I unveiling a new feature on the blog today, the Miss Magnolia Thunderpussy Award for Outrages Against Taste and Decency. Our first award will go to whoever points out the most fashion faux pas in this Weinberger photo. The prize is a guaranteed series on the theme of the winner's choice, something I pretty much do on demand anyway, but hey, let's call it a prize for current purposes.
The knee bandana is an innovative oddity, but it's that Tyrolean excrescence on his head that beggars belief. It hasn't even got a feather in it. It looks like something Greer Garson would have worn in Mrs Miniver (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1942).
ReplyDeleteAs a teenager, I actually met Greer Garson when she visited the ranch shopping for cattle with her husband, Buddy Fogelson. He owned the Forked Lightning Ranch in New Mexico, but he made his money as a Texas oil man. We thought they would only send their manager, but were surprised when they turned up. She was a friendly and gracious lady who asked my mother to show her how to cook fried chicken.
DeleteYou MET Greer Garson? She was born in quite humble circumstances to George Gordon, of a Scottish family, and an Irish mother in East Ham, then in Essex, now Greater London. She read French and 18th century literature at King's College London and did her postgraduate studies at the University of Grenoble. She had a brain as well as beauty and charm. She was nominated for an Oscar in her first screen appearance in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production of Goodbye Mr Chips, from a novella by James Hilton, starring opposite Robert Donat, who beat Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind in the Best Actor Award - she lost to Vivien Leigh. It is a beautiful, if sentimental, story of a school master in Classics, who only really comes into his own when he marries, well into middle age, under the influence of his much younger wife. It has always been one of my favourite films - I watched it again only the other night. Garson went on to star in Random Harvest, opposite Ronald Coleman, another novel by James Hilton - who also wrote Lost Horizon, one of my favourite stories of all time. Believe it or not, Greer Garson, with her Scottish heritage, looked remarkably like my mother - I only wish she had had Garson's outgoing charm. I am pleased to hear that she lived up to the impression I had of her. One of my favourite actresses. I am jealous!
DeleteI got lucky because they made their visit in the summer. Otherwise, I would have been in school, and they had to leave about the time the bus would have gotten me home. Miss Garson had some interest in the cattle, but it was obviously Mr. Fogelson's project in the main. Another cattle buyer had told them about our family's stock . . . and Mama's fried chicken. Hence the visit and cooking lesson. Daddy was always matter of fact about that episode, but for Mama and me, it was a cherished memory to be held close. We didn't even know we had Scottish heritage in common until later.
Deletelet's see...2 types of fur (probably real), that knee bandanna, James Dean belt buckle, that hat; is there a box under his right arm?-Dee Exx
ReplyDeleteThe winner! Yes, I think that's a box. You didn't mention the pants legs tucked into the cowboy boots, but that's a personal peeve of mine.
DeleteParis Fashion Week is on right now, with all the crazy outfits vying for attention I have a feeling he would fit right in! Maybe even get his photo in Vogue or GQ.
ReplyDeleteThings have gotten so crazy, I suppose that could happen, Pat.
DeleteWell, if you would be so kind as to have an Otter theme, thanks-Dee Exx
ReplyDeleteOtters it will be. It will show up in about 10 days.
DeleteThanks buddy looking forward to it!-Dee Exx
ReplyDelete