Thanks for the great stories - you're a gem.
B
Nell - Eleanor Doheny....
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feaito
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Lzcutter
- Administrator
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- Location: Lake Balboa and the City of Angels!
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Larry,
I will keep my fingers crossed that you are able to visit the City of the Angels this May as it would be great to meet up with you after all this time!
I will keep my fingers crossed that you are able to visit the City of the Angels this May as it would be great to meet up with you after all this time!
Lynn in Lake Balboa
"Film is history. With every foot of film lost, we lose a link to our culture, to the world around us, to each other and to ourselves."
"For me, John Wayne has only become more impressive over time." Marty Scorsese
Avatar-Warner Bros Water Tower
"Film is history. With every foot of film lost, we lose a link to our culture, to the world around us, to each other and to ourselves."
"For me, John Wayne has only become more impressive over time." Marty Scorsese
Avatar-Warner Bros Water Tower
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Vecchiolarry
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: May 6th, 2007, 10:15 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Fernando,
I don't know who could portray Nell now-a-days... At one time, I was going out with Camilla Sparv and Nell liked her very much - but she married Robert Evans.
And there was an actress called Diane McBain, who resembled Nell quite a bit.
Also, I thought Tippi Hedren looked like her in "The Birds".....
I'm not sure there is enough drama in her story to warrent a full movie.
They did do part of my great grandfather's story with "There Will Be Blood" but they left the best part out - his backstory.
If you watch the first 5 minutes of "Duel in the Sun", you will see him and his wife, "Herbert Marshall & Tillie Losch" and how they made their living before all that oil.......
Now that's a movie I'd like made. Cardsharks, half-breed whore, gunslingers, the Badger Game & murder.....
Dominic Dunne wants to write that book!!
Larry
I don't know who could portray Nell now-a-days... At one time, I was going out with Camilla Sparv and Nell liked her very much - but she married Robert Evans.
And there was an actress called Diane McBain, who resembled Nell quite a bit.
Also, I thought Tippi Hedren looked like her in "The Birds".....
I'm not sure there is enough drama in her story to warrent a full movie.
They did do part of my great grandfather's story with "There Will Be Blood" but they left the best part out - his backstory.
If you watch the first 5 minutes of "Duel in the Sun", you will see him and his wife, "Herbert Marshall & Tillie Losch" and how they made their living before all that oil.......
Now that's a movie I'd like made. Cardsharks, half-breed whore, gunslingers, the Badger Game & murder.....
Dominic Dunne wants to write that book!!
Larry
Hi Larry:
With your description of Nell being a combination of Mae Murray, Lana Turner, and Claire Trevor, then later that Diane McBain looked a lot like her, I think Reese Witherspoon might be a pretty good Nell. Diane McBain was one of those beautiful blond contract players that Warner Bros. was overrun with.
If you consider a movie starting with little girls playing in the gardens of the palaces of Russia, getting out before the war, making friends with all the people who started the movie game, all her husbands . . . YIKES how can you say not much to base a film on?
Anne
With your description of Nell being a combination of Mae Murray, Lana Turner, and Claire Trevor, then later that Diane McBain looked a lot like her, I think Reese Witherspoon might be a pretty good Nell. Diane McBain was one of those beautiful blond contract players that Warner Bros. was overrun with.
If you consider a movie starting with little girls playing in the gardens of the palaces of Russia, getting out before the war, making friends with all the people who started the movie game, all her husbands . . . YIKES how can you say not much to base a film on?
Anne
Anne
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Vecchiolarry
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: May 6th, 2007, 10:15 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Anne,
Well I suppose if you consolidate 75 years into 2 hours, it would seem pretty dramatic.
But, all I ever observed was her sitting on her a-s-s dictating orders. The real fun was watching everybody running around, falling over each other getting it done.
You have never seen such a production as us on the move!
Getting her and all her luggage on a train and onboard ship was bedlam and often funny.
As a little boy - 4 years old in 1946 - I only had to worry about peeing my pants, or rather not peeing them. So, you can see I had lots to laugh about.
Larry
Well I suppose if you consolidate 75 years into 2 hours, it would seem pretty dramatic.
But, all I ever observed was her sitting on her a-s-s dictating orders. The real fun was watching everybody running around, falling over each other getting it done.
You have never seen such a production as us on the move!
Getting her and all her luggage on a train and onboard ship was bedlam and often funny.
As a little boy - 4 years old in 1946 - I only had to worry about peeing my pants, or rather not peeing them. So, you can see I had lots to laugh about.
Larry
Okay, did you see Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada? Basically, her part was sitting on her same human attribute, and they did a whole movie around that :!: It might make for a good, old-fashioned slapstick film.
Anne
Anne
Anne
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feaito
Hi Larry,
I can only say WOW!!!!
Camilla Sparv, Tippi Hedren and Diane McBain were real super-beauties and had (& have) so much class and elegance. Nell must have been a true treat for the eye!
I have not gotten around to watching"There Will be Blood": I've heard it is a very downbeat, somber movie and I've avoided it.
And your great grandfather & his wife are Herbert Marshall & Tilly Losch in "Duel in the Sun" (1946)? Now friend, a miniseries could be produced depicting the saga of your family. And I'd be the first watching it.
I can only say WOW!!!!
Camilla Sparv, Tippi Hedren and Diane McBain were real super-beauties and had (& have) so much class and elegance. Nell must have been a true treat for the eye!I have not gotten around to watching"There Will be Blood": I've heard it is a very downbeat, somber movie and I've avoided it.
And your great grandfather & his wife are Herbert Marshall & Tilly Losch in "Duel in the Sun" (1946)? Now friend, a miniseries could be produced depicting the saga of your family. And I'd be the first watching it.
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charliechaplinfan
- Posts: 9040
- Joined: January 15th, 2008, 9:49 am
Dear Larry,
Thank you so much for starting this thread, I'm absolutely spellbound. Four husbands and four titles, that's a lady who picks well. Am I correct that your grandfather was the cousin of the Marquis De Coudray who himself had been married to Gloria Swanson and Constance Bennett?
Did your grandmother know any of the assissinated Russian royal family. Did you know if she had an opinion on Anna Anderson who has now been discredited as Anastasia.
I love tales of days gone by thank you for sharing your family stories
Thank you so much for starting this thread, I'm absolutely spellbound. Four husbands and four titles, that's a lady who picks well. Am I correct that your grandfather was the cousin of the Marquis De Coudray who himself had been married to Gloria Swanson and Constance Bennett?
Did your grandmother know any of the assissinated Russian royal family. Did you know if she had an opinion on Anna Anderson who has now been discredited as Anastasia.
I love tales of days gone by thank you for sharing your family stories
Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself - Charlie Chaplin
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Vecchiolarry
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: May 6th, 2007, 10:15 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Alison,
Yes, my grandfather was a cousin of Gloria & Connie's Marquis. Henri was a very nice man and I knew him and his wife, Emma, they lived in Paris.
He was in both World Wars and received a Coix de Guerre for both of them.
I believe both Gloria Swanson & Constance Bennett stayed on friendly terms with him until he died (although I think Constance died before him, I'm not sure).
Nell did see Nicholas and Alexandra twice and the children at a distance once.
In 1908, she was presented to N&A at Peterhof in a debutant's ceremony. They both smiled and waved her on - all very impersonal.
And in 1913 in Moscow, at an Imperial Ceremony when she accompanied the Dowager Empress, she viewed them passing in a 'parade' inside the Kremlin. The Czar bowed to everyone but Alexandra simply walked by and the children all were escorted by soldiers.
Nell only was on duty with DE for public appearances and not private ones, so she didn't visit the Emperor & Empress and the kids.
In about 1953 or 1954 in Paris, Nell gave a written statement for a Berlin court saying just what I've written above and that she could not be a witness for or against Anna Anderson.
But she did state that several Romanovs disavowed AA and that the Dowager Empress never recognised her as Anastasia.
By the way, the movie is wrong - Maria Feodorovna never met or saw Anna Anderson, nor any other claimant. And, there were several - there have been dozens of Anastasias, Marias and Alexeis and others too!!
Larry
Yes, my grandfather was a cousin of Gloria & Connie's Marquis. Henri was a very nice man and I knew him and his wife, Emma, they lived in Paris.
He was in both World Wars and received a Coix de Guerre for both of them.
I believe both Gloria Swanson & Constance Bennett stayed on friendly terms with him until he died (although I think Constance died before him, I'm not sure).
Nell did see Nicholas and Alexandra twice and the children at a distance once.
In 1908, she was presented to N&A at Peterhof in a debutant's ceremony. They both smiled and waved her on - all very impersonal.
And in 1913 in Moscow, at an Imperial Ceremony when she accompanied the Dowager Empress, she viewed them passing in a 'parade' inside the Kremlin. The Czar bowed to everyone but Alexandra simply walked by and the children all were escorted by soldiers.
Nell only was on duty with DE for public appearances and not private ones, so she didn't visit the Emperor & Empress and the kids.
In about 1953 or 1954 in Paris, Nell gave a written statement for a Berlin court saying just what I've written above and that she could not be a witness for or against Anna Anderson.
But she did state that several Romanovs disavowed AA and that the Dowager Empress never recognised her as Anastasia.
By the way, the movie is wrong - Maria Feodorovna never met or saw Anna Anderson, nor any other claimant. And, there were several - there have been dozens of Anastasias, Marias and Alexeis and others too!!
Larry
Monsieur Larry, was the title passed from your grandfather to your father?
Did Nell keep in contact with the Dowager Empress? How many titles did Nell have? For a Midwestern gal, this is all a bit overpowering.
should I kneel????
Thanks again for sharing these incredible memories and stories with us!
Did Nell keep in contact with the Dowager Empress? How many titles did Nell have? For a Midwestern gal, this is all a bit overpowering.
should I kneel????
Thanks again for sharing these incredible memories and stories with us!
"Life is not the way it's supposed to be.. It's the way it is..
The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference." ~ Virginia Satir
""Most people pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it." ~ Soren Kierkegaard
The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference." ~ Virginia Satir
""Most people pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it." ~ Soren Kierkegaard
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Vecchiolarry
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: May 6th, 2007, 10:15 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Nancy,
Ha, ha, ha....
You can kneel to my father if you want but he'd wonder what you were doing.
You certainly won't need to kneel to me.
The official line from France and Canada is this:
All French titles are courtesy titles with no power attached, since there no longer is a French monarchy anymore.
Also, in Canada it is illegal to possess a title, as all citizens are supposedly equal as in the USA. However, we know that is a fallacy....
My father is my grandfather's inheritor, so he would be the Marquis de Serraincourt normally and I would be entitled to his subsiduary title of Count de Mortain as his first born son.
I always travelled under the Count de Mortain with Nell and still do in Europe. It opens up a lot of doors and gets you through security pronto.
Yes, Nell adored the Dowager Empress and stayed in touch with her until she died in 1928 in Denmark. At the time Nell was married to her Italian Duke and they represented the Savoys (the Italian Royal Family) at the funeral.
Larry
Ha, ha, ha....
You can kneel to my father if you want but he'd wonder what you were doing.
You certainly won't need to kneel to me.
The official line from France and Canada is this:
All French titles are courtesy titles with no power attached, since there no longer is a French monarchy anymore.
Also, in Canada it is illegal to possess a title, as all citizens are supposedly equal as in the USA. However, we know that is a fallacy....
My father is my grandfather's inheritor, so he would be the Marquis de Serraincourt normally and I would be entitled to his subsiduary title of Count de Mortain as his first born son.
I always travelled under the Count de Mortain with Nell and still do in Europe. It opens up a lot of doors and gets you through security pronto.
Yes, Nell adored the Dowager Empress and stayed in touch with her until she died in 1928 in Denmark. At the time Nell was married to her Italian Duke and they represented the Savoys (the Italian Royal Family) at the funeral.
Larry
Last edited by Vecchiolarry on January 18th, 2009, 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ok, so just a curtsy, right? 
Does anyone still have the letters between Nell and the D.E.? What a read those would make!
Since there was "blood" in the title, I didn't care to see the movie There Will Be Blood. Could you elaborate on the story of your great grandfather? This would be Nell's father, correct?
Geez Larry, I can hardly keep all my cousins and aunts/uncles straight!
Does anyone still have the letters between Nell and the D.E.? What a read those would make!
Since there was "blood" in the title, I didn't care to see the movie There Will Be Blood. Could you elaborate on the story of your great grandfather? This would be Nell's father, correct?
Geez Larry, I can hardly keep all my cousins and aunts/uncles straight!
"Life is not the way it's supposed to be.. It's the way it is..
The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference." ~ Virginia Satir
""Most people pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it." ~ Soren Kierkegaard
The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference." ~ Virginia Satir
""Most people pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it." ~ Soren Kierkegaard
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Vecchiolarry
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: May 6th, 2007, 10:15 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Nancy,
I don't really keep my cousins straight either.
Nell's brother, Ned, and his wife, Lucy, had 5 kids and they each had several too and these are the Dohenys now.
I rarely see any of them.
Also, my mother comes from a family of 16 children (she was #12) and there are a whole tribe there that I never see either.
I wouldn't really bother seeing "There Will be Blood". I was bored and it's all a congelled mish-mash.
The first part is true - he was a gold & silver miner in Colorado and then discovered oil. But not like in the movie.
And, he didn't have an adopted son.
The part where he's asked about his wife and he refuses to answer (he doesn't want to talk about her) is fairly true, since my great grandmother was a scandal and their story takes place before this movie starts.
The first 5 minutes of "Duel in the Sun" hints at what they were before but doesn't really explore the whole sordid mess of Nell's mother.
That story would be a doozy but between my father and the remaining Doheny's, it will never be a movie or a book.
I know Daniel Day Lewis won an Oscar for it but can't remember if the movie itself won Best Picture. I wouldn't have awarded it anything - - BORING!!!
Larry
I don't really keep my cousins straight either.
Nell's brother, Ned, and his wife, Lucy, had 5 kids and they each had several too and these are the Dohenys now.
I rarely see any of them.
Also, my mother comes from a family of 16 children (she was #12) and there are a whole tribe there that I never see either.
I wouldn't really bother seeing "There Will be Blood". I was bored and it's all a congelled mish-mash.
The first part is true - he was a gold & silver miner in Colorado and then discovered oil. But not like in the movie.
And, he didn't have an adopted son.
The part where he's asked about his wife and he refuses to answer (he doesn't want to talk about her) is fairly true, since my great grandmother was a scandal and their story takes place before this movie starts.
The first 5 minutes of "Duel in the Sun" hints at what they were before but doesn't really explore the whole sordid mess of Nell's mother.
That story would be a doozy but between my father and the remaining Doheny's, it will never be a movie or a book.
I know Daniel Day Lewis won an Oscar for it but can't remember if the movie itself won Best Picture. I wouldn't have awarded it anything - - BORING!!!
Larry
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charliechaplinfan
- Posts: 9040
- Joined: January 15th, 2008, 9:49 am
I must curtsey too!! We English love titles especially those of us who love our own monarch.
These reminisces are amazing. From my reading on the last of the romanovs, there was no love lost between Alexandra and Maria Feodrovna. Alexandra found her burden difficult to take and suffered ill health that may not have been treated correctly. It's easy to label her a bad empress or a woman who was cuckolded by a mad monk, I'm sure the truth was much more complicated than that. I have a book of photographs of the Romanovs both Maria Feodrovna an Alexandra were attractive women.
What I like too about European history is how interlinked everyone was. Nicholas II was Queen ALexandra of the Britain's nephew through her bloodline and Empress Alexandra was the niece of Edward VII of Britain through his bloodline.
My favorite royal personage is Queen ALexandra, she seems such a model consort and Queen.
Thank you so much for your reminisces LArry
These reminisces are amazing. From my reading on the last of the romanovs, there was no love lost between Alexandra and Maria Feodrovna. Alexandra found her burden difficult to take and suffered ill health that may not have been treated correctly. It's easy to label her a bad empress or a woman who was cuckolded by a mad monk, I'm sure the truth was much more complicated than that. I have a book of photographs of the Romanovs both Maria Feodrovna an Alexandra were attractive women.
What I like too about European history is how interlinked everyone was. Nicholas II was Queen ALexandra of the Britain's nephew through her bloodline and Empress Alexandra was the niece of Edward VII of Britain through his bloodline.
My favorite royal personage is Queen ALexandra, she seems such a model consort and Queen.
Thank you so much for your reminisces LArry
Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself - Charlie Chaplin