There Comes a Time...

When all you really want...

And for My Next Number...

"Variations in the Style of Liberace on 'Rocky Racoon'"...

Sometimes you look at pictures - such as this intriguing snap from 1955 - and realize anew that the past is, indeed, another country.

And Toto, too...

I'm more than a tad suspicious of the new movie Oz the Great and Powerful - let's face it, the track record for successful Oz films, while it dates back to the early silents, pretty much ends in 1939.

If nothing else, though, it has brought a welcome dose of Oziana back into the wider world, and I'm especially struck by the devotion illustrator Steve Murray has shown in documenting every single named character in every one of the canonical Oz books (above is just a detail, although it does include not only the biggies - Dorothy and her friends and a flying monkey - but a number of my personal favorites, including Princess Ozma, General Jinjur, Polychrome the Rainbow's Daughter, and the Queen of the Scoodlers among them).  The whole thing is pretty great, as well as a reminder that L. Frank Baum's world (as created by him and embellished by his successors) was infinitely more complex and whimsical than MGM's.  Bravo to the National Post for running it.

So - has anybody braved the prospect of two hours with James Franco and checked the new picture out?

Image du Jour: Funnies Business

Ten questions this arresting image provokes:

1.  Who would have thought that Jimmy Olsen would so closely resemble Anne Baxter?

2.  Wouldn't you love to see the rest of the outfit?  Based on the blouse, I'm guessing knee-length navy pencil skirt with rear kick-pleat and coordinating sensible pumps.  Alternate scenarios welcome.

3.  Did he borrow the outfit from Lois, or was it a fresh purchase?  Spend a moment thinking of Jimmy Olsen shopping in the Career Gal section of Gimbels.*

* I just looked this up.  Turns out the department store in Metropolis is Lacey's.  I suppose that means their competition is Mimbels, Kanamakers, or Ultmans.  Fancy metropolites must shop at Pergdorf Doogman.

4. Is it a coincidence that the wig so closely resemble's Ed Woods's in Glen or Glenda?

5.  If so, why isn't there more angora involved?  If not, why not?

6. Haven't we all had a night or two like this?

7.  If your answer to (6) was "no," was the overriding reason: (a) the drag? (b) the armed, J. Edgar-ische heavy? or (c) the bat-toting chimp?

8.  Do you suppose that 7(c) marks the first appearance in English of the phrase "bat-toting chimp"?

9.  In this case, is a cigar just a cigar?

10.  If this is panel No. 8, do you suppose panels 9 through 12 hinged more heavily on the pistol or the baseball bat?  Please submit your concepts, with special points given for (a) the intervention of aliens; (b) the appearance in a pivotal role of Thelma Ritter as Birdie Coogan; or (c) a sex scene not involving the chimp.

Image du Jour: The Lovemore Machine

I suppose this kind of thing is really more Princess Sparklepony's bailiwick, but I saw the following image this morning and was, as you'll doubtless understand, riveted:

Lucite (etched), ivory (carved), and tufting (pleather): I'm in love(more)

The gentleman is the new Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament. What he is sitting in/on/among - I'm less sure.

But I think I want one. It's like the command center of some African-Victorian spaceship - and surely that can't be leopard skin I see peeking out from the back of the barcalounger/throne thingie? Can it?

With politics so dire in Harare, who would have thought Parliament could be so festive?

But almost better than all of that: the Speaker rejoices in the splendid name of Lovemore. Lovemore Moyo. And I'm sure he does.

Image du Jour: Calling Gloria

Swanson by Bachrach. Just because.

Image du Jour: Kate

Miss Bush, ca. 1983, taking
her name rather literally...

Image du Jour: Sci-Fi for the Rest of Us

This, I think, is what it would have taken, once upon a time, to spur my interest in all things intergalactic.

Darth Miranda: Tico Tico [EXHALE]!

Sadly, it appeared only last week at a Japanese exhibition. And so I'm left with my obsession with 30s melodrama and the real Carmen Miranda.

Somehow, I think I'll live.

Image du Jour: Miss West

Proof that with the right foundation garments, platform heels, and lashings of fox fur, anything is possible.

That might be my new motto to live by...

Images du Jour: Two Ladies

Stardom: a study in black and white. Compare and contrast.

Image du Jour: The Baroness

She had a farm in Africa, you know - at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Wonder if she shot the coat herself; wouldn't put it past her.

Image du Jour: (Mrs.) Snowdon by Snowdon

The Princess Margaret Rose. Just because.

Image du Jour: Flashback

It was a time when goddesses roamed the earth...

... clad in Halston, insulated from reality by pharmaceuticals, and staring at the off-camera shirtless cater-waiter and his tantalizing tray of cocktails...

Image du Jour: Roz - is that you?

One day, if this picture is to be believed, Rosalind Russell - perhaps running late after a little too much fun the night before - raced into makeup and, paying no attention, sat one chair to the right of where she was supposed to be. Ninety minutes later, she arrived on set, much to everyone's confusion, done up as Ann Sheridan.

Well, that's as near as I can figure. What do you suppose happened? 'Cause that sure ain't the Roz I'm used to...

Image du Jour: Shriners!

Just because.

With July 4th a-comin', I have an urge to see grown men wear fezzes and drive tiny cars. Must be time to head home...

(Thanks, Megan!)

Image du Jour: a Must-Have

Perhaps the greatest toy ever:
Barbara Millicent Roberts as Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels, as dressed by Edith Head, and friends.

I don't usually lift quite so baldly from other blogs, but having seen this over on The Stranger's Slog, I simply have no choice. Not available, they say, 'til fall. What with that and the new Grace Jones, it's shaping up to be quite an autumn...

Image du Jour: Homesickness

If Mr. Muscato and I seem just a shade out of sorts these days - even here on the banks of the Nile - blame the bewitching, maddening creature seen here.

The great difficulty of travel is having to leave at home Koko the Wonder Dog, whom I will have to admit we refer to amongst ourselves as The Baby. He really is the most marvelous dog.

Sigh.

Image du Jour: Dilemmas of Glamour

When the answer to "What to wear?" is: everything!

I bet you didn't know that Lebanon had a leading drag queen? Well, they do, and they're very lucky, too, for he is Bassem Feghali, and quite fabulous.

Image du Jour: Omar Sharif

Sigh...

Image du Jour: Theda Bara

The great silent-film vamp is less commonly remembered as the inventor of the beaded breast cosy.

But perhaps that's just as well.