Category Archives: History

‘Casablanca’ at the Picturehouse

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in Anniversaries, Brighton, Film, History, Politics

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One of the finest movies ever made, Casablanca, celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. As I joined a nearly full house at the Duke of York’s in Brighton last Sunday, I wondered whom in the audience were watching it for the first time, and how many had seen it numerous times on television. Most chuckled in recognition of its oft-quoted dialogue, whether familiar from past viewings or references in popular culture. Continue reading →

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To Save and Project: Jeanne Eagels at MoMA

19 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Film, History, Jeanne Eagels

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The World and the Woman, the 1916 silent film starring Jeanne Eagels, will be screened today – preceded by a fragment from an early Louise Brooks comedy – at 4:30 pm in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) as part of their ‘To Save and Project‘ series, curated by Dave Kehr and now in its fifteenth season, as Daniel Eagan reports for Film Journal. (And thanks to the Thanhouser Studio restoration project, you can also watch it here.) Continue reading →

Happy New Year To All My Readers

31 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by in Anniversaries, Profumo Affair, Updates, Websites, Wicked Baby, Writing

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As the curtain falls on 2017, this blog also approaches its tenth anniversary. I’d like to thank everyone who has read (and hopefully enjoyed) my posts. This month I’ve been thinking a lot about Christine Keeler, who inspired my first novel and so much more. Wishing everyone a beautiful 2018 – and whatever this new year may bring, keep a dream in your hearts.

Christine, From Beginning To End

08 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Books, History, Profumo Affair, Wicked Baby

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Upon hearing the sad news of Christine Keeler’s passing, here is the epilogue to my novel, Wicked Baby, in which I reimagined the years following the Profumo Affair, in her voice. The photo above, shared by her son on social media, shows Christine enjoying freedom after leaving prison in 1964.  Continue reading →

Madonna’s ‘Erotica’ At 25

27 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by in Anniversaries, Madonna, Music

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In 1991, Madonna’s fame was at its height. Truth or Dare, her behind-the-scenes documentary filmed during the Blond Ambition tour a year earlier, caused a sensation with its revealing take on the star. After reaching her pop apotheosis with Like a Prayer, she had struck out in new directions with ‘Vogue’ and ‘Justify My Love’ (a sultry, experimental track produced by Andre Betts, with a video banned by MTV.) Continue reading →

Marilyn in Love … and Art

27 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Film, History, Marilyn Monroe, Radio, Television

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I have written two new reviews for the Immortal Marilyn website. The first, Dead Blondes: You Must Remember Marilyn, covers film historian Karina Longworth’s podcast series from earlier this year, while Artists in Love: Marilyn and Arthur Miller looks back at a 2016 TV documentary for the Sky Arts channel.

Remembering Diana, 20 Years On

31 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by in Anniversaries, History

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My first memory of Diana is visual: that blue suit she wore and the sapphire ring, on the day of her engagement. When she married Charles in 1981 I was nine years old; she was twice my age, but still hardly a woman. Continue reading →

Remembering Jeanne Eagels in July

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Books, Film, History, Jeanne Eagels, Non-Fiction, Theatre

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It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed was published. I feel immensely proud to have been part of bringing her unjustly neglected legacy back to the spotlight, and will be eternally grateful to my writing partner, Eric M. Woodard, for giving me that opportunity. Continue reading →

Ella Fitzgerald at 100

25 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Anniversaries, Marilyn Monroe, Music

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Ella Fitzgerald in Cannes by Jean-Pierre LeLoir, 1958

Ella Fitzgerald was born a century ago today, on April 25, 1917. Her voice was like sunshine, or a glass of champagne. As a woman, she had great warmth and dignity. She was also a friend to Marilyn Monroe, who had been introduced to her work by jazz pianist and arranger Hal Schaefer in 1953. Continue reading →