Monthly Archives: April 2014

Louise Brooks as “The Canary” in The Canary Murder Case (1929)

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The Canary Murder Case is a 1929 American Pre-Code crime-mystery film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Malcolm St. Clair and Frank Tuttle. The screenplay was based on novel The Canary Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine. – Louise Brooks plays the role of Margaret Odell (The Canary), a scheming nightclub singer

1929: Louise Brooks in The Canary Murder Case.

Louise Brooks in The Canary Murder Case via

Louise Brooks in

Louise Brooks in The Canary Murder Case 1929.  Image by George P. Hommell via

Gloria Swanson in the silent film ‘Sadie Thompson’ (1928)

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Sadie Thompson is a 1928 American silent drama film that tells the story of a “fallen woman” who comes to Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life in San Francisco. The film stars Gloria Swanson, Lionel Barrymore, and Raoul Walsh.

1928: American actress Gloria Swanson (1897-1983) in a scene from the silent film ‘Sadie Thompson’, directed by Raoul Walsh and William Cameron Menzies. via

1928: American actress Gloria Swanson (1897-1983) in a scene from the silent film ‘Sadie Thompson’, directed by Raoul Walsh and William Cameron Menzies. via

1928: American actress Gloria Swanson (1897-1983) in a scene from the silent film ‘Sadie Thompson’, directed by Raoul Walsh and William Cameron Menzies. via

The Royal Bridal Gown of Queen Elizabeth (nee Bowes Lyon), 1923

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Prince Albert, Duke of York, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon were married on 26 April 1923 in Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth’s wedding dress was made from deep ivory chiffon moire, embroidered with pearls and a silver thread. It was intended to match the traditional Flanders lace provided for the train by Queen Mary. Elizabeth’s dress, which was in the fashion of the early 1920s, was designed by Madame Handley-Seymour, dressmaker to Queen Mary.

A strip of Brussels lace, inserted in the dress, was a Strathmore family heirloom. A female ancestor of the bride wore it to a grand ball for “Bonnie Prince Charlie”, Charles Edward Stuart.

The silver leaf girdle had a trail of spring green tulle, trailing to the ground; silver and rose thistle fastened it. According to an era news article:

“In the trimming the bride has defied all old superstitions about the unluckiness of green.”

Unlike more recent dresses, details of this one were publicly revealed in advance of the wedding day. However, the dress was worked on until the last possible opportunity: the day before the wedding, Elizabeth divided her time between the wedding rehearsal and her dressmakers.

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Queen Elizabeth (nee Bowes Lyon) wearing her long bridal veil of old point de Flanderes lace (1923) via

queen mother wedding dress

Queen Elizabeth (nee Bowes Lyon) in her wedding dress (1923) via

York Wedding

Queen Elizabeth (nee Bowes Lyon) & Prince Albert wearing RAF full dress in the rank of group captain, his senior service rank at the time of his marriage (1923) via