The Silver Screen Oasis

Dear Larry,

Thanks so much for "reviving" this wonderful thread!
I kept looking for it, but couldn't find it.

Knitty, I would love to take one of those leisurely "crossings."

What a life Nell experienced! Larry, what do you feel most appreciative about concerning all your experiences with her and the people you have known?

Sharing with us is such a kind gesture on your part.

Lynn, that is a lovely photo! Thank you!

Hi Nancy,

I don't think Nell ever got on an airplane in her life. She died in 1965 and air travel wasn't as big a deal then or before.
And, getting all that luggage onto an airplane - well, the hasle would have sent her into orbit. I just travel now with one large suitcase and a carry-on; and anything over that now costs extra!!
Plus dressing up and entering first class on a ship was her "thing".. It was her way of being 'Empress'!!! You can't do that on a plane.
Snapping her fingers and having 3 to 5 waiters running around like idiots never ceased to amuse her and I loved it; it was hilarious...
Her saving grace was that she tipped extremely well and was very generous to all her staff; but you'd better be good & efficient!!

I have tried to post pictures on here tonight and they won't take. I don't know how to transfer things except 'copy & paste' and it doesn't work...

Larry

Larry,

If you email me the images, I would be glad to post them for you!

That would be great, Lynn! Sounds like you and Mr. Cutter had such a wonderful dinner in LA with Larry a few years ago.

Just wanted to let everyone know that Larry sent me some of his family pictures and I'll post them tomorrow evening for him.

Stay tuned!!!

Wonderful news! I will definitely stay tuned. I can't wait...

I can't wait either. How exciting! It's almost better this way... creating some antici.......pation!

Ye...Yeh...Yes!

nah, I firmly believe in INSTANT GRATIFICATION!!!! but I'll wait......sigh.....

Thanks so much for your patience!

I'm going to start uploading the pixs that Larry sent me and I hope I get the right info with the right picture.

Here goes:

The photos in this post are titled "Nell's Husbands"

Up first:



HH Prince Matvei (Matthew) Cantacuzene taken in 1895, when he was 23… He was Husband #1….known as “Matty”. Nell and "Matty" were married from1908 – 1914. Their marriage was annulled by Russian Orthodox Church!






HIH Prince Gavril (Gabriel) Constantinovich Romanov…. He was Husband #2…..known as “Gabby”. Nell and "Gabby" were married from 1914 – 1916, she divorced him when he returned to Russia during WWI.





Norman, Marquis de Serraincourt, my grandfather!!… He was Husband #3….. Nell and Norman were married from 1916 – 1925, he divorced her for infidelity.

More pictures from Larry:

Pictures of the alabaster tomb Nell had made for her “Viking” – my grandfather.

It is in the crypt of Rouen Cathedral in Normandy.

When I arrived in LA in 1946, she was preparing to transport his body back to France from Vera Cruz, Mexico, where he had died in 1941. She later had this alabaster tomb made for him and then much later 2 tombs made for his parents.

Isn’t he beautiful??

More from Larry:


Here are the tombs of my great grandparents – Pierre and Hilda…. Nell was very fond of them. They died in the 1930’s..

Pierre -




Hilda –

Probably the pixs you have been waiting for:

Nell:

Nell at 6:




Nell at 10:




The Dohenys – 1900.

Nell at 10; her step-mother Estelle; her brother Ned (6); her father; her sister Carrie (8)

More Nell:



Nell in the 20’s






Nell in Court Dress for Tercentennial Ceremony in Moscow Kremlin – 1913.. Note the emeralds and The Dowager Empress’ Household Medal on her shoulder…




Full Court Dress-Note the emerald Kokoshnik on her head.

From Larry:

This is the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the wife of Grand Duke Vladimir, brother of Alexander III; and therefore brother-in-law and sister-in-law to the Dowager Empress.

She was known as the grandest of the Grand Duchesses; a very formidable lady. She has the distinction of being the last of the Romanov’s to escape (1920) and the first to die (1920)…..

This book by Meriel Buchanan, who was the daughter of the British Ambassador, and was a young girl before WWI is a good guide to who was who at the Russian Court:






That's all for now!

Please let Larry know how much you enjoy them!