SATURDAY'S COVER(ed) # 7

I love the music of The Moon Rays! It's a combination of light jazz, lounge-pop, retro bossa nova, instrumental soundtracks, and beach surf (with a hint of garage...maybe). It's FUN!

While I've got their complete discography, I'm featuring this album cover art because it's got a nice skeletal "horror mojo" vibe going.

Some of the tracks on this Cd are: "Blues for Vampira, The Grim Creeper, Little Green Men, and La Valse Du Vampir."

Check 'em out at their Facebook locale: http://www.facebook.com/pages/the-Moon-Rays/8031692732

or at their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/moonrays

While not from the album featured above, here is a nice little tune they did for a motion picture. Enjoy!

Michelle Obama on her Fashion Style

First Lady Michelle Obama is loved for her classic sense of fashion as much as she loved for her social activism.

This Wednesday she appeared with Today’s Matt Laurer to discuss variety of topics ranging from her husband’s ongoing fight against child obesity and the fact that he has now quit smoking. And as the interview proceeded, came the topic of her sartorial decisions.

Along with many designers such as Peter Pinto, Jason Wu, Isabel Toledo, First Lady also bought the fashion of wearing pearl strands and brooches back in vogue. On this particular occasion she was wearing a very feminine polka dress from a not so fancy named designer, but an just an off the rack H&M dress worth just $34.95.

When she was asked about the public fascination of her personal style, she said that she takes it as a compliment and she also explained, “It's not something I focus on ... Everybody's got to get dressed in the morning and put on something. I hope people find it nice, but it's not something I focus on.”

 

Obama said that it is practicality, more than anything that decides what she will be wearing, "It's really just sort of, how cold is it? Do I have to stand outside, and what am I going to use to cover my arms if I'm freezing so I'm not shivering while I have to give a speech? It's really stuff like that.”

Stumbleupon Tags: Michelle Obama, fashion, jewelry, first lady, celebrity jewelry

Elvis’ Ring up for Auction

Elvis Presley remains one of the most bankable names, when it comes to celebrity collectibles. The Upcoming Signature Music and Entertainment at Heritage Auction, Beverly Hills features Elves Presley’s Star Sapphire Ring along with many other celebrity items such as Marlyn Monroe’s Long Underwear and Beatles ‘Butcher’ cover records.

This nugget ring with black star sapphire was one of King’s favorite. The 14K Yellow Gold has also. Elvis was often seen wearing this ring in the 1970’s, after which he gifted it to his tour promoter, Tom Hulett. The ring is estimated to be worth $15,000.

Stumbleupon Tags: fashion, celebrities, elvis presley ring, jewelry, famous jewelry, auction jewelry

THE OLD DARK HOUSE: Movie Review

I wish I had been able to watch this thoroughly DELIGHTFUL masterpiece of early classic cinema when I was a lad, or a teen, or even a twenty-something. I knew about this movie the last few years but made no attempt to search it out. Then, by happenstance, I stumbled upon a thread on Classic Horror Film Board (CHFB) that not only piqued my interest, but sent me to YouTube to view this gem. So, before my mundane comments I invite your attention to said "thread," at: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/36170/Best-Old-Dark-House-print

You can see from the DVD box (above) that KINO has released the film. I'm wondering whether Alpha Video also has a cheap ($4.99 or so) copy of the inferior (dark, black, and hard to see) Rohauer print?

But you should do what I did - - surf over to YouTube and watch it now. It's a "hoot!" Quick link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUqtwvlNx-E Mr. "SilverLightSpecial," the guy who posted this 10-part series of clips of the KINO copy, is to be heartily commended!

According to IMDb (click on this post's title for quick link) this film was never part of the famed "Shock Theater" package which countless local stations rented to play many of the Universal monster/horror movies to their late night audiences during the late 1950's and early 60's. So, you (and me too) did NOT see this one on television.

THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932) Universal Studios, USA, English, b&w, 72 minutes, directed by: James Whale, Starring: Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Gloria Stuart, Raymond Massey, Ernest Thesiger, Eva Moore, Elspeth Dudgeon, Brember Wills

This movie is a mystery-suspense-"trapped in a house"-thriller. This is not your standard "monster" movie, nor is it really a horror film either. The plot is simple. Raymond Massey and his wife Gloria Stuart, along with their friend Melvyn Douglas, are forced to stop at the huge, dark, spooky-looking mansion they come upon during a ferocious rain storm which has washed away most of the mountain road they're driving on, as well as caused a landslide making all further travel impossible for the night. It literally WAS a "dark and stormy night."

The creepy house they find refuge in is The OLD DARK HOUSE owned by Miss Rebecca Femm (played with pure 1930's character-actor bravado by Eva Moore) and her anxiety ridden, gin-drinking brother Horace Femm (ditto: played by Ernest Thesiger). The real treat for UNI- fans, and classic monster lovers as well, is that their mute, slightly mad (and alcohol loving) butler/man-servant, Morgan, is played by none other than BORIS KARLOFF!

Above you see the "beared" Morgan/KARLOFF serving supper for both Raymond Massey and beautiful Gloria Stuart.

Karloff is KARLOFF! almost... "nuff said," BUT... in all honesty, he doesn't have all that much to do as his role is not that large, nor is his character at the heart of the "plot," as it were. Karloff plays a minor supporting role, and is no doubt given First/Lead "billing" because of the success of FRANKENSTEIN which he and director James Whale had made the year before TODH.

There are no special effects as such (and guess what? the lack of CGI is not even noticed :) ) and no real plot. After Massey, Stuart and Melvyn Douglas are given safety in the Femm's house, another two stranded travelers (Lilian Bond and the GREAT Charles Laughton) join the fivesome. There turns out to be a crazy brother, Saul (played by Brember Wills), up in the attic (or at least in one of the upper rooms; I'm not sure whether the mansion had four floors or five?) as well as a crazy old 100 year-old father (played by female actor Elspeth Dudgeon; which is the only mis-cue or mis-casting in the movie... but then maybe not... her creepy "female" voice coming from a bearded centenarian is, well.... kinda creepy).

The point is, this film is an ensemble peformance of some of the finest "old-time, old-style" acting one will ever see. This is classic black & white Hollywood genius at its genre-genius finest. The dialogue is witty, the character actors, right out of "stock," are scumptious, the two female leads are stunningly beautiful, and Laughton and Douglas have rarely been better. What makes this film a winner is the style, atmosphere, and unsettling aura of "madness" that surrounds the Femm household. There is a feeling of almost some kind of Edgar Allan Poe "Usher" curse or secret that saturates the inside of THE OLD DARK HOUSE as thoroughly as the thunder storm and torrential rains saturate the outside. No scares, no real "gotcha" moments or "jumps," just old fashioned gothic creepiness. This film is the "template" for all old dark house type movies that followed.

Gloria Stuart, ravishing as she was, and, turning in a fine performance as Raymond Massey's wife, is really only "second fiddle" to the other female lead

Lilain Bond (above) plays chorus-girl and part-time platonic mistress Gladys Perkins, to Charles Laughton's character of Sir William Porterhouse. Bond is feisty, perky, cute, loyal and brave. She falls in love with Melvyn Douglas' character (the war weary cynic and wise-cracking Roger Penderel) and the scenes between the two sparkle with that old "classic" Tracy/Hepburn vibe. I really liked Bond's performance.

Raymond Massey (on the right) is fine in his stolid (boring) role as the titular leading man. Charles Laughton (on the left) is magnificent in his role as the poor-man who became a rich "Sir" and who is still pining the loss of his deceased wife. Laughton is magnetic (as always) and almost steals every scene he's in.

Miss Rebecca Femm (above with Stuart) is played by character actor Eva Moore, who truly establishes the "high-water mark" for all future "crazy, deaf, odd-fanatical old-biddies." I would have given an Oscar to Eva Moore for her portrayal of this nasty and twisted old shrew. In the photo above, she's ranting (while fondling Stuart's dress) about "godless women...brazen lolling creatures in silks and satins, filling the house with laughter and sin..."

And speaking of "pawing" the handsome Ms Stuart - - we also have the rakish and boorish Morgan/KARLOFF, who, when he drinks a bit, becomes quite the "masher." His intentions are sexual and not at all chaste.

Speaking of chaste... there is one scene, which had to be pretty "hot" for 1932, when Stuart is changing into her dry dress and is clad in only her underwear. Now, mind you, one sees more flesh at any US city/municpal swimming pool these days, but back in the early 30's that had to be "oh-so-erotic!" :)

As mentioned, this film succeeds on all levels because of the skillful direction, pacing, and most of all, ensemble acting skill of the cohesive cast. But, if I had to single out a perfomance for special kudos, it would go to Melvyn Douglas (above) for his portrayal of the un-employed, near-ne'r-do-well Roger Penderel. Douglas turns out to be the physical, mental, and emotional HERO at the movie's climax.

His grand "fight-scene" with the insane lunatic brother Saul (Brember Wills) on the top of the landing is filled with genuine excitement and suspense. Brember Wills, hopping around and struggling with the energy that only manic-psychosis can give, does his best impression of Gollum mated with the Joker! For every lover of the old "fight scenes" in the Republic Serials, or in any episode of Roy Rogers, the final showd0wn between Douglas and Wills is a smashing success.

Speaking of "smashing," the above picture shows a bit of the final denouement.

I won't tell you if anyone dies.

I won't tell you if anyone gets out of THE OLD DARK HOUSE alive.

I won't tell you if any of the characters wind up very, very, happy.

I will tell you, you'll love this film. I wager that you'll put THE OLD DARK HOUSE in your list of Top-Ten Universal Films of the classic age.

You're only a YouTube click away my friends.

"NO BEDS!"

Kate Middleton – Get the Royal Look

Since the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Kate has become overnight fashion icon. Whatever outfit she is seen wearing is sold out within few hours.

Especially the whole ensemble that Middleton wore in their engagement announcement has many women going crazy. The $615 blue Issa dress that she wore was sold out in less than 24 hours world over.

Ingenue’s ‘Pipita’ is a neat replica of this dress available for just $160.82. But more than any outfit or hat she wore, what became an instant rage in women was the Princess Diana’s engagement ring that Prince William gave to Kate Middleton. This 18 carat blue sapphire engagement ring has given a new color to engagement rings.

Replica of Princess Diana’s engagement ring can be found at Angara.com (a leading online diamond and gemstone jewelry portal). The ring is available in various stone qualities and sizes. So that everyone can have a piece of royalty at a price they are comfortable with.

Super Bowl Ring

They say Super Bowl teams don’t just fight for the Lombardi Trophy, the winners even get to wear some really fancy rings. The NFL pays for about 150 rings to be given to the winner team (including the players, staff, owners).

The ring shown above was given to the winners of the Super Bowl last year. The Super Bowl XLIV Championship0 rings for the New Orleans Saints were designed by famous New York Jeweler Tiffany & Co.

These rings also feature fleur-de-lis logo of New Orleans Saints with round diamonds. On the side of the ring is inscribed ‘World Champions’ in yellow gold and 16 diamonds signifying the number of games the team won in the series.

If you find these Super Bowl Rings fascinating, do browse through the ESPN’s special section on Super Bowl Rings with some really interesting ring stories.

15.98 Carat Harry Winston Diamond rings tops the Sotheby’s Auction

 

Sotheby’s Important Jewelry Auction achieved 8,897,278 against the presale estimates between $6.8 to $9 million.

The main attraction of the auction was the 15.98 carat Harry Winston emerald cut diamond ring in platinum which scored $662,500. Next scored a 3.52 carat platinum round diamond ring which sold for $290,500.

You might also be interested in reading:

Bulgari Celebrates 125th Anniversary in Paris

Christie’s Pink Diamond sold at $1million per carat

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher launch Jewelry Collection for Valentine’s Day

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher launch their Jewelry Collection with jeweler Jack Vartanian. The hancuff necklace in this collection are to draw attention to important issues such as child sex slavery. Proceeds from its sale would go to benefit the Demi and Ashton (DNA) Foundation a not-for- profit organization that works towards raising awareness for this issue.

Like them, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt also have a Jewelry line to benefit Children charity.

The Mummy In the Maze trailer

Take a quick gander at Brian's "trailer"
See, I told you it was good. Remember, it's an "indie"... Brian is not a professional actor or director. He's an uber talented writer and radio genius with a love for Monster Movies. His productions are works of love for fans... just like us.
- rogue evolent

Tiffany Jewelry Shines at SAG Awards

We can’t help but get awed by the exotic jewelry that our celebrities flash on the red carpet. This weekend it was the SAG Award night and these are the two particular celebs that looked absolutely classy with Tiffany Jewelry.

‘Glee’ star Lea Michele who was nominated for ‘Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series’ wore a shimmering Oscar De La Renta gown which she paired with stunning Tiffany diamond bracelet ($400,000) and pear shaped diamond ring.

 

Soon to be mother and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman was looking absolutely gorgeous in her White Azzaro Gown which she flaunted with appr0x 30 carats Yellow Diamond drop earrings from Tiffany and Co.

Colored Diamonds have gained much popularity in recent years especially with their increased presence on the red carpet. And one can’t say that they are any less gorgeous that they are boasted to be. Natural colored diamonds not only have the brilliance that we love the diamonds for plus they are blessed with the most stunning colors.

Click here to read about the Largest Blue Diamonds and Pink Diamonds that the world has ever witnessed.