February 1951. A typical BBC television studio when in broadcast consists of five cameras in use: a close-up and long range on the performer, a superimposing camera for the scenery, and cameras for titles and announcer. The sound system is completely independent and uses three microphones. The Producers sit high above the studio in a control room, and it is interesting to note that gauze is used over the ceiling-hung studio lamps to provide a flat even lighting to the stage below.
This is Louise Brooks, an actress, dancer, and movie star, born in 1902.
Louise died in 1985, but in her varied career she had been a dancer, a model, a showgirl, and of course, an American movie star in both silent and sound films. She was renown for her cute bobbed haircut!
Louise was born Mary Louise Brooks in Cherryvale, Kansas, and died at the age of 78, in Rochester, New York, in 1985.
Her nick-name used by her many friends and admirers was ‘Lulu’.
Anna Pavlova was a Russian ballet-dancer born in St. Petersburg, and made her debut there at the Imperial Opera House. Later she became the foremost ballet-dancer in Europe and her London debut came in 1909. Afterwards, she toured America. She appeared many times with Diaghileff’s Ballet Company, and most notably in Le Cygne (The Swan). Sadly, she died in 1931.
Success for the thousands of locals who turned out for Dunstable Town Council’s Fun Day in The Park on Saturday, and despite the cold wet weather, and in the shadow of The famous Grove Theatre, a hundred or more side-shows were there to be enjoyed. Forthcoming attractions at The Grove Theatre include: Bradley Walsh, Hi-De-Hi! Westcoast, Jimmy Greaves, and many, many more!
May 1953. Seaside Gardens. Seaside conditions in the British Isles normally provide less extreme temperatures than do inland regions, but at the same time the winds are more violent and the air is salt-laden. The first thing to do in making a seaside garden is to consider the question of shelter, and this having been provided, the garden will grow practically any type of plant according to the natural soil of the district.
Before planting any trees or shrubs the condition of the soil should be taken into account. The ordinary rules for soil preparation will apply; that is, heavy soils should be lightened and light soils should be made more retentive of moisture by the addition of strawy manure, leaf mould, ect. The worst problem will be where the soil is practically pure, sea-washed sand. Here the sand must be prevented from blowing about by the eastablishment of grasses, the erection of fences, and by pegging down tree branches over the surface. Scotch roses, willows, common privat, broom, and tamarisk, with violas and sea pinks (thrift), will constitute the first planting, whilst trees that can be planted almost at once include Corsican vines, maritime pines and sitka spruce. Other trees and shrubs suitable for coastal regions are: dogwood, alder, blackthorn sycamore,, hollies, sea buckthorn, whitebeam, certain Veronicas, hawthorn, Lycium barbarum, and Rosa rugosa.
Sir Harry Lauder… He began his working life as a Mill Boy in a flax spinning mill, and subsequently became a coal miner. He made his stage debut at Arbroath and his first London appearance at Gatti’s, thus making his name in variety. He was knighted in 1919. Sadly, he died in 1950 at the good age of 80 years.
Modern Masters: Matisse, Picasso, Dali, and Warhole, now at The V&A until June. The V&A is situated in Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London.
This display features prints by four of the 2oth century’s greatest artists – Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhole. Over 50 works drawn from The V&A’s own collection have been selected to illustrate these modern masters engagement with the printed medium.
Both celbrated and less familiar prints in a range of techniques are included, spanning a period of some 75 years, and representing one of the most creative and diverse artistic periods in the history of modern art.
Nearest subway is South Kensington.
Edgar Wallace was a novelist and journalist, and despite being born of unknown parents, and poorly educated, he became the most prolific writer of his day. After freelancing, he served in South Africa as a war correspondent, and following his return to London he became a reporter, then a writer of feature articles, racing tips, short stories, detective novels and plays. Amongst his works were The Four Just Men, Sanders of the River, The Fellowship of the Frog, The Squeaker, On the Spot, and there were many, many more.
He was born in 1875 and died in 1932.
The British Museum. The Printed Image in China from the 8th to the 21st centuries.
This exhibition presents the impressive range of Chinese prints in the museum’s collection, one of the most comprehensive outside Asia.
There are some 129 colour illustrations in the collection, and this is the first exhibition on Chinese print of this type of scope and approach, it represents some of the finest and most famous prints ever produced in China, and brings an outstanding quality to a wide audience celebrating the artistic ability of the Chinese printmakers.
The British Museum is situated in Gt. Russell Street, London, and the nearest tube is Tottenham Court Road.
From now until June 2010.
