Lessons from La Liberace, Part II

Darlings!

Here I am again, your Decent Docent of All Things Shiny and Spectacular.

The image above is taken from a tasteful lady's handbag being sold at The Liberace Museum Gift Shop. I included it to illustrate to all you non-believers out there what a sexy beast Mr. L really was. Check out the boobage - not a hint of nip anywhere. Dude sure knew how to work it.

Now those of you who wish to give your eyeballs a gentle bleaching before we proceed, please do so know in an orderly fashion. We'll wait.

Originally, I was going to blow all of your minds with the Costume Portion of the program.

But my editor has suggested that I leave the best for last.

And I always listen to my editor.

Because otherwise he poops on the floor when I'm out, that's why.

So.

Today.

The Awards.

I must say, the word that comes to mind when I entered the Awards area of the Liberace Museum was intriguing.

Why, you may ask?

Well, for one, I never realized that the King Of Bling had won these:

Uh huh. They read "Best Entertainment Program - The Liberace Show", and "Most Outstanding Male Personality 1953".

Hmm. While I'll agree with the "Personality", which he obviously had in spades, I have been reading that La Lee was not one to be standing out anywhere. He was quite comfy in way back in his , um, armoire with his feathered capes and rhinestone booties (I hear it smelled like lilacs and coconuts in there...).

In his acceptance speech*, "'after thanking his mother, his brother, his managers and the television station producers, he also thanked his sponsor 'The Citizens National Bank, whose product I admire' " .

Oh ho ho, what a saucy chappy, our Liberace. Knew the value of cross-marketing.

Not happy to rest on his bedazzled laurels, Mr. Fancy also was the proud recipient of this:

(complete with a reference letter for the Papal Venetian Cape Maker, Gianfranco diGeeGaw)

and this:

(I'm not even going to mention the irony here...)

and this:

The Canadian equivalent of an Emmy.
No kidding.
Really.

Dare I say it?

Take a gander!

Oh ho ho, I think the Baroness has been breathing in too many costume preservatives...

There were a couple of awards missing from the Museum, for respectively obvious reasons.

First were the 2 stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. I mean, c'mon, whadda they gonna do? Tear up the sidewalk? That would just set a nasty precedent.

But if you should ever find yourself trodding along Hollywood Boulevard between McCadden and Las Palmas, you will see them glittering up at you. Who am I kidding? You can probably see them from space.

Just remember - step lightly.

Mince, even.

The second award I did not see in the Grand Hall of Accomplishments (or maybe just didn't take a picture of) was the coveted "Golden Mike" awards, given to Liberace in 1981 by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.

Strangely, it seemed to disappear shortly after being presented.

Coming up on Tour de Force Tuesday: Baby You Can Drive My Car...

Until then, Be Fabulous!!!


*from the book "Liberace: An American Boy" by Darden Asbury Pyron

Thoughtful Thursday

May I just say that Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - was one of my personal best days. EVER.

There was sunshine and azure sky, there was warmth, there was leisurely strolling with a dash of economic stimulus thrown in. There was brunch at the Bellagio.

And then, just when I could not imagine it getting any damn better, it did.

The Baron and Baroness pilgrimmage-d to the place which is quintessentially Vegas.

The kitsch.

The costumes.

The shine.

The.

Freakin'.

Liberace.

Museum.

Today's TT presents to you the sign that all see at the outset of their tour around all that is "The King of Bling"; use it liberally at your discretion:

Just as I was honored to be your museum docent and provide you with a new spin on "aht" in my "Lessons from the Louvre", please join me for the next couple of days as I introduce you to the Swarovski-bedazzled world of fabulosity known as Liberace.

Day Camp

Much like the fabulous burger joint that I have yet to get to, The Baroness is In 'N Out.

I've have had a glorious sunshiney Clark County day out and about, and can't wait to share.

But wait I must.

For I have approximately 5 minutes to make-a de magic and get out the door once again to run to some officially-sanctioned schmocktail reception, but let me tease you with tomorrow's post.

Two words:

Liberace.

Museum.