Last night's viewing on YouTube, was a revisit to
Nobody who has not lived that deprivation, for meat, eggs, fruit, in a time when they were rationed to vanishing point, can know that excitement and gratitude and wave of love for American people on opening a food parcel from them, sent out of pure generosity. That bottom picture could have been my home, Mom showing cans to family.
Lovely movie, worth revisiting. The difference between American and London humor, the understated emotions, the love of books and literature linking such different people. The cast is all stars, even small parts. And there's a cat!
My other ideas for today's blog are now overtaken by this newly discovered podcast, Haptic and Hue. Today it's about the power of Ukrainian embroidery in their history and the Ukrainian diaspora.
This is a podcast worth finding however you get your podcasts. As you know, I've been supporting Ukraine ever since the invasion, and here's one reason why.
Textiles are a powerful expression of a culture and identity, especially when it's under siege.
Happy day everyone, art will save us all.
I have that on DVD and I need to watch it again. I've read all of Hanff's books but "84" is my favorite. That has a magnificent cast, doesn't it? I didn't remember who all was in it!
ReplyDeleteEverybody who was anybody seemed to be in it. It's a wonderful work.
DeleteI've always loved Ukrainian embroidery! Glad the podcast refers to Alberta's large diaspora collection(s) of Ukrainian heritage. Edmonton and surrounding areas are a hotbed for such collecting and appreciation of Ukrainian culture. So is Winnipeg (my other city).
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the "84, Charing Cross Road" movie but when I was young, I tried to read the book. Its epistolatory form defeated me and I found it dull. I was probably TOO young to do it justice.
I thought you'd appreciate this post! You know about this history.
DeleteThat movie certainly DOES have an all-star cast.
ReplyDeleteYou constantly remind me that every culture has its textiles.
Textiles are often the hidden history of a culture, often created by women and ignored by men writing the history books. But they survive.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing 84 Charing Cross Rd! Thanks. I'm reminded of the Madame Lefarge in Tale of Two Cities and her knitting something into her scarf...some code. Yes arts do speak to peacetime, and yearn for it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! It's a brilliantly rendered movie, so many scenes refer to artworks without making a big deal of it. Almost every scene can be a great still.
DeleteI have not seen this movie, I will look for it. You are so right about the difference in knowing depredation and not. I understand it intellectually but since I have never actually experienced it, I don't really understand what a gift of food means to those without.
ReplyDeleteIn the scene where the older man is putting canned sausages on to heat, I could feel it in my very tissues!
DeleteWe are deep into Shetland these days. Terrific tv, or telly. 😊
ReplyDeleteThat's a series that really did justice to the books.
DeleteWe've only just got into that but loving it.
DeleteI have to make sure I find this film. I would like to see him.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
The embroidery is wonderful.
Many greetings to you and all good wishes for you and your loved ones.
And I wish you a lot of fun with your knitting group.
I think you'd like the movie. Thank you for your good wishes!
DeleteI love both the book and the movie versions of "84 Charing Cross Road." (Not least because of Anne Bancroft, which I think is why I went to see it in the first place, way back in the mid-'80s.) Helene Hanff also released a wonderful book called "Letter from New York," a compilation of the pieces she did for the BBC Woman's Hour radio show. Anyone familiar with New York would get a kick out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'll check that out, thank you. Bancroft really did a great characterization in that movie. Pitch perfect!
DeleteWounds like my kind of movie. So I definitely try to find it.
ReplyDeleteIt's on YouTube, no fee, a few ads. Let us know how you like it.
Delete84 Charing Cross Road was such a nice book and film, feeling like much more innocent times.
ReplyDeleteYes to that! Even though in all out war, the people are not cynical.
DeleteI will look for that movie!
ReplyDeleteLet us know how you like it.
DeleteLoved the book. Haven't seen the movie.
ReplyDeleteTextiles were a way of identifying where you came from - even villages had their own unique patterns. To lose that history and culture would be a travesty. I do hope things slow down and the world takes a deep breath and looks at all the things we are at risk of losing.
Fortunately for Ukrainian history, the diaspora takes care of their embroidered clothing and passes it down the generations, but we don't know yet how much has been destroyed by Russian attacks.
DeleteThanks for the podcast reco and the reminder of the film Charing Cross. Worth another viewing after all these years.
ReplyDeleteYes, worth finding, both.
DeleteI don't think I've seen the film but have read and re-read the book. Shall look out for it.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the few movies that do a good job of the book.
DeleteI vaguely remember seeing that movie many years ago but I don't remember it well enough to know what I thought of it. Obviously it didn't make a big impression if all I have is a vagueness.
ReplyDeleteIt's a New York and London sort of story, maybe didn't draw you in unless you're familiar with the cultures of both cities?
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