Frank Yerby – A notable African-American author

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African American, american author, fiction, film adaptation, Frank Yerby, literature, Yerby

Frank Yerby, an African-American author, wrote several books among which include: The Golden Hawk, The Saracen Blade, Benton’s Row and The Treasure of Pleasant Valley. These four published books are currently for sale @GenreReads on Etsy.

The Golden Hawk – Published by Dial Press in New York; Copyright 1948; Typography by Meyer Wagman; 312 pages in total. Twenty-Eight Chapters. According to IMDB (Internet Movie Database), made into a move in 1952. This story tells of the seafaring adventures of French privateer Kit ‘The Hawk’ Gerardo during the Franco-Spanish-English war of the 17th century. In the movie adaptation, Director: Sidney Salkow; Writers: Robert E. Kent (written for the screen by), Frank Yerby (based on the novel by). Stars: Rhonda Fleming, Sterling Hayden.

The Saracen blade, was also adapted into a film. According to IMDB (Internet Movie Database) the plot of this story is: Pietro is an orphan who is raised by a family friend in 15th century Italy. When the friend is killed by the same nasty baron who murdered Pietro’s father as he led the peasants in revolt against the baron’s tyranny, Pietro vows vengeance against the entire family.

For this film which debuted on June 6, 1954 the Director was William Castle; Writers included De Vallon Scott, George Worthing Yates and Frank Yerby.
Film Credits: Sam Katzman, producer; Henry Freulich; Cinematography; Gene Haylick, Editing, Paul Palmentola, Art Direction.

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Etsy offerings @GenreReads

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asian lore, biography, childrens interests, cooking, european subject, fiction, first edition, history, literature

A few of the books I am currently selling in Etsy at GenreReads are:

“Kappa” A Novel and Satire by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (hardcover) $ 10.00

“A Dog’s Book of Birds” $ 9.50 (hardcover) Includes excellent sketching;
a children’s story

“La Famille Bronte” by Robert De Traz – Written entirely in French (paperback) $7.00

Please view my shop GenreReads on Etsy for a selection of books on varied interests, including First Editions.

The Magic of Beatrix Potter

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artist, beatrix heelis, beatrix potter, british women writers, children's author, lake district, painter, peter rabbit, potter, writer

I often watch the movie “Miss Potter” starring Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter the greatest selling children’s book author of all times.

This movie transports me to a time when women wore hats, gloves and the
floor-length dresses I so love. The setting of the movie shows all the quaint social customs that were the norm of the times-women being required to have chaperones when in the company of a male companion, the horse-drawn carriages used for transporation and visitors waiting in the parlor to be announced at someone’s home.

The movie helps readers to appreciate the passion that went into creating the book series. Beatrix Potter’s many books include: Peter Rabbit and Ginger & Pickles.

In her later years, Beatrix Potter acquired land in the Lake District near Windermere which was left to The National Trust. For this, she is credited with preserving much of the land that now comprises the Lake District National Park…which is a testament to how far reaching one’s innate abilities can affect the world.

Edith Head – Hollywood Seamstress

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Costumer Designer, Designer, Edith Head, Hall of Fame, Hollywood, Ihnen, Oscar winner, Paramount, Seamstress, Southwest, star

I have, in my personal book collection, a book titled “The Life and Times of Hollywood’s Celebrated Costume Designer Edith Head” by David Chierichetti. [HarperCollins, 2003]

I can recall many childhood memories that include having watched a black and white film showing all the stars, where I would marvel at the fashions and set design which were beautiful.

In previous decades, the movie studios often loaned out stars who were under contract, to work for other studios. Edith worked as a sketch artist at Famous Players Lasky Studios which was later named Paramount Studios. She then was promoted to Assistant to designer Howard Greer at Paramount, where she enjoyed a 50 year career.

During her tenure at Paramount, she was instrumental in creating and designing costumes for:

Dorothy Lamour in “The Hurricane” in 1937
Barbara Stanwyck in “The Lady Eve” in 1941
Barbara Stanwyck in “Double Indemnity” in 1944
Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant in “Notorious” in 1946
Hedy Lamar in “Samson and Delilah” in 1949
Ann Robinson and Gene Barry in “War of the Worlds” in 1953
Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas” in 1954
Audrey Hepburn in “Sabrina” in 1954
Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” in 1955
Natalie Wood in “Sex and The Single Girl” in 1964
Natalie Wood in “The Great Race” in 1965
Natalie Wood in “This Property is Condemned” in 1966

According to IMDB (Internet Movie Database) Edith won a total of 11 Oscars, and had 28 nominations. In addition, Ms. Head was the recipient of the Laurel Awards in 1964, received a Star on the Walk of Fame in 1974 for her contribution to the Motion Picture industry, and she was inducted into the Costume Designers Hall of Fame in 1999. Anyone who loves black and white film will appreciate the longevity of her career and the artistic ability of this talented costume designer.

Additional Books written by or about Edith Head:

Edith Heads Hollywood by Edith Head and Paddy Calistro (Dutton Publishing, 1983)

The Dress Doctor, Prescriptions for Style, From A to Z by Edith Head (Harper Design, 2008)

How to Dress for Success by Edith Head (Random House, 1967)

Edith Head: A Complete Treasury of the Fifty-Year Career of Hollywood’s Greatest Costume Designer by Jay Jorgensen (Running Press, 2010)