labor, but it was nothing compared to her suffering during the delivery itself, which didn’t come until the late afternoon. The baby was large — nine and a half pounds — and in the breech position inside May’s womb. For nearly twenty minutes the doctor struggled to pull the infant — a boy — through May’s cervix, trying not to injure him, tugging at his feet as carefully as possible. When the child’s head was finally freed the doctor saw that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and had almost choked him. The baby was listless, his left arm apparently paralyzed, his color poor. Out of earshot of Mrs. Aylen, the doctor told Miss Hemming, “He’ll be dead before midnight.” “I wasn’t going to let that baby die,” Miss Hemming said years later. While his exhausted mother slept, the nurse labored over him most of the night, massaged his limp arm, rubbed and patted him, splashed him with brandy to get his circulation going. As dawn broke the next morning, the child revived, and he cried lustily as Miss Hemming handed him, bundled in a blue blanket, to his mother. May Aylen was not overjoyed at the birth of her son. “I can’t stand babies!” shesaid years later. “They run at both ends; they smell of sour milk and urine.” For the sixteenyears of her marriage, she had refused Major Aylen’s pleas that she give him a child. When May finally did allow herself to conceive early in December 1922, it was not because she longed for the rewards of motherhood; nor was it so that she could make her husband’s fondest wish come true. No, this baby had been planned with an altogether less altruistic goal in mind.Ernest Aylen was not present when his wife gave birth, because he knew the baby was not his child. The boy’s father was Aylen’s fifty-seven-year-old commanding officer, Lieutenant General Sir Sydney Lawford. As May had hoped, the birth of her baby — she named him Peter — would eventually result in her marriage to Sir Sydney. At that point, May, an inveterate social climber, would realize a lifelong dream, a goal so important to her that she had allowed herself to become pregnant despite the dangers for a woman her age and her abhorrence of children. As Sydney Lawford’s wife, she would be immediately elevated from merely Mrs. Ernest Aylen to Lady Lawford. And she would revel in what she called “this handle” for the rest of her life.
 

BARBRA STREISAND WINS BEST ACTRESS OSCAR IN A TIE

Next month marks the forty-fifth anniversary of the release of Barbra Streisand's first film, "Funny Girl." The following year Barbra won the Best Actress Oscar in a tie with Katharine Hepburn. Here's a great clip of her acceptance speech. Note her outfit--it created a lot of controversy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoNdQxkI-0w

GRACE KELLY EXHIBIT IN PHILADELPHIA

Tales of love letters and scrapple: New exhibit to remember Grace Kelly as a hometown girl who never forgot her Philadelphia roots The exhibit will make its only U.S. stop at the Michener Art Museum in suburban Doylestown, not far from where Kelly made her professional stage debut at the Bucks County Playhouse in 1949The items on display will detail the late star's upbringing, Hollywood career and storybook ascent to royalty By
The world thinks of Grace Kelly as a fashion icon, movie star, princess, wife and mother, but in Philadelphia she's first and foremost remembered as a hometown girl who never forgot her roots.So it seems fitting that an exhibit on Kelly's upbringing, Hollywood career and storybook ascent to royalty will make its only U.S. stop in the area where she spent her early years, organizers said at a news conference unveiling details of 'Grace Kelly: Beyond the Icon' at an event Thursday that was held, aptly, in the Hotel Monaco in downtown Philadelphia.
Hometown girl: An exhibit on Grace Kelly's upbringing, Hollywood career and storybook ascent to royalty opens October 28, 2013 at the Michener Art Museum in suburban Doylestown, Philadelphia (pictured Monaco, 1959)

'She never lost touch with her family and the Philadelphians that she grew up with,' said Kelly's nephew Christopher Le Vine, who recalled his aunt packing up some Philadelphia scrapple — a love-it-or-hate-it loaf of pork scraps and cornmeal — to bring back to Monaco so the palace chef could re-create the humble dish.
 More...How to vacation like a Hollywood VIP: From Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn to Clark Gable and Grace Kelly, stunning photos show silver screen idols relaxing
'She was going to tell him that it was a certain special pate from Philadelphia ... for petit dejeuner (breakfast),' Le Vine told the laughing crowd. 'She had her Philadelphia roots with her wherever she went.'
In color: A stunning photo of the princess from a 1954 issue of Time magazine will be on show Fairytale moment: Kelly pictured in Philadelphia in January 1956 showing her engagement ring to her parents while her fiance, Prince Rainier III of Monaco looks on
From movie star to royalty: Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III sit at their civil marriage ceremony in the throne room at the Princely Palace of Monaco, on April 18, 1956


The exhibit opens Oct. 28 at the James A Michener Art Museum in suburban Doylestown, not far from where Kelly made her professional stage debut at the Bucks County Playhouse in 1949.
On view will be personal photos, love letters from her husband Prince Rainier of Monaco, her 1954 best actress Academy Award for 'The Country Girl,' film clips and home movies, as well as iconic fashions from gowns and the Yves Saint Laurent 'Mondrian' dress to the Hermes 'Kelly' bag she made famous.
Another stunning color photo on show depicts Kelly in a 1954 issue of Time magazine.
Monaco's ruling sovereign, Prince Albert II, said in video-recorded remarks his mother 'was indeed a talented woman who became an international fashion icon but that is just the surface of her life.'
Wedding day: Kelly looks out from behind a satin veil in her elaborate wedding dress
Celebration: The newly married couple walk in the Gallery of Hercules in the Princely Palace of Monaco, following the official exchange of their marriage vows
Entourage: Princess Grace poses with her maids of honor before the religious ceremony
Royal banquet: The newlyweds eat lunch after the religious matrimonial ceremony in the Court of Honor, with their towering wedding cake in the background
'Those of us who were fortunate enough to know my mother, her family and friends, knew her to be a genuine, warm and loving woman — a woman who always put her family first,' he said.
'I hope that through experiencing this exhibition you will be able to get a glimpse of the real Grace Kelly, the woman behind the icon, my mother.'
Monegasques appreciate their late princess, who died in 1982 in a car crash in Monaco, less as a screen legend and more as a humanitarian and philanthropist responsible for making Monaco a vibrant arts center and protecting the rights of vulnerable children, said Maguy Maccario Doyle, consul general of Monaco in New York.

Glamorous: Six years after the wedding, Kelly (pictured at the Princely Palace of Monaco in 1962) looks every inch the star in a head scarf and fashionable spectacles
Oscar-winner: On view will be Kelly's 1954 best actress Academy Award The Country Girl
Screen beauty: Kelly seen with Cary Grant in 1955 movie To Catch a Thief
'There are many places in Monaco that today remind us of her presence,' she said.
'Her memory endures, and certainly the principality of Monaco will forever bear the imprint of her presence and the heartache of her absence.'
From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly - Beyond the Icon opens at the Michener Art Museum on October 28th

BARBRA'S 'BACK TO BROOKLYN' CONCERT IN PBS THIS FALL!

The 2013 PBS Arts Fall Festival returns in October with seven weekly programs that highlight Broadway classics, music from around the country, and legendary superstar Barbra Streisand.
GREAT PERFORMANCES “Barbra Streisand: Back to Brooklyn”
Friday, November 29, 2013, 9:00 p.m. ET
Superstar Barbra Streisand makes a historic homecoming at the new Barclays Center arena with her first Brooklyn concert. Joined by special guests Il Volo and Chris Botti, Streisand performs an extensive selection of songs from throughout her five-decade career, and duets with son Jason Gould on “How Deep is the Ocean.” The seemingly endless collection of hits and fan favorites includes “Nice N Easy,” “Didn’t We,” “No More Tears (Enough is Enough),” “Rose’s Turn,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Some Other Time,” “Make Our Garden Grow,” along with “Evergreen,” “The Way We Were,” “People,” and “Happy Days are Here Again.” Reviewing her opening night, Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, “Like few singers of any age, she has the gift of conveying a primal human longing in a beautiful sound.”
Look at the PBS brochure [link to a PDF]

I wish I had thought of this!

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-buyer-and-cellar-20130811,0,1353208.story

MARILYN REMEMBERED AIUGUST 3-5

The fifty-first anniversary of Marilyn's death will be commemorated with a number of activities on August 2, 3, and 4. Here's a link to the "Marilyn Remembered" Fan Club page for more information. I hope to see some of you there!

http://marilynremembered.org/

BIG MILTON GREENE PHOTO AUCTION!

Check out the hundreds of gorgeous photos of Marilyn Monroe and others (including Barbra Streisand!) here:

http://www.auctionzip.com/aflive.html?method=getCatalogLots&catalogref=P2TWVCZ88M

STREISAND IS HONORED IN ISRAEL

From the website Barbra-archives.com:
Jewish-American singer Barbra Streisand landed in Israel on Sunday evening ahead of her debut Israeli performances at the Bloomfield Stadium on June 20 and 22 in Jaffa as part of the Israeli Presidential Conference.
Stepping off the airplane in the early evening, Streisand wore a white jacket, pants and hat, and cradled her pet coton de Tulear dog in her hands as she walked down the stairs.
While in Israel, Streisand will stay at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where the likes of U.S. President Barack Obama have stayed.
Later, on June 15th, Streisand visited the Western Wall.
From The Jewish Daily Forward:
Jewish-American singer Barbra Streisand landed in Israel ahead of her debut Israeli performances at the Bloomfield Stadium on June 20 and 22 in Jaffa as part of the Israeli Presidential Conference.

Stepping off the airplane in the early evening, Streisand wore a white jacket, pants and hat, and cradled her pet coton de Tulear dog in her hands as she walked down the stairs.
Streisand later visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
[ ... ] Streisand’s two shows in Tel Aviv are expected to attract a total of 32,000 fans. Tickets for the shows on June 20 and 22 are being advertised as starting at NIS 1,100, with VIP entrance costing NIS 3,400.
June 16thOn June 16th, Barbra Streisand received a Philosophy honorary doctorate at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. Streisand is scheduled to perform at President Shimon Peres' 90th birthday on June 18 and also has two concert performances lined up in Tel Aviv on June 20 and 22.

From Jerusalem Post:
World-renowned singer, actress and social activist Barbra Streisand was feted by Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Board of Governors with an honorary doctorate at the school’s Mount Scopus campus Monday.
The ceremony, which was preceded by the presentation of six honorary degrees to other accomplished professionals, was presided over by university President Menahem Ben-Sasson in the school’s Mexico Hall.
A packed auditorium greeted Streisand with a standing ovation and cheers as she climbed the steps to a podium wearing an elegant black dress and hat. Her husband, actor James Brolin, videotaped her from the front row, while hundreds of others took pictures and recorded the event.
“I’m so grateful to be here to receive this honor,” said the 71-year-old, Brooklyn-born Streisand upon accepting the prestigious “Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa” award.

“My father loved literature and I think he’d be proud to know this esteemed institution is awarding his daughter.”
Streisand noted her 30-year relationship with the university; in 1984 she donated to the campus the Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish studies in memory of her father, a Jewish educator and scholar who died when she was young.
Yeshiva-educated, Streisand first became involved with the university in 1979 via its American Friends Association, and in the early 80s was presented with the American Friends of the Hebrew University’s Scopus Award.
A noted social activist, Streisand used part of her acceptance speech to promote equality in Israel not only among Arabs and Jews, but among women and men.

“It’s distressing to read of women in Israel being forced to sit in the back of the bus, that Women of the Wall [is] having metal chairs thrown at them, and that women can’t sing in public,” she said. “To remain silent about these things is tantamount to accepting them.”
Streisand told an anecdote of an ultra- Orthodox rabbi who shook her hand when they first met while he was advising her during the filming of Yentl, despite the religious restrictions.
“I asked him why he shook my hand,” said Streisand. “He answered, ‘More important than the practice of not shaking a woman’s hand, is the larger lesson of not embarrassing another human being.’ “Human dignity means giving all people a voice,” she added. “It’s only through dialogue that people and countries come together.”
Streisand went on to praise the university’s noteworthy co-existence of Jewish and Arab students.
“Jews and Arabs sit together in classrooms, sit together in the cafeteria and learn from the same professors,” she said. “I wish the world was more like the hallways of Hebrew University… [the university] is proof that people [from different backgrounds] can live in peace.”
Streisand expressed her wish that peace can be attained one day through the university’s example.
“My hope is that we continue to build a world rooted in compassion and peace, and I believe that whenever we get there, HU will be leading the way,” she said.
“As Albert Einstein once said, ‘Example isn’t another way to teach, it’s the only way to teach.’” Following a standing ovation of several minutes, Streisand joined the other honorary doctorates, as well as Ben-Sasson and the Board of Governors, to sing the national anthem.

A Triumph in London, Barbra rolls into Amsterdam!

“Barbra Streisand likes to keep it exclusive” and “Enchanted by Barbra Streisand”More newspapers, sent by Saskia Bal:

 

BARBRA WOWS LONDON!!

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Video-Special-Barbra-Streisand-and-Family-Wow-in-Sold-Out-O2-Concert-for-European-Tour-Debut-20130602