Of Love and Broccoli, or, How I Spent My Tuesday

So not all that long ago, I was chatting cybernetically with the frenetically cultured, enormously soigné TJB (who really must be encouraged, sternly, to write more for public consumption), and he recommended a specific movie, available on YouTube, that I really must see.  I filed it away.

Or thought I did.

Shameless Sunday Camp Explosion: Streetwise

Some days you wake up knowing that what you need is a good dose of Constance Bennett singing and dancing.

...And Marion Never Looked Lovelier

I think Marion Davies must have enjoyed the late 'thirties more than any time in her life.  She didn't have to worry about getting up at the crack of dawn to pretend to be a movie star any more (hell, she hardly bothered to brush her hair), WR was getting old enough that he'd let her out on the town on her own every once in a while, and even if she was getting a little chinny, she still had the best rocks in Hollywood.  What did she care if stuck-up posers like Connie Bennett gave her the high-hat?  Doug Fairbanks still thought she was good fun.

Look at them.  You just know that the second the photographer finished, they ditched Miss B. and her lapdog, Gilbert Roland (she'd marry him, eventually, but here she's still the Marquise de la Falaise de la Coudraye, thank you very much), and headed back to the bar.

Star Quality

Miss Constance Bennett, superb, steely, languorous with self regard. She's the rare creature who can look both fluffily blonde and carnivorous...

Decisions, Decisions...

Miss Constance Bennett stars in her own little re-enactment of the barbecue scene at Twelve Oaks, with the distinct difference that Scarlett didn't have any intention at all of going home with both the old gent with the martini and Mr. Smiley Profile there. And who would say her nay?

The People Have Spoken

It is with great relief that I can announce that we have now solved one of the mysteries of the ages:

Yes, with the benefit of input from our beloved regulars, we can now aver that, at least as far as public opinion is concerned: it's an ottoman.

More of you, it seems, were willing to accept the idea that screen legend Constance Bennett would wear a small piece of furniture on her head (perhaps after an unfortunate pre-wedding-reception martini or six) than to consider that such a notably fashionable lady would wear what one Gentle Reader described as "a human hair pill box type hat".

Whatever it is, I hope we can agree that it is one of the most atrocious objects ever incorporated into a star's wardrobe. I've searched and searched and can find no indication that the early sixties harbored a forgotten trend for hats made of hair, and I can only assume that Miss Bennett's predilection for being noticed at all costs overcame her generally good fashion sense.

With that behind us, perhaps we can all move on to more important things. Perhaps it's time to address the eternal "Rita vs. Chita" conundrum, or, for that matter, Old vs. New Darrin. Hmmmm...

A Millinery Mystery or a Questionable Coiffure?

With the current Café poll more than half over, I thought it might be useful to have another, closer look at the Great Mystery. It is undeniably hairlike, and yet equally ottomanische in construction. It has all the hallmarks of a hat - and yet, and yet.

I've always been ambivalent about Constance Bennett, and somehow this fashion choice makes me all the more so. She seems like she might have been fun at a dinner party, but you wouldn't have felt good about yourself later.

But the question remains: what the hell is this? Let your voice be heard!

So What Do You Think?

Okay. I give up. Can anyone explain to me just what that is that onetime screen favorite Constance Bennett had on her head at the wedding of her niece, Joan Bennett's daughter? No wonder the bride looks so startled.

In order to solve this fashion/grooming mystery, I'm launching the first-ever Café Muscato Poll! Simply turn your attention to the top of the right-hand column and let your voice be heard. Is it:

• A Hat; it looks like that on purpose;

• A Wiglet, unfortunately styled; or

• An Ottoman; Connie had one too many and a little accident en route to the reception.

I already can't stand the suspense.

Life Lessons

Constance Bennett found it out the hard way: smart women don't make pictures at Monogram. Even if it's pretending to be Allied Artists.

Costume Party Confidential

Whoops - add Constance Bennett to the list of theme party spoilsports! Connie, darling, an ermine shrug - despite the possible effect of making you look snow-capped - is not Tyrolean!

Marion, as hostess, looks like she's getting ready to cut a bitch. Egged on - as always - by that troublemaker Gloria.

Good times.