Pauline AdamekThis Sunday, the Skirball Cultural Center is holding the second of two salon events that complement their major fall exhibition, Light & Noir: Exiles and Emigres in Hollywood, 1933-1950, currently on view until March 1, 2015.
The exhibition itself covers many topics beyond the professional lives of the many directors, actors, composers, writers, and other artists, who fled Nazi Germany during the Second World War and ended up in Hollywood. On view are immigration documents, evidence of the salon life that sustained the Euro expat community, evidence of some of the ugly internal politics of the Hayes office, and numerous fascinating artifacts. (Review pending.)
To learn even more about these brave émigrés, you can join experts and family descendants for in-depth discussions of émigré directors and composers at two Sunday afternoon in-gallery salons. Many of the people featured in Light & Noir gathered together frequently at salons to connect and exchange ideas with each other.
On Sunday, February 15, the focus is on composers such as Miklós Rózsa and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Juliet Rózsa, Kathrin Korngold Hubbard, and UCLA ethnomusicologist Neal Brostoff will share their insights.
ADMISSION to these salons is included with Museum admission; no reservations required. More information below.
About the exhibition, Light & Noir: Exiles and Emigres in Hollywood, 1933-1950:
This fascinating show relates the stories of the many German-speaking filmmakers who fled the Weimar film industry and went on to make scores of beloved Hollywood classics including Sunset Boulevard, Casablanca, Mildred Pierce and Ninotchka.
At once entertaining and illuminating, Light & Noir highlights important talents such as directors Fritz Lang and Billy Wilder, actors Marlene Dietrich and Paul Henreid, and behind the scenes movers and shakers including Carl Laemmele of Universal Studios and agent Paul Kohner, industry leaders who worked tirelessly to bring their Nazi-imperiled colleagues to Hollywood. Film clips, props, costumes, posters, drawings and never-before-exhibited personal memorabilia set against brilliantly colored walls make for a dynamic display. Special highlights include costumes worn by Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Joan Crawford, furnishings from the Rick’s Café set of Casablanca, one of Billy Wilder’s Oscars, and Ernst Lubitsch’s 25-year anniversary album.
The exhibition examines the impact of the exile sensibility on movie-making in “Golden Age” Hollywood, especially in the film noir and comedy genres. It also looks at the arduous process of gaining entry to the U.S. and the challenges of life here for emigres, including eventually being targeted by the post-war Red Scare. In recognition of the salon life that centered the émigré community, the exhibition has re-created the Feuchtwanger living room from Villa Aurora, where a series of salon events will be held.
In addition to Light & Noir, the Skirball presents The Noir Effect, which looks at the influence of noir on contemporary art, media and pop culture, and Café Vienne, an art installation that recreates a Viennese café in honor of recently rediscovered writer Gina Kaus. Inspired by these exhibitions, the Skirball has organized a pop-up shop featuring wares themed to film noir and Art Deco precedents. Featuring retro fashions and cosmetics, elegant décor, vintage jewelry, detective paraphernalia and gifts for all ages, the shop provides distinctive options for the holiday season, including a number of custom items. Of special note are Miriam Haskell costume jewelry items reproduced from their archive.
Light & Noir: Exiles and Emigres in Hollywood, 1933-1950
October 23, 2014—March 1, 2015
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Salon: Émigré Composers
February 15, 2015
2:00 p.m.
Converse about composers Miklós Rózsa, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and more while listening to their Hollywood recordings—with UCLA ethnomusicologist Neal Brostoff and descendants Juliet Rózsa and Kathrin Korngold Hubbard.
ADMISSION to these salons is included with Museum admission; no reservations required.
Related Public Programs:
The Noir Effect
Café Vienne — a site-specific installation
