ONE MEMORY OF FRANK SINATRA IN HONOR OF #SINATRA100

FRANK SINATRA

Photographed by

HARRY LANGDON

Palm Springs, CA

(mid-90's)

When I was 15, I was a busboy at a very famous Italian restaurant frequented by celebrities.  It was Frank Sinatra’s favorite place since the management would follow the "Old Italian Custom" of allowing certain dignitaries to have a small table for two set up in the kitchen.  Mr. Sinatra would often come in with Dean Martin, both dressed in Tuxedos and both served in the kitchen.  This custom was reserved for only High Italian royal family. Another memory I have is, one night I was bussing tables and Sinatra came in with Ava Gardner, she was dressed in a clinging Turquoise cocktail dress. I had just seen her starring in the film "The Barefoot Contessa".

Then years went by and fatefully I achieved the honor of being a favorite photographer of Mr. Sinatra’s. I never mentioned to him I used to take away his dirty dishes at Mazzarino's Italian Restaurant.  I have wondered whether or not I should have?

I have a client who is a female Psychiatrist, and once I asked her about her clients dream messages. She said Sinatra would often appear romantically in their dreams, why,  I asked - "he is a symbol of, danger, intrigue and romance", she told me. 

Mr. Sinatra (He much preferred being called) was something to everybody.  And when people ask me, "who was your favorite client", I immediately answer, Frank Sinatra!

                                                                        - Harry Langdon
Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, December 12, 2015

In honor of #Sinatra100

E-MAIL. PRIVATE OR IS IT PUBLIC?

Social Commentary by,
Harry Langdon

Way back when, we used to send military directives by a carrier pigeon or by waving various flags on a ship. Today top secret e-mails are being sent by e-mail. Same thing, possible military directives that we would dare not want a foreign government to intercept. After all there are 320 million American citizen’s lives at stake.

There is a way of securing your e-mail, encrypting it. It costs about $400.00 a year and it is totally secure, I could have the device downloaded to my computer in 15 minutes. By the way ISIS uses that encrypted coded system ---- What happened! This is supposed to be the most technologically advanced country in the world. Rockets to Mars etc., I can hear the Chinese, North Koreans and Russians laughing.

If an individual is elected or deemed to be in charge of our country's current and future safety, would they not be trained in how to work a simple device like a couple Blackberry's, or... Plus the placement of the Server of that e mail, to be in a secure location. But where it, or they were stored, could have been bagged by the average break-in bandit. Then fenced or sold at the local flea market sale the next Sunday for a couple hundred. A spy would have a ‘Motherload‘ or do they now?

When I was kid, don’t ask how long ago, my Grandmother had a cabin in Cambria, California. It had a phone which by today’s standards is basic and primitive, with a dial you would twirl to get a number. Everyone in the neighborhood would hear the ringing that was going to or from each others' phones. As a kid I would observe my parents pick up the receiver and quietly listen in on each others calls. That system is obsolete now. It was called a ‘Party Line’.

But what was devious was, they would purposely give inaccurate messages to the other party, so that when it would get back to the sender, they knew that it was somebody eavesdropping. Got-Cha!

Now in the year 2015, top Government officials are using something like a 'Party-Line' for their e-mails. Totally insecure, no $400.00 encrypting device.--- I am wondering if it was like my Grandma used to do, give out false gossip to trap a eavesdropping neighbor, or is it sheer ignorance of today’s technology.

It is now cyber water under an invisible bridge. We have to pray that the information that I am sure hostile and friendly governments have gotten, from an insecure server, monitored by an insecure tech representative with no credentials to handle Top Secret information. As an aside, he has pleaded the 5th amendment now, so he is talking.

Well I hope we have made more progress since Grannies time, Very high tech security encrypting devices and we have our own listening in on our neighbors ‘Party Lines. Back then, it was just innocent gossip on the old Party Line. But now the stakes are much more serious and the security of 320,000,000 Americans is at stake.

- Harry Langdon

Los Angeles, CA

Sept. 9, 2015

JADED? Need to REBOOT?

Social Commentary by
Harry Langdon
Saturday, September 5, 2015

Our minds work very closely akin to a computer, or a computer works very similar to a human mind. When my computer gets on overload and 'confused', I call my Tech support and they will often say "reboot". I hesitate to do this action since a great deal of unsaved information gets deleted; but it is an extremely healthy action to take for our computer’s extended health and longevity.

The news today has been a threat to our senses and hopefully our healthy minds. The gruesome taped shooting of two innocent news people. With his own camera on the air. Beheadings, another school shooting, is now ho-hum. Police shootings, both of them, and the perpetrators, have become a matter of normal life. How much farther can it go?

I believe becoming jaded to adversity and injustice is dangerous. When I was a kid, it was shocking to hear of a Rape. Perhaps only once a month we would see newspaper headlines about this crime. Let alone a murder. What has happened? Is sex and mayhem so titillating that we have become fixated on it?

Forgive my sounding old fashioned but, back then there was something called the Johnson office, they were in charge of censoring obscene footage in the movies. Today? Give me a break, did we try to watch the MTV/VMA’s show with our children in the room? You have to be very jaded in order to witness all that in our living rooms no less.

We know it is all about getting better ratings. The video games are numbing kids minds to violence, it is closely becoming akin to winning the game. Scary stuff.

I know, I know, it is freedom of speech etc. but my concern is that if we humans don’t begin to be more conscious of how minds are being bombarded with these images, becoming numbed to violence… this is not normal behavior. And we wonder what has happened to our children.

Our parents and teachers today, plus the police, have given up trying to guide the children right from wrong. I think it is because the adults aren’t sure anymore between the two. Lawyers have become so clever that with enough money, a criminal can get away with etc., etc., anything.

Working as a photographer, I monitor what decisions are being made on a shoot about how ‘Far to Go ‘when it comes to sensuality. Both by me and my client. I have had to forfeit being chosen to do shoots that could be considered ‘Over the top‘ sexy. I believe taking the High Road is by far the best choice, even if it means losing lucrative shoots that are blatantly sensual. At least I can sleep at night. I wish many in the creative community that have tremendous influence, would begin taking the high road.

We have all had to reboot at times when confused and disoriented, too many errors. Just like my computer. It is the most drastic solution. So I monitor very carefully what information I install in the mind of my computer, so I, nor 'Tech Support' will be forced to do the dreaded reboot.

~ Harry Langdon

Los Angeles, CA

Sept. 5, 2015

MY DEBONNAIRE FATHER

 

 "My father was actually a very handsome man, but his calling was to entertain people. He did that best by being in the character he developed from his early days in the circus and vaudeville, up to the most recent personae role which made people happy." 

- Harry Langdon, Jr.

Los Angeles, CA
August 25, 2015

"ALERT" YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED

Written by,
Harry Langdon

NATURE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT!

More and more I read that caption after they announce another catastrophic error made by man. It is as if we are talking about getting our car repaired or a relationship gone wrong. No problem.

The most extreme mistake was the recent one last week in Colorado where "Someone" within the EPA, uncorked an old mine shaft which had thousands of gallons of some of the most toxic chemicals and metals known to man, including mercury and arsenic, which are now pouring into the precious Colorado River, where many of the surrounding states get their drinking water. ---EPA by the way stands for the ‘Environmental Protection Agency ‘upon which we depend to keep us humans and animals safe from Natural disasters.

Animas River
(Colorado River System)

Colorado, USA

All that orange sludge, laced with deadly Arsenic, is now headed toward the Grand Canyon, and elsewhere, I bet it is headed toward California since our crops and drinking water, depend on Colorado water.

Has anyone taken the blame besides an indistinguishable alphabetical abbreviation EPA?  We will not get the satisfaction of that answer till after the election I bet.  Someone must have given the order to open up that storage cavern.

I hope they don’t say “Nature will take care of it!” 

Off the coast of Santa Barbara there is another huge oil slick, again, the media is not addressing that one because it will turn off viewers.  

 "Volunteers strive to clean CA beaches,
save wildlife after massive oil spill"
Source: RT

As will the radioactive plume heading toward our West Coast from the Fukushima Power Plant disaster in Japan.--- Yes,  they have said it “Nature will take care of it!"

Because of the presidential candidates bickering and insulting each other makes better news,  the media does not want to bum us out with the Ultimate Reality Show, watch and experience “the end of life on earth“, they will lose sponsors and viewers.

I bet when Noah was building his Ark, folks would walk by and say Noah, “why are you building such a huge ship, there is no water around here for 100's of miles and it never rains.   Noah probably said “Look, the earth is now toxic from over planting and stopped providing good food, the people are degenerating back to being savages.”  I bet he heard from those naysayers. 

“Don’t worry Noah, Nature will take care of it!"

                                                                                                           - Harry Langdon
August 12, 2015
Los Angeles, CA

ONE OF THE GIANTS OF SILENT FILM - MY FATHER, HARRY LANGDON, SR.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
(circa 1890)

All images in this blog article, written by Harry Langdon, Jr. are courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.  No copying or republishing of photos is allowed without prior written consent. Sharing this blog in whole, on social media is permitted. Please include #CourtesyofHarryLangdon. Thank you.

"Entertainment for the generation of today is light years ahead of the silent film era. The very primitive recording of black & white photo images to film, was actually an improvement over what folks were left to see on the Vaudeville stage in the early 1900's. One hundred fifteen years ago, people would have thought today's  TV, radio & movies were some kind of witchcraft, let alone wireless cell phones and 3D films, in "Panavison" no less.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1925
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

My father began his career in 1890 - he ran away from home at age 16 to be in a "One Man Vaudeville Act". To earn extra money he was a clown in the circus, a Medicine Show hawker, and then he created a major Vaudeville Act with a collapsible car. He made a fortune; some say millions in these early, pioneering forms of entertainment.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1906
Trompe l'oeil background painted by Harry Langdon, Sr.
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

It was 1920 when he was asked to be in the movies, "Langdon" thought it was only a passing fad. He began earning less money, gave in and joined the Mack Sennett Repertory Company on the heels of Charlie Chaplin. My father then appeared in 60 very successful Silent Films for Sennett. All very ingenious, featuring fine, sublime, unique humor compared to the Chaplin "Slapstick" form of humor.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1926
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

In 1926 he produced seven of his own Classic Feature Films, then in 1930 fate intervened and talking films began to be popular. My father then had to reinvent his humor and was very successful doing ‘Talkies’ until his death in 1945. The reason he was so immensely popular was his ability to generate his humor through Pantomime. He was also very popular in Europe because they understood his humor without knowing the language only by his silent skills.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1936
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

This was due to his previous performances on the Vaudeville stage where he was an expert Top Dancer, played Ragtime Piano Music by ear, did a balancing act, played the banjo and did caricatures in the audience after his act. My father's personal life was like his screen persona, a mix of Comedy and Tragedy that we now see today as a symbol of the Theater. I have his collection of hundreds upon hundreds of still photos that he kept, and I am sharing some here in this article.

My parents, Harry and Mabel Langdon.
Circa 1934
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.) 

I am also publishing a book of some of these priceless photos, many have never been seen before and they date from 1888 thru 1945. In addition, a biography that his wife, my mother, Mabel Langdon had written, dictated by my father, is in the process of being published as this article is being written.

The Langdon Family in their
Salvation Army uniforms.
Harry Langdon, Sr.
is in the center of this photo from 1880.
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

My father's humor had an underlying theme, perhaps it was inherited from his family who were the original Salvation Army officers, showing that those who are downtrodden and feeling left behind in life will survive by staying humble, keeping their chin up, and having faith...eventually they will overcome the ruthless and in-sensitives of the world."

- Harry Langdon, Jr.
Father's Day
June 21, 2015

All images in this blog article, written by Harry Langdon, Jr. are courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.  No copying or republishing of photos is allowed without prior written consent. Sharing this blog in whole, on social media is permitted. 

Contact:
Shawni Groves (213) 255-0059
UrbanLifestylePR@gmail.com

HARRY LANGDON ON PHOTOGRAPHING AMERICAN FIGURE SKATER & TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN, JOJO STARBUCK

JoJo Starbuck
Photographed by Harry Langdon

"I imagine we all are enchanted by ice skaters, no matter how old we are. The costumes, theatrics and lights that are part of the show; all that can successfully divert our attention from the everyday reality.

My forte' is to create Fantasy when I am given the license to do so.  When I was asked to photograph JoJo Starbuck, I was very enthusiastic about the chance to photograph JoJo and constructed an artificial ice surface with lights imbedded in the floor.  I like to have skaters in poses that they are familiar with,  often jumping (which necessitates speed light strobes, that can freeze them in midair) since it is not easy for them without the aid of ice.

JoJo is a consummate skating performer on ice and has won many national and international skating competitions. Once she put on those skates and came out of the dressing room,  POW, that electricity is emitted from her. That fantasy 'Larger than Life' aura, is  carried by a Champion like JoJo  even for a still photo shoot.  It is a wonderful sight to behold in front of the camera,  almost like a command performance,  a delight for a photographer to capture. 

My other Skating clients are:  Dorothy Hamill,  Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner,  Peggy Fleming, Rosalyn Sumners, Katarina Witt and many others.  Photographing skaters is always a highlight in my career."

- Harry Langdon
June 8, 2015

AMERICAN PHAROAH AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS

"On the television news yesterday was the most inspiring sight of a beautiful horse named AMERICAN PHAROAH winning by five and a half lengths, the Triple Crown at Belmont Stakes. It wasn't just a horse winning a race that was so moving, it was almost the only good news that has been in our living rooms lately. The sub text to how the owner acquired then sold, then re-bought the horse back for $300,000 on a whim, is just as moving, as him winning the race. Plus, now Pharoah gets to semi-retire as a very valuable stud.

I have noticed as of late many cars being left dirty. I hope it is out of consideration for our water drought or perhaps just being slovenly. But I found myself congratulating my neighbor today whose car is very dirty, she was taken back when I said "What a good citizen she was", she did not get it until I reminded her car washing has become very un-cool.

I was in my bank yesterday and noticed nobody seemed happy, sullen expressions abounded. Why I wondered, at least we are alive and can afford a bank account even though we never know when it will be robbed or hacked. I asked the teller, "Is everyone worried about the security of our money" she did not answer, hmm. Then I went into the market, again looking for happy people to share our experiences with waiting in line, again, no expressions, until I brought up the American Pharoah win at Belmont, that broke the ice and everyone started smiling. --- I really wish we could see more winners on T.V. it can be good for the 'Collective' to see smiles again, it helps decorate our public domain."

Harry Langdon
Sunday, June 7, 2015

W MAGAZINE FEATURES A HARRY LANGDON IMAGE OF CHER

  PHOTOGRAPH BY HARRY LANGDON

(Courtesy of Getty Images)

"Cher’s Style: From Sonny to Marc"

 CHER

By

Harry Langdon
1979, Beverly Boulevard studio

Bob Mackie Designs

"Cher is the original intriguing, mysterious, bigger than life glamour girl. I started photographing her with Sonny and before the first session I did with them, they had decided to get a divorce, but were to remain very good friends. People say to be mysterious is good; to not let people know about your personal life, even today she remains a mystery to many. I worked with her on upwards of 10 different photo sessions in different phases of her life, all very satisfying and always in Bob Mackie designs, which enhanced Cher's beauty. Her persona multiplied the image, more than 100% clothes, or lack of clothes. I will always carry never-ending fond memories of Cher, I don't know if that is reciprocal. Most actresses reveal too much of themselves, I think Cher is the reincarnation of Greta Garbo, a complete enigma."

-- Harry Langdon,
via phone
May 29, 2015
Los Angeles, CA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHER!

CHER
"Butterfly"
1981
Photography & Art Direction,
Harry Langdon
Beverly Boulevard studio, Los Angeles, CA

"The concept for this CHER album cover was to be about the coming Apocalypse and the metamorphosis of Women from their bondage.  In 1981 that was very prophetic statement. Casablanca Records paid myself for photos and Bob Mackie designed the costume. I designed the set based on a Frank Frazetta theme.  Mackie and I thought it was a totally inspired idea. 
CHER thought it was too 'Over the top ' and killed the shot. 
The photo  is still one of my favorites." - HARRY LANGDON

ONE IMAGE OF B.B. KING BY HARRY LANGDON

  B.B. KING

Photographed by
Harry Langdon

Beverly Boulevard studio, 1989
For more images of B.B. King by Harry Langdon,
please visit Getty Images.

"B.B King was playing his Guitar he named Lucille, throughout the photo session without me prompting him. By mistake B.B. forgot his itinerary list in the dressing room,  we could not help noticing he was booked solid,  300 days in that year in clubs and concerts around the country.  I am proud to have been able to do his photos." -- HARRY LANGDON