Beck Jones
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beckjoneshere.bsky.social
Beck Jones
@beckjoneshere.bsky.social
Writer

#books, #booksky
She claimed the controlling Willy made her a writer; he also took the copyright to her works, leaving her broke. He was the first of multiple husbands and lovers -- below with stage and romantic partner Mathilde "Max" de Morny. Gabrielle-Sidonie Colette, #botd in 1873.
#booksky #writer #filmsky
January 28, 2026 at 12:46 PM
We know nothing, we know nothing, we know nothing except today is John Banner's birthday! #botd as Johan Banner in Austria, he emigrated in 1938, served in the U.S. armed forces during the war and lost relatives in the Holocaust--as did other Hogan's Heroes cast members.
#filmsky #moviesky #tv
January 28, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Even Middle Earthers get middle aged.
#filmsky #movieky
January 28, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by Beck Jones
Good morning.

#BOTD #filmsky #moviesky
January 28, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Beck Jones
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Actually, current usage of "snark" is supposedly not related to The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll, #botd in 1832. Still our world does seem to get curioser and curioser. Maybe Carroll (writer, mathematician, photographer and deacon) might be able to explain it.
#booksky #writer
January 27, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Beck Jones
January 26, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Bessie Colman, #botd in 1892, became the first African American woman and first Native American to earn a pilot's license. Born to sharecroppers in Texas, she had to save enough money to train in France, since opportunities at that time didn''t exist in America.

#womenshistory #DEI
January 26, 2026 at 1:07 PM
He had a long filmography, but lots of roles were uncredited, so William Hopper, #botd in 1915, is best known as the world-wise Paul Drake, he of snazzy sports coats, active social life and ace operatives, on Perry Mason. His (controlling) mother was Hedda Hopper.

#moviesky #filmsky #tvsky
January 26, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Beck Jones
Good morning.

#BOTD #filmsky #moviesky
January 26, 2026 at 11:01 AM
I really shouldn't post until after noon. Reposting Edith Wharton's birthday post sans idiot mistake.

#booksky #writers
January 24, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Evidently, Model was far more competent than he is portrayed in the film, but a) it's hard to feel sorry for a nasty Nazi and b) the movie is well worth a watch not just for the stars and spectacle. Those who said "we'll be greeted as liberators" would have done well to see it.
#moviesky #filmsky
January 24, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Michael Haneke claimed he wrote his mind-bender movie Cache for Daniel Auteuil, #botd in 1950, because Auteuil acted as if he had a secret. Below, Auteuil in 1990's A Heart in Winter--a little mysterious maybe and definitely glum. He's also a director and screenwriter.

#moviesky #filmsky
January 24, 2026 at 1:15 PM
It's Django Reinhardt's birthday! #botd as Jean Reinhardt in 1910 in Belgium; Django was his Romani nickname. He made it through WWII, not easy for a Romani in occupied France, but died of a brain hemorrhage at 43.
#jazz
Django Reinhardt CLIP performing live (1945)
YouTube video by Per Christensen
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 1:02 PM
#BOTD in 1783 as Henri-Marie Beyle, Stendhal got the idea for The Red and The Black from a newspaper account of a similar crime of passion. But Julien Sorrel is uniquely his own. Stendhal's understanding of human psychology in that book and The Charter House of Parma, was acute

#booksky #writers
January 23, 2026 at 12:50 PM
The story of science in America, until now, has been one of progress. (Leeching was still around during Blackwell's time.) The good news is that medical professionals are pushing back at some of the idiocy coming out of HHS, which could easily propose bringing back leeches.

#science #women
January 23, 2026 at 12:43 PM
A lot of tv comedy, especially late night, comes from the innovative routines and attitude of Ernie Kovacs, #botd in 1919. But his film performances were notable--like the generally inebriated writer looking for witches in Bell, Book and Candle. Amusingly bemused.

#moviesky #filmsky #tvsky
January 23, 2026 at 12:33 PM
A good day to watch (or rewatch) 1994's The Madness of King George about a real king (not self-appointed) who did go mad (not just Xtreme narcissism + age + stupid) over a colony (that really did belong to England at the time). Blue urine suggests it might have been porphyria.

#moviesky #filmsky
January 22, 2026 at 1:31 PM
"Live fast, die young" could have applied to George Gordon Byron, #botd in 1788, the Romantic poet who left an unequalled artistic legacy when he died at only 36 from a fever he caught during the fight for Greek independence (one of many long stories in a short life).

#booksky #writers #poetry
January 22, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Non-fiction writer, novelist and screenwriter Joseph Wambaugh, #botd in 1937, was a police officer for 14 years, and it showed. Below, John Savage & Ted Danson (in his film debut) in The Onion Field, a wrenching non-fiction story of cop who unravels after his partner is shot..

#filmsky #moviesky
January 22, 2026 at 12:44 PM
He's better known (and beloved) as Thomas More in 1966's Man for all Seasons, but Paul Scofield, #botd in 1922, is terrific in The Train as a Nazi trying to carry off artistic treasures. (Lancaster also excellent). Nazis, mad power-crazed kings: A man and movies for all reasons.
#filmsky #moviesky
January 21, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Beck Jones
Good morning.

#BOTD #filmsky #moviesky
January 20, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Even if you've never seen a movie by screenwriter and director Federico Fellini, #botd in 1920, you've probably seen a movie influenced by him. His producer Dino De Laurentis wanted Paul Newman for La Dolce Vita, but Fellini insisted on the relative unknown Marcello Mastroianni.
#flmksky #moviesky
January 20, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Oscar winner Patricia Neal, #botd in 1926, faced challenges: an unhappy affair with Gary Cooper (they starred in The Fountainhead, still below); a devastating stroke at only 39; a child that died of measles and a marriage to Roald Dahl ending with his affair. She kept working.

#filmsky #moviesky
January 20, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Beck Jones
Good morning.

#BOTD #filmsky #moviesky
January 19, 2026 at 1:07 PM