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indeedsir_backup2008-10-13 11:18 am
georgeodowd.livejournal.com) wrote in indeedsir_backup2008-10-13 11:18 am
Picking up the bread crumbs
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...
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...
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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...
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