Paul Coleman
@mondain.bsky.social
An accomplished monologuist, as Huneker said of Villiers, needing but a vinegar-cruet as an audience.
The name of 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖 (Aleksander Hertz, 1917), like its American intertiltles, gives the impression that Pola Negri’s character is a femme fatale. In fact, though, Negri plays the part sympathetically, as a talented and complex figure undercut by the chicanery of others. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 6, 2026 at 3:00 AM
The name of 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖 (Aleksander Hertz, 1917), like its American intertiltles, gives the impression that Pola Negri’s character is a femme fatale. In fact, though, Negri plays the part sympathetically, as a talented and complex figure undercut by the chicanery of others. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
Alice and Ralph? Lucy and Ricky? Laura and Rob? We owe them all to Mrs. Sidney Drew and her husband, Sidney. See, e.g., 𝙁𝙤𝙭 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚 (Mrs. Sidney Drew, 1915). #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 5, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Alice and Ralph? Lucy and Ricky? Laura and Rob? We owe them all to Mrs. Sidney Drew and her husband, Sidney. See, e.g., 𝙁𝙤𝙭 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚 (Mrs. Sidney Drew, 1915). #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
You think you know love stories? Go see 𝘽𝙚𝙧𝙜-𝙀𝙟𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪 (Victor Sjöström, 1918), then we’ll talk. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 5, 2026 at 12:11 PM
You think you know love stories? Go see 𝘽𝙚𝙧𝙜-𝙀𝙟𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪 (Victor Sjöström, 1918), then we’ll talk. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
In 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 (D.W. Griffith, 1909), a pompous, egotistical politico’s hat and mustache (read dyed-blond combover & long tie) are ridiculed by a cartoonist. Politico sets out to kill artist; she literally disarms him while the male publisher & editors cower. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 5, 2026 at 12:05 PM
In 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 (D.W. Griffith, 1909), a pompous, egotistical politico’s hat and mustache (read dyed-blond combover & long tie) are ridiculed by a cartoonist. Politico sets out to kill artist; she literally disarms him while the male publisher & editors cower. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
𝘿𝙞𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙪𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙚 (Hans Mierendorff, 1919? 1920?) briefly, and plausibly, explores the possibility of a Christian, pietistic form of hedonism; then the ending—“Just kidding! It was all a bad dream!”—sets us back on the straight and narrow. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 5, 2026 at 5:48 AM
𝘿𝙞𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙪𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙚 (Hans Mierendorff, 1919? 1920?) briefly, and plausibly, explores the possibility of a Christian, pietistic form of hedonism; then the ending—“Just kidding! It was all a bad dream!”—sets us back on the straight and narrow. #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
It has taken me a day to realize that public transportation is one of the themes of this festival. 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙝𝙣 (Germany, 1902), showcasing an astounding system, has me wanting to beat a hasty path to Wuppertal. #PordeneneSilent #GCM45
October 5, 2026 at 5:36 AM
It has taken me a day to realize that public transportation is one of the themes of this festival. 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙝𝙣 (Germany, 1902), showcasing an astounding system, has me wanting to beat a hasty path to Wuppertal. #PordeneneSilent #GCM45
Mary Astor puts the swash in Douglas Fairbanks’s buckle in 𝘿𝙤𝙣 𝙌, 𝙎𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙕𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤 (Donald Crisp, 1925). #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 3, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Mary Astor puts the swash in Douglas Fairbanks’s buckle in 𝘿𝙤𝙣 𝙌, 𝙎𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙕𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤 (Donald Crisp, 1925). #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
Italia Almirante Manzini is like Kay Francis and Norma Shearer rolled into one in 𝙇𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙚 𝙞𝙡 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙩𝙤 (Augusto Genina, 1919). And wow, what a plot! #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
October 3, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Italia Almirante Manzini is like Kay Francis and Norma Shearer rolled into one in 𝙇𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙚 𝙞𝙡 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙩𝙤 (Augusto Genina, 1919). And wow, what a plot! #PordenoneSilent #GCM45
In Soave, we stayed at the winery Monte Tondo, which, like the surrounding community, celebrates the history and aesthetics of viniculture. I should have bought a bottle of their excellent Foscarin Slavinus, but, fearful of missing out, chose the widely lauded wines of Inama and Pieropan instead.
October 2, 2026 at 6:12 AM
In Soave, we stayed at the winery Monte Tondo, which, like the surrounding community, celebrates the history and aesthetics of viniculture. I should have bought a bottle of their excellent Foscarin Slavinus, but, fearful of missing out, chose the widely lauded wines of Inama and Pieropan instead.
On our winish route to Pordenone, Soave was an afterthought: quantity, supposedly, eclipsed quality. But on close examination, we found its basalt-grown whites much to our liking, and its walled, crenellated central city charming. It’s a region that loves its wine, and now it has a new admirer.
October 2, 2026 at 6:03 AM
On our winish route to Pordenone, Soave was an afterthought: quantity, supposedly, eclipsed quality. But on close examination, we found its basalt-grown whites much to our liking, and its walled, crenellated central city charming. It’s a region that loves its wine, and now it has a new admirer.
Reposted by Paul Coleman
[job interview]
interviewer: so god killed all your kids?
job: that's right
interviewer: so god killed all your kids?
job: that's right
September 22, 2026 at 3:35 AM
[job interview]
interviewer: so god killed all your kids?
job: that's right
interviewer: so god killed all your kids?
job: that's right
After three days in Alto Adige, with its Traminer and Teroldego, we came to Valpolicella’s Corvina and Rondinella. Today we leave for Soave, seeking Garganega. Between these regions, cities serve as “cultural watersheds.” We crossed Trento into Valpolicella, and will traverse Verona into Soave.
September 29, 2026 at 6:40 AM
After three days in Alto Adige, with its Traminer and Teroldego, we came to Valpolicella’s Corvina and Rondinella. Today we leave for Soave, seeking Garganega. Between these regions, cities serve as “cultural watersheds.” We crossed Trento into Valpolicella, and will traverse Verona into Soave.
Here’s the shrine to antique bottles and hoary vintages deep in the cellar at Cantina Martinelli in Mezzocorona. The winemaker and I shared observations about “natural” wines. I (apologetically) told him I usually preferred wines with sulfites. He said, “Yes, it can be like the salt in the bath.”
September 23, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Here’s the shrine to antique bottles and hoary vintages deep in the cellar at Cantina Martinelli in Mezzocorona. The winemaker and I shared observations about “natural” wines. I (apologetically) told him I usually preferred wines with sulfites. He said, “Yes, it can be like the salt in the bath.”
Mrs. C and I are off to the renowned festival of silent film at Pordenone. We’ve been there metaphorically many times, through its association with Telluride, where we were once habitués. Now, at last, to Pordenone itself! We’ll stop for wine in Alto Adige on the way, and Somló in the afterglow.
September 21, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Mrs. C and I are off to the renowned festival of silent film at Pordenone. We’ve been there metaphorically many times, through its association with Telluride, where we were once habitués. Now, at last, to Pordenone itself! We’ll stop for wine in Alto Adige on the way, and Somló in the afterglow.
“The Moment of Truth” (𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 S1E10, 1960) casts Tijuana as a setting just distant enough, just sufficiently exotic, to host a tale of violently insecure
masculinity—disguised as “honor”— that is gothic in tone and baroque in complexity.
masculinity—disguised as “honor”— that is gothic in tone and baroque in complexity.
September 20, 2026 at 7:19 PM
“The Moment of Truth” (𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 S1E10, 1960) casts Tijuana as a setting just distant enough, just sufficiently exotic, to host a tale of violently insecure
masculinity—disguised as “honor”— that is gothic in tone and baroque in complexity.
masculinity—disguised as “honor”— that is gothic in tone and baroque in complexity.
The Bridey Murphy craze was likely fading from the memory of the show’s audience, but depiction of hypnosis and dissociative identity disorder in “The Dark Divide” (𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 S1E9, 1960) might have aroused some recollections.
September 17, 2026 at 8:47 PM
The Bridey Murphy craze was likely fading from the memory of the show’s audience, but depiction of hypnosis and dissociative identity disorder in “The Dark Divide” (𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 S1E9, 1960) might have aroused some recollections.
Norma Crane smolders, Kent Smith equivocates, and Lawrence Tierney (!) is in high Trump mugshot dudgeon in “One to Get Lost” (𝙉𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 S1E20, 1959). Jeanette Nolan completes an exquisite mid century cast. John Brahm directs. Indulge.
September 16, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Norma Crane smolders, Kent Smith equivocates, and Lawrence Tierney (!) is in high Trump mugshot dudgeon in “One to Get Lost” (𝙉𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 S1E20, 1959). Jeanette Nolan completes an exquisite mid century cast. John Brahm directs. Indulge.
Reposted by Paul Coleman
I don't know who needs to hear this, but one day, you will pull a loose book from a bookshelf and that hidden door will finally open for you.
September 15, 2026 at 4:14 PM
I don't know who needs to hear this, but one day, you will pull a loose book from a bookshelf and that hidden door will finally open for you.
As Mrs. C (with red suitcase) and I are off to the airport bus, I lament my photographic injustice to Hanoi. In addition to a near-typhoon, there have been many gustatory and cultural matters to attend to. I’ve been from Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonopah, but Hanoi is now my favorite city.
August 26, 2026 at 9:39 AM
As Mrs. C (with red suitcase) and I are off to the airport bus, I lament my photographic injustice to Hanoi. In addition to a near-typhoon, there have been many gustatory and cultural matters to attend to. I’ve been from Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonopah, but Hanoi is now my favorite city.
Here’s another view from this a.m. Hanoi is beginning to stir with vitality that will soon be overwhelming. The commute is gearing up, buses running, pedestrians on errands or constitutionals. The woman in the center is calling at al fresco restaurants, delivering herbs and other greens.
August 24, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Here’s another view from this a.m. Hanoi is beginning to stir with vitality that will soon be overwhelming. The commute is gearing up, buses running, pedestrians on errands or constitutionals. The woman in the center is calling at al fresco restaurants, delivering herbs and other greens.
The trams of Europe grace their cities with transportation efficiency, but Hanoi takes street tracks to a whole other level. Here, Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam) SE7, the early train bound for distant Ho Chi Minh City, trundles by doorsteps and cafes a few blocks from Hanoi’s main station.
August 24, 2026 at 4:29 AM
The trams of Europe grace their cities with transportation efficiency, but Hanoi takes street tracks to a whole other level. Here, Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam) SE7, the early train bound for distant Ho Chi Minh City, trundles by doorsteps and cafes a few blocks from Hanoi’s main station.
I’ve been in Hanoi for about a week: a few days buying tea leaves, coffee beans, and used M42 lenses to bring home, and several keeping my camera and shoes dry. This early morning, the clouds are briefly at rest, allowing the patriotic pennants with which the city is festooned a chance to flutter.
August 24, 2026 at 12:05 AM
I’ve been in Hanoi for about a week: a few days buying tea leaves, coffee beans, and used M42 lenses to bring home, and several keeping my camera and shoes dry. This early morning, the clouds are briefly at rest, allowing the patriotic pennants with which the city is festooned a chance to flutter.
I’m in the Turkish Airlines lounge at IST. For years, it was dimly lit, lined in mahogany, abounding in books, like something out of Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence. They remodeled it. Now, as I said to Mrs. C, it has all the charm of a Luby’s Cafeteria in Beaumont, Texas. Time marches on.
August 17, 2026 at 7:36 PM
I’m in the Turkish Airlines lounge at IST. For years, it was dimly lit, lined in mahogany, abounding in books, like something out of Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence. They remodeled it. Now, as I said to Mrs. C, it has all the charm of a Luby’s Cafeteria in Beaumont, Texas. Time marches on.
Heybeliada is adorned with trellises, window boxes, and potted plants, its multi-storied houses slightly askew. An insouciant, almost supercilious languor prevails. The town’s few dogs laze about in quiet resignation; an abundant population of cats, as throughout greater Istanbul, runs the show.
August 17, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Heybeliada is adorned with trellises, window boxes, and potted plants, its multi-storied houses slightly askew. An insouciant, almost supercilious languor prevails. The town’s few dogs laze about in quiet resignation; an abundant population of cats, as throughout greater Istanbul, runs the show.
After a couple of nights on the southwestern fringe of Istanbul, Mrs. C (seen in the center of the photo, in her white fisherman’s hat) and I plied a course to Adalar. We took the train to Kartal and caught this ferry to Heybeliada, our place of repose for the next two days.
August 16, 2026 at 6:23 AM
After a couple of nights on the southwestern fringe of Istanbul, Mrs. C (seen in the center of the photo, in her white fisherman’s hat) and I plied a course to Adalar. We took the train to Kartal and caught this ferry to Heybeliada, our place of repose for the next two days.