Foof

My Dear Fellow,

So. Then. A depressing Friday.

Let us turn our attention to fluffier, funnier, foofier things.

In the 1940's Alfred Hitchcock was making “Lifeboat” with Hume Cronyn & Tallulah Bankhead.
 
Tallulah appears to have been a bit of a character. A former member of the Algonquin Round Table, she was known for her acerbic wit. She explained that cocaine was not addictive – “I should know, I’ve been taking it for years”, and described herself as “pure as the driven slush”.
 
After contracting VD, she had to have an emergency hysterectomy to save her life. As she was escorted painfully from hospital following the major operation, she collared her doctor. “Don’t assume I’ve learned any lessons from this,” she warned him.
 
Her free-spirited attitude affected “Lifeboat”. To film scenes aboard the boat, the cast had to climb up a ladder to a suspended tank of water every day. 

“Tallulah was something of an exhibitionist,” explained Hume Cronyn, “and never wore underwear.” Every day, on her ascent she would treat the crew to a flash of foof and every day she would be rewarded with an ovation.

Unfortunately a reporter from “Good Housekeeping” happened to be on the set when such a fanjo-flash moment occurred. The reporter was appalled and raised hell on set regarding "Hollywood morality".
 
Producer Darryl F. Zanuck dispatched a minion to complain to Hitchcock who said he never got involved in such things and anyway, it wasn't his department.

"Then whose department is it?!" demanded the underling.

“Hairdressing?” suggested Hitchcock.

I hope that has cheered you up. I know I feel better.

El Parsones