Prohibition Party

If I had to pick a second favorite decade, it would be the 20s. Though, I did not have anything in my closet from this decade, I always meant to add a couple things for the inevitable Prohibition party. I am actually surprised that I had never, before now, been invited to one. A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine informed me that he was throwing such a party. I started to panic, because finding an outfit on such short notice was going to be challenging. I have several reproduction patterns, but nothing already made. I quickly started my search.

I was fortunate enough to find a dress for very cheap with minimal damage. It was rather big, but I was able to do some creative pinning to make it fit. Bonus was that it was actually from the 20s. I found a reproduction hat and some vintage millinery to spice it up (while channeling Ruby Armoire). Another challenge was finding shoes since I knew nothing about this decade of foot fashion. I learned something. Peep toes did not come into fashion until the 30s. So, my search was for a t-strap closed toe shoe. I found several to chose from, and bought the cheapest. I already had pearls. 

The next challenge was the make up. Again, I've never dressed from this decade. So, I only had a slight idea of what the makeup should look like. I consulted two make up books I have, and countless pictures of silent movie stars. Though, to me, the photos just look like I have raccoon eyes. I'm not used to wearing my makeup so heavy. This made me thankful that I don't do this on a daily basis. All in all, I was pretty pleased with my look, especially on such short notice. I popped on one of my stoles, and set out to enjoy the night. 

Noir City in 3D!

Last night was the best night of the three that I attended Noir City this year. Prior to this night, the only 3D movie I had ever seen was in IMax,  and I've only done that once. It was such a treat to see two noir films in 3D. The night wasn't quite as crowded. So, we did not have to sit in the balcony, which would have been disappointing for this type of film. Before the films started, we were entertained by Laura Ellis singing her rendition of Blues in the Night. She will be performing at the Noir City Nightclub tonight, which I am disappointed I cannot attend. I hope to do so next year.

The first film was Man in the Dark from 1953. It starred Edmond O'Brien (DOA) and Audrey Totter (The Set-up). It is about a man who was a criminal, but underwent an experimental brain surgery to remove the criminal element - and his memory. Unfortunately, his fellow gangsters don't believe that he can't remember where he hid the money from the job they did prior to his incarceration. I thoroughly enjoyed this film with all the needles, scalpels, birds, and bullets coming at me in 3D.

It was a great honor to have both Dana Andrew's and Robert Ryan's daughters attending the festival. Which leads into the second film, Inferno starring Robert Ryan and Rhonda Flemming. This noir was in color. It was also released in 1953. In the film, Robert Ryan's wife has taken with another man behind his back. The two lovers plot to kill the husband in what they consider a foolproof plan. But, the plan doesn't go as well as they had hoped.

I am sad that this week has come to an end, for me at least. There are still two more days of films. I look forward to the smaller festival held at the Roxie Theater coming up soon. I even have thoughts of possibly heading down to the Noir City festival in Los Angeles in April.

I sucked up my self consciousness of being stared at while taking photos, and had quite a few taken this time. Hope it's not an overload! I also tried to work on my femme fatale smile. I don't think it is quite there yet, but I'll get it one of these days.

My Second Day at Noir City

I went to my second day of the Noir City festival on Wednesday night. Despite getting there a half an hour early, we still had to sit in the balcony. I am really surprised at how crowded it has been this year. I have never seen it so full, and have never had to sit in the balcony. I have mixed feelings. Party of me wants to be selfish and not have so many people come. But, it really is a good thing. It is good that more and more people are becoming noir fans. It is good that this festival is drawing such a crowd, because with more money going to the Film Noir Foundation, the more they can restore films. So, I shouldn't feel so selfish. 

Last night I did stay to see both films. The second one I had seen once before, but not on the screen. The theme for the night was San Francisco. The first film was The Sniper. It came out in 1952. The film is about a serial killer, which at the time there were very few. The main character, Eddie Miller, knows what he is doing is wrong, but cannot stop himself - though he wants to get caught. I enjoyed the film for the most part. I thought the ending was not quite up to par with many noirs, though. Afterward, there was a short from Reel SF (in the links to the right) showing what the spots in the film look like now. I always enjoy the hard work and sleuthing that is done for this site. 

The second film was Experiment in Terror from 1962 starring Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, Stephanie Powers, and Ross Martin. Though not technically a noir, it was a highly enjoyable film when I saw it the first time. This time, however, there were so many people making so much noise in response to the film that I could not hear some of the lines. Despite that, it was still great to see it on the screen. This film is about a man who threatens to kill the woman he is psychologically terrorizing and her sister, in order to get $100,000 from the bank which she works. There were a ton of great scenes including the final scene shot at Candlestick Park. Again, Reel SF provided a short film with many of the locations in modern time. 

I tried to take photos of the theater, but it was so dark. They just didn't turn out. I also didn't smile for any of the photos I had taken of me to show my outfit. I think it is because I had the event photographer stop me to take some photos. The first photo he took, I smiled. He asked me not to in subsequent photos. He said it would keep with the noir vibe. I guess I got a little paranoid, and stop smiling in the photos that my friend took. Actually, the honest truth, is I've been feeling rather self conscious lately. I want to find different ways to pose, but with so many people around, it is hard to relax. Someday I will practice that. But, in the meantime, here are the non smiling photos.

This was the only shot of the theater that didn't turn out too dark.

My First Noir City Night

It is that time of year that I look forward to each year.  That is the Noir City film noir festival at the Castro Theater. This year's festival started on Friday with Gun Crazy. I didn't get to make it, but a friend of mine did. She sent me photos of the guest appearance of Peggy Cummins who starred in Gun Crazy. I was sad I was unable to attend, but really appreciated the photos.

Tonight was the first night that I was able to attend. As usual, the showing was a double bill - Repeat Performance and Sunset Boulevard. However, I only went to see one show. I know many will think I'm crazy for not staying to watch Sunset Boulevard. Even though I do enjoy the film, I actually watched it just a couple months ago, and didn't really feel like seeing it again so soon. If you may recall in a previous post, Sunset Boulevard was the very first noir I saw as a child, before I knew what noir was. Though it would have been nice to see it on the big screen, I chose to go just for Repeat Performance.

Repeat Performance was released in 1947. It stars Louise Hayward and Joan Leslie. Joan plays a woman who makes a terrible mistake on New Years Eve. She wishes she could relive her year over, and that wish comes true. But, things don't go quite as well as she plans them to. As Eddie Muller put it, it is a noir It's a Wonderful Life. I really enjoyed the film. The costumes that Ms. Leslie wears are stunning. Sadly, it is not yet on dvd.

I was accompanied by two fellow noir fans. Prior to the show one of the friends and I went to a little restaurant down the street. I always love going to this side of town, because I get a ton of compliments on my clothes. It always makes me stand a little taller. I plan on going to two more shows. I debated on whether I should just do one post, or three separate posts. I decided to do each night separate. So, stay tuned for more Noir City highlights.

Scotch Party

I was introduced to the world of scotch by my friend who contributed the previous post. It is such a large world that it can be intimidating. Like wine, I rarely remember which brand I like. Forget about whether they are from the Islay, Speyside, Highland, or Lowland regions. So, I hosted a scotch tasting party. I still didn't learn much, but I did get to try various scotches that I normally wouldn't have the chance to. I also had various wardrobe changes throughout the night. I would like to share photos from the evening.

A sampling of some of the scotches we tried. A few more came to the table later.

I started off the day in this outfit. I love this 49er jacket, even though it's not a real Pendleton. One of the many things that I have regretted getting rid of over the years was the Pendleton style jacket that I picked up at the thrift store. I had to replace it. I am much happier with this one though, because the colors are much better than the green and brown of my previous wool jacket. The jeans are of course Freddies of Pinewood. The shoes are from Muffy's. 

And, this is what I wore for the start of the party. It is one of my favorite outfits, which I only get to wear when I host a party. It is something I've always wanted to own ever since seeing Lucille Ball wear a similar outfit in I Love Lucy. By the end of the night, the hooks on the skirt popped off, and I had to change again. For that change, the Freddies went back on again, along with a blouse that I found in the back of my closet (one which  I had never worn).

One of the highlights of the night was being able to hang out with a friend from my home town. I don't get to see her as much as I'd like to, even though we only live two hours away.

Nick Waterhouse and me

Ok. Not really Nick Waterhouse and me. But, I did go to his show tonight. This was the second time I have seen him play. The first time was a year go at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. (The original post is here.) Tonight a friend accompanied me to see him at Bimbos. It was an amazing show as was the last time. I had been looking forward to this show for months, and was not disappointed. If you haven't heard of him, please do yourself a favor and check out his music. I won't go on about how great he is, because that's all in my last post. But, I'd like to tell you a little history about Bimbos.

If Bottom of the Hill is my favorite venue, because of it's intimate nature, than Bimbos is my second favorite. I really feel like I am stepping back in time when I walk into this club. And, Bimbos does have a history. In 1931 Agostino Giuntoli, aka Bimbo, opened the 365 club on Market Street. Many celebrities graced the stage, including Rita Hayworth, then known as Rita Cansino. In 1951, Bimbos moved to it's current location on Columbus. The decor and feel of the club feels like I imagine it would in the 50s. Even the women's bathroom has little pink vanity seats to freshen up makeup, or make sure seams are straight. In the foyer, there is mid century wood paneling on the walls. On the right of the front doors is the coat check complete with vintage memorabilia on display. The mascot of the club, a nude woman riding a goldfish, graces the center display just beyond the front doors. I wish I could have taken photos, but the club does not allow cameras. Though that didn't stop us from sneaking pictures of Nick Waterhouse during his set. 

I would have also liked to take a picture with Nick, but was too shy to approach him as he walked around prior to the show. I was shy the last time as well. By the time I got the nerve to track him down at the last show, he slipped into the back, and I didn't see him again. Maybe next time I will be brave enough to ask him for a photo.

A perfect evening to melt away the stress

I had a wonderful time tonight. A dear friend of mine, who moved away about a year ago, returned to the area. To celebrate, a few of us went out to a new bar. In San Francisco, there is a speakeasy called Bourbon and Branch. The owners of this bar, own several other bars throughout the city. Most have a specific theme. For example, Wilson and Wilson has a 1940s private eye theme. They recently opened two new bars, and one seemed to be right up my alley. It is called Local Edition. It's theme is 1950s newsroom. So, I made a reservation to welcome back our beloved friend.

It was a perfect evening, as the title mentions, to melt away the stress. Our small group was very low key and laid back. And, I was home in time to write this blog post. After we were seated, I looked around to take in the scene and decor. There were typewriters and framed pages of old newspaper, an old movie camera, and various other vintage items. I also noticed a stage. As I was questioning the reason for the stage, a gentleman with a bass walked past us and right up onto the stage. The rest of the band started filing in after him. One of the band members, the drummer, was dressed in a suit and a fedora. This, of course, caught my eye. I asked him if I could take a photo with him. He was obliging.

I did not catch the band's name. But, I did hear that this was the first time they've played together in seven months. So, maybe they'll play a regular gig at Local Edition. If you find yourself in San Francisco, be sure to check out one of Bourbon and Branch's many bars. You won't be disappointed.