tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post1999829658982615259..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Tales of Hollywood: The Wild Ride of Preston SturgesThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-76939615821409431582014-09-28T16:55:32.859-07:002014-09-28T16:55:32.859-07:00This is great stuff! I would certainly love to hea...This is great stuff! I would certainly love to hear more from you about Mr. Sturges, Players and your "aunt"-in-law and her husband. If interested in sharing more such tales, please email me at: ladyevesidwich@gmail.com.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-83430937453713272662014-09-28T12:23:12.516-07:002014-09-28T12:23:12.516-07:00My husband's "aunt", Pauline French,...My husband's "aunt", Pauline French, and her husband, Robert, worked and helped PS manage "The Players" Oh, the stories she would tell....one that sticks is Robert Mitchum was a penny pincher, never wanted to pay for his meal. Another time, PS need saffron and asked Robert to order 5 pounds! Robert and Pauline lived on PS' yacht while working there; Humphry Bogart used to swim over to visit. Robert also designed and built a sailboat for PS. I have a large photo of all of them standing in front of it. PS is with a tall willowy brunette, don't know if she's wife or girlfriend.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-84107147676124399662012-05-24T13:32:35.797-07:002012-05-24T13:32:35.797-07:00Thanks so much, Dorian. Since posting this piece I...Thanks so much, Dorian. Since posting this piece I've picked up a copy of Sheilah Graham's 1970 book, "The Garden of Allah." Though she's a bit remiss on accuracy at times (refers to the great director as Preston Sturgis and reports that he died in Paris), there's still much fascinating lore on the legendary "Garden" and the famous people she knew who lived there (her erstwhile lover F. Scott Fitzgerald, for one).The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44193116374603250812012-05-24T11:02:43.375-07:002012-05-24T11:02:43.375-07:00Eve, I must agree with Kay: your wonderful piece a...Eve, I must agree with Kay: your wonderful piece about Preston Sturges' life and times, and his experiences as the head honcho and host of The Players (among other things) had the smooth, soignee feeling of a great VANITY FAIR magazine piece! Your detailed, affectionate descriptions of The Garden of Allah and other Hollywood haunts were fascinating, too; never before has real estate been so readable! :-) What is it about Hollywood big-shots that makes them want to become restauranteurs? Barbara Stanwyck really nailed it when she told Sturges "That goddamned greasy spoon is ruining you!" Ah well, maybe Babs and I are too practical for our own good! :-) Fabulous post, Eve, as always!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-13372616625882486282012-05-12T11:44:04.565-07:002012-05-12T11:44:04.565-07:00Jacqueline, I began an interesting journey into Ho...Jacqueline, I began an interesting journey into Hollywood history when I read an item about the Pink Taco opening last month. I knew Preston Sturges had owned The Players and squandered a fortune on it over many years, but I discovered there was a lot I didn't know. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece, the story fascinated me and I had great fun researching and writing it.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-20779459150681322732012-05-12T04:42:03.605-07:002012-05-12T04:42:03.605-07:00Really enjoyed this, Lady Eve. Love learning abou...Really enjoyed this, Lady Eve. Love learning about Hollywood history and landmarks. What a world they carved out for themselves, even if so much of it didn't last. Thanks for a great read.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-30336535680125914182012-05-10T06:44:01.242-07:002012-05-10T06:44:01.242-07:00Dawn, I'm so happy and relieved to know the wo...Dawn, I'm so happy and relieved to know the wonderful news about your health. You must be doing very well - you're back to blogging daily - just as you should be. Keep it up! Glad you liked this piece and hope it made you smile - XOXO, TLEThe Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-27959261962784684392012-05-10T04:30:45.073-07:002012-05-10T04:30:45.073-07:00Lady Eve, I really enjoyed reading your awesome po...Lady Eve, I really enjoyed reading your awesome post about Sturges! I love reading about the true life Hollywood behind the scene stories. What an imagination he had. My favorite films of his are: THE PALM BEACH STORY and THE LADY EVE. <br /><br />Thank you so much for posting up the pink ribbon and the link to find out more on how to help prevent and cure breast cancer. I'm doing extremely well after my surgery. Thankfully, It was caught in it's early stages and expect a complete recovery. Love, Dawn.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-6763228124111944592012-05-09T11:35:17.323-07:002012-05-09T11:35:17.323-07:00Thanks, John. I haven't seen "Easy Living...Thanks, John. I haven't seen "Easy Living" in ages and am due for a 'refresher' viewing. I hope you'll make a point of seeing "The Palm Beach Story" - it is about as 'screwball' as it gets, plus Sturges admitted modeling scenes on incidents from his own life. Some believe that every scheming/charming or slightly 'nutty' female character he ever created was inspired by his mother...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-53487902522870684872012-05-09T07:51:13.455-07:002012-05-09T07:51:13.455-07:00Eve, What a great article on Sturges! He was such ...Eve, What a great article on Sturges! He was such a great writer, I just love many of his films, EASY LIVING with the great Jean Arthur, REMEMBER THE NIGHT and of course his ,masterworks, SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS and THE LADY EVE two of my all time favorite. His reign was short comparatively speaking but like Billy Wilder he pave the way for writer/directors. I still need t see THE PALM BEACH STORY, one that pops up on TCM often and I keep managing to miss. Wonderful stuff here!John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-81337899056611550082012-05-07T20:43:44.472-07:002012-05-07T20:43:44.472-07:00'Gypsy, Thank you so much! Reading what Sturge...'Gypsy, Thank you so much! Reading what Sturges wrote about his own life does prod one to stretch a bit when writing about him - but he is an impossible act to follow.<br /><br />According to Sturges, the property that became The Players, was once the home where silent era comedian (and Sturges stock company member) Chester Conklin grew up. It was later the Hollywood Wedding Chapel and had been a club of some kind after that, though it was shuttered by the time Sturges purchased and transformed it. What a history!The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-10364004777513837232012-05-07T20:16:59.066-07:002012-05-07T20:16:59.066-07:00Kevin, Sturges did indeed live a life worthy of a ...Kevin, Sturges did indeed live a life worthy of a movie. And why not? More than one has been made about Isadora Duncan and more than one about Howard Hughes, both of whom played very big roles in his life. His would be a biopic overflowing with colorful and famous characters - not to mention the wild scenarios...<br /><br />You make a great point that Sturges belonged at Paramount. He apparently had made overtures to MGM at one time and another but, fortunately, nothing ever came of it. He blamed misunderstandings for his split with Paramount and later waxed very sentimental about the studio.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-4104726535197546852012-05-07T16:47:28.875-07:002012-05-07T16:47:28.875-07:00Eve ~ you have written an elegant and sophisticate...Eve ~ you have written an elegant and sophisticated look at the life and career of Preston Sturges, complete with a sophisticated wit worthy of the man. I was vaguely familiar with his childhood and his early career, but his part in creating the Golden Age Of Hollywood is a new glimpse at a fascinating man. I was also familiar with the history of Alla Nazimova’s Garden of Allah, but I was unaware that it formed, along with the Chateau Marmont and The Players, a “triangle into which many film colony luminaries disappeared” (a perfect image of the times). The stories regarding early Hollywood’s landmarks too often include them vanishing into the mists of times, and I’m glad to hear that the myth of the Marmont tunnel was not only true but located in the most recent renovation.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-71364741017805225882012-05-07T14:04:48.177-07:002012-05-07T14:04:48.177-07:00Many years ago I remember reading James Curtis'...Many years ago I remember reading James Curtis' biography of Sturges and thinking if I could pick one Hollywood director whose life would make a great movie, it would be Sturges. Your post reminded me why I thought that. <br /><br />It's too bad Paramount thought Sturges was more trouble than he was worth, but I'm glad he wound up at Paramount than any other studio. That sheen of wit and sophistication that their films had made him an ideal fit for the studio. Paramount was to comedy what M-G-M was to musicals and horror films to Universal, and Sturges no doubt felt right at home there. I shudder to think how his talent would have been squandered say, at M-G-M. <br /><br />The background on The Players was fascinating. Another great post, L.E.Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-81317799421780367932012-05-06T09:01:45.564-07:002012-05-06T09:01:45.564-07:00Thanks, Gilby. Sturges led a very unusual life. Hi...Thanks, Gilby. Sturges led a very unusual life. His mother was an eccentric woman who lived by her whims and wandered the continent with him in tow for years. She'd dreamed of being a singer, befriended the famous (Isadora Duncan was a good friend) and tried her hand at the cosmetics business. She raised Sturges in decidedly bohemian surroundings. On the other hand, Sturges' first step-father (whom he considered his father) was a wealthy stockbroker in Chicago who provided him with enduring affection and financial assistance. So...you can see where Sturges inherited his penchant for flying by the seat of his pants - as well as why he may not have had an understanding of financial responsibility. His last years were difficult but he left a brilliant legacy on film and it's for that he'll be remembered...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-65948281690587590892012-05-06T04:29:26.584-07:002012-05-06T04:29:26.584-07:00This is one of your pieces yet! It is beautifully ...This is one of your pieces yet! It is beautifully composed. I love the way you weave Sturges' career highlights into his personal investments and passions. Truly we will never see the likes of men such as Sturges. They were brilliant and willing to risk everything for their passions.Gilby37https://www.blogger.com/profile/12559239743969365425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44995791996903412832012-05-05T20:06:41.780-07:002012-05-05T20:06:41.780-07:00Thank you, Dave, very happy that this piece inspir...Thank you, Dave, very happy that this piece inspires you to want to watch the films of the phenomenal Preston Sturges again.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-8247097714567483162012-05-05T19:15:01.001-07:002012-05-05T19:15:01.001-07:00Wow, what a wonderfully written piece. Man, I gott...Wow, what a wonderfully written piece. Man, I gotta go back and rewatch some Sturges pictures.Dave Enkoskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16472835951281573009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-41852765614667770702012-05-05T18:34:05.186-07:002012-05-05T18:34:05.186-07:00GOM, I think the rollercoaster life was the only k...GOM, I think the rollercoaster life was the only kind Preston Sturges knew - from infancy 'til his late years, when the ride seemed to be on an endless down-swing. According to one of his closest friends, even in the late '40s when he no longer had a reliable income, Sturges told her, "Money has no meaning to me, there's so much of it around." However, he later bemoaned the fact that he'd made and lost two or three great fortunes. Fact is, he was an artist, not a businessman and apparently didn't understand the difference.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-71656214805943582732012-05-05T18:24:57.588-07:002012-05-05T18:24:57.588-07:00Thank you, Kay, and it's my great pleasure to ...Thank you, Kay, and it's my great pleasure to virtually know you, too. As for the demolitions, I only wish The Garden of Allah had been as fortunate as Chateau Marmont and survived long enough to be made an official landmark. The Players wasn't demolished, but stands today in all its massive gaudy pink glory, thanks to Harry Morton and his trendy taco enterprise. Would be lovely if someday someone would endow it with a more classic Hollywood style a la Chateau Marmont.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-18437902103486320322012-05-05T16:29:16.416-07:002012-05-05T16:29:16.416-07:00Poor Preston Sturges! What a rollercoaster ride of...Poor Preston Sturges! What a rollercoaster ride of a life he had, with money and success coming in on one hand, and splurging and excess going out on the other. Thanks for your terrific and informative post on this (to me) little-known aspect of this fascinating, frustrating genius.Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-9886458617926151132012-05-05T16:06:53.804-07:002012-05-05T16:06:53.804-07:00Darling girl,
One of the best (if not THE BEST) po...Darling girl,<br />One of the best (if not THE BEST) posts I've had the pleasure of reading about old Hollywood's haunts. You've shared information in an entertaining and elegant fashion and the details are all there! Your marvelous prose made me feel as if I were reading a Vanity Fair piece (highest praise). I just loved learning this side of Preston and you've made Old Hollywood come to life once more. Exceptional!!! I'm proud to shake your virtual hand. Thanks for all the work that went into this. (The only sad part? Hearing about the demolitions... Drives me NUTS to see how, over and over, Hollywood plows over its history). Kudos and kisses, <br />KayKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03629373180342762945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-34781192864041509262012-05-05T11:08:32.154-07:002012-05-05T11:08:32.154-07:00Page, Money was one important source of Sturges...Page, Money was one important source of Sturges' conflict with Paramount. He was, in his heyday, one of the most highly paid men in America - and that pay came from Paramount. On top of his salary, once he became a director he spared no expense or time on his productions. It's also been said that he was viewed as "abrasive" by some at the top of the studio hierarchy.<br /><br />The old Hollywood landmarks and legends fascinate me, too. It's interesting that at the same time I was exploring Hollywood history related to Preston Sturges, you and FlickChick were investigating other realms - Valentino's Falcon's Lair and the William Desmond Taylor mystery.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-86705972218453548442012-05-05T10:38:23.929-07:002012-05-05T10:38:23.929-07:00Lady E,
Interesting info on Preston's issues w...Lady E,<br />Interesting info on Preston's issues with, parting with Paramount. Surely he wasn't any more contentious, headstrong as others they had endured over the years. Oh, the two films that Sturgess had not yet released when he got he boot (most well known) are my least favorites of his work. I'm weird like that!<br /><br />Loved the info on the Chateau Marmont. Boy, if those walls could talk! I love reading about the old Hollywood landmarks. Glad a few have survived. <br />I'm going to tape The Palm Beach Story to watch again but I'll probably pass on Easy Living this go around after doing that long photo review in January. <br /><br />Another fun post LE.<br />Have a great weekend!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-6036386308370853492012-05-05T00:08:18.893-07:002012-05-05T00:08:18.893-07:00...and I just noticed that Page is on the same pag......and I just noticed that Page is on the same page (ha!), too - she has posted an extensive piece on the estate of Rudolph Valentino - Falcon's Lair.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.com