George Peppard: Man for all reasons

On December 7, 2014February 1, 2015 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Now and then, old movie magic, Romantic interludes

George Peppard was that gorgeous actor in ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn. Besides being incredibly good looking in a charming boyish sort of way he was also an extremely fine actor during the late 50s and onward. ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s was probably his most well known film due to the fact that it was so popular. Peppards stoic and intensely loyal writer character was the perfect foil for Hepburn’s zany antics as Holly Golightly. Peppard’s character Paul Varjak ( nicknamed Fred ) is the strong sensitive type with a touch of mystery about him much like the actor himself. Apparently many directors found Peppard difficult to work with as they found him to be quite arrogant but really it was more of his just wanting to play characters with more structure as he did not want to be labelled a pretty boy. For this reason he moved into the action movie genre. Other well known films made by George Peppard include ‘Home From The Hill’ with Robert Mitchum, George Hamilton and Eleanor Parker and ‘The Blue Max’ in which he plays Baron Von Richtofen ( The Bloody Red Baron ) who shot down more planes during WW1 Than any German pilot before or since. In ‘Home From The Hill’ He plays the illegitemate son of Mitchum who is treated just like another hired hand on his fathers ranch. He watches his half brother played by George Hamilton get all the privileges of life while he is virtually ignored. His character portrayal is unique in that he plays him with a calm, loving demeanor when the part just screamed for the stereotypical angry, thwarted, misunderstood character that audiences had come to expect with that type of role. Personally I find Peppard charming both inside and out. Look out for his films and you will not be disappointed. Sincerity, intelligence, strength and charm all wrapped up in a beautiful package.

Ah George Peppard you were a total dream.

Betty Bourgeoise

For

The Past Tense Of Youth : The besieged

On July 26, 2014October 1, 2014 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then, Romantic interludes, stories of mystery and romance

Gurel had crossed the outer court in the still of the blue dawn and been greeted by an eerie silence. The guardhouse was almost empty apart from those of lower rank and file and he knew that it was time . He had been instrumental in the recruitment of Mountain men from the Caucases who had amassed on the boarder with Salonica and were probably very close to the main square in Sultan Ahmet. They would soon be joined by Janissaries and halbadirs loyal to The Committee Of Union and Progress which had taken over the parlaiment. He knew that there were still those willing to fight for the empire and that elite guards and ground troops were preparing to resist a military take over at all costs. While still on the grounds of the palace he must appear loyal to Hamid. The sultan still had many from the ‘Sipahis’ ( cavalry ) close by ready to mount at his command. Most would remain loyal as they owned lands obtained by title deed. Gurel had had close ties with members of the ‘Sipahis’ as he had sold them his horse on becoming a janissary. Hopefully he could find the cavalier who had bought the white steed from him, steal back his horse and make his way out of the gates without being recognised or called to account.

He moved silently through the grounds to the barracks of the ‘Sipahis’ using trees and topiary for cover. The sun was rising over the Bosphorous. He must find his horse and ride out of the gates at great speed in order to be part of the march. He could hear the sounds of the ‘mehter’ or marching tune in the distance and his desperation grew. The barracks were a hive of activity with the officers preparing their weapons and dusting off their uniforms. The horses including his own had been made ready and stood patiently in their stalls. He waited for the young officer to leave the barracks and enter the stables where he then followed him. Gurel knocked him to the ground with the butt of his musket, stole his uniform along with his pass and mounted his horse. Two others entered and before the men could say a word Gurel rode out of the stables toward the main gates with a valiant ” Not a moment to waste men. They are almost upon us”! Once out of the gates he turned to look back at the cavalry contingent gaining fast upon him. He stopped so as not to arouse suspicion and just as they caught up .. sped on ahead.

They laughed and called him impetuous and continued onwards holding their banners high. Imagine their surprise when their young compatriot galloped with ease into the folds of the advancing infantry. The janissaries resplendent in their dark tailored uniforms were tailed by the troops dressed in all manner of garb for no-one had ever thought to devise a complete outfit for their use. There were foot soldiers on the side of the monarchists too along with members of the cebecci corps who carried and distributed arms amongst it’s own. Gurel rode to the side of Mahmut Sevket,the leader of this organised machine known as the third army. Divisions of the ‘Sipahis’ who had deserted the night before also rode with him. Skirmishes broke out all over the city as the battle between the two sides commenced. Great throngs of volunteers gathered in front of the blue mosque for the last advance.

Through it all the march continued until finally Hamid’s forces were defeated and the ‘Army Of Liberty’ had reached Yildiz. Losses had been few on both sides and it was almost as if the monarchists had given up on the very notion of resistance. The Aghas ( commanders ) from all the different branches of military service seemed to join together as one to oust the reigning ruler of the besieged empire. Mahmut Sevket sat high in his saddle as he led his army through the gates and onto ultimate victory. For Gurel the victory was bitter sweet for Rana was no – where to be be seen amongst the hundreds of women and children now freed and leaving in droves by wagon, on horseback or even on foot.

The sultan had retreated to his opera house trying to save the guilded furniture pieces he had made and loaned to the set of a visiting opera company. Saddened at the thought of all his artistic endevours gone to waste he sat on one of his chairs and began to weep. It was there that they had found him, a crumpled form draped in a heavily embroidered kaftan,all alone except for a loyal child servant standing in front of the curtains awaiting his masters orders. Gurel looked up at the domed ceiling covered in stars and actually felt a pang of sympathy. This lasted only a brief moment,however, for he must find out where Hamid had taken Rana. I don’t know whether he thought of me in the same breath but I do know that he felt a deep sense of something missing. For at that moment he had been just as confused as I had been toward the end of our three way lovers tryst. I saw it on his face as he ,with the help of the guards, unlocked the door to our harem chamber and gathered us both into his arms.

© Renee Dallow ( Hybiscus Bloom ) 26/7/2014

The Past Tense Of Youth: The charade

On May 31, 2014February 9, 2015 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Now and then, Romantic interludes

I remained on watch for the next hour whilst pretending to be very involved in a game of charades with the others in the main hall. There were now many of us as more carriages had arrived with the sultan’s wives. It seemed as if all of Topkapi was moving to Yildiz palace that night. The guards had returned almost two hours later and were dismayed to find Rana amongst us. She explained in her sultry voice which seemed to drive them mad with desire that she had, in fact, been feeling out of sorts and had merely retired to her chamber for a rest. The guards had been constrained because the private chambers of the sultan’s consorts were off limits to any man other than the sultan. Gurel, who was now once again one of them ,had joined the halbadiers (military guards ) in their quarters directly opposite the harem pavillion. Yildiz Palace was high up on a hill and surrounded by very high walls which may have been the reason for Hamid’s preference for it as a place to entertain guests away from the prying eyes of his servants and it would limit the possibilities of a seaside attack. We did not yet know that there were plans to make this palace our new home.

The palace overlooked two other palaces down the hill and close to the waters edge. ‘Dolmobache and Ciragen palaces were much grander but maybe not as safe as Yildiz and though the walls seemed to reach way up to the clouds there were gaps in the stone work from which we could glimpse the sea. There was also a bridge which connected the palace with Ciragen but this was off limits to us. Inside the walls there were manicured gardens weaved around pavillions. There were courtyards with pools,greenhouses and aviaries with rare birds such as the hoopoe, the blue parrott and the Hunkari, a frill pidgeon trained for racing. These caged birds symbolised believers eager to be liberated from their mortal coils. Setting these birds free would earn them points in heaven. Strange that these believers could not see the parallels between captured birds and captured women.

The servants quarters were separated by gates and passageways leading to other parts of the palace and maybe even down the hillside and through the valleys surrounding as this would be a the best way for the sultan to commute and remain unseen. The Sultan resided in the Sale kiosk which consisted of two floors and a basement.In the centre of this was the Sedefi salon covered in mother of pearl inlay. It’s ceiling adorned with painted landscapes and it’s reception chamber ,which we had visited prior to the opera company , guilded in gold with a coffered ceiling and large mirrors on the panelled walls. Other kiosks included the Cadir Kiosk where prisoners were held,including princes of the realm, and the grand ceremonial hall where Hamid conducted his official business with the palace beaurocracy. There was even a kiosk for the making of porcelain which resembled a Medievil castle. The Muayede Pavillion to the left was for guest accommodation and also housed the entrance to the harem. Adjoined to this was the lovely Yildiz theatre where we had just performed for the royal guests and where at least one captured bird had managed, for a short time, to shake her mortal coils and soar way into the heavens in a secret lovers tryst.

The Past Tense Of Youth: In Defiance

On May 21, 2014October 9, 2014 By Renee Lou Dallow ( Bourgeoise Bloomers )In Changing the world, Romantic interludes, stories of mystery and romance

Sultan Hamid’s opera Theatre in Yildiz Palace was a sight to behold. We were lead to the theatre through an underground passage from the seraglio and were given a small tour before the arrival of the opera company. The theatre was small and compact but beautifully designed with stars painted on the domed ceiling . The balcony boxes were fitted in red velvet as were the seats below. We were given permission to be seated in the upper balconies way at the back where we would not be easily seen unless,of course, someone knew of our presense and strained to catch a glimpse during performace. We were taken back stage and shown where we were to make our entrance after the company had made their exit. This would be my only chance to get a message to Gurel as I would be the first on stage.

I would drop my handkerchief just as Gurel exited the stage with the rest of the cast. This would not be noticed as I had another enclosed within the palm of my hand. Gurel would read the message written on the handkerchief and wait for Rana behind the poplar tree to the right of the main door to the Harem chambers. When the dance had finished Rana would be first off stage leaving the rest of us to cover for her disappearance momentarily. When the Sultan had realised that she was missing I would say that she had made her escape through the garden. While all were out in search of the escaped gypsy Harem girl she and her beloved would be united. The opera ‘ The Barber of Seville’ was scurrulous and just as I had remembered it on the London stage.

The faces of the other girls lit up as Rossini’s opera permeated the tiny theatre. They had never seen or heard anything like it in their lives and probably never would again. Our view was not the best as we were so high up and it took some time to recognise Gurel as there were so many on stage and it was quite dark. During an argument between the count disguised as a drunken soldier and the heroin Rosina’s guardian ‘Bartolo’, a crowd gathered and there was one young man protesting louder than all the others. He was also dancing and looking up at the balconies as he did so.

Rana was shaking with the anticipation. There was no doubt it was he and as his eyes came to rest on her Rana removed her veil for a brief moment and lifted her chin in defiance of protocol. He smiled and whirled off stage behind the character of Figaro as the crowd dispersed and the next aria began. At the end of the performance as the company exited the stageLead by the sultan and his entourage and we moved on behind them I made eye contact with Gurel and dropped the handkerchief. As he picked it up he gazed into my eyes for and I thought I thought for an instant that somehow he had recognised me but he turned away and hurried in the direction of the seraglio where he knew Rana would be waiting. There was a brief interval in which the opera company enjoyed tea and cakes with the sultan in the sale pavillion. During this time we positioned ourselves on the stage and the musicians tuned their instruments.

All went according to plan and our skirts made almost entirely of handkerchiefs were a source of fascination with our audience. They were intrigued with our way of life and with the fact that we all belonged to one man. With our handkerchiefs we remained joined in a circle ducking and weaving our way through the music until Hamid clapped his hands to end the performance whereupon we formed one line and came to the front of the stage. Rana was way at the end of the line off stage behind the curtain and ,with the eunuch distracted by the musicians , managed to make her way back to the Harem undetected. As no-one was allowed to have their backs to the sultan we had to step off the stage still in a line and file through the crowd. We were then to walk around to the back of the pavillion where we would enter the passageway leading back to the harem The sultan would be entertaining the cast with a lavish feast afterward were it not for our little ruse.

As expected he was counting each of us as we moved past him and before long noticed that his favourite was not among us. I was summoned and told him that she had broken away despite my plea that she not take the risk. Guards were sent off in a search party while eunuchs were deployed in the opposite direction. We were escorted back and the guard doubled outside our doors. They did not know that in the room adjoining mine two lovers were preparing for the day when they would no longer need to hide their love and could rejoice in the freedom that would come with the overthrow of an empire. Nor could the guards know that they were in the presence of an interloper from another time who had been forewarned of the upheavals to come.

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