Picking up the bread crumbs

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

As we all know, in a fandom as obscure as man+valet love, we sometimes have to pick up the little crumbs that are left us by the brutish masses of society. So when I ran across this little nibble, I knew I had to share it with you all, on the off chance it titillates you as much as it did me.

I have this book called The Celluloid Closet (from which a nice documentary-style film was made) by Vito Russo, which talks about homosexual themes throughout film history. I was flipping through one evening, trying to line up my Netflix queue (because I so totally don't have a fixation, no no no, not at all), and I came across this little 1937 gem:

It's Love I'm After

Here's the text from the book:

'Blore epitomized the elegant yet down-to-earth manservant. In filling his master's needs, he referred solicitously to "our little nap" or "our nice brandy and soda," treating his charge as a mother would. Blore's relationship with Shakespearean actor Leslie Howard is defined in old vaudeville terms even though the two of them move in elegant society.... Their bond of friendship is a clear comic translation of buddyhood. In a significant bedroom scene, Howard has his brief moment of homosexual panic. It is New Year's Eve, and Howard... murmurs, "Down there in the streets a carnival of people, and up here one man alone!"
"I'm here, sir," says the plaintive Diggs, close on his heels, his hands clasped before him in anxiety.
"Oh, Diggs, you're always here," Howard snorts impatiently. "Why does no one love me?"
"I love you, sir," comes the timid response.
"Oh, don't confuse the issue," Howard snaps, annoyed.

Definitely no Jeeves, but I thought the scene was pretty special (if full of SADNESS). Now if only I could track down a copy of the movie somewhere...

Comments

[bernie-laraemie.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I must find this film as well!

[xlions-roarx.livejournal.com]

i want to say something constructive but my head is just going 'awwwww'
:(

[truly-bohemian.livejournal.com]

That sounds adorable... if utterly heartbreaking! I think I'll have to look that up too... If you're looking for man+valet (which one of us isn't? :P) I'm sure there was a Dirk Bogarde film which might be relevant. I'm afraid I can't remember the name, but I can remember reading about it and thinking that I'd like to watch it myself. :3

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

Oh, do let us know if you find it! I shall do some digging, too.

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

Completely excusable. He looks like a doll. ;)

[closetofheroes.livejournal.com]

ohhh. Sweet. I used to adore Leslie Howard when I was about 13, but that was back in the day when we didn't even have a video player let alone Netflix, and I never saw this picture. From what I saw he usually played characters who were very intelligent but often had a bit of British eccentricity about them. More of a Peter Wimsey than a Bertie Wooster, but I like to think (like Florence Craye and Honoria Glossop) that Bertie has more to him than meets the eye.

Leslie Howard did a lot of work to drum up support for the Allies in WW2 and made propaganda movies. He was shot down while flying home from Spain in a civilian aircraft - it's rumoured that he was in Spain on a secret mission from Churchill.

Anyway sorry - I get a bit dippy about Leslie Howard.

I don't think there was much of a connection between Algernon Moncreiff and his manservant Lane in the Importance of Being Ernest, but there dialogue is fun if you thirst for good witty man/valet dialogue. And it's Oscar Wilde, too, so who can pass that up.

'Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?'
'I did not think it polite to listen, sir.'

I can totally hear those words passing between Bertie and Jeeves after he's struck the final chord for 47 Ginger Headed Sailors.

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

Haha, yes, indeed! (not... going... to get... more... fic ideas...)

[puokki.livejournal.com]

Do it.. I also got JW inspiration when I read that line but nothing good came out. So you should try it. It has thiiis much potential, don't you think?

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

It does! But I just got side-swiped from my unfinished fic and my (secret, shh) Halloween fic by the need to respond to that challenge that was posted a while ago. :O
So I think I shall make an effort to leave this one for someone else. I mean, I will intend to. Other parts of my brain have a way of dictating what I will and will not be inspired to write...

[puokki.livejournal.com]

Would you leave one of your children for someone else if you had already kids? No you wouldn't. Your plotbunny, you feed it.

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

Harsh! I need a plotbunny spay and neuter clinic, quick! :O

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

Oh dear! SOMEONE needs a swift visit from the smack fairy to get on the valet-loving ball!

I also love it when Jeeves refers to "our heather-mixture lounger suit" and "our satin waistcoat." I know it just means the household's clothes that he is in charge of, but it sounds so homey. <3

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I think I need to go cuddle with my books now. :3

[hoskie.livejournal.com]

First off, The Celluloid Closet is a FANTASTIC book/documentary and a reference I have turned to countless times.

But I am shocked to say that I have never seen this film. Which is strange considering that Eric Blore is a particular favourite of mine...

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

I do so love to bring pleasant surprises! And yes, the Celluloid Closet is a fun one. I'm still going through the book, trying to digest every word.

[applea.livejournal.com]

*jawdrop* But..but..buh...*waaaaaaah*

Unrequited love! TT.TT *sobs and runs to find said movie*

Although I already have the urge to smack one of the characters...and then steal another...

OH! OH! FIC IDEA!!! Jeeves opens a school for valets. Bring your favorite timid or somehow flawed valet for training! Muahahahaha...does anyone have a good Jeeves attitude and another valet? Must...write...or...shanghie...other...author...NOW!

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

That would be an amazing story. It could start with just one or two valets coming over to Jeeves to "have a chat" or a pep talk or something, and then more and more come flooding in, until there are young valets hanging from the rafters and they're all practising their gentle arts on poor Bertie! LOLZ! His socks would get darned to death!

>3

[applea.livejournal.com]

One of use should write this. *.*

I was thinking more of when Jeeves retires he opens a school for all things valet. Of course Bertie darling is cheerfully following Jeeves and is perfectly willing to be a model and tell some of the stories of his wild and crazy youth to let the younglings know what they're getting into. And while Berties being a babbling brook, Jeeves would be grading everyone on their memorization and ability to look politly interested. xD

And that would be only ONE class! ;D

Of course the only way Jeeves would EVER "retire" would be if Bertie noticed that Jeeves was getting bored in his old age and offered to set up the school upon noticing Jeeves chastise a young relative of his on how to properly serve a young gentlemen. 8D

Must...write...this...fic...

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha, valets hanging from the rafters has got the be the BEST image all year. I can't stop laughing. I think I'm going to start crying!

[dreamwaffles.livejournal.com]

It's almost like tinsel, in a way.

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

*snerk*
much love for the icon, btw.

[dreamwaffles.livejournal.com]

thanks. I love it too. ^_^

[antony-james-k.livejournal.com]

D: