Category: On Film

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

Hi all, just wanted to let all my vintage loving friends know about a new series coming to Aussie TV.  Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a drama series of thirteen one-hour episodes, scheduled for airing on ABC1 on 24 February 2012. It is based on Australian author Kerry Greenwood’s series of Phryne Fisher detective novels. Kerry began writing essay  the Phryne Fisher books in 1989 and there are now 18 in the series. I have included some info from the website below:

Immerse yourself in the opulent, exciting world of Australia’s leading lady detective Phryne Fisher in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Phryne (pronounced Fry-nee) is a glamorous and thoroughly modern woman of the 1920s. Our lady sleuth sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne, fighting injustice with her pearl handled pistol and her dagger sharp wit. Leaving a trail of admirers in her wake, our heroine makes sure she enjoys every moment of her lucky life. But behind the façade of elegance and charm are the scars of the past which drive Phryne to find justice for those who can’t help themselves and to pursue the truth of her own dark history.

Australian TV (like British) generally does historical drama very authentically wardrobe-wise, so I am keen to see how this turns out. Just have to wait and see I guess. I am pretty picky though, which is a curse…haha. Looks fun regardless and I dare say that a lot of Melbourne’s great Art Deco buildings and sites will have been used when filming. I shall report back!

Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) & Dr Mac (Tammy McIntosh)

DI Jack Robinson (Nathan Page) & Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis)

Book discount for Louise Brooks fans…

Well, I am rested and back from a camping and a trip and ready to start 2012! Here is a little something I stumbled across for all you admirers of Art Deco icon; Louise Brooks. The Louise Brooks Society is offering a 25% discount off the book, Diary of a Lost Girl. Go to this link to find all the info you need to get book the discounted price. The offer is only open til January 6th, 2012.

Book Description from Amazon

The 1929 Louise Brooks film, Diary of a Lost Girl, is based on a controversial and bestselling book first published in Germany in 1905. Though little known today, the book was a literary sensation at the beginning of the 20th century. Spirited debate and lawsuits followed its publication. By the end of the Twenties, it had sold more than 1,200,000 copies – ranking it among the bestselling books of its time.Was it – as many believed – the real-life diary of a young woman forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution? Or a sensational and clever fake, one of the first novels of its kind? This contested work - a work of unusual historical significance as well as literary sophistication – inspired a sequel, a play, a parody, a score of imitators, and two silent films. The best remembered of these is the often revived G.W. Pabst film starring Louise Brooks.This new edition of the original English language translation brings this important book back into print after more than 100 years. It includes an introduction by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society, detailing the book’s history and relationship to the 1929 film. This special “Louise Brooks Edition” also includes more than three dozen vintage illustrations.

Speaking of Wallis Simpson…

On the theme of Wallis Simpson, one of my favourite portayals of her was by Gillian Anderson in the UK series, ‘Any Human Heart’. Gillian captured her beautifully and the clothing she wore was exquisite. Just thought I’d share a few shots of that too, as Wallis had an amazing style that was copied by women the world over at the time. Edward was also a trendsetter is day. The ultimate stylish couple. The casual sports wear is to die for!

The 70s BBC series, ‘Edward and Mrs Simpson’ was also very good. The clothing was stunning and Edward Fox was quite uncanny as Edward. Check it out along with ‘Any Human Heart.’  Her sportwear is to die for in the last pic.