Lunch with Larry…




You’ve just dined on one of those “new” salad creations from Robert Cobb, at his Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, and now you’re walking down Wilshire Boulevard. Who’d have thought to actually name oneself after a salad….wonder if it will catch on? Nevertheless, what to do on this sunny April day in 1939. Maybe a matinee? What to see? You head over to the Laemmle theater in Highland Park…
  

What luck. The year is 1939, arguably the most important year in cinematic film history. Go ahead, GOOGLE it for yourself, and just take a look at the list of classic films released in 1939. America was still 2 years away from sending its boys off to WWII, and Hollywood was trying to raise everyone’s spirits, what with the Great Depression still thriving.

What better way to escape your reality of daily worries and cares than to spend two hours with larger than life personas, a stirring story of far away places and wistful romance?

What luck. It’s April 1939, the Laemmle theater is showing “Wuthering Heights”, Emily Bronte’s tragic tale of star crossed lovers Heathcliff & Catherine, starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. Director William Wyler has crafted a period film that many say is the perfect love story. Laurence, or Larry to his contemporaries, has long been regarded as the greatest actor of the 20^th century. No argument here. No other actor has been able to accomplish his great depth of work and run the gamut of expression and emotions in so many different genres of film. No method acting here, folks. When asked whether he subscribed to the art of method acting, where an actor has to totally immerse themselves in the role, never breaking character even to a fault, he asked , “Why should we? We’re called actors, we act.” Way to go, Larry. You tell ‘em.

William Wyler’s film is indeed a sweeping romance for its time, unfortunately for those who have read Bronte’s tome, the film ends way before the story does. Do yourselves a favor and rent the 1992 version, as well, starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. All the loose ends between Heathcliff and Catherine are all tied up, and Fiennes portrayal of our beloved but misguided gypsy, Heathcliff, is more intense and true to the novel, lending just enough pre-Voldemort creepiness to seep through.
Here’s the original Brown Derby Cobb Salad recipe: http://www.melindalee.com/recipes/the-original-brown-derby-cobb-salad/


Create your historic Hollywood salad, settle down with both versions of Wuthering Heights and enjoy your own
Lunch with Larry…
“That’s a wrap!…”
 -Hollie Wood