Edward Steichen would be 132. Born in Luxembourg, he moved to Hancock, Michigan with his family at the age of 3. He went on to become one of the most inventive, artistic and influential photographic artists in history. His style and techniques are still much-copied today. Perhaps his style would be the flip-side of "photo-realism" in painting--many of his great photos look like paintings, such as this one (above) of New York's Flatiron Building, taken in 1905. He also did a series of now-legendary portraits at the behest of the original Vanity Fair magazine in the 1920's, including this one (below) in 1924, which is the great silent film star......
....Gloria Swanson---who was also born on this day, 112 years ago. She was the epitome of glamour for the entirety of the silent film era, and on into the "talkies". The oft-wed Swanson was known for her elaborate and obscenely expensive wardrobe and costumes, as well as for her unapologetically lavish lifestyle off-screen. Her career had pretty much fizzled-out by the end of the 1950's when the great writer/director Billy Wilder suggested her to play the challenging role of the deluded, then demented silent screen goddess, Norma Desmond in, perhaps, his greatest film: Sunset Boulevard, in 1951. The film, which was a huge success, immediately catapulted her back into the public eye, and though she never really made another film of any consequence, she continued to give the public what they wanted: An old-school, Hollywood Star who lived BIG. The film did somewhat compartmentalize her in the collective mind of most filmgoers, who believed that she was, somehow, playing herself in the film (though that was far from the truth). She's also remembered today for being Joseph P. Kennedy's (the paterfamilias of the Kennedy clan) long-time mistress, as Rose turned a blind eye. And here's a piece of trivia for you: Who was Wilder's first choice to play Norma Desmond? (answer at the bottom of the page...).
Hal Kemp would be 106. He was the leader of one of the best dance bands of the 1930's. They had a very distinctive sound (he liked to have his trumpeters play very staccato) and some of the best musicians of the era. This past year, they've had a little blip of recognition as one of their recordings was used in a frequently-played TV commercial for some cruise line...nice song!
Harold Nicholas would be 90. He was the younger half of the dynamic, incredibly talented dancing brother team, The Nicholas Brothers (with his older brother, Fayard). What's more, this guy was an amazing singer, recording in the 1930's when he was just a lad...his voice actually reminds me of a young Michael Jackson's, for some reason. He's the little one on the left...man, was he a charming kid!
Their outrageously athletic dance style set the bar for just about every other male film dancer of the 1930's and 40's--and that includes Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly (who loudly proclaimed they were far better dancers than he was). Watch this thrilling footage and judge for yourself--Fred Astaire once said that this was "the greatest dance number ever filmed". I think he might just have something there...I guess you've figured out that I'm a huge Nicholas Brothers fan--there are several more good clips on YouTube if you'd like to see more:
David Janssen would be turning 80 today. While he may not have been the most versatile actor to ever grace the small screen, Janssen carved out his niche playing the "strong/silent" type of television hero, on such shows as The Fugitive, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, O'Hara U.S. Treasury and Harry O. He found his brand and stuck to it until the end--which came quite prematurely, dying of a heart attack at the age of 48.
Sarah Vaughan would be 87. That dame could sing! Known as "Sassy," Vaughan had a long and stellar recording and performing career and held her own when compared to other great songstresses of her era. She had a style all her own, and when you hear her sing, there's no mistaking who it is you're listening to. One of the very best...
And the answer to the question: Who was the first choice to play Norma Desmond? Believe it or not, it was Mae West! The original concept of the film was to have been more of a "black comedy," with West vamping her way around her decaying mansion. And in the role of Joe Gillis, unforgettably played in the film by William Holden, the original choice (in fact he'd already signed-on to play the part, but inexplicably dropped out before shooting began) was Montgomery Clift. Here's the final scene from the film....just try to imagine Mae West in the role!!
Oh, what the hell...I can't resist....have just ONE more Nicholas Brothers clip....this one is too good to pass up:
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