Possessed, or Cherry Ames Goes to Hell

From the first moments of 1947's Possessed, Joan Crawford sketches a character different from, deeper than, and profoundly stranger than any I've seen her play in what was even then her two decades on screen.

O Happy Day

Rings on a nightstand, Cairo, 2008

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were."

- Obergefell v. Hodges

Bad Girls, or a Tale of Two Cousins

Even though, alas, I have returned to the grindstone (mostly - I still sneak home for the occasional nap; I'm finding that a wan expression and a faraway look can get me almost anything I want, now that I'm an Established Invalid), I don't want you to think I've given up all the habits of leisure that I enjoyed this spring.  For example, I've just finished doing something I rarely do, reading a recently published book.

Whatever Happened to Finnan Haddie?

Here to celebrate this festive day we have an old familiar number in what I imagine is a rather unfamiliar setting.  As Mr. Cole Porter rolls in his grave, the one and only Miss Violetta Villas and her Double-Knit Dancers give us their interpretation of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy."

Flores, Flores...

This has been the kind of week that has made me, today, want to do nothing much more than look over pictures of flowers that I've taken.

"The Nuanced Language of Lack of Effort"

Nothing more to say today.  Watch this.  Transcript here.

A Strange and Bitter Crop

It's just this side of unbearable to watch and hear this; today, it would be unbearable not to.

Rachel, Rachel: Black Like She

Well, I've certainly been wasting more than enough time on the strange saga of Rachel Doležal,* that Jenny Stewart for the Post-Modern century.

Now We Know How Happy We Can Be

Yes, it's two cute boys singing a ukelele-based cover of the Monkees' immortal "Daydream Believer." Just in case you don't think we're up on all the hipster trends here at the Café.

Anna, Mata, Pia!

Here's a little treat for what is, at least here in Our Nation's Capital, a gray but rather pleasant summer Sunday.  I can't think of a more refreshing way to spend eleven minutes or so, at least not in mixed company...

All the Morning Glories or the Fez!

This little gem has been making the rounds lately, so I can make no claims to originality in featuring it; it's just that it is, after all, the first of this lovely month, and it makes me laugh like few other clips.