Always at The Carlyle
After work today, searching the free movies on our home entertainment package, there was the usual dearth of desirable viewing, but I managed to find a gem amongst the dross, given, not all options were bad, just wanted the right flavor for the day.
I lived in New York in the late 1980’s until the early 1990’s, and as an actor and waiter, had occasion to meet many celebrities during that time. Particularly when meeting them as a waiter, I wanted to ensure they had the privacy they may have much needed.
For these reasons primarily, I identified with and enjoyed Always at The Carlyle. Secondarily, the history and beauty of The Carlyle are amazing, and the music that was performed at The Carlyle is wonderful. I particularly recall seeing a film when in New York that featured a scene in which the late Bobby Short plays in the club there.
The staff at The Carlyle are the backbone of the film. The movie tells of some employees who worked there for as many as fifty years, with one current staff-member quipping that at seven years, she was liked, but still considered a green-horn.
The movie features interviews with ‘Carlyle elevator operators, concierge staff, restaurant captain, and more. The consistent reply to many questions about guest stories in many cases was basically ‘mum’s the word’. Per training and character, these folks are sensitive to VIP guests’ need for the utmost privacy and anonymity.
Despite that, they are able to share certain mandated or dated stories that are very entertaining and interesting. The celebrities themselves, on the other hand, have a bit more latitude to share. One of the beautiful things we learn is that some fast friendships are nurtured between staff and guests.
Late in the film, it is told that one of the longtime and favorite staff concierge’s, whose name I shamefully forgot, has visited Tommy Lee Jones family at their New Mexico ranch, from which the family and he have trekked to visit the opera on a few occasions.
There is also a story about Jack Nicholson. Many in fact, and all pleasant, but one in particular in which someone asks for a photograph with Mr. Nicholson, and he says you have to take a selfie with me and the (specific) doorman and send it to me, or I won’t do it. The selfie is taken and sent, and Mr. Nicholson keeps his word.
One of the last big VIP stories involves President Harry S. Truman, but I’ll leave that for you to see in the film. Suffice it to say that all of the stories are interesting, and not solely based on celebrity and intrigue, but that is a major part of the attraction.
Finally, I would mention that the artwork and design of the hotel is impressive, and the most interesting story is told of artist and author Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote the Madeline children’s book series among others.
Mr. Bemelmans and his family were offered to live at The Carlyle for the duration while he painted a mural for the bar. His family stayed for a year and a half, and the resulting mural was terrific.
There is some scandalous content and a brief, lurid nude scene in Always at The Carlyle, and you might choose to avoid it for that reason, but for me it was a reminiscence of my time in New York as an actor, and a reminder of the art and artistry of that beautiful city.
[image error]
