ART DECO SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 2007.pdfSilver Celebration 15 Clip Joints and Flaming Swords 16 ... Thirty five Modernism dealers introduced the dazzle of light, chrome, and room-

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News & Notes From the Deco Philes 1 Annual Membership Meeting 3 Press Release Re: Antiques & Modernism Show 4 Ninth Art Deco World Congress 6 Silver Celebration 15 Clip Joints and Flaming Swords 16 Black & White Ball 17 Holiday Film Party 18 Centenary Celebration: 1907 Was a Very Good Year 19 Deco Bookshelf 26

Silver Celebration—See p. 15

ADSW

Board of Directors

President—Jonathan A. Mazur

Vice President—Dana Ott

Acting Treasurer—Ira Raskin

Secretary—Cathy Willis

At Large Members:

Linda Lyons

Karyn Jarboe

Brian Whaley

Amy McMenamin

Patrick Bayliss

Jim Linz

Silver Spring—Richard Striner

Visit us on the web at

www.adsw.org

Webmaster—Joel Shprentz/Brian

Whatley

Trans-Lux

Trans-Lux is published four times a year

by the Art Deco Society of Washington,

P.O. 42722, Washington, D.C. 20015-

2722. Phone (202) 298-1100.

ADSW is a non-profit organization in-

corporated to foster public awareness

and appreciation of the Art Deco period

through volunteer actions to preserve the

era’s decorative, industrial, architec-

tural, and cultural arts.

Editor/Publisher—Jim Linz

Book Reviews Editor—Vacant

Calendar Editor—Lynda

Schmitz Fuhrig

Contributors: Jim Linz Lynda Schmitz Fuhrig Ira Raskin Eugenio de Anzorena Karyn Jarboe Jennifer O’Boyle

Trans-Lux is looking for a few good writers. Please submit manuscripts and photographs to Jim Linz, PO Box 221011, Chantilly, VA 20153. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope for return of material. Sub-mission of letters/articles implies the right to edit and publish. ©2007 ADSW

On the Cover: Ile de France Cocktail Set; Meriden Silverplate Company; c. 1928

Wanna Be a Member?

Join online at

www.adsw.org

Or call 202-298-1100

And request an

application

PAGE 3 TRANS-LUX VOLUME 25 NO. 3

News and Notes from the

Deco Philes

Greenbelt Museum Launches Fashion Exhibit The Greenbelt Museum recently opened a new exhibition ―Sublime on a Dime: Fashions from the Great Depression to World War II.‖ The exhibition is located in the Greenbelt Community Center.

Jackson Pollack Exhibit Opens at the National Also opening recently was the first major retrospective of the works of Jackson Pollack held outside New York City in 25 years. The exhibition includes 96 paintings focusing on paintings produced between 1925 and 1950. A series of gallery talks, lectures, and films are scheduled before the National Gallery of Art exhibition closes in January 2008.

Silver Spring Historical Society Seeks Photos The Silver Spring Historical Society is seeking photographs of the row of 1940s and 1950s commercial structures on Colesville Road between Geor-gia Avenue and Fenton Street opposite the Silver Theatre. The Society is trying to acquire visual documentation of these structures to aid in restora-tion. The block is historically designated but problems have already occurred as new tenants plan to occupy these buildings. For example, the Silver Spring Historical Society had to obtain a stop work order at one address after the new tenant blew out the first floor display windows without having first

obtained a Historic Area Work Permit (HAWP) as is required for any exte-rior alterations to any of the buildings in that block. If you have photos you can share with the SSHS, contact Jerry McCoy at [email protected].

Deco By the Bay (Chesapeake that is) Karen and Mel Sloan (you know them from past Deco Expos in Annan-dale) now have a showcase at the FEATHERSTONE ANTIQUE MALL in An-

napolis, Maryland, through February 2008. Their showcase is chock full of jewelry, cocktail and smoking paraphenalia, art pottery, and many


Moved? Got a new internet provider?

Send An e-mail message to [email protected] or write to us at

Art Deco Society of Washington, PO box 42722, Washington,

D.C. 20015.

Want to receive email reminders of upcoming

events?

Sign up on the website—www.adsw.org

other wonderful Deco items. Featherstone is located on Route 50 just be-fore the Bay Bridge.

New ADSW Film Series Starts in December ADSW launches a new bimonthly film series Tuesday, December 11th with a screening of the British musical comedy First A Girl (see. p. 18). Held the second Tuesday of every other month, dates for 2008 are February 12, April 8, June 10, August 12, October 14, and December 9.

ADSW is launching a fundraising effort to support the restoration of vin-tage Vitaphone shorts. Each $4,500 raised will fund the professional resto-ration of a short at UCLA’s Film and Television Archives. ADSW will receive a copy of each short restored and can select from a list of shorts awaiting restoration. Although admission to the films will be free, attendees are asked to make a contribution to our Vitaphone fund. The series will offer a combination of feature films and musical shorts. Get a preview of the new series at the annual membership meeting, Octo-ber 22nd.


TRY TO REMEMBER Art Deco & Mid-Century merchandise for sale at:

Beaver Creek Antique Market - Hagerstown, MD (301-739-8075) Valley Antiques - Funkstown, MD (301-739-5070) Antique Alley - Millsboro, DE (302-934-9841) Ecker’s Watch and Clock Shop - Bethesda, MD (8010 Norfolk Ave)

We also arrange and manage estate sales.

For further information or that special item, contact Miriam or Ira Raskin at 301-652-1695, [email protected], or at 301-802-5745 (cell).

Annual Membership Meeting

When: Tuesday, October 22, 2007 7 P.M.

Where: Sumner School 1201 17th Street NW

(Closest Metro stations are Farragut North and Farragut West) Limited on street parking

Cost: Free

Schedule

6:30 P.M. -- Social hour with light refreshments; balloting 7:00 P.M. -- Balloting closes 7:00 P.M. -- State of the Society—Jonathan Mazur, President, ADSW 7:20 P.M. -- Expo/Financial Update—Ira Raskin, Treasurer 7:25 P.M. -- Preservation Report—Linda Lyons, Board Member 7:35 P.M. -- Upcoming Programs—Karyn Jarboe, Board Member 7:45 P.M. --Introduction of new Board Members—Dana Ott, Vice Presi dent 7:55 P.M. -- Volunteer opportunities—Dana Ott 8:00 P.M. -- Member Q & A 8:20 P.M. -- Vitaphone Short—Tip, Tap, Toe starring Hal Leroy and Mitzi Mayfair—Jim Linz, Publications Chair 8:40 P.M. -- Adjournment


Press release touts

Success of adsw/pappabello

Joint venture Reprinted below is a press release jointly prepared by Ira Raskin and Jim Linz of ADSW and Arthur Farbenbloom of Pappabello Shows reporting on the successful launch of the new ADSW/Pappabello joint venture. Articles based on the press release appeared in Antique Week and Arts & Auction News.

The press release will also be used as a recruiting tool in seeking to ex-pand dealer participation in the 2008 show. One area of focus for the 2008 show will be on recruiting additional clothing dealers. Any sugges-tions would be greatly appreciated. As planning gets underway for the 2008 show, we would appreciate your thoughts on what worked, and did not work, at the 2007 show. Send your thoughts and suggestions to Ira Raskin or Jim Linz.

Attendance, Sales Soar at Northern Virginia Antiques & Modernism Show & Sale Bucking a nationwide trend toward lower attendance and declining sales at an-tique shows, the new annual Northern Virginia Antiques & Modernism Show and Sale successfully tested a new format that resulted in more than a doubling of attendance. The increased attendance translated into strong sales for many deal-ers. Over 3000 attended this new show on June 23-24 at the Jefferson Community Center in Arlington, VA. In partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Arlington and the Art Deco Society of Washington (ADSW), Pappabello Shows bet correctly that a combination of 150 general antiques, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern dealers would be a rousing success. In terms of crowds, sales, and overall customer and dealer satisfaction, this new June show was far better than experienced during the recent past. Pappabello Shows and the Kiwanis Club had run a large general antiques show for the last 19 years, while the ADSW had run its own Exposition of the Decorative Arts for 23 years, a major source of funding for its preservation efforts. “The 2007 show was exciting, thanks largely to the influx of new customers at-tracted by our new ADSW partners,” said Warren Kane, Chairman of the Kiwanis Committee that helped organize the show. “Our ability to support the community-


based programs of the Kiwanis has significantly increased,” Kane added. “The new combined show was a class act and the first of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region,” noted Ira Raskin, ADSW’s Treasurer. “Pappabello’s professional man-agement and extensive advertising campaign were critical elements in this suc-cessful event,” reported Jim Linz of the ADSW Board who worked closely with Raskin to help make the show possible. Both the Kiwanis and the ADSW are non-profit organizations that directly benefit from the 2007 show. Thirty five Modernism dealers introduced the dazzle of light, chrome, and room-size displays to showcase their merchandise. “There was eye candy for mature buyers as well as the younger consumer, who is more in tune with artifacts from the 1940’s through the 1970’s,” said Don Selkirk of Past Pleasures Moderne in Virginia. Bernie Krauss, New Jersey purveyor of 17th and 18th century antiques, “met a lot of new knowledgeable customers. It was my best show in 20 years at this event.” Leonard Davenport, New York dealer in fine arts and studio ceramics, observed “the great variety of items for sale and the large number of customers who returned on the second day of the show.” Several other changes also contributed to increased attendance and sales. Show promoter Arthur Farbenbloom worked closely with ADSW representatives to de-velop an entertainment package that would draw customers and lengthen the time they spent at the show. Customers were treated to the jazz sounds of the Bob-cats, musical film shorts from the 1920s-1940s, glass repair, and appraisals. The show was made more accessible to residents from throughout the Washington D.C. metropolitan area by adding a free shuttle service from a nearby Metro sta-tion. Finally, the appearance of the show was enhanced by the draping of dealer booths and the well-lighted displays designed by many dealers. The merging of general antiques and Modernism into separate but contiguous areas of the show was also tried successfully by Stella Show Management in the New York Pier Shows of November 2006 and March 2007. “We based the new concept for the Northern Virginia show on Stella’s model of locating dealers in one building (Pier 94) and grouping them by type of merchandise” said Farbenbloom of Pappabello. Based on the success of the 2007 show, Farbenbloom plans to enlarge the show next year. The 2008 show will be held June 21-22. Pappabello, Kiwanis, and the ADSW are committed to making this the premier show in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. More show information can be obtained at www.pappabello.com or at 301-933-9433. ADSW information can be found at www.adsw.org or at 202-298-1100. Kiwanis information can be found at www.kiwanis.org or at 703-528-2114 and at 703-963-2383.

http://www.pappabello.com/

http://www.adsw.org/

http://www.kiwanis.org/

Naum Gabo, Model of the Column, ca. 1928, rebuilt 1928 Perspex and plastic on aluminum base 10-5/8 x 4-7/16 x 3-15/16 inches Yale University Art Gallery. Gift of Collection Société Anonyme. The works of Naum Gabo©Nina Williams.


Ninth Art Deco World Congress By Eugenio de Anzorena

Last April I went to the 9th World Congress on Art Deco in Melbourne, Aus-tralia. The Pre-Congress events were held simultaneously in Sydney and Canberra. I attended the Sydney portion, under the direction of Jennifer Hill and Scott Robinson (both wrote very informative souvenir notes). After the opening reception, Wednesday the 11th, at a restaurant overlooking Sydney harbor, the next day we toured the interwar cinemas of Sydney, and in the afternoon the Castlecrag area where Walter Burley Griffin and

his wife Marion Mahony designed various houses following their work with Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park, Illinois and their design of the new Austra-lian capital of Canberra. On Friday we had a long day of touring, including apartment houses in the Elizabeth Bay area, one of the most interesting was the Cahors (1940, arch. Joseland & Gilling) described as an ‖exterior faced in brick above a base clad in blue ceramic tiles which steps up one level in the middle above the entrance awning.‖ The foyer is intact.

The highlight of the day,

(Continued on page 9)


however, was a visit to the spectacular apartment of Peter Sheridan and his wife. His collection of bakelite radios and wonderful furniture was unbeliev-able. He also gave a great lecture on the radios in Melbourne. Saturday included a tour of small apartment houses, a view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge (1932), the North Sydney Olympic Pool (1936) and the Luna Park amusement park (1935). On Sunday we left for Melbourne.

The extremely well organized program in Melbourne is due to the work of Robin Grow and his associates, especially Julie Law. (The superb souvenir notes for every tour were mostly prepared by Robin Grow and Julie Law.) Both here and in Sydney the meals and receptions were outstanding, allowing us to renew friendships and make new ones. After the opening reception in Yarra on Sunday, the next day we took the eastern bus tour, visiting Newman College (1915-1918, arch. Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony), the Moderne style former United Kingdom Hotel, which is now a McDonald’s (1937-38, arch, J.H. Wardrop) and the spec-

tacular also Moderne Second Church of Christ Scientist (1936, arch. Bates, Smart & McCutcheon).

(Continued from page 8)



The afternoon was a walking tour of North Balwyn where many of the Mod-erne/Deco houses have tile roofs in the Spanish Mission style. We visited the interior of a wonderful 1927 house and were served refreshments in the garden. On Tuesday we got down to business in the great auditorium of the Sofitel hotel listening to lectures on Domestic Deco, including Helen Graham’s talk on ―It’s a Woman’s World.‖ The afternoon was a well organized walking tour of central Melbourne, highlights included Burley Griffin’s Capitol Thea-ter (some say Marion Mahony Griffin was largely responsible) and the 1930’s Mural Hall in the Myer department store. The Wednesday program included a talk by Jeremy Morrison of Sotheby’s, London on Art Deco collections and a tour of Deco by the Bay.


We visited Jack and Helen Halliday’s house called Janette (1934) in the St. Kilda area with exciting Deco features, including beveled glass for all the windows, elaborate plaster work, including the domed main ceiling in the main bedroom and beautiful deco lights in all the rooms.


Julie Law and Brian Scott’s flat in a Streamline Moderne apartment block has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms and large living areas clearly designed for entertaining, with a largely original kitchen. The furnishings are superb! If this were not enough, we then went shopping in two shops specializing in Deco, with refreshments.


While the ICADS delegates met at the hotel, Helen and Cliff Graham in-vited some of the delegates to their Deco penthouse open house with views to match and of course beautiful furniture and art objects and a great buf-fet with drinks.

Thursday’s presentations on the World of Deco covered, among other top-ics, Art Deco in Shanghai by Tess Johnston and Sandra Cohen-Rose’s invita-tion to Montreal for the 2009 Congress. Off to the countryside in the af-ternoon for a box lunch and tour of the exterior of Dalcrombie (1935, arch.Esmond Dorney), a two story Moderne mansion located on 22 acres on the top of a ridge. Although the owners did not invite us inside (they said it was not in tip top shape), we peeked in the windows and were impressed by the stylish and elegant wrought iron balustrade used on the stairs and the fabulous nautical elements on the exterior. Next an unrestored mansion, Burnham Beeches (1930-33, arch. Harry Nor-

ris). After being a residence for many years, it was converted into a hotel, which hopefully it will become once more.


The last day of the Congress highlighted presentations on preservation and economic development. David Gibson’s talk on restoration projects in the New York area included not only Deco buildings, but edifices from other periods as well. In the afternoon, we toured three art deco theaters, some of which have been preserved due to the showing of Greek films following the advent of

television. Significant Deco details appear in the Westgarth and Astor (1936, arch. R. M. Taylor) theaters, such as plaster pilasters and terrazzo floors.


The Congress ended with the dinner-dance at the Centre, Ivanhoe with a three course meal, drinks and dancing to a 10-piece big band. A good time was had by all!

The post congress was held in Auckland, New Zealand, which I did not at-tend.


Designed in grand art deco style, and ideally located between two metro stops in the city of Alexandria, The Carlyle Club will soon open its doors.

With curved, high back banquettes, a private dining room that can accommodate up to 25 people and a large lounge in addition to our impressive main dining room, The Carlyle Club will provide the per-fect place for business lunches, power dining or just meeting friends for drinks after work. In the evening, The Carlyle Club will transport its guests to a time when a night out meant fine dining, live entertainment and great conversation among friends. With world class big band entertain-ment, fine white tablecloth dining and a classic cocktail menu, The Carlyle Club will be a destination like no other in the Washington, D.C. area.

Upcoming Shows:

October 18 The Radio King Orchestra

October 19 Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra

October 20-21 The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

October 25-28 The Rat Pack Tribute Show

November 3 Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra

ADSW Silver Celebration (See next page)

November 8-9 The Glenn Miller Orchestra

December 22 The Glenn Miller Orchestra

December 31 The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

January 3-4 The Artie Shaw Orchestra

For information and reservations visit

www.thecarlyleclub.com

411 John Carlyle Street • Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 549-8957 • (703) 683-3652 (facsimile)


ADSW’s Silver celebration

At the Spectacu- lar New

Cocktails, Dining, and Dancing Featuring

Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra

Saturday, November 3, 2007 6:30-7:00 PM—Seating

7:00 PM—Dinner 8:00 PM—Band & Dancing

$75.00 nonmembers

$56.25 Members (Includes 4-course dinner, show, and dancing; beverages extra)

Proof of membership required Reserve online at www.thecarlyleclub.com

Bring a date/Bring a friend—The Carlyle Club has graciously agreed to extend the member price to one additional person per membership.

To obtain the member price enter the discount code contained on the attached cards when prompted on the reservation form.

Join or renew your membership now to take advantage of this special offer from The Carlyle Club. Memberships available at the door.

Your $50 couples membership saves you up to $56.25 on this event!.

Save up to $37.50 with a $35 individual membership. Join online at www.adsw.org or call (202) 298-1100.

Vintage attire encouraged.

Reserve early to ensure availability. This event will be promoted to the general public.


October Program:

Clip Joints and Flaming Swords A Look at the Famous Restaurants of the Swing Era

Through Their Menus

When: Saturday, October 13, 2007, 1 to 4 PM

Where: Northwest DC, near Chevy Chase Circle (Directions provided

upon registration)

Cost: $30 for the afternoon, including talk, culinary gymnastics, photo, and CD. Reservations: Space limited. Reserve early by purchasing tickets on-line at www.adsw.org, or by contacting Karyn Jarboe by email ([email protected]) or phone (703-864-7070).

Spend an afternoon with ADSW member Frank Morra and take a cross-country tour of the nation's legendary "Hot Spots" (with an occasional Dive). We'll examine menus from places like the Copacabana, the Stork Club, Toots Shor's, the Pump Room, Eddy's, the Dearborn Inn, and the Pig 'n Whistle to see how the Other Half used to live. Then we'll look at places where the millions ate: the Mayflower Coffee Shops (yesterday's Star-buck's), the Empire State Building Cafeteria, Arbaugh's, and Ritter's Diner. Guests who collect menus are strongly encouraged to bring them! What's that—Turtle Soup for $1.50? We'll look at inflation and other so-cial issues as well. Participants will get a handy Guide to Inflation that will

assist in determining whether those prices were really bargains... Menus from the early 40s have all sorts of cryptic references to "OPA Ceilings", so we'll take a short side trip into rationing. Last on our social agenda, we'll take a look at the connection between high end restaurants and organized crime. (What did Jack Entratter, Sherman Billingsley, and Bernard Shor have in common?) Last but not least, guests may have their photograph taken on our authentic Stork Club set—bud vase, ash tray, oversized matches, dice, good luck penny and a telephone. We'll even make it grainy so that it looks like the real thing. Dress in vintage to make your photo all the more realistic, just like Nancy and Ron. Every guest will receive a CD with all the menus to be discussed, a written version of the talk, and step-by step instructions for performing tableside wizardry.


When: Saturday, November 17, 2007, 8:30 PM to Midnight

Where: Woman's Club of Chevy Chase 7931 Connecticut Avenue

Chevy Chase, Maryland

Cost: Advance tickets: $18.50; At the door: $25 Send checks made out to ADSW to Black and White Dance, c/o Ira Raskin, 5120 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814. Join the Art Deco Society of Washington, the Junior Women’s Club of Chevy Chase, and gottaswing.com as they present the 2007 Black and White Ball, a charity gala. Proceeds benefit the Anacostia Gracious Arts Program, which provides opportunities for less fortunate children to act, sing, and play an instrument. Last year's ball was a sell-out success. Our third annual event promises to be just as grand. Deans of swing dance, Tom and Debra, will be teaching an introductory swing dance lesson from 8:30 to 9:00 PM. Tom and Debra have been teaching together for over ten years. They are the 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, and 2003 Virginia State Open Lindy Hop champions. Blue Sky 5 will be playing from 9:00 to midnight. Whether you love to lindy hop, remember the days when "swing was king", or just appreciate good vintage jazz, you can dig all that jive with Blue Sky 5. The band’s

repertoire consists of songs made popular by Count Basie, Nat Cole, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Fats Waller, along with tunes by other swing era artists. The Black and White Ball will be held at the historical Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. The Woman's Club acquired the property in 1937 and opened the clubhouse in 1938. Black and white semi-formal or vintage attire is highly suggested for the evening. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 703-864-7070.

http://gottaswing.com/

http://www.bluesky5.com/

mailto:[email protected]


December Program:

First a girl

Holiday Film Party

When: Tuesday, December 11 Time: 6:30 PM—Light refreshments 7:00 PM—Vitaphone short 7:15 PM—Feature presentation Where: Sumner School 1201 17th Street NW

(Closest Metro stations are Farragut North and Farragut West. Limited on street parking)

Cost: Free, donation to ADSW’s Vitaphone preservation fund suggested Almost 50 years before Julie Andrews starred in Victor/Victoria, another British star, Jessie Mathews, starred in First a Girl (1935), a racy musical version of Reinhold Schunzel’s play Viktor Und Viktoria. Jessie Mathews (see p. 26) stars as a girl who leads a dou-ble life, pretending to be boy performing at a Paris cabaret as a female impersonator. This cross dressing musical is a perfect display of Mathews’ multiple talents as an actor, singer, and dancer.


Centenary Celebration:

1907 Was a Very Good Year

The year 2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of dozens of the finest singers, actors, and performers of the 20th Century. In this, and the next issue of Trans-Lux, we continue our tribute to some of these talented individuals.

Arlene Francis (October 20, 1907-May 31, 2001) is best remembered

as a long time panelist on the 1950s game show What’s My Line?, but also had a successful career on Broadway and on the radio. Her first appear-ance on Broadway was in the 1928 play La Gringa; her last was in the 1975 play Don’t Call Back. In all, Ms. Francis appeared in 25 Broadway plays during a career that spanned almost 50 years. Ms. Francis’ film premiere was in the 1932 Murders in the Rue Morgue. She played a prostitute. Although her film appearances were rare, she also appeared in One, Two, Three (1961) and The Thrill of It All (1963). Francis was a well-known radio personality during the 1940s and 1950s, hosting several shows in New York City. The most successful of those shows was Blind Date, a game show that premiered on radio and then made the jump to television in 1949. Ms. Francis hosted both the radio and television pro-grams.

Arlene Francis joined What’s My Line in 1950 and stayed with the show until the syndicated version ended in 1975. The show’s four panelists, which included Bennett Cerf, Dorothy Killgallen, and often Francis’ husband Mar-tin Gabel, tried to guess the occupation of the guests. Francis appeared on the cover of Newsweek in the 1950s as ―the first lady of television‖ in recognition of her pioneering role as host of Home, an hour long daytime magazine oriented toward women.

Toni Frissell (March 10, 1907-April 17, 1988) was a fashion photogra-

pher who worked primarily for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. In her early career she benefitted from an apprenticeship with Cecil Beaton and advice


from Edward Steichen. She developed her own style, however, and is best known for her use of outdoor settings for fashion photographs, even those showing women in evening wear. Frissell is also known for her wartime photographs, first for the American Red Cross and then the Eighth Army Air Force. She was the official photog-rapher for the Women’s Army Corps. She also photographed the Tuskegee Airmen, her photographs being used to build support for Blacks and women in the service.

During the 1950s, Frissell photographed the famous, including Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, and John and Jackie Kennedy. Her work con-tinued to focus primarily on women, however, as she became the first woman to serve on the staff of Sports Illustrated. Many of Frissell’s photographs are available at the Library of Congress.

Jane Froman (November 10, 1907-April 22, 1980) was a singing star in

the 1920s and 1930s but her recovery from wounds suffered during a USO tour during World War II was truly remarkable. Froman began singing when she was 3 years old, but first gained fame while a student at the Cincin-nati Conservatory of Music. Attracted to the music of Gershwin and Porter, she became a popular per-former on radio. This led to a gig as female vocalist with Paul Whiteman’s band. Froman attempted a career in the movies in the early 1930s, but her stutter limited her ability to land meaningful roles. She appeared in Kissing Time

(1933), Stars Over Broadway (1935), and Radio City Revels (1938). Although her movie career floundered, her singing career flourished in the 1930s. She was the top rated female singer in 1934. Froman was one of the first performers to volunteer for USO tours during World War II. During a February 1943 tour, her plane crashed in Portu-gal, killing almost all onboard. Although doctors wanted to amputate her leg, it was saved and Froman returned to the stage during her recovery. She appeared on Broadway in Artists and Models. What made her return so remarkable, however, was that she appeared in a cast up to her hip,

her injuries hidden by gowns and long gloves.


Once the cast came off, Froman returned to Europe on crutches to complete her USO tour. Susan Hayward starred in a 1952 film With a Song in My Heart about Jane Froman’s life. Jane Froman sang all 26 tunes on the soundtrack. The movie revitalized Froman’s career and she hosted her own show—USA Canteen (later The Jane Froman Show) on CBS from 1952 to 1955.

Lloyd Gough (September 21, 1907-July 23, 1984) was a character

actor blacklisted in the 1950s as a result of Joseph McCarthy’s hearings on communist sympathizers. Gough appeared in 11 films between 1947 and 1951, including Body and Soul, Black Bart, The Babe Ruth Story, and Sunset Boulevard, but did not appear in films again until 1967 after taking the fifth at the McCarthy hearings. He appeared in 10 films between 1967 and 1978, including The Great White Hope and Earthquake. He also appeared in the Green Hornet television series in 1966-67.

Katherine Hepburn (May 12, 1907-June 29, 2003) was nominated for

12 Academy Awards, winning four. She was selected by the American Film Institute as the number one female star in their 1999 Greatest American Film Legends List. I will not provide additional information on Katherine Hepburn in order to provide recognition to some of the lesser known stars.

Phillips Holmes (July 22, 1907-July 22, 1942) made his stage debut at

the Metropolitan Opera House in 1927 as a member of Princeton Univer-sity’s Triangle Club. He also made his film debut while a student at Prince-ton, appearing in Varsity in 1928. This led to a contract with Paramount. Holmes worked prolifically for the next 10 years, appearing in 46 films, including The Wild Party (1929), The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929), and

Stage Mother (1933). His most notable performance was in Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy (1931). Holmes’ once promising career began to fail in 1934 when his performance opposite the highly touted new star Russian star Anna Sten in the film Nana was roundly criticized. Sten, expected to be the next Garbo, never made another film. By 1938 Philip Holmes’ film career was over, but he continued performing on stage. Holmes’ personal life was also in disarray after his romance with singer Libby Holman failed. Holman soon married Philip’s brother Rolph.




Philips Holmes joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941. He died in a mid-air collision in Ontario, Canada on July 22, 1942.

Art Jarrett (July 20, 1907– July 23, 1987) was a popular bandleader

and singer who also appeared in a number of movies and on television. The son of successful actor/writer Arthur L. Jarrett, tenor Art Jarrett sang with a number of popular orchestras in the late 1920s, including Earl Burt-nett, Red Nichols, Jimmy Noone, and Frankie Trumbauer. An accomplished musician, Jarrett also played guitar, banjo, and trombone. Jarrett joined the Ted Weems Orchestra in the early 1930s, remaining with Weems until 1936, at which time he formed his own band. The original female vocalist in Jarrett’s band was his wife, former Olympic gold medal swimmer Eleanor Holm. When Holm left Jarrett to marry Billy Rose, she was replaced by Doris Singleton. Singleton is best remembered for her recur-ring role as Carolyn Appleby in I Love Lucy. During the 1930s, Jarrett appeared in 18 films, including Vitaphone musi-cal shorts. His film appearances included The Gay Divorcee (1934), Dancing Lady (1933) and Hollywood Party (1934). His final film appearance was in The Tattooed Stranger (1950). Although Jarrett’s band remained together for 4 years, it never attained broad success. As a result, Jarrett disbanded his orchestra in 1940 when asked to take over leadership of the Hal Kemp Orchestra following Kemp’s death. The attempt to save Kemp’s orchestra failed and a few months later Jarrett was again looking for a job. Jarrett led a number of orchestras during the 1940s and briefly appeared on the Rhythm Rodeo television program in 1950. After giving up per-

forming, Jarrett worked as a disc jockey and salesman. He died of pneumonia in 1987.

Allan Jones (October 14, 1907-June 27, 1992) was a singer and actor

whose greatest success was in the second half of the 1930s. He appeared as a straight man in two Marx Brothers films—A Day at the Races (1937) and A Night at the Opera (1935) but his most important role was as Gay-lord Ravenal in the 1936 musical Show Boat. Jones’ film career faltered in the 1940s and he was largely limited to B-movies. This was followed by appearances in touring companies of such Broadway plays as Man of La Mancha.


Allan Jones’ son, Jack, was a popular singer in the 1960s and 1970s.

Charles Korvin (November 11, 1907-June 18, 1998) was a Hun-

garian-born actor who moved to the United States in 1940. He ap-peared in several films in the 1940s, including three with Merle Oberon. He made the transition to television in the 1950s, most no-tably appearing as the Eagle in the Zorro series and as the Latin dance instructor Carlos in a Honeymooners episode.

Zarah Leander (March 15, 1907-June 23, 1981) was a Swedish actress

and singer who first appeared on stage at age 6. She stopped performing as a teenager, learned German, and found work as a secretary. She mar-ried Nils Leander at age 19, giving birth to her first child a year later. A second child followed in 1929. That same year, she resumed her musical career, appearing in a touring cabaret. It was on that tour that she introduced what was to become her signature tune—Vill ni se en stjärna. Leander resumed her performing career in earnest in 1930, appearing in four cabarets, recording her first records (including Falling in Love Again made famous by Marlene Dietrich), and acted in her first film. After ap-pearing in The Merry Widow in 1931, Leander had opportunities to pursue her career outside Sweden with offers coming both from Hollywood and other European countries. Unwilling to take the risk of failure in the United States with two young children, Zarah chose to pursue her career in Nazi Austria and Germany. Beginning in 1936, she appeared in a string of films, typically playing a femme fatale and cabaret star. She signed a contract with UFA-film in Ber-

lin, making 10 films, all part of the Third Reich’s propaganda machine. Her last film in Nazi Germany was released in March 1943. Although she lived throughout the war in a fashionable suburb of Berlin, Leander never became a German citizen. After her home was bombed, Leander broke her contract with Ufa and returned to Sweden. Because of her close ties to Nazi propaganda, Zarah Leander was largely shunned in her native Sweden. Although she gradually gained some roles on stage and film, Zarah Leander never again achieved the success she

had known before the war.


Canada Lee (March 3, 1907– May 9, 1952) had a short, but influential,

career as an actor in the 1940s before being blacklisted because of his outspoken role as a civil rights advocate in the 1930s and 1940s. Born Lionel Cornelius Canegata, Lee pursued careers as a jockey and prize fighter before turning to acting. His teenage career as a jockey ended when he became too large to ride. Turning to boxing, Lee became some-thing of a sensation, earning a shot at the welterweight title. Unfortunately, an eye injury ended his boxing career. Lee next tried his hand as a musician, leading a 15-piece orchestra at the Harlem nightclub, Jitterbug. After the club closed, Lee went to seek a job as a laborer at a YMCA only to end up auditioning for, and earning, a role as an actor in the 1934 production of Brother Moses. Following a successful career in Black theatre, including two plays staged by Orson Welles, Lee made his screen debut in the 1939 film Keep Punch-ing. He appeared in 6 films, most notably in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944). Lee’s role in the film was significant in that he successfully rewrote his character’s dialogue in the film, turning a role in which he was asked to portray a semi-comical role characteristic of the way Blacks were por-trayed in films at that time into a serious role in which the Black stevedore became the moral center of the film. In 1941, the New York Times described Canada Lee as ―the greatest Ne-gro actor of his era and one of the finest actors in the country.‖ Although Lee spoke out about racism in America and segregation in the Armed Forces, he participated in USO events and won awards from the Government for his help in selling war bonds during World War II.

Despite these efforts, Lee got caught up in the wave of anti-communist sen-timent in the late 1940s. He was denied a role in a radio play in 1949 because he was ―too controversial.‖ The FBI reportedly offered to clear Canada Lee if he would agree to publicly announce that fellow actor Paul Robeson was a Communist. He refused. Unable to find work in Hollywood, Lee starred in the 1950 British film Cry, The Beloved. It proved to be his last film. Although he was signed to ap-pear in a film version of Othello being shot in Italy, he was unable to ob-tain a passport.

Canada Lee died in 1952.

Pinky Lee (May 2, 1907-April 3, 1993) is best remembered as the host


of an early 1950s children’s television show, but had a long career as a burlesque comic before landing the role. Born Pinkus Leff, Pinky Lee was a classic slapstick comic well into the 1940s. With his checkered baggy pants, plaid suit, and too small hat, Lee would deliver jokes in the rapid fire manner typi-cal of vaudeville comedians. Pinky Lee can be seen in several movies including

Lady of Burlesque, Earl Carroll’s Vanities, and Blonde Ransom. He hosted one of the first television variety programs, the 1950 Pinky Lee Show featuring vaudeville acts. The show lasted only one season, but in 1951 and 1952, Lee starred, alongside Vivian Blaine, in a series of 15-minute sitcoms called Those Two. Lee reappeared on television in 1954 in an afternoon children's program also called the Pinky Lee Show. Lee left the show in 1955 after collapsing on camera from an infection. As host of the 1957 The Gumby Show, Pinky Lee introduced the claymation characters Gumby and Pokey that remain popular today, 50 years later.

Sheldon Leonard (February 22, 1907-January 10, 1997) appeared as

an actor in 100 films and television shows between 1934 and 1992, but he is largely remembered as a producer and director rather than actor. In his acting roles, Leonard played supporting roles, often as a gangster or heavy, played with a strong New York accent. Among his film credits are

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), Another Thin Man (1939), Guys and Dolls (1955), and Weekend in Havana (1941). In the 1940s and early 1950s, Leonard was a regular on The Jack Benny Program on radio, playing an eccentric racetrack tipster. Although he never gave up acting, Leonard turned to producing and directing during televi-sion’s infancy. Starting in 1949, he produced an amazing string of hit shows, including Make Way for Danny (Later known as The Danny Thomas Show), The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy, and Gomer Pyle, USMC.

Leonard is credited with inventing the TV spinoff. Andy Taylor was intro-duced as a character on The Danny Thomas Show before landing his own


show as the Mayberry sheriff in The Andy Griffith Show. Of course, Gomer Pyle left Mayberry to join the Marines. In one of his last acting roles, Leonard appeared in a 1990 episode of Cheers as the owner of Norm’s favorite restaurant ―The Hungry Heifer.‖

Jessie Mathews (March 11, 1907-August 19, 1981) was a British

singer, dancer, and actress whose career spanned over 50 years.

One of 16 children born to a Soho fruit and vegeta-ble vendor, Jessie Mathews made her first stage ap-pearance at age 5 and her film debut at age 16 in the silent film The Beloved Vagabond. During the 1920s and 1930s, Mathews was im-mensely popular in the United Kingdom, introducing such songs as A Room With a View (Noel Coward) and Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love (Cole Porter). In 1932, she played the lead role in Rodgers & Hart’s Evergreen, at the time the most expensive stage musi-



Deco Bookshelf By Jennifer O’Boyle

Inside Art Deco By Lucy D. Rosenfeld Schiffer Publishing

Inside Art Deco is a visually stunning trip through the history of Art Deco. The book starts with the origins of Art Nouveau and ends with new and renovated Art Deco style buildings and furniture. The first section of the book ―The Origins of Art Deco in Europe‖ walks through the major movements and influences. There are some interesting points about exotic sources, such as Native American and oriental art and architecture. The pictures compliment the writing by displaying the influ-ences next to Art Deco pieces – displaying an Egyptian bracelet above an Art Deco bracelet makes the influences and similarities clear and obvious. The second section, ―The Origins of American Art Deco‖ discusses the influ-ences that brought about Art Deco skyscrapers, modern art and major American artists. The discussion of how the American style was influenced by the fascination with speed and movement is thought-provoking. ―The Deco Interior‖ is the largest section and follows with a look at the many motifs in Art Deco style. In the many government Art Deco buildings in Washington we can see many examples of the energy, machine and travel motifs. There are examples of stylized figures on most buildings from that era. The examples of stained glass are beautiful as are the ex-amples of new lighting styles. The final section ―Art Deco Returns‖ looks at the many examples of restora-tion as well as new buildings designed in the Art Deco style. I enjoyed looking at the then-and-now pictures, showing pre and post renovation buildings. One example of a renovated movie house in Texas is wonderful. The pages of home interiors certainly will give any decophile ideas for future projects. The 238 pages and over 500 pictures are a beautiful look at this era, and make a handsome addition to any period coffee table.


Advertising Rates and Deadlines Business Card—$30

1/3 page—$45

1/2 page—$65 Full page—$100

Trans-Lux is published quarterly in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Deadlines for re-ceipt of camera-ready ad copy are:

Issue Deadline Distributed

Fall 2007 December 1, 2007 December 2007 Winter 2008 February 1, 2008 February 2008

Spring 2008 May 1, 2008 May 2008

Summer 2008 August 1, 2008 August 2008

Mail advertising materials to :Trans-Lux, Attention Jim Linz, PO Box 221011, Chantilly, VA

20153-1011 or send via e-mail to [email protected]. Make checks payable to ADSW.

Prepay for four consecutive issues and receive a 20

percent discount.

cal produced for the London stage. She also starred in the 1934 film ad-aptation, introducing Over My Shoulder, a new tune written expressly for the film adaptation. It became Mathew’s personal theme song. Although Mathews developed a strong following in the United States, earn-ing the nickname ―The Dancing Divinity,‖ her British studio was unwilling to let her work in Hollywood. Jessie performed in films and stage at the beginning of World War II, but her career faltered in the 1940s after she appeared in several films di-

rected by her husband Sonnie Hale. In the late 1950s she turned to dramatic acting and, in the 1960s, to per-forming in a radio serial. At the same time, she continued to perform in live theatre and variety shows, including tours to Australia and South America. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1970. In 1981, at age 74, Jessie Mathews staged a well-received series of cabaret shows in New York City, winning a coveted New York Theatre Crit-ics Award. She succumbed to cancer that same year.


Oct. 27, 2007 -- The historic Henrico Theatre will hold an open house with performances and tours in Highland Springs, Va.

The Art Deco building that is on the National Register of Historic Places has been restored and renovated. Events will be from 1-4 p.m.

http://henricotoday.com/rec/current_programs/cultural_arts.html

Now Showing

Edward Hopper. The National Gallery of Art is featuring a comprehensive survey of Edward Hopper's career, highlighting 1925 to midcentury. Paintings include "Automat," "Drug Store," "New York Movie," and "Nighthawks." A film narrated by

Steve Martin discusses Hopper's influences, including French impressionism to 1930s gangster films, also is shown. This exhibit runs until Jan. 21, 2008.

http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/hopperinfo.shtm "Earl Cunningham's America " explores the paintings of this premier folk modernist. He was known for his vibrant colors in

works with complex meanings about the nature of American life. Now through Nov. 4, 2007, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

http://americanart.si.edu/collections/exhibitions.cfml "Textiles of Klimt's Vienna" exhibition examines the artistic values and development of the Secession and Wiener Werk-

stätte through textiles. Wiener Werkstätte is part of the Modernism movement. On view are approximately 50 textiles and other items, including fabric samples, a sample book, and fabric covered books and boxes. Now through Jan. 6, 2008, at

The Textile Museum. Cityscapes Revealed: Highlights from the Collection at the National Building Museum.-- This first-time survey of the

National Building Museum’s collection will offer detailed drawings, rare, early-20th-century photos, and original building fragments from national historic landmarks. http://www.nbm.org/Exhibits/upcoming.html

“Building the Pentagon, 1941-1943.” Arlington Historical Museum. Ongoing. The museum, located at 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Road, is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 P.M.

“Here to Stay” Library of Congress. Features sound recordings, sheet music, and memorabilia from the Gershwin collection. Permanent.

“Washington Symbol and City” National Building Museum. Offers stories about the city’s early plans, its development, and growth of its neighborhoods; ongoing (www.nbm.org)

“Silver Mysteries: Black & White Photographs of 1930s Washington by Volkmar Wentzel.” Decatur House. Phone 202-842-0920.

“Cartoon American: Highlights From the Art Wood Collection of Cartoon & Caricature.” Library of Congress. Includes works by Thomas Nast, Winsor McCay, Chic Young, and Lynn Johnson. Call 202-707-4604.

Now Showing—Outside Washington, DC

"New York Rises: Photographs by Eugene de Salignac" features photos from the early 20th century by this photographer

for the New York City Department of Bridges/Plant and Structures. On display are 50 rarely seen images. de Salignac photographed the city's bridges, buildings, roads, and subways. Now on display through Oct. 28, 2007, at the Museum of

the City of New York. http://www.mcny.org/exhibitions/current/626.html

"American Streamlined Design: The World of Tomorrow. " The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts now hosts this exhibit that focuses on designs of 1930s and 1940s through furniture, plastics, and ceramics. Now through October 28, 2007.

http://www.mmfa.qc.ca/en/musee/communique_78.html

Upcoming Exhibits

"Fashioning the Modern French Interior: Pochoir Portfolios in the 1920s." The Wolfsonian-Florida International University

will present an exhibition that focuses on the depiction of modern interiors in luxury portfolios created to market the mod-erne style in France during the 1920s using the pochoir technique. Nov. 16, 2007-May 11, 2008.

http://wolfsonian.fiu.edu/exhibitions/upcoming/index.pochoir.html

Coming Attractions

ADSW Events

October 13, 2007—Clip Joints and Flaming Swords (See p. 16.) October 22, 2007—Annual Membership Meeting (See p. 3.)

November 3, 2007—Silver Celebration (See p. 15.) November 17, 2007—The Black & White Ball (See p. 17.)

December 11, 2007—Holiday Film Party (See p. 18.) February 12, 2008—Film Night

April 8, 2008—Film Night June 10, 2008—Film Night

August 12, 2008—Film Night October 14, 2008—Film Night

December 9, 2008—Film Night

Check the ADSW website or sign up for email notification of upcoming events

Other Events in the Washington, D.C. Area

Sept. 30, 2007 -- "Vintage Crystal - A Taste of Wine & Jazz" will be an afternoon of wine and jazz produced by the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival and presented by the Crystal City BID (Business Improvement District.

http://www.crystalcity.org/eventdetail.asp?IdEvent=202 October 6, 2007 —Doc Scantlin & The Imperial Palms Orchestra in Concert; Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center

October 10, 2007 -- "Movie Palace in Motion." This sculpture by David Beck will offer attendees a look at characters eating popcorn, smooching, and watching King Kong on the big screen. Attendance is limited; register at the Luce Foun-

dation Center Information Desk before 4 p.m at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Repeats monthly. http://www.americanart.si.edu/reynolds_center/event.cfm?key=567&event=1817&date=10/10/2007

October 12, 2007 -- "Zoot Suit Riots" will be shown at the National Archives. The documentary focuses on the 1942 murder of a Mexican-American man and the tumultuous aftermath in Los Angeles.

http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/events/october.html#mcgowan

October 20, 2007—Antique Car Show, Rockville, MD November 3-4, 2007—D.C. Big Flea; Chantilly, VA; www.damoreproductions.com

November 16 - 17, 2007 -- "Django Reinhardt Festival" at the Kennedy Center will feature father-son guitarists Do-rado and Samson Schmitt, both known for their dedication to Reinhardt's music and legacy. "Django Reinhardt: Gypsy

Jazz" will present the story of this unique music, with a demonstration of the Django technique. Dorado Schmitt, Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, and Brian Torff will be featured. Bring your guitar.

http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=MIJCM October 26, 2007-February 3, 2008 -- "Over the Top: American Posters from World War I" at the Smithsonian Ameri-

can Art Museum will feature 45 war bond posters, focusing on Liberty Loan campaigns, the War Savings Stamp pro-gram, the Victory Loan, and support for the Red Cross. The posters were selected from the collection of Thomas and

Edward Pulling. http://americanart.si.edu/collections/exhibitions.cfml#51

Events Outside the Washington, D.C. Area

September 27-29, 2007—Renninger’s Antiques Extravaganza; Kutztown, PA September 27-30, 2007—Shupps Grove Antiques Market, Adamstown, PA

October 1-5, 2007—Fall Carlisle Antique Car flea market; Carlisle, PA; www.carlislemediasite.com October 12-14, 2007—Fishersville Antiques Expo; Fishersville, VA; Phone (434) 846-7452

October 13, 2007—Antique Automobile Club of America National Fall Meet; Hershey, PA

Documents

ART DECO SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 2007.pdfSilver Celebration 15 Clip Joints and Flaming Swords 16 ... Thirty five Modernism dealers introduced the dazzle of light, chrome, and room-