Now I know you’re probably looking at my blog right now and can see this is titled as “Chapter SIXTEEN Visuals and Inspirations” and are wondering where the V&I is for chapter FIFTEEN.
Well, to be perfectly honest, there isn't one. And I’ll tell you why. The bulk of the chapter centered around Marlon Jackson kicking Steven Wilkes’ smug ass up and down Main Street, for daring to be crude and evil to Lorraine. Fashion wasn't so much important, as in previous chapters. I just needed clothes on people and to get fists flying through the air. The outfits are my own imagination’s creation and therefore, have no photographic reference points other than a chart from 1929 stating what colors were becoming on brunettes and redheads. The fight boiled down with Marlon leaving Steven with a concussion and his father rather goofy from being kicked in the chin.
And both learned the hard, painful lesson of not to mess with Miss Lorraine Devereaux.
But it is an harsh embarrassment that will come back later in the story, to haunt Marlon. But then again, Marlon will pick up just as many enemies as friends along the way…
Let’s move on to the chapter at hand, chapter SIXTEEN.
Life in general, had become somewhat disarranged, thanks to the brawl in the street. Vylette and Lorraine were gypped out of being allowed to select their gala ball gowns, and also, heartbreaking in this chapter, the trip to New Orleans has been cancelled as Marlon is too stiff to run around the City.
So instead, a day indoors is taken.
The chapter starts with Vylette getting dressed and being visited by Michael.
And she's seen in a cute lace teddy.
Vylette’s dress is based on one her character form, Myrna Loy wore in a film called Stamboul Quest but I could not seem to locate a picture of it.
This picture of her is close to the dress I wanted and just imagined flowers on it. Michael is surprised and treated to the thrill of having five, stories written by his Violette Blanche presented to him, and is sure she’ll be the next Anita Loos.
Anita as a young woman.
For those of you that don’t know, Anita Loos is the woman that wrote the book Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, that was a hit in the 1920s as a book and stage play before Marilyn Monroe made it into celluloid history in the 1950s film version.
And Michael has the belief Vylette can surpass her. (Just think of her sort of, as the JK Rowling of the 1930s.)
The story picks back up with Michael so engrossed in one of Vylette’s stories, he doesn’t hear Adelaide telling him about lunch, leaving it to be handled by Vylette. And you know I’m anal about the food, so feast your eyes…
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Honey Glazed Carrots
Green Beans Topped with a Poached Egg. (I hate poached eggs.)
Roast Beef, because I'm a Texan and I love BEEF.
A surprise occurs when Hildegard is dropped off to play with Vinnie: Her older sister Hannah is invited along.
In creating Hannah, I really wanted to make a statement. Hannah is a waif-thin, skinny blonde white girl. Which, by 2014 standards, is the “look” of the world. Skinny, without an extra ounce of flesh.
By 1931 standards, Hannah figure is undesirable and I’ve made a point of repeating that Lorraine and Vylette had fuller figures.
In the earlier part of the last century, along with weight reducing ads, there were ads for weight gaining ads. Hannah needs this.
Advertisement for Ironized Yeast to Gain Weight.
While Hannah and her mother are about a size 0/2, Vylette and Lorraine are both about a size 6/8 or 8/10 in my mind. Not overweight, but with enough body to have breasts and hips. (Kathleen is a stout size 16!)
Hannah, in my head is loosely based on a combination of the Hilton sisters. Hannah had Nicky’s face, as she got the short end of the stick when God was handing out beauty, and Paris’ stick-like figure.
Paris and Nicky Hilton. Nice to know Paris shaved before putting on that skirt!
Michael makes a speedy exit to continue reading stories after Hannah is invited to stick around and it’s while Vylette and Hannah are chatting, that a strange revelation is revealed.
In the 1890s, when they were young, Joseph Jackson had dated Mary Povah before it seemed a brick landed on his head and he had the sense knocked into him, and instead was attracted to Katherine Dauphine.
Now I’m sure everyone reading this has seen Katherine Jackson as a young woman and can all agree with me when I say Joe did the right thing, in leaving that pinched buzzard looking Mary behind.
But it is incredible to think of how closely the Povahs came to being the wealthiest citizens in town instead of just the family of a much-absent traveling salesman.
And perhaps, its because of this dumping that Mary has become so cold, callous and especially evil to to Vylette and Lorraine and Michael and Marlon…I don’t blame her, I’d be a bitch too if I saw the ladle with my gravy pouring over someone else.
And for the heck of it, I found photo references of the dresses Mary and Katherine wore on that fated night at the cotillion.
Mary's simple and respectable white dress with the baby blue sash. Rather saccharine and sweet and what would be expected to be worn by a rural farmer's daughter...
...and Katherine's ballgown. Joseph didn't stand a chance when she wafted in. I looked at two dozen dresses before selecting this. Katherine almost had this dress:
The chapter ends with everyone, with the exception of the sidelined Marlon and Lorraine, taking lunch in the formal dining room with simple Hannah awed at the offerings of food. In a twist, Michael very kindly invites all the Povahs to the opening of the Palace, a little over a week away. Which will probably give Mary Povah a stroke--notice, he did NOT invite Mary along. Only her children.
(shots fired)
There’s a conversation I added purely for comic relief to lighten the mood after the heavy story of love lost--Michael recounting sound of the movie stars he’d seen and met.
Charlie Chaplin, The Little Tramp had been invited to attend the premiere of his film City Lights (my personal favorite Chaplin silent film) And I do credit Michael Jackson with my interest in Chaplin. Since he liked him, I looked into him. Thanks Mike.
Chaplin trying to evade the cops.
Michael bore an uncanny resemblance to Chaplin in later years with the help of makeup.
Stars Michael had seen in person/met were Richard “Dick” Barthelmess, Ramon Navarro, Clara Bow (whom town trash Wallis Pelant is based on) and Norma Shearer.
Dick did really look that miserable in EVERY picture he made.
Ramon in the silent version of Ben-Hur. He was supposed to be the new Valentino.
Clara in Gif form because I refuse to post her being still.
Norma being cute.
Jean Harlow in 1929. It's amazing what hair and makeup can do for a girl.
A sighting of a young Jean Harlow brings a half-dressed Lorraine running, shocking all in attendance.
Obviously from doing something untoward with the bedridden ’Daddy’.
She has spidey-senses that way.
And of course, in time tongues will start to wag.
They’ll get to wagging even harder in chapter SEVENTEEN being written now. More is on the way!!!
THANK YOU FOR READING!!!
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