Category Archives: Magazines

Marilyn in Hollywood: The ‘Confidential’ Years

24 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by in Books, Fiction, Film, History, Magazines, Marilyn Monroe

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Samantha Barbas is a professor of law at the University of Buffalo, specialising in the history of America’s mass media. Her previous publications include Movie Crazy: Fans, Stars, and the Cult of Celebrity (2001), and The First Lady of Hollywood: A Biography of Louella Parsons (2005.) In her latest book, Confidential Confidential: The Inside Story of Hollywood’s Notorious Scandal Magazine, she explores the lurid history and aftermath of a 1950s publishing phenomenon. Continue reading →

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The Muse Above My Desk

14 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Art and Photography, Magazines, Profumo Affair

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Not long ago I acquired a very special painting by my artist friend, Fionn Wilson. Christine at 72 is based on one of the last formal photographs of Christine Keeler, captured by Pal Hansen just a few years before her sad passing in December 2017. I’ve decided to place it above my desk: Christine was (of course) the inspiration for my first book, Wicked Baby. And I was born in ’72, so it seems lucky in many ways. For me, this image represents a proud, independent woman looking back on her past and ahead to the future, always with unflinching courage and honesty. I also find it reassuring to contemplate this model of a mature woman, embracing wisdom and experience alongside her beauty and sensuality.

I first got to know Fionn due to our shared fascination with Christine Keeler. Fionn has created many striking portraits which show this British icon in a very different light to the tabloid cliché. For several years, Fionn has been working with other women artists on a multi-faceted project which will be launched next year. She is also in touch with Amanda Coe, whose BBC drama The Trial of Christine Keeler is currently shooting and will air in 2019.

Dear Christine (a tribute to Christine Keeler) will be touring from 2019-2020 to Vane Gallery (Newcastle), Elysium Gallery (Swansea) and Arthouse1 (London) and includes sculpture, painting, poetry, music, film, photography (previously unseen images of Christine) and a performance piece and writing and involves twenty amazing artists. It’s not just about me by a long shot. The contributors are: Natalie d’Arbeloff, Katie Chatters, Caroline Coon, Catherine Edmunds, Roxana Halls, Penelope Hayes, Sadie Hennessy, Marguerite Horner, Barbara Howey, Shani Rhys James, Sally Jones, Jo Wonder Woodward, Sadie Lee, Cathy Lomax, Julia Maddison, Sonja Benskin Mesher, Wendy Nelson, Sarah Shaw and Stella Vine. With writing from Lucy Bernadette Cox, Tara Hanks, Julie Raven (Julie Burchill), Tanya Gold, Cathy Lomax, Caroline Coon and Bo Gorzelak Pedersen.

Naturally, I’ll be keeping you all updated as these events develop. In the meantime, Fionn has written about Christine for the current issue of Garageland magazine, taking ‘Difficult Women’ for its theme. (And while we’re on the subject … where would we be without those wicked ladies, anyway?)

Art Decades 13: Marilyn in Manhattan, The Punished and More

26 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Books, Fiction, Magazines, Marilyn Monroe, Non-Fiction

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The latest edition of Art Decades quarterly is now available from Amazon stores worldwide (and for £11.14 in the UK.) At the heart of this issue is a tribute to cult cinema, with a profile of ‘sexploitation’ king Joe Sarno; an unpublished interview with Jess Franco, the Spanish filmmaker famed for his erotic horror flicks; and a roundtable discussion with the authors of a new book, It Came From the Video Aisle, including a special focus on director Charles Band, best-known for his horror comedies.

Elsewhere, there’s a short story from Les Bohem, set in the post-hippie California of the 1970s; a spotlight on Denver’s ‘totally rad’ nostalgia shop, Fifty-Two 80s; and extracts from Singin’ In French, a new anthology co-edited by Marcelline Block. For me, the highlight was ‘Suzie’s Zoo’, a very moving piece from Kelley Richey in which she explores childhood memories through film. She also contributes three photo-stories which celebrate nature, beauty and the coming of spring.

And finally from me, a review of Elizabeth Winder’s Marilyn in Manhattan, one of my favourite books of 2017; and an interview with Cy Forrest, author of The Punished, a ‘dystopian noir’ which alternates between the inhabitants of a ghost village during World War II and the corporate sexism of the 1980s.

 

Art Decades 11: Interviewing Michelle Morgan

24 Monday Apr 2017

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The gorgeous sepia cover of Art Decades 11, out now, features model Belladonna photographed by Ian Preston Cinnamon, with an extended layout inside. This issue is dedicated to author and filmmaker William Peter Blatty. Elsewhere, Marcelline Block talks to fashion photographer Miles Ladin about his recent exhibition, Supermodels at the End of Time. Editors Jeremy Richey and Kelley Avery list their cultural highlights of 2016, and celebrate their recent move to Denver with a trip to the Fancy Tiger Crafts store. There’s also a profile of hip-hop collective Loyal-T, and another instalment in the popular ‘readers and pets’ series, starring Abigail Evans and her black cat, Boo.

Finally, I’ve been lucky enough to interview one of my busiest writer friends, Michelle Morgan, who has published biographies of Thelma Todd, Carole Lombard, Marilyn Monroe and Madonna. Art Decades 11 is available now via Amazon, priced at £9.60 (UK) or $13 (USA.)

Art Decades 10: Lana’s ‘Honeymoon’ and More

23 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Lana Del Rey, Magazines, Music

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The cover shoot for Art Decades‘ tenth issue, out now, has a Log Lady meets Readers’ Wives vibe, and the green font gives a nod to the upcoming return of Twin Peaks. ‘Puyallup Suburban Chic’ is shot by filmmaker Kimberly Kane, starring actress Lily LaBeau. Their collaboration evokes memories of Bunny Yeager’s 1950s work with Bettie Page.

Dedicated to the late Leonard Cohen, Volume 10 features two more striking pictorials. John Levy’s ethereal ‘Veiled Valentine’ is accompanied by lines from ‘Dance Me to the End of Time.’ Kelley Richey’s ‘A Well-Read Woman is a Dangerous Creature’, shot at Black Swan Books in Lexington, reminded me of the bookstore scene from The Big Sleep.

‘Keep All the Animals Warm’ is the first in a new series of layouts celebrating readers and their pets. Elsewhere, there’s ‘Famous People Dead’, a short story from Les Bohem, set in Pere LaChaise cemetery in Paris; conversations with filmmakers Nick Hunt, whose debut horror, Safe Place, will be released this fall; and the writer and director of acclaimed Italian satire, Pecore in Erba. Marcio Lima talks about his Los Angeles-based clothing line, The Sellout, and Jeremy Richey interviews Bill Ackerman, whose Supporting Characters podcast is a regular on the Now Playing Network. In my favourite article this time around, Jeremy explores the underrated ‘blaxploitation’ films of Gordon Parks Jr., son of the great American photographer.

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Finally, my review of Lana Del Rey’s third album, Honeymoon, comes right on time as her fourth is due this year. Art Decades 10 is available from Amazon (UK price £12.17, or $15 in the US.)

Art Decades 7: Bowie, Madonna and More

18 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Madonna, Magazines, Music

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Ever since the death of David Bowie in January, there has been an outpouring of public grief. Not corporate-led, but a genuine groundswell of feeling from generations of fans to whom Bowie was not just an idol, but an inspiration. Continue reading →

Happy New Year to All My Readers!

31 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by in Anniversaries, Books, Film, Jeanne Eagels, Magazines, Marilyn Monroe, Music, The Mmm Girl, Updates, Writing

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As 2015 draws to a close – and this blog approaches her eighth birthday – I’ve been reflecting on a milestone year: from the reissue of The Mmm Girl and my inclusion in Fan Phenomena: Marilyn Monroe, to the publication of Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed, and my continuing association with Art Decades magazine.

But before I head back to the salt mines, I’d like to thank all my readers for supporting me. Wishing you all a wonderful 2016: and don’t forget to check out my annual picks in music, books, movies and TV.

Art Decades 6: Jeanne Eagels and Me

29 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Interviews, Jeanne Eagels, Magazines

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12342381_10153397097917989_6009439504184830441_nJeremy Richey talks to me about Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed in Issue 6 of Art Decades magazine, which is now available on Amazon for £9.91 in the UK, or $15 in the US.

This latest edition also includes a twenty-page interview with Miranda Lee Richards, and two photo-shoots inspired by her music; a look back at Elvis Presley’s last movie, Change of Habit, and 10cc’s How Dare You; and Marcelline Block’s interviews with author Mikita Brottman, and filmmaker Zach Weintraub.

A portion of this issue’s proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood. If you’d like to subscribe to Art Decades, click here.

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