Household tips from days gone by. Stuff on the perfect 1950s housewife and on old fashioned etiquette.
Wanda Wey Awrf
My Excess Baggage
Includes…
1: My little dog ‘Lorster’ … Check.
2: Amazing Women in the airforce like myself … check.
3:War stories mostly WW2 1940s my era … check.
4: The home front in the 1940s … check
5: 1940s fashion … check
6: 1940s film noir … check.
Guess we all have a little excess baggage hmmm …
And of course my signature hybiscus
Cheers dears:
Wanda
A pile of letters and a bottle of toxin is found in Zelle’s hotel room by the police. It is invisible ink. The police deliver the ink and the letters to Pierre Bouchardon’s office. Bouchardon is seated at his desk surveying a pile of letters also found in Zelle’s room. Three military officers sit opposite him. Lieutenant Hallure ( English ), Captain Merliani ( Italian ) and Captain Gerbaud ( French ).
Bouchardon: Gentlemen I have here in my posession certain letters which I am of the opinion could prove very damaging to your respective careers. The letters are from a woman of dubious reputation. A woman whose morals equal those of a sewar rat. A woman with whom each of you has had intimate relations. Oh don’t bother to deny it. I have it all right here. ( Waves the letters in front of them. ) In court tomorrow you will be cross examined by the woman’s lawyer Monsieur Clunet. Under no circumstances will any of you attempt to defend her honour. On the contrary gentlemen you must do everything you can to imply that she is guilty. It seems she actually thinks she can defend herself and will have her day in court when a date for the trial can be fixed. If at any time during the proceedings you find yourself becoming sentimental …. Just remember the letters. Do I make myself clear? ( Clunet, a very old lawyer, enters. ) Ah Monsieur Clunet. They are assembled as requested.
Clunet: I thank you gentlemen for your time. We are here to discuss the alleged crimes against France committed by my client Mata Hari. I say alleged because that is exactly what they are. My client is no more guilty than you or I. She is innocent and I am counting on you who …. have known her well to defend her.
Hallure : I am a married man monsieur. If my name is mentioned in court I will be ruined. I grant you that Mata Hari never asked anything of me or gave me any reason to suspect her of being a spy. But I cannot say this in a court. To do so would be to admit my association with the woman and quite frankly the details of our liasons are really quite rude.
Meriani : When we made love she left nothing to chance. The fires burned within as we fused together like candle and wick. She is no spy. Of this I am sure. One who can bring such joy … such splendour … such heavenly satisfaction …. No monsieur how could such an angel be guilty of something so serious as treason? It is preposterous.
Clunet: Then you will defend her?
Meriani: No I cannot. I may lose my command. I cannot risk this as my mother back home she relies on my pay to put food on the table and if she ever found out …. Ooh Monsieur my mamma she is not one to mess with. How could I hold up my head in my village? My mamma she would throw me out on the street and all the village would laugh at me.
Clunet: Yes …. I see your point … but if … ( Looks pleadingly at Gerbaud.)
Gerbaud: If you would accuse the moon and the stars there would be more romance in the world. I know in my heart that this is a farce but she is , after all, an international woman which means she is not entirely innocent. I cannot turn my back on my fellow country men. No … no no … I must stand by France in this.
Bouchardon: ( To Clunet ) Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Take your stand in court if you must but none will stand with you. You mark my word.
Clunet: I am not afraid of you. Upon my honour as a gentleman I shall stand for her in court. I shall do it alone if I have to.There is nothing you can do or say that will deter me from my purpose. Honour is a word that I do not expect you to understand for it is very clear to me that you have none. I thank you for your time and bid you adieu. ( Exits. )
Lights come up on the street outside and just as Clunet exits Bouchardon’s office he bumps into Jaques who is in a hurry to enter the bureau. Clunet’s documents fall to the ground and Clunet bends to pick them up.
Jaques: Pardon me monsieur I’m in such a hurry. I didn’t see you coming. (Helps Clunet up. )
Clunet: It would seem my life is of very little consequence anyway.
Jaques: ( Offended. ) Monsieur I assure you I meant you no harm.
Clunet: I do not believe you. You are one of them. You have come to smear her name with more lies, more excuses, more justifications. Well I don’t care. You hear me? She is innocent and I will prove it in spite of you all.
Jaques: Steady old man I’m on your side. I know who you are. You’re old Clunet …the lawyer who won her case against the baron over the jewels. Too bad they were later confiscated. She could have used them as a bargaining tool in this mess she is in now. I’m Jaques an old friend… I sell my paintings on the streets of Monmartre … you bought one of them…. Anyway I’ve come to put my name down as witness for the defence.
Clunet: Yes …. well …. You are wasting your time. There will be no defence witnesses. They will not allow you to speak. Those who could have made a difference have been threatened with terrible consequences.
Jaques: What of Vadime? Surely he would not be afraid of their threats.
Clunet: He knows nothing of what has happened. I havebeen forbidden by the court to make contact with him and they refuse to forward her letters.
Jaques: No-one has forbidden me. I shall see him in person and bring him back to Paris.
Clunet: You know that he is very badly wounded.
Jaques: It is only physical. It will heal. But a wound to the heart is another matter. He could not break her heart. Of that I am certain. Trust me I will find him.
Clunet : ( Smiles.) The life of the great Mata Hari in the hands of an artist. Perhaps it is fitting.
( They exit in opposite directions. )
From ‘ The Eye Of Dawn’ Written by Renee Dallow © 31/5/2013
( Hybiscus Bloom. )
So who were they? These handsome leading men? Were they lovers or fighters? Well they were a bit of both really. Here are some questions for you. See if you can match these stars with the type of characters they played.
1: He was generally cast as an English gentleman. Handsome,debonaire and charming at all times. He even made a some westerns and quite a few war films in the 1940s. Oh and he was actually born in Australia. A real adventure hero and swashbuckler. Dark hair and twinkling eyes with athletic physique.
2: He was public enemy number one. The most feared film gangster of the 1930s. A real tough guy and one that no-one wanted to mess with. Even though he was short in stature he could pack quite a punch. He was also a brilliant dancer and made a couple of musicals. 
3: Equally talented in both drama and comedy this star was suave and sophisticated to boot. He was impeccably dressed at all times and could make women swoon just by smiling at them. A smooth operator with class. Probably one of his classiest roles was as a thief stealing from the upper classes of Monaco. His co star in this film was Grace Kelly.
4: This leading man was the king of the silver screen and was adored by both male and female movie fans. On the screen he was the essence of masculinity. He was the rough on the edges but had an endearing little boy quality which made women want to mother him. Still he was also the strong and dependable type. Every woman’s hero.
5: He made a series of detective movies, ‘The Thin Man’ , which were incredibly popular. His character, a detective who was friend to criminals and law enforcers alike, was aided by a beautiful wife and a very smart little dog. Quite a charmer with a quick sense of humour and the fine tastes of a well groomed gentleman.
6: Originally from Canada leading man virtually started at the top as soon as he reached Hollywood. His most famous role was alongside Bela Lugosi in ‘Dracula’. However he became bored with Hollywood and quit whilst still in his prime.
7: Very well known for gritty roles in the Film noir genre and was even the lead in an earlier version of ‘The Great Gatsby’. His most famous role,however, was in a western.
8: Dark, handsome and brooding this star was one of the most romantic of leading men. Usually cast in films based on classic novels. He looked incredible in period costumes. He was famous also for roles which required much soul searching.
9: This good looking all rounder with a bright personality and positive outlook was everyone’s best friend and confidante. He was equally adept at serious roles as the loyal knight in shining armour or even as a reformed gangster trying to straighten out the bad guys.
!0: Probably the deepest of them all this leading man was more of the anti hero. If anything he was often representative of everyman in everyman situations. Quietly working out a clever strategy for getting things sorted. Whether playing the family man protecting the home or a businessman trying to outsmart the competition this was someone audiences could relate to.
11: Another very famous gangster. Also regarded as one of the worlds finest actors. His film noir’s are classics as is the persona he created. He made four of them with his wife who was one of the greatest femme fatales in Hollywood.
12: Often played characters overwhelmed with the dilemmas of every day life. Always a loveable character with a boyish charm and high moral standards. The good guy who takes a stand to protect those less fortunate. Famous too for his very distinctive voice and a sort of stammer when in the middle of a very emotive scene.
Have fun.
Renee Dallow ( Hybiscus Bloom ) 30/5/2013
All the world loves a lover they say
And I’ve found this to be true
So if you feel you’ve lost your way
This may be the answer for you
A great classic screen romance
With movie stars of old
Guaranteed to keep you entranced
And turn your dreams to gold
Whether it’s tough guys on the take
Or femme fatales on the run
Someone is pining for what’s at stake
At the time of the setting sun
Love will find a way through the maze
And all will be neatly resolved
arms outstretched ready to hold
the one who’s made it all worth while
who’s made us laugh and cry
And done it with panache and style
Vowing love would never die.
When you see romance on the silver screen
There is magic in the air
Like me you’ll remember a favourite scene
And want to linger there.
© Renee Dallow ( Hybiscus Bloom ) 26/5/2013
Bourgeoise Bloomers 
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