Dog Art Today

Tag: Barbara Gordon

  • Swing Vote: Darby’s Godfather Stars in Hilarious New Movie

     

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    I went to see Kevin Costner, my old boss, in his new movie Swing Vote last night.  He plays lovable loser, Bud Johnson, whose single unrecorded vote will decide the nation's next president.  I know I am biased, but I swear, the movie is terrific.

    It's got the feel of a great comedy from the 1930's.  Imagine Mr. Smith goes to Washington meets Sullivan's Travels.  Kevin is so funny, and every other actor from Kelsey Grammer to Dennis Hopper to newcomer Madeline Carroll is pitch perfect.

    I'm not exactly sure how they pulled it off, making fun of our political system and our broken nation when so much around us is not funny.  But, like those comedies born of the great depression, they did it, making us laugh, think, and come away feeling a little better about the future.  

    I refer to Kevin as "Darby's Godfather" in the title of this post because when I worked for him he asked me to pick out a puppy to give to his wardrobe person, Barbara, who had wanted a Dachshund for many years.  I dutifully found the most adorable puppy, fell in love with him, and gave him a name before I even got him home. 

    I called Kevin that night, confessing through my tears that I loved this dog.  Without missing a beat he said, "Moira, you can keep him.  We'll get Barbara another dog."  And with those words my life changed forever.

    A month later, I found Lenny, Barbara's Dachshund, and she is crazy about him.  So all is right with the world.

    I couldn't take any pictures last night at the premiere (Disney is very strict about cameras), so I dug up some oldies from my life on the road making movies with KC.

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    On Robin Hood, I spent most of the day freezing and worrying he would drown in the English Channel, dragged to the bottom by the cape double knotted around his neck.

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    On the Warner Bros. lot trying to do business on a phone the size and weight of a gold brick. 

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    On The Bodyguard the prop department made me a chair with my name on it. I liked to stand next to it so everyone could see.

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    Running lines on JFK.  Oliver Stone hovers in the background.

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    Hanging out on the set of Wyatt Earp in Santa Fe, NM a.k.a. Tombstone

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    Darby, Lenny, and me at Barbara's house.

    P.S. Kevin is also in a new band called Modern West.

    This is my favorite song they do.  It's called "Superman 14."  Enjoy…

  • The Feast of All (Dog) Saints

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    Today is the Feast of All Saints according to the Christian calendar. It was celebrated as early as 270 as a commemoration of “All Martyrs” and officially instituted as a holy day in the 13th century by Pope Urban IV to honor all the saints, known and unknown.

    Our dogs aren’t always angels, but I believe their unbridled devotion, generosity and kindness qualify them for sainthood. As a person who never used to like dogs, every day I’m amazed that Darby is part of my life. It truly is a miracle.

    My friend Barbara Gordon shot this video of the famous dog cemetery in Paris, Le Cimetière des Chiens. Take a moment to watch it and give thanks to all the amazing dogs who have touched your lives and performed their own miracles. Since it only takes 3 miracles to become a saint, I believe every dog could be canonized.

    Painting at top is Saint Roch, the patron saint of dogs.

  • Lenny of Paris Now Showing at Canelé Restaurant

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    Barbara Gordon’s charming photos of her Dachshund Lenny grace the walls of Canelé Restaurant this month. Lenny, a movie star, fashion icon and world traveler, can be seen in 7 beautifully presented sepia prints doing what he loves most – enjoying Café Society and partaking in the daily rituals of Parisian gastronomy.

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    He’s the perfect complement to Canelé, the new Atwater Village spot opened by Corina Weibel, the former chef at Lucques, and Jane Choi of NYC’s Balthazar. It was recently named one of LA’s Essential 99 by LA Weekly’s Jonathan Gold. That’s a top 10 rating for this town.

    Celebrate Bastille Day, July 14, by dropping by the place Gold calls “an ongoing dinner party that happens to tolerate guests.” Lenny of Paris prints available at Etsy or directly from Gordon at Lenny of Paris. C’est bon!

    Canelé Info:
    Where: 3219 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village
    When: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sundays 5:00 to 10:00.
    Beer and wine. Street parking.
    Price: Appetizers, $6 to $10; main courses, $9 to $22; desserts, $6.
    Info: (323) 666-7133

  • Lenny of Paris: Haute Dog

    Dog fashion usually connotes tiny 4-armed sweaters or rhinestone collars, but not Lenny of Paris. Hollywood stylist, Barbara Gordon, draws on her Dachshund Lenny’s bon vivant aura to create edgy original designs. Cozy arm warmers and leg warmers, darling capelets and jaunty peace sign berets round out the sexy and sophisticated line. Mandy Moore, Kate Hudson and Diane Keaton are just a few of Lenny’s (and Barbara’s) devotees. Become one too at Lenny’s online boutique. Coming soon; Lenny captivates the literary world with his new book.

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