Observations, reflections and musings:
Evelyn Nesbit is here, plus in the film Ragtime. In Ragtime, she is played by a young Elizabeth McGovern (mama in Downton Abbey, anyone?). In Red Velvet Swing, she is played as a young, generally innocent girl by Joan Collins (Dynasty, swanky and sexy, you betcha,).
Who said that 1906 was the Edwardian Era??? In the United States, this occurred in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Edward was the King of England, not America. We actually have our own Eras here in the U.S., witness how we broke away from England in the 1770s. Witness our Revolutionary Era. Did we want to be British anymore? No. A resounding NOOOOOOO.
A little historical background: King Edward reigned in England from 1901 to 1910. He was the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who passed away in 1901.
The United States had quite a unique history during that time period. Late 19th and early 20th American centuries were the eras of steel industrialists, factory strikes, robber barons, talk softly and carry a big stick, railroad kings, oil gazillionaires, et al. This was also the American age of hordes of unwashed immigrants, bad meat being sanitized, and poor children forced to leave the factories and go to school and actually get an education. Jim Crow laws were big.
The United States was still the land of freedom and democracy, not monarchichal reigns and Parliament. This is still true. In 1906 America some people were availing themselves of these glorious attributes, and building huge wealth and making tons of money $$$$$$$$.
This film is about rich people, the extremely wealthy. Murder is the jealousy solution to sexual dallying or a crazed person's paranoiac ideas of same. This film is based on a true story. White and Thaw were very wealthy men. Golddiggers abounded, then as now. Jealousy and criminal revenge at high financial levels still make good press (or tabloids or sleazy "entertainment" talk shows).
Great story, if whitewashed for 1950s censors and Nesbit the consultant and paid observer, plus tear-jerky heirs of White and Thaw. Mustn't try to play legal, character assassination games with heirs of the deceased(s).
Farley Granger was menacing and creepy, yet smiling at other times. I consider him one of Hollywood's most handsome and dashing actors, however.
Marilyn Monroe? James Dean? They were probably too expensive.
Great Props: The Oscar goes to: (Drum Roll:) THE RED VELVET SWING!!!!! It was a beautiful, lush and bright red, with soft, luxurious velvet fabric covering the chains/ropes and seat, plus there was some awesome red fringe falling from the bottom of the seat. Reach for the moon, Evelyn!!!!!
I am a cinematic historian, and I am involved in film studies at university. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History from that same university.
10/10
Evelyn Nesbit is here, plus in the film Ragtime. In Ragtime, she is played by a young Elizabeth McGovern (mama in Downton Abbey, anyone?). In Red Velvet Swing, she is played as a young, generally innocent girl by Joan Collins (Dynasty, swanky and sexy, you betcha,).
Who said that 1906 was the Edwardian Era??? In the United States, this occurred in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Edward was the King of England, not America. We actually have our own Eras here in the U.S., witness how we broke away from England in the 1770s. Witness our Revolutionary Era. Did we want to be British anymore? No. A resounding NOOOOOOO.
A little historical background: King Edward reigned in England from 1901 to 1910. He was the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who passed away in 1901.
The United States had quite a unique history during that time period. Late 19th and early 20th American centuries were the eras of steel industrialists, factory strikes, robber barons, talk softly and carry a big stick, railroad kings, oil gazillionaires, et al. This was also the American age of hordes of unwashed immigrants, bad meat being sanitized, and poor children forced to leave the factories and go to school and actually get an education. Jim Crow laws were big.
The United States was still the land of freedom and democracy, not monarchichal reigns and Parliament. This is still true. In 1906 America some people were availing themselves of these glorious attributes, and building huge wealth and making tons of money $$$$$$$$.
This film is about rich people, the extremely wealthy. Murder is the jealousy solution to sexual dallying or a crazed person's paranoiac ideas of same. This film is based on a true story. White and Thaw were very wealthy men. Golddiggers abounded, then as now. Jealousy and criminal revenge at high financial levels still make good press (or tabloids or sleazy "entertainment" talk shows).
Great story, if whitewashed for 1950s censors and Nesbit the consultant and paid observer, plus tear-jerky heirs of White and Thaw. Mustn't try to play legal, character assassination games with heirs of the deceased(s).
Farley Granger was menacing and creepy, yet smiling at other times. I consider him one of Hollywood's most handsome and dashing actors, however.
Marilyn Monroe? James Dean? They were probably too expensive.
Great Props: The Oscar goes to: (Drum Roll:) THE RED VELVET SWING!!!!! It was a beautiful, lush and bright red, with soft, luxurious velvet fabric covering the chains/ropes and seat, plus there was some awesome red fringe falling from the bottom of the seat. Reach for the moon, Evelyn!!!!!
I am a cinematic historian, and I am involved in film studies at university. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History from that same university.
10/10