70 years ago today, Carnegie Hall sold out. Before Keanu Reeves, before Pia Zadora, before The Brady Bunch--even before the careers of Ronald Reagan and director Ed Wood, there was Florence Foster Jenkins. Flo was determined to be a successful singer, despite a complete lack of talent. Word-of-mouth was that this was the hottest ticket of the season. She had already caused a sensation at smaller venues, after starting just performing for friends in her own home. Audiences bit down hard on some of the most exquisitely crafted handkerchiefs of the time in order not to openly guffaw at the high notes. Having reached the pinnacle of celebrity, Florence Jenkins passed away a month after this achievement, leaving the mystery behind as to whether she ever knew the real reason for her popularity. Now comes word that will be played on film by Meryl Streep. (A perfect choice, as she recently won an Oscar playing someone else also horrid but strangely popular.)
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 18:58:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015