LOVE’S GREAT ADVENTURE The exclusive magazine from Elizabeth Ellen Carter

LOVE IN THE BACK TO THE DARK FAVE MOVIES FUTURE BASED ON HISTORICAL VICTORIA VANE STEPS ROMANCE NOVELS OUT OF HER COMFORT ZONE ENCORE! PART ONE OF A SHORT STORY BY NOELLE CLARK ONCE UPON A TIME IN HISTORICAL ROMANCE INSIDE: Interview • food: COMMISSARY QUEEN’S LOST MEMOIR • WIN : a SIGNED BOOK The Lady AND a SOUVENIR FROM VANISHES HOLLYWOOD Can there be redemption for one who has LOVE’S GREAT transgressed against society? ADVENTURE Issue 8 Sept 2019

Cover Image licensed by Ingram Image LOVE’S GREAT LOVE’S GREAT ADVENTURE FASHION AUTHOR’S ADVENTURE The exclusive magazine DESK from Elizabeth Ellen Carter contISSUE 8, SEPTEMBERen 2019 tS Publisher / editor Elizabeth Ellen Carter 10 MOVIE FEATURE the golden years of [email protected] Once Upon A Time in Historical Romance hollywood Associate Editor / designer Duncan Carling-Rodgers We asked for your favourite historical romance novel adaptations. These are the answers. hen I was a teenager, I had the biggest crush on Pierce Brosnan. Before [email protected] James Bond, he starred in the detective-comedy series Remington for Steele. Stefanie Zimbalist was the head of the detective agency and the BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS W MANAGEMENT brains of the outfit, yet somehow the pretty boy Brit had just the perfect film analogy to bring the clues together and save the day. www.bcm-online.com.au At the same time, there was an Australian film aficionado by the name of Bill 14 time traveller Photographic credits Historical fashion correspondent Victoria Vane Collins who would introduce a Golden Years of Hollywood film and there on his TV goes back to the future. presentation I saw Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier in Pride and Prejudice. Cover Main Image Image by Ingram Image Together that cemented my love for film romance and historical fiction. It’s a passion that has remained with me since. EXCERPT Other Images Add to that, I married our local newspaper’s film reviewer, so our getting together Licensed by Ingram Image, Dollar Photo Club, was somewhat fate – perhaps worthy enough to be a rom-com! And now, Used With Permission, many years later, he and I are off to the United States to bring all of these things or Public Domain. together. By the time you’re reading this magazine, we’ll be touching down in Los LOVe reading LOVe food Angeles for a look at Hollywood and to attend the Historical Romance Retreat in 8 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Riverside, California. [email protected] 22 LOST AND FOUND Commissary Queen’s lost We’re looking forward to meeting so many historical romance fans. If you’re in the memoir reveals film stars’ fave dishes. southern California region, I’d love to see you there! Here’s the link: https://www. historicalromanceretreat.com/ In this edition of Love’s Great Adventure, readers and authors share their favourite historical romance novels turned to film, we have a feature on the COPYRIGHT foodie secrets of Paramount’s commissary, Victoria Vane’s fashion feature and so © 2019, Elizabeth Ellen Carter. All rights reserved. much more. Lastly, on the Fun and Games page, you have a chance to win a print No part of this publication may be reproduced edition of one of my novels and a special gift from Hollywood! in part or whole without the permission of the Check out my new web site – www.eecarter.com – I have book signing publisher. Licensed stock photography is credited above. All other images are in the public domain appearances galore over the next six months and I’d love to meet you. or used with permission. 8 moonstone conspiracy An excerpt from Elizabeth Ellen Carter’s novel Elizabeth Ellen Carter Moonstone Conspiracy.

19 LOST AND FOUND Memories are all Louisa LOVe FUN Frank has left... Part one of Encore, a short story by Noelle Clark. PLAY 25 GamePlay: crossword and word search brought to you by Elizabeth Ellen Carter. COVER FEATURE INTERVIEW

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comics 24 Not So Funny Pages: heartbreak OUT NOW comic book style. Dollar Photo Club Dollar Photo 2 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 3 interview her name was a byword for scandal. cover story Can there be redemption for one who has exclusive transgressed against society?

T IS SAID that when a lady gets to a certain age, she retires gracefully from the social scene so the next generation of debutants gets their moment to shine. IOthers have their retirement thrust upon them. A scandal or an indiscretion too far sees many a young woman banished to the edges of polite society from which never to return. But is this the end? Can there be no redemption for one who has transgressed? My editor brought to mind the case of Lady Abigail Houghall. In light of the scandals that have happened since the turn of the century, it is difficult to bring the name of one particular lady to memory. Once reminded, however, is to bring it all back with startling clarity.

by ELIZABETH ELLEN CARTER

For some years, the name of Lady Abigail Houghall was used as a byword for scandal, an object lesson to young ladies making their first foray into society to flout the rules of society at their own peril. It was she who willingly became mistress to the Prince of Wales while engaged as one of his sister’s Ladies in Waiting. She was the adventuress who escaped being caught with her lover by slipping away dressed as a man. And who could forget the broken engagement caused when she gave away her charms too freely to the man who was not her intended? Such escapades might seem attractive to romantically-inclined ingenues, but take heed of the downfall of such a wicked woman. Her financial profligacy and personal recklessness brought her into bad company and the last anyone had heard of her she was alone and near friendless in Bath, forced to throw herself on the mercy of her family. However, to believe that is the end of the story of Lady Abigail Houghall is to know only part of the tale. And it is this story my editor wishes me to bring to your attention.

Continued on page 6 The Lady Vanishes

4 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 5 Dollar Photo Club Dollar Photo cover story The Prince of Wales still remembers me fondly. “ The lady vanishes Continued from page 5 The then Lady Abigail Houghall in her youth At first I had wondered why I had been assigned to travel to Truro to interview a Lady Abigail Ridgeway. I ought to have guessed the two ladies were one and the same but since more than ten years had passed since anyone mentioned the name of Lady Abigail Houghall one might be excused from not making the connection immediately. Lady Abigail, I learned, holds the title in her own right in both her married and unmarried state – a most unusual circumstance indeed – and it is one of the situations that I intend to quiz her on. There are others too. In my correspondence, I suggested that we meet at her home at Bishop’s Wood; instead, at the Lady’s suggestion, we are to meet in private rooms in the White Hart Inn. To my surprise, the subject of my interview already awaits. This is a most disconcerting to be watched as one fumbles with one’s notepad and pencil, one’s mind a jumble of thoughts to be martialled together. It has to be noted that even as a woman aged in her forties, she is uncommonly beautiful. Her white blonde hair features a sprinkle of silver; her face is virtually unlined. To have seen such a creature in her prime would have been a sight to behold. But to be beheld by her, as I was now, reminded me that I was a mouse cornered by a cat. An up-tick of her mouth told me my discomfiture had been observed. “Won’t you make yourself comfortable?” she said. I take a seat and our interview begins. You are highly regarded in Society. Everyone I spoke to for this interview appears to hold you in the highest regard, yet none would tell me how they became acquainted with you. Would you know why? Lady Abigail’s smile broadened. ONE MUST ALWAYS I’m sure I couldn’t possibly answer that. Some people’s recollection BE VIGILANT of events in the past are not known to be completely reliable. At a recent special event, Lady Abigail (right) with Lady Selina Mitchell (seated) My family name is rather an ancient one and you might describe and Mrs Toby Jackson of Pittsburgh. me as a keeper of secrets and confidences. Indeed, I’ve made quite a satisfactory life out of doing people a “ good turn and with the proper incentive, they very willing to render me assistance from time-to-time. quite content to remain in Truro through the summer and only Let us say that Sir Daniel and I, along with a group of friends, are The Prince of Wales still remembers me fondly. return to London in the Season. able to continue providing assistance to the Crown. After all, we are at war, and Napoleon has spies everywhere. You spent some time in Bath, then disappeared for some years. And what is it that occupies your days? There are some rather nefarious plans afoot. One must always be Where did you go? I assist with my husband’s business. As you so kindly pointed vigilant. I had intended to go to Naples as a guest of Lady Hamilton but I out, I’m still well-connected, so there are times I can find out Will you never return to London permanently? was.... given another opportunity. information through unconventional means. (Lady Abigail stands and I know this will be my last question I remain silent hoping Lady Abigail would provide more Lady Abigail is being circumspect here. I too can hold secrets and before she vanishes once more.) information. “And that is Sir Daniel Ridgeway?” I prompt. There is I was told that Sir Daniel Ridgeway runs a band of spies from a change of expression, a softness. One might even say it was a Never say never, my dear. As for your enquiry, it depends on offices out of Whitehall. Little is known about the group except look of love. whether London can bring me better excitement than some of the for their unofficial name – The King’s Rogues. unexpected delights of Cornwall. Yes. Although he wasn’t knighted then. We were able to perform a service to the Crown which took us to France. Now we have a “Are you sure there is nothing more you can tell me?” I press. LGA daughter and we wish her to have a stable upbringing, so we are “After all, it is not every day a Lady vanishes.” 6 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 7 Dollar Photo Club Dollar Photo an excerpt from MOONSTONE CONSPIRACY Their host left through the door that led back into the catacombs. TAP OR CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW ON AMAZON An epic tale of love and loss, Abigail looked about the room. A bedroom “Stop.” “But your injuries—” extravagant expatriate lifestyles, of a fashion had been made in one corner—a “—if you bathe I can also prepare our “—are just bumps and bruises in the straw-filled mattress on an old bedstead, intense danger, heroic acts, and supper, then I can tell you about the cipher scheme of things.” with wooden crates stacked around forming and perhaps we can work out how…” the hideous effects of a cruel and makeshift walls. “I worry about you,” she said softly, emotion The end of the sentence trailed away as close to the surface. barbaric civil war. The complex The wooden floor and paneled walls Daniel rose and took hold of her arms firmly. reflected warmth and comfort in the yellow His hand left her arm and he stroked her and volatile political scene during “Stop for a moment,” he said. “You’ve glow from the lamplight. At the other end of hair tenderly and then rubbed gentle circles and after World War 1 forms the probably been existing on little more than the room was a coal-burning stove radiating on her left temple. Abigail closed her eyes. fear and excitement for the past five days and backdrop to the intimate story of heat. On it, a large kettle released tendrils of you need to stop. Catch a breath, otherwise His other hand found the other temple and two intrepid couples who embarked steam. treated it the same. this is all going to come crashing down on on the adventure of a lifetime. Food and a bottle of wine stood on a small you like a landslide and we’re not out of the Abigail sighed and closed her eyes. table set with a pair of mismatched chairs, woods yet.” “I worry about you too, my love,” he and Abigail was surprised to look behind a Abigail blinked at him, then frowned. There three-panel screen and find a stone sink set whispered. “I worry about what is going on was too much left to do and not enough time “A moving story that totally in the wall and a beaten copper hip bath. up there on the streets. I worry about what is to do it. going on in that lovely head of yours. You are “Eat, bathe, or sleep?” she asked Daniel as captivated me.” “Remember in Bath, the night I approached she surveyed their accommodation. brave and fearless, but I know there is a limit; - Kate Furnivall you with your assignment?” there is one in all of us. I know what it is like to “Yes,” Daniel replied from the table where he Abigail frowned deeper. go to that limit. And I’ve seen men go beyond UK Sunday Times best selling author. slumped with his head in his hands. “I told you in our business, we take and come back broken in spirit. I never want “That’s not very helpful.” opportunities where we find them. That also that for you.” Daniel forced his eyelids open slightly and includes the opportunity for rest. I’m here and Tears leaked from her closed lids. He kissed grinned tiredly at her. I’m safe. You are here and you are safe. At this one, then the other. “Kiss first?” he suggested. moment in time, nothing else matters. Don’t “There are things in our lives we cannot “Hmm,” she said, wrinkling her nose. worry about tomorrow. Don’t even worry control, but if my life has taught me anything, “Considering the way you smell, perhaps a about the next hour.” bath first, and I can check on your injuries. Or Then his voice became low and husky. “Just we find control when we finally let go.” perhaps you’d like to sleep first, but—” be here now, with me.” LGA LOVE’S GREAT ADVENTURE STARTS WITH

Discover Lady Abigail’s secret life in the following titles:

Moonstone Obsession TAP OR Moonstone Conspiracy CLICK HERE Live And Let Spy Spyfall Spy Another Day (coming soon) ELIZABETH ELLEN CARTER 8 Love’s Great Adventure eecarter.com Love’s Great Adventure 9 silver screen silver screen once upon a time in historical romance

Wuthering Heights nominated by Richard Alan Egan and Tina Hairston The first romance movie ‘Wuther’ or not you’d call Wuthering Heights a romance is open ever made ran for just 18 to debate but the nature of the relationship between Cathy and Healthcliff perhaps appeals in the same manner as Romeo and seconds but it brought the Juliet – the lure of the doomed lovers. With its gothic elements and the claustrophobic moorland house down. Called The setting, Emily Brontë’s only novel inspired many scenery chewing May Irwin Kiss, it became adaptations on film, radio and television as well as a musical;, a ballet; operas, and the song by Kate Bush https://youtu.be/ the most popular film of BW3gKKiTvjs 1896. Persuasion Pictured: Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon in the 1939 version. nominated by Carol Roddy and Erin Grace Daniel Eagan relates the full story of The May There have been several Irwin Kiss on Yet Another Movie Blog. TV and film adaptations of The film was an Edison production featuring Persuasion, the last novel actress May Irwin and actor John C. Rice re- fully completed by Jane enacting the climax of a play then showing Austen. It was published at the end of 1817, six months on the New York stage. So the first romance after her death. movie also qualifies as a screen adaptation from another source. And that’s what this Although the theme of ‘persuasion’ runs through feature is all about - film adaptations from, in the book, the title was not Seckington Melinda Photo by particular, historical romance novels. Austen’s but her brother Every film critic and movie website has Henry’s, who named it after their list of best films but it’s the opinion of her untimely death. It’s Much Ado About Nothing viewers that really counts. The public vote not known for sure what Austen intended to call the nominated by Jennie Kew website Ranker places Casablanca as number novel. one (it was based on an unproduced stage play). But adaptations of Gone With The The first edition was Wind, Rebecca, Laura, The Thin Man, To Have co-published with the previously unpublished Would you believe it took until 1993 before the first sound version in and Have Not, and Wuthering Heights are in Northanger Abbey. The English of Much Ado About Nothing was released to cinemas? That the top 10. preface identified Austen as was the highly acclaimed 1993 adaptation by Kenneth Branagh of I asked on Facebook what were some the author of all her novels William Shakespeare’s 1598 play. favourites. These are some of the answers… publicly for the first time. Almost all the screen adaptations have been made for television. A Here’s the link to a scene 2014 YouTube series Nothing Much to Do was a modern retelling set from the 1995 film version: in New Zealand. https://youtu.be/ NYSzac4mccA 10 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 11 once upon a time in Continued from page 11 historical romance

The Reluctant Widow Pride and Prejudice nominated by elizabeth ellen carter nominated by Joanne Boog, Erin Grace, and Jennie Kew

Not all that good a film but this There have been numerous film versions of Jane Austen’s 1813 1950 movie is one of only two screen novel Pride and Prejudice. Notables include 1940’s Greer Garson and adaptations of novels by Georgette Laurence Olivier version and the 2005 outing with Keira Knightley Heyer (the other being Arabella, which and Matthew Macfadyen. was adapted in Germany). On TV, the 1995 mini-series version cemented Colin Firth as a much Like the title character, Heyer was regarded Darcy opposite Jennifer Ehle’s Elizabeth. And who would herself reluctant - to give the go- have thought Hammer Horror mad scientist Peter Cushing would ahead to the film, that is. That it came have earned praise for his Darcy in the BBC’s 1952 television out bearing little resemblance to her miniseries production? book may be the reason why she subsequently determined none of her Incidentally, Pride and Prejudice is described by some sources as a novels would go down the same route. ‘romantic novel of manners’ rather than a romance but the HEA seals the romance deal for us. Heyer passed away in 1974 and there was excitement in 2016 when it became known that a movie of Heyer’s The Grand Sophy was planned. As far as we can tell, it’s so far come to naught – which might be a good thing. Their Finest The would-be producer is quoted online nominated by Stella Quinn as saying in an email: “My aim in all my adaptations is to preserve the essence The 2017 film, based on the book Their Finest Hour and a Half by of the original while understanding that Lissa Evans, has, says Stella: “That divine device - ‘the play within film is a very different medium with the play’.” different requirements and possibilities.” A cynic might translate that as ‘It’ll be Starring Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy, the film tells a tale of a nothing like it’ but we couldn’t possibly. WW2 British Ministry of Information film team making a morale- boosting movie about the Dunkirk evacuation during the Battle of Britain and the London Blitz. The UK Telegraph offers a review here.: https://bit.ly/2TTk1dl and here’s the trailer: https://youtu.be/mMh1EvAQOQ8 North and South nominated by Jessica Wakefield, Erin Grace and Tina Hairston

The romances in John Jakes’s North and South novels won the Maude Adams (1872-1953), who inspired the novel behind Somewhere In Time, was three miniseries based on them a multiple nomination. the most successful and highest-paid performer of her day. She was acclaimed Great Expectations for her performance in the 1905 Broadway production of Peter Pan. The collar Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, the initial of her costume, which she co-designed, was a fashion hit and immediately dubbed 1985 ‘Book 1’ featured Patrick Swayze nominated by Lena White the ‘Peter Pan collar’, a name still in use today. opposite Lesley-Anne Down and James She was depicted as Joan of Arc by Alphonse Mucha in 1909. Read opposite Wendy Kilbourne. Great Expectations was Charles Dickens’s next to last novel and depicted the personal growth and development of an orphan In real life, the three miniseries brought nicknamed Pip. It features some of Dickens’s most memorable about four marriages among the cast Somewhere In Time Photo by Alan Light Photo by characters - the escaped convict Abel Magwitch, eccentric Miss and crew. Read and Kilbourne wed in Havisham, beautiful but cold Estella, and kind blacksmith Joe. nominated by Mary Anne Landers 1988, as did Genie Francis and Jonathan Frakes. Lesley-Anne Down and assistant Upon its release, the novel received near universal acclaim and has A playwright in 1980 (Christopher Reeve) falls in love Richard Matheson’s book Bid Time Return (1975) cameraman Don FauntLeRoy divorced been adapted many times. Lena’s favorite version is the 1998 film with the image of an early 20th century actress (Jane was based on his own fascination with an early their then spouses to marry in 1986. Terri starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow. The adaptation is set in Seymour) and, via self-hypnosis, travels back in time 20th century actress, American Maude Adams, after Garber married screenwriter Chris Hager contemporary New York and renames Pip to Finn and Miss Havisham where they fall in love. But he is wrenched back to seeing a photo of her in a Nevada opera house. in 1985. The first three were successes – to Nora Dinsmoor. Here’s the trailer: https://youtu.be/_slwSCPtiLM the future when discovery of a modern coin in his He imagined going back in time to meet her and, to they’re still wed today. Garber and Hager, And here’s the start of David Lean’s more faithful 1949 adaptation pocket breaks the hypnotic spell. however, divorced within a few years. write the novel, immersed himself in her real life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXyo68s-f1E Who would have imagined that Somewhere In story (on which he based the female love interest) Pictured: Patrick Swayze in 1990 Time is based on a novel by the man who wrote the and the character of his male protagonist. apocalyptic vampire novel I Am Legend, the thriller Duel, and multiple episodes of The Twilight Zone? LGA

12 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 13 love fASHION love fASHION back to the future

a day gown with matching pelerine in lavender and yellow butterfly print

Stepping out of my comfort zone by and into the 19th century VICTORIA VANE

lthough I have been making historical clothing for almost four I also enjoyed the marketplace where various vendors sold authentic years, my clientele is almost exclusively comprised of friends goods. I bought several bonnet patterns but managed to resist the Aand acquaintances in the historical romance world. Recently, temptation to buy more historical shoes- but only because they didn’t however, I had the opportunity to meet and connect with a group of have my size in the red ones! people outside of the romance world, who also share my passion for There were two big social events, but once again, I had nothing history and historical fashion. appropriate in my closet, which led to a frantic sewing frenzy the week The event was Corsets and Cravats, a small living history conference in before. Happily, I was able to make two versions of an 1830’s “romantic historic Newberry, SC. Rather than authors, readers, and romance, this era” pattern (Truly Victorian #455). One of these was a day gown with mini-conference was geared toward historical interpreters and re-enactors matching pelerine in a pretty lavender and yellow butterfly print and the and focused primarily on 19th century American history. other was an evening frock in bright yellow embroidered silk. I also made I was particularly interested in one of the presenters who studies and a matching yellow bonnet and my first “corded” petticoat which served to reconstructs historical clothing for museums and historical preservation properly shape the skirts. organizations. I attended several informative workshops to include writing Friday night featured a “Where Are You Going” fashion show in which with a quill pen and also learned to make sewing repairs by hand using everyone’s costume told a story. Most of the participants dressed as true historical tools and techniques. everyday people. On Saturday night I attended a formal 19th-century supper. All of the costumes were fabulous and the cakes (made by an 83-year-old woman) were out of this world! Although I was a bit out of my element, I was glad I went. I had a great time and made some new friends. I hope you all enjoy the photos. Continued on page 16

14 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 15 love fASHION back to the love fASHION Continued from page 15 future

Dear Reader,

Works in progress: Fabric cut out for a sleeve (Above) underskirt features yards of rope (right)

16 Love’s Great Adventure (continued on next page) love reading A Story Exclusive in Two Parts

Friday night featured a “Where Are You Going” fashion show in which everyone’s costume told a story. Most of the participants dressed as everyday people. Part One LGA

ouisa Frank leaned back in the hard wooden chair. It was her chair—her table— Encore is one of four short nestled in the darkest corner, farthest from the makeshift stage. Despite the gloomy Linterior of Café Cleo, she wore dark glasses. Around her neck was an Italian silk scarf. stories in Second Chance She scrutinised the small but enthusiastic audience. They were generous with their applause, and respectfully refrained from talking during the play. Cafe. It’s serialized in Alfie Baretto, the owner of Café Cleo, approached the table and leaned in. Love’s Great Adventure “Another coffee, Miss Frank?” he whispered. Louisa’s eyes never left the stage. She nodded and Alfie left her, returning a few with the kind permission of moments later with a long black laced with a shot of Jack Daniels. He set it down and left her alone. author Noelle Clark. Her pulse quickened as the stage lighting dimmed. The monologue! Louisa leaned forward, raised her dark glasses, and peered intently at the actress illuminated by a single muted spotlight. “How can I go on? The man I love is…promised to…a gold digger.” The actress covered her face with her hands, and her shoulders shook as she sobbed. She slumped into a brown velvet armchair close to the pretend fireplace, flung her arms wide, and implored the heavens to change the impossible situation. “Never have I felt so…wretched. So utterly despondent. As soon as I met George I knew he was someone special. It was as though Mister Right had come along.” She paused.“But at the wrong time.” She clasped her hands, and her face contorted into one of pain. “Until I met George, I never believed love existed. Not real love. Not the sort that could lift me up and twirl me around in sheer happiness. Delirious ecstasy. If I’d known George was already engaged I wouldn’t have fallen in love with him. At least, I would have resisted as best I could.” She stared out into the audience, unseeing. “Or would I? Could I?” The actress stood and moved forward to the edge of the stage. “My life is over. If I can’t have the man I love, then I see no reason to live.” She reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a small revolver. The gasp from the audience was not lost on Louisa, although when she had played the part of Christina back in the sixties, her audiences were so shocked they called out to her, ‘No! No, Christina! Don’t kill yourself.’

18 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 19 sashayed through the tables and chairs Saturday night, she felt alive. It didn’t matter enough for them to rehearse. It was James’s Encore! by Noelle Clark (continued) where many in the audience glanced at her, at all that she was cooped up in the back idea to head off to Café Cleo after every pointed, and nudged their friends. That’s of a cab. Horns blared, neon lights flashed, performance. He apparently told Carole that She recalled the scene in the last act where James had kissed her so passionately. Louisa Frank. The famous actress. well-dressed theatre-goers moved along it was a ‘Director’s Meeting’, where they the sidewalks. Cafes and restaurants were went over the night’s performance and fixed The corner of Louisa’s lips curled up ever so slightly at the memory, She pursed her lips and craned her neck the way she was taught by As she reached the door of Café Cleo, she full to capacity. any issues. He told her she wouldn’t be at all then she returned her focus to the actress. countless photographers in order to minimise unwanted chins and turned to the crowd and nodded her head. A burst of applause sent her on her way, off James. Oh how she missed him. Every welcome. Instead, as soon as the curtains Christina turned the gun over in her hand, inspecting it. “I have no ageing wrinkles. into the night to endure a lonely week holed Saturday night after their performance, no went down, Carole caught a taxi home. On choice. I cannot sit by and watch George marry Helena. I could not She and James had made these actors seem like absolute hams. up in her tiny apartment on Charles Lane, matter what, they always caught a cab to her own. bear to witness their happiness while I remain the most miserable Tonight’s amateurs had over-acted, been overly melodramatic, and West Village. Café Cleo together. They stayed there for Those hours spent in the Café Cleo were woman on earth.” She slowly pulled back the hammer on the pistol lacked true emotion. hours, always at the same table, and Alfie’s the start of a great—a magnificent—love and raised it to her head. “There’s another of your old plays on next week. The View From Up Louisa stared out the cab window at the father Luigi treated them like they were affair. A loud crash off-stage caused the audience to scream. Here. Do you remember it? That was the one where James—” New York City lights. She sighed deeply. If it British royalty. He always joked, saying that She and James formed, firstly, a wonderful From behind a Chinese screen, George appeared, his anguished face “Of course I remember it.” She finally turned to face Alfie. “I’m wasn’t for dear Alfie and the Café Cleo, if he could afford a red carpet for them, he friendship. Not only did they have a love masking his exceptionally good looks. not an imbecile. It was a wonderful play. Full of pathos, romance, she doubted anyone at all would would buy one. of the theatre in common, but they were “Christina! Stop!” he cried. intrigue…” remember her. Who am I kidding? James Fontaine. Six-foot-four tall, both from Rhode Island. It was as if they were meant to be together. It was James Too late, it seemed, the gun fired, the sharp report again causing She recalled the scene in the last act She gave a hollow laugh. muscular, thick dark hair always neatly who made the first moves, clutching at her the audience to jump. where James had kissed her so maintained with Brylcream, and the most passionately it had literally made handsome man God ever put on this Earth. hand under the red and white checkered Christina crumpled to the floor and the pistol fell from her hand her swoon. The audience had gone James and Louisa were like Fred and Ginger; tablecloth in Café Cleo, squeezing her hand with a loud thump. wild. The kiss went on for ages… Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward; Bogey and staring deeply into her eyes. George rushed to Christina’s side and fell to one knee. His howl far longer than the and Bacall. They starred opposite each other “It’s getting late. Perhaps I should echoed in the small room. director had dictated. in hundreds of plays—sometimes as accompany you home.” George turned to face the audience, tears streaming down his face. Every night for a lovers, sometimes not. The audiences It wasn’t Louisa’s nature to say no to “Oh, Christina! What have you done? My own true love. I came to week, after each loved them. The chemistry they gave off such a handsome, wonderful man as James tell you that I had broken my engagement with Helena because I…I performance, was hot enough to set fire to the stage Fontaine. His girlfriend, Carole, was just an love you! And now…” the director curtains. annoyance. She was nothing in the scheme tore shreds While most of their peers gravitated of things. The lifeless body on the floor moved, and Christina moaned. off them both to the movies, James and Louisa And so, James began riding to Louisa’s More gasps from the audience added to the moment. Yes, this is for prolonging remained loyal to the place in the cab. At first, he kissed her on the indeed a good audience, mused Louisa. the kiss audiences of Broadway. They cheek and waited in the back of the cab until and making George’s eyes widened and he spun around to stare at Christina. were young actors who lived she opened the front door. Once she set a it appear “George? Is that you? Are you in heaven too?” Christina’s pathetic for the adrenaline rush of being foot inside, she turned and waved to him, so…risqué. whimper brought sighs from the audience. on stage. Sure, the pay was less then he signalled to the driver to go. But as And every in the theatre, and some of their night after night followed, he graduated to “Christina? You’re alive!” George grasped Christina’s hands and performance, friends achieved huge fame kissing her passionately before she alighted helped her to sit up. “We’re not in heaven, my darling. We’re here— James as movie stars, but James and the cab. together. Forever.” kissed Louisa always had great respect George wrapped his arms around her and crushed her to his chest. her Louisa hid her impatience. She wanted him for their audiences and vowed to He bent his head and when their lips met, the audience erupted in a even in her bed. She tolerated his slow wooing never desert them. mixture of loud cheering and applause. longer. because, after all, they were professionals. Louisa Frank and James But her desire to make love, naked and Fade to black. The applause continued. Scuffle noises came from By the last Fontaine. She still had all the passionate, with James Fontaine grew. the darkened stage, and then the lights came back on. performance at the end posters. They covered every Eventually, one night after a particularly George and Christina, hand in hand, bowed to the audience. They of the week, square inch of the tiny one- good performance of Kiss Me Kate at the turned as Helena joined them on stage, acknowledging the audience the audience bedroom hovel that was called Palace Theatre, James’s passions seemed with a gracious bow. were treated an apartment by her greedy landlord. quite aroused. Their roles involved lots of Louisa sighed. She sipped her coffee, grimacing as she found it was to a truly He actually boasted that he’d never kissing. James played the part of married now luke-warm. fervent kiss been to see live theatre in his whole Fred; Louisa was Bianca, the shrewish Alfie appeared again and sat at the vacant chair next to her. “What that brought life! Louisa shook her head. Her girlfriend of a gambler. It was a perfect play did you think of the performance, Miss Frank?” them to their feet, shouting out landlord disgusted her. She pushed for them, mirroring—in some ways—their him from her mind. real lives. Louisa rounded on him. He asked the same question every week. “It and clapping for more. She was abominable.” smiled. That kiss had left her When she’d first met James, he had a Louisa almost dragged James into her breathless and very weak at girlfriend. A pretty young thing—if you liked apartment by his tie. She’d had more than “Si. It was rubbish.” He surveyed the still cheering crowd. “Still, the the knees. She them flat-chested, bony, and brainless— enough of this titillation. She wanted James audience liked it. They’ve bought plenty of coffee and wine.” knew that “So, you’ll be back next Saturday night, whose name was Carole. in her bed. Now! “They have no taste. Philistines.” Louisa’s acerbic tongue never as she left every Miss Frank?” Alfie knew the answer. Alfie knew Carole had many annoying habits, but the The taxi driver yawned loudly. “Well, thank bothered Alfie. He was old enough to remember when Louisa played Saturday night, Alfie urged the her habits very well. worst was how she followed James around the Lord. We’re moving at last.” Christina. He was a young man then and his father owned Café Cleo, crowd to applaud her at the door. He bribed like a puppy. At one point, Louisa thought of one of the oldest Off-Off-Broadway establishments in Hell’s Kitchen Louisa gathered her bag, adjusted her scarf, and stood. “Call me a them with a free round of drinks. Louisa blinked. “Oh. Yes. Good.” It took her buying her a bag of liver treats and locking where non-Equity actors trod the boards for appreciative audiences. cab will you Alfie?” a moment to focus on her surroundings... She settled back in the seat as the driver her in the bathroom. James and Louisa had “I already have, Miss Frank. It’s waiting outside for you.” “Totally. Now, back in 1962 when you and James…” encountered thick, Saturday-night traffic on lines to learn, scenes to practice. Having END OF PART ONE “You’re really…too kind.” 7th Avenue. He turned and spoke over his Encore © 2015 Noelle Clark “Oh don’t dredge that old stuff up, Alfie. You know I never even Carole underfoot every moment was a most Part Two will appear in the December edition of think of those days anymore.” “You’re my most famous—and favourite—customer.” Alfie leaned shoulder. unsatisfactory situation. Love’s Great Adventure. “I know you don’t, Miss Frank,” he crooned. “But you should. You forward and lightly kissed her cheek. “You have a good week now, “Gonna be a slow trip, lady.” Eventually, Louisa told James that if he Can’t wait to finish reading? were magic on the stage.” Alfie’s smooth Italian tone never failed to okay?” “That’s okay.” The longer the better. Out wanted to be her leading man, he had to Find Second Chance Cafe on Amazon: make Louisa feel special. Without answering, Louise tilted her nose slightly in the air and here on the streets of New York City on a ditch the blonde. Not permanently, but long Tap or Click Here 20 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 21 love food love food Veronica Lake

food feature BY William Holden: hollywoodELIZABETH ELLEN CARTER Shish Kebab William Holden with Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard commissary ovieland was abuzz this year after a lost manuscript was discovered that revealed the secrets of the stars. The untitled memoir was written by the late Pauline Kessinger who’d been thinking of Mspilling the beans – on what the greats of Hollywood liked to cook and eat. She ran Paramount’s commissary from the 1940s to the ‘80s and wrote there was never a dull moment in the kitchen. “One day we had to whip up pounds of powdered whites of egg for Howard Hawks’ picture Hatari - so that Elsa Martinelli could bathe in it.” Kessinger died in 1995. Her Hollywood Cookbook was unearthed in the studio archives recently. She said: “I know a Pandora’s box full of events that overtook people, sometimes flinging them to fame, sometimes Kessinger: “Holden often arrives home from an dashing them to destruction. I will never tell most of those stories.” Veronica Lake: Meatloaf eight-hour stint before Paramount cameras to enjoy But what she did do was reveal their favourite dishes… a barbecue dinner. For example, one evening after Not a dish one would think of in the same mental emoting with Nancy Olson in the new drama Submarine breath as the gorgeous Veronica Lake but Kessinger Command, Bill invited Nancy and her husband, Alan Ann-Margret: Chef’s Salad said she heard the actress recounting her own recipe Lerner, to join the Holden family in an outdoor feast Kessinger: “During the filming of The Swinger, a fantasy sequence called for Ann- to co-stars Mona Freeman and Mary Hatcher while which highlighted ‘Shish Kebab à la Bill Holden.’” Margret to appear as a human paintbrush to cover a giant canvas in psychedelic working on Isn’t It Romantic in 1948. shades. The material used to simulate the paint had to spread evenly and not ingredients ingredients • 1–2 green bell peppers, cut into cause harm to the star’s delicate skin. The commissary solution: a creamy, thin • 500g /1 lb. lean ground • 3/4 tsp. salt • 2½ tsp garlic powder pieces roughly the width of the vanilla pudding — then colored with food coloring. We made about 300 gallons meat of this a day until the sequence was completed. When Ann-Margret was making beef • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder • 1½ tsp ground nutmeg Pocketful of Miracles in 1961, she was very fond of our Chef’s Salad.” • 1–2 red bell or orange bell • 1 cup dried bread crumbs • 1/4 tsp. ground black • 1½ tsp ground green cardamom peppers cut into pieces roughly the • 1/2 cup diced onion pepper • 1 tsp allspice ingredients width of the meat • 1/2 cup milk For the Topping: • 6 cherry tomatoes • 2 slices turkey • 1 tsp paprika For The Marinade • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese (grated) • 1 large egg (beaten) • 1/4 cup ketchup • Salt • 1/2 cup chopped iceberg lettuce • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced (Ann-Margret preferred Swiss • 2 tbsp. ketchup • 2 tbsp. light brown sugar • Freshly ground black pepper, • 1/4 cucumber (medium, sliced) • Two lemons, juice of cheese cut in strips) • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire • 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar more for later • 1 hard boiled egg (sliced) Ann-Margret • 1 cup Private Reserve Extra • 3 tablespoons salad dressing sauce • 3 lb beef tenderloin (filet • 1/4 cup diced ham Virgin Olive Oil • 1/4 tsp crushed garlic • 1 tsp. dried parsley leaves mignon), cut into 1½-inch cubes • 1 cup dry red wine Method • 1 large red onion, cut into pieces method roughly the width of the meat Preheat oven to 180 degrees C Place the ingredients in a bowl. Toss and stir well. Add dressing. Toss a Janet Leigh: Pork method little more. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix the beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, 2 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, garlic powder, In a bowl, mix the spices. Rub the cubed meat with the spice mix. Chops (for Tony Curtis) and pepper in a large bowl with your hands. Make sure it’s Make sure the meat is covered. In another bowl, combine the mixed up well or the ingredients won’t bind. marinade ingredients and add the meat to the marinade. Cover and Janet Leigh stand in fridge for a few hours. Remove the meat from fridge an and Tony Curtis ingredients Kessinger: “While filming Houdini, Janet was teamed with her Put the mixture in a suitable loaf pan. Pat down into an hour before grilling. Use this hour to also pre-soak wood skewers in • 2 tbsps vegetable oil husband, Tony Curtis, for the first time in their motion picture even layer. careers. Because both of them were working in the same film at the water to stop them charring. You’ll need a dozen skewers. • 4 thick pork chops In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup ketchup, the brown sugar, and same time, it was necessary for Janet to prepare simple dishes in vinegar. Stir to combine and pour the sauce on top of the Pre-heat grill while preparing the shish kabobs. Do not discard the • 1 cup white rice marinade. Thread the meat, onions, and peppers onto the skewers, advance. Tony’s favorite was pork chops and rice.” meat mix. Spread it evenly. • 1 large tomato, thinly alternating until you run out of meat. Grill for eight minutes, turning Bake uncovered for 55 minutes. sliced once midway through. While grilling, paint the meat with marinade method Let the meatloaf rest for 8-10 minutes before serving to • 2 onions, cut into once or twice but only once after turning. Dispose of unused Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Grease a suitable baking dish. consolate. marinade. Remove from heat to a serving platter and let stand for rings Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear Kessinger: “For left-over meatloaf, Miss Lake suggests a five minutes before serving. • 1/2 teaspoon thyme chops until browned on each side. thick gravy of cream of mushroom soup.” • Salt and pepper to Pour rice into baking dish. Layer the tomato and onion slices onto taste rice. Top with the chops and sprinkle with thyme, salt, and black • 2 cans beef pepper to taste. Pour consomme into the baking dish and cover. The recipes on this page are not the recipes detailed by Pauline Kessinger to which Paramount owns the copyright. consommé Bake in oven until rice and vegetables are tender and pork is But they are tasty recipes for the dishes so liked by these cooked through, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. stars. LGA 22 Love’s Great Adventure Background Image: © Coolcaesar (CC BY-SA 4.0) Love’s Great Adventure 23 1. Aussie artist Jon English has Tinseltown’s number and it ain’t lucky for some Play this game oinline at https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/697525 love FUN 2. Track by Aussie band Selahphonic - ‘Hollywood K--s’ PLAY 3. Bob likes the place after dark. Lights, Camera... ACTION! 4. Piano man’s au revoir WIN A SIGNED 5. Deviant named Brit band’s eulogy to film star boulevard BOOK AND A 6. Measure of a man says: “It’s crazy - a dog up in Beverly Hills...” 7. You can’t find your engagement gem??? SOUVENIR FROM 8. Nice guy Benny says ‘Rah rah’ for Tinseltown ENJOY @ ComicBookPlus HOLLYWOOD 9. Fugitive girls keep it simple.

GUESS THE SONG 10. Cool dude and his buddies have the joint swinging. HOLLYWOOD QUIZ HOLLYWOOD Guess the song titles behind game TAP OR CLICK HERE https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=27118 the cryptic clues then go to https://eecarter.com/ hollywood-quiz/ to see how you went and enter my free competition. play

ACROSS 1. A piece of optical glass but in movie-speak it means ‘to film’ 3. The plastic or metal spool for winding film Crossword 5. A traditional name for a young teenage actress cast in an important lead. 7. A respectful tribute to someone famous or influential Clues 9. The word means black in French but to film goers it means a gritty drama. 10. Over the top emotional style of film sometimes known as a tearjerker. 12. A small performance that has a big impact 14. A short found as bonus content on DVDs 15. The studio go-ahead to make a film 18. A list of films made by an actor or crew member 20. Who’s on first? The biggest name actor gets the first of these. 21. Editing together a series of short sequences in a common theme or to advance a story 23. The 20th Century Fox logo features a couple of these searchlights 24. A non-fiction narrative of a person or event 26. Telling a story, usually in the form of an off-screen voice 27. Before a shoot, actors have to put on costume and______30. The exhibition of a movie usually to a select group of people like film critics 31. A form of comedy that makes fun of an existing work 33. The name given to the chief electrician or lighting technician DOWN 2. The outdoor background in a set 4. A group of actors of equal billing involved in a film. 6. A mistake caught on camera 7. A slang term denoting a dancer 8. The name of a show-biz magazine 11. Turning a book into a film 13. A camera movement or a word that could mean you hated the film. 16. A much needed bathroom break in the middle of a very long film 17. The three colour film process associated bright, vivid colours. 19. A place in the great outdoors to film 22. The process by which an actor gets a role 25. It has all the qualities of a film in size and scope 28. The gold statuette given to the best of the best by the Academy 29. A comedic device in which an actor delivers a funny line with his face

showing no emotion.

16. Intermission 17. Technicolor 19. Location 22. Audition 25. Cinematic 28. Oscar 29. Deadpan 29. Oscar 28. Cinematic 25. Audition 22. Location 19. Technicolor 17. Intermission 16.

own D Pan 13. Adaptation 11. Variety 8. Hoofer 7. Blooper 6. Ensemble 4. Scenery 2.

akeup 30. Screening 31. Parody 33. Gaffer Gaffer 33. Parody 31. Screening 30. akeup M 27. Narration 26.

Documentary 24. Klieglight 23. ontage M 21. Billing 20. Filmography 18. Greenlight 15.

cross A elodrama 12. Cameo 14. Featurette Featurette 14. Cameo 12. elodrama M 10. Noir 9. Homage 7. Ingenue 5. Reel 3. Lens 1. 24 Love’s Great Adventure Love’s Great Adventure 25 26 Love’s Great Adventure