Stroheim's Sartorial Splendor

I've always been fascinated with Erich Von Stroheim. There's a perversity about his acting (never mind legendary excess behind cameras) that's always delight to behold. The way he'll gesture suddenly, interrupt other actors (thespic co-worker interviews were seldom complimentary of him) , and if you ever give Von a drink for a prop -- look out! -- for he'd take the glass, goblet, flagon, whatever, throw back that shaved head, and down the hatch. I always look forward to someone giving Stroheim drinks on screen. There's no worse mistake an acting partner can make, for it is here that you may consider the scene stolen. Note he was always a jealous husband in early 30's roles ... and not merely jealous, but insanely so, and murderous besides. Someone once asked Von if he was so cruel to women in private life as on the screen, to which he crisply replied, "much more so." I once read a Films In Review report, circa 1953, about a South American film festival where Stroheim introduced classics from the silent era. It appears to have been a class event, names like Errol Flynn, June Haver, etc. participating. So what does Von do when recognized on the dais after a well-applauded screening? He excoriates Hollywood philistines, names names, blasts hell out of our beloved industry. And the thing was supposed to be a good will tour --- hands across borders --- hello, neighbor. Poor Von made self-destruction a lifestyle; he's almost contemporary in that respect. Except he had real talent. Today, they're just self-destructive.

I note a similarity about these stills. Namely the suit. It is a lovely suit. I've had a few that were similar. Given the monocle and bald pate, could people have mistaken me for Von? Actors often used personal wardrobe in movies, so we can't blame Stroheim for getting maximum wear out of such divine fashion. I'm impressed, in fact, for EvS maintaining a svelte waistline to enable continued wear. The portrait with the cane (Von knew how to accessorize) was done at Fox Film Corporation in 1933 shortly before Walking Down Broadway was snatched from him, mutilated, and finally released as Hello, Sister, effectively finishing Stroheim's career as a director. Note too the slave bracelet. Von was clearly into ironies, for he was nobody's slave. He didn't mind making slaves of others, however. The guillotine pose is from The Mask Of Diijon. Readers, I believe that's the same suit, and this is 1946. I'm also thinking how Von and the severed head complement one another. As for the last still, I'll need help, for while I know it's from a Stroheim French crime thriller, but have no idea which one. There were lots of them, you see. I'm told, in fact, that Von would wrap an entire French crime thriller before his first drink in the morning (kidding). And again, look close. Same suit. Of that, I'm reasonably certain. That means it crossed the Atlantic, possibly on the Leviathan. There may have been a valet on board whose sole function was to attend that suit. Any dereliction of duty might result in a beating with Von's riding crop, or his bamboo cane. I wonder it still exists. I hope so. Those threads should hang in a museum.