Cafe Racers, 1950s Jewelry, the Pepa Cocktail, and My Author Photos
Dear Friends & Readers:
My October post is available on my website -- www.tocatchathief.com.
And a reminder that To Catch a Spy is now available for preorder…
Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief
John Robie’s World
When I was in my early twenties, my brothers and I shared a motorcycle. I loved it, and I became fascinated with a specific type of bike -- the cafe racer, a stripped-down bike built for speed.
The cafe racer motorcycle started in London back in the 50’s. Blue-collar workers spent a lot of time in cafes, some of the only places they could listen to ’ n’ roll music, which represented rebellion and counterculture. Since motorcycles were inexpensive after the war, they became the perfect accompaniment to this scene. The bikes were raced from one cafe to another, and they tried to do so before a song was over, which led to the phrase ‘record-racing’, not to be confused with record-breaking.
The 1953 film The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando, took the image further by introducing criminality to his band of cyclists in the film, named the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. That may or may not have spawned the anti-establishment rock band of the same name, which I listen to occasionally.
Perhaps a version of a cafe racer will appear in To Catch a Spy; we’ll see!
Brando from The Wild One
Francie Stevens’ World
As a model (Francie’s one in To Catch a Spy), jewelry was an essential accessory.
Just as cafe racers were the perfect complement to the counter-culture era, jewelry was the perfect partner to the resurgent fashion industry. In the 1950s, jewelry captured the optimism of the post-war years. People wanted to celebrate, which led to cocktail parties, where jewelry reflected that exuberance. Costume jewelry became a big thing, too, which greatly enhanced affordability.
Chokers, multi-strand necklaces, and cocktail rings were staple items. Hourglass silhouettes, as epitomized by Marilyn Monroe, led to designs that accentuated feminine curves. Nature was also a dominant theme—you often see flowers, leaves, and animals.
One of my favorite scenes from To Catch a Thief -- see her choker necklace
One game-changing creation back then was the introduction of the Aurora Borealis (AB) finish, invented by the Swarovski company. This treatment made crystal iridescent and dazzling, and it revolutionized the jewelry industry.
When I think about it, Francie Stevens in my book, she could just as easily have been in the jewelry business. Maybe in a future novel…anyway, I was so impressed with the depth of jewelry design in the 50s that I’ve added it to To Catch a Spy!
Riviera Life
The Pepa cocktail is a potent, popular drink from the 1950s, and it has a rich history.
It’s named after Pepa Bonafe՜, an iconic French actress from the 1920s, who appeared in more than 25 silent films. Why it was named after her, I have no idea. But if I had to guess, I’d say she was a very strong woman. There’s almost no information about her, which is disappointing.
She was also made famous by Jean Carlu, who created a memorable Art Deco poster featuring Pepa.
Jean was interesting in his own right. He lost his right arm when he was a young man. After teaching himself to draw with his other hand, he became a well-known graphic designer specializing in posters. His were different, though. He used strong colors and bold lines to make them memorable. Jean also incorporated elements of Picasso’s Cubism, where subjects were disassembled and reassembled in different spots without the advantage of perspective. Not the best definition, but a relatable one.
Back to Pepa Bonafe՜ -- you can see Carlu incorporated the recognizable masks of comedy & tragedy to reflect her background.
And back to the cocktail. I’m not going to mislead you -- it’s a vigorous drink (from what I hear). But it’s also a nice alternative to a martini; our friends tried Pepas and liked them. I’ll post pictures soon.
For sure, it’s going to be in To Catch a Spy.
My World
My daughter Alicia, an incredible photographer among many other things, took my official author photos for the book. She put so much thought into it; she picked out great background venues, knew how to pose me, worked with the light, and brilliantly managed dozens of other variables. I was thrilled with the one selected by the publisher, and I’m so grateful to my daughter.
But in some of the pictures, I was shocked at my appearance. This is nothing against Alicia, it’s all on me. I can’t believe what she did with what she had to work with! Here’s the problem -- in my mind, I have an image of myself from a while back (late 40s, early 50s) and the change is shocking.
Granted, that image is from 15 pounds ago, at least, but what really surprised me was the hair loss. I look like a dopey dolphin! See below for a picture of Flipper the Author, and let me know if anyone is in need of billboard space. My forehead is available & rates are reasonable!
Anyway, Alicia did a very impressive job, and if I need photos in the future, she’s the one I’m asking. She’s that good!
