That's interesting about Sam Hall's obsession with Lord Kitchener, MB. I'd never heard of that.

G.

Hi Gang,

According to the internet, it was on this date in 1941 that the film The Maltese Falcon had its premiere. I just watched a clip from this film of a dramatic confrontation scene featuring arch and enigmatic villain Kasper Gutman (played by the immortal Sidney Greenstreet) and his accomplice, the rather fey but lethal Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre). And I realized that somewhere in the back of my mind, I've been aware for years that the original characterizations of Count Petofi and his fey but lethal accomplice Aristede must have been inspired by these two. Particularly the Petofi characterization--in an interview, DS writer Violet Welles, who invented the character of the Count, mentioned that she'd thrown in a reference to him in an early 1897 script, and the character sort of grew and grew until he more or less demanded to be brought onstage.

Needless to say, the casting of Thayer David as the Count was a must--and resulted in some of the most brilliant and eccentric scenes of DS.

Count Petofi,wherever you are, I salute you! Remembering your words: "I know but one god... and his name is Petofi!"

G.

OMGss--AUNT HANNAH!!! Just in time for the weekend!

Not only is that a fabulous shot, but I don't recall Hannah ever being seen in a skirt--I recalled her being stuck with the same pantsuit in EVERY episode in which she appeared. So I'm all the more delighted with this photo!

cheers! GothEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

I thought it was so unfair that Portia never came back for at least one more episode.

But that still leaves so many more tantalizing possibilities... Buzz ... Suki Forbes ... the redoubtable Minerva Trask, noted for her damson plum preserves and strict views on child-rearing... Leona Eltridge, possibly a reincarnation of the most EEE-vil woman of the Eighteenth Century... yes... the possibilities are truly numerous!

cheers, G.

It's Count Petofi! So much love! And look at the lighting in that shot. Gorgeous! Like a Mario Bava film!

G.

Love the look Frid is giving Lou in today's photo.

And yes, that is a very nice photograph of Kate and Jim. Heavens, the gossip reported about the behind-the-scenes shenanigans at the studio during that period, on some of the comment threads on Danny Horn's blog...

G.

Today's shot is one of my favorites in the entire series. It establishes the spooky grandeur of Collinwood so well. I wonder if was accomplished using a mirror.

I'm sorry I missed Nicholas if he was featured yesterday--a very busy day for me, and I may have failed to visit the site.

Great shot of Angelique, too!

cheers, GotheEEEEEEK

Nice shot of Laura and Nora today. I feel a pang thinking of our dear Denise. May her spirit know peace.

G.