June 28, 2013 — I love connections …
- Heard Laura Linney on NPR discuss her role of Daisy Suckley, FDR’s distant cousin in Hyde Park on Hudson (2012). When Daisy died in 1991 (her 100th year!) a box of letters and diaries was found under her bed.
- Got Hyde Park on Hudson from a Redbox, in Safeway, June 17. Haven’t rented DVDs in years (or gone out to a movie) … Also, the Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren Hitchcock (2012). Took the next day, Tuesday, off; no looming deadlines as the quarter wound to a close … A stay up late, movie splurge night! Nice to have a personal faculty day a quarter that you have to use!
- Bill Murray? Franklin Roosevelt? … It does work. Not a clone, an essence. The true test … I’m tempted to purchase. Watched again, with commentary by British director, Roger Michell … and … wait for it … wait … It was filmed in England! … Never had an instance of, “How phoney is this?!” while watching.
- This led to Closest Companion: the Unknown Story of the Intimate Friendship Between Franklin Roosevelt and Margaret Suckley, edited and annotated by Geoffrey C. Ward, 1995. Got it via Summit, over 35 academic libraries in Washington and Oregon, including Clark College. Access to millions of books from the big guys like U. of Washington, Portland State U. Select a book (or dvd!) and it’s sent to Clark with 3 working days.
- Which led to Margaret “Daisy” Suckley’s book, The True Story of Fala, 1942. Summit to the rescue again!
Before 7-month-old Fala arrived at the White House, November 10, 1940, Daisy taught him how to behave and do tricks. Originally named Big Boy, Franklin changed Fala’s moniker to Murray the Outlaw of Falahill after a Scottish ancestor.
- Last night, sorting through my purchased DVDs, transferring a good chunk from cases to 2 space saving 3-ring binders (with marvelous DVD holders, 8 per sheet) … There it was … Fala: The President’s Dog … a Pete Smith short … an extra with Lassie Come Home … both 1943. With the credit. “Based on the book by Margaret Suckley.” Bravo!
Below, my screen capture from Fala: The President’s Dog … reading his own book! … Whether real, or a dramatization, as much of the short is, it’s still extremely cute!
Fala: April 7, 1940-April 5, 1952 … Driving off with FDR, 1882-1945 …
P.S. A newish children’s book, First Dog Fala, 2008, by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk. Looking forward to the color illustrations by Michael C. Montgomery … on hold at Fort Vancouver Public Library.
Movies, Of Course! 