Curio: When Madonna Was Breathless

Alexa here. Madonna turns 53 today. Her profile seems relatively low-key lately; sometimes I feel like I'm reading more about Lourdes than her mom.  But this bit of kitsch I saw for sale on etsy the other day brought me back to the days of the Madonna media juggernaut.

That's right, a set of Dick Tracy and Breathless Mahoney dolls from 1990.  Yes, I am old enough to remember seeing this movie in the theater. A month prior to its release I had tickets to Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour and alas, she canceled because of throat issues (later memorably documented in Truth or Dare).  At the time, Madonna called Dick Tracy the "best movie I've ever been in." After lining up to see it opening night I strongly disagreed, and not just because I was still stung by her concert cancellation.  This was Warren Beatty telling a tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. 

Madonna Marble!There are quite a few Dick Tracy curios up for sale now, including an opening night t-shirt (that acted as your admission ticket for midnight screenings), marbles, and a scarf.  

It's hilarious to see this tie-in merchandise so long after a film has come and gone. You can see how strong the studio backing was, how high hopes were for a franchise.  And today, I'd probably rather watch Filth and Wisdom than sit through Dick Tracy again. 

Curio: Myrna Loy, Cover Girl

Alexa here. Today is Myrna Loy's birthday, so to celebrate this supremely unique, intelligent, plainspoken goddess, I dug up this vintage Picture Play magazine of mine from 1940 with Myrna on the cover.

Myrna goes nautical

Myrna appeared in this 1940 issue in pictures only, ostensibly to promote her upcoming film with William Powell, I Love You Again (their ninth film together), a Regarding Henry-esque amnesiac light romance that was just another opportunity to get the two of them together.  Every time I see a film with them I think of their real-life meet cute, so perfectly described in Myrna's autobiography.

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Curio: Crafty Kubrick

Alexa here. Today would have been Stanley Kubrick's 83rd birthday.  Of course the myth of the man is alive and well; stories of David Fincher's filming 99 takes of Rooney Mara still seem to pale in comparison to the master of meticulous craftsmanship. (I wonder if Fincher will leave behind boxes as painstakingly catalogued as Kubrick's.) So in the spirit of craft, here are a few handiworks you can buy in celebration of Kubrick's wonderful madness.

First, for play: an Alex DeLarge as a sock monkey, available here.

And though I've blogged them before, I still can't resist Sébastien Lepitre's Grady sister dolls.

Click for wearables, including party masks and necklaces...

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Curio: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Painter

Alexa here. I was lucky enough to vacation in Hawaii a few weeks ago. While walking down a particularly touristy street, a video projected in one of the shops caught my eye: there was Anthony Hopkins, standing in an artist's studio, talking about painting. Suddenly I was thinking of Surviving Picasso and how frustrating I found it that Picasso's paintings were only partially visible. Yet here was Hopkins, standing in front of a full canvas. Of course, this wasn't Guernica, but one of the actor's own alternately brooding and peaceful works. 

Hopkins has said that looking at his paintings, "what you're observing is my state of mind." He has also attributed himself a Van Gogh-type personality, especially during his drinking days.  Certainly something about his artwork mirrors his acting roles: alternating the garish (Instinct, Freejack) with the understated (84 Charing Cross Road, Howard's End). Here's a sampling. You can see more here.

More samples follow.

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Curio: Crazy 4 Cult 5

Alexa here. It's that time of year: Gallery1988 in Los Angeles is holding its Crazy 4 Cult show, the annual exhibit of art inspired by cult films. The show seems to grow every year, and this year the number of pieces is staggering. The full gallery of original works and prints is finally available online, and they've also put a book together of work from previous shows. Here is a selection of some of my favorite original works from this year, but you must check out the galleries yourself, either in person or online. The show runs until July 30th. 

Veronica Fish, Mulholland Drive, gouache on coldpress paper, 11 x 14 inches

Sean Clarity, While Ferris Was Banging Sloan, acrylic on board, 18 x 12 inches

Jeremy Asher Lynch, Talking To The Trees Of The Cobweb Strange, acrylic on canvas, 18 x 24 inches

Click for artwork inspired by Pan's Labyrinth, Donnie Darko and Fight Club...

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