Journey of the Panama Hat

Amidst the tapestry of traditional craftsmanship and global fashion icons, the Panama hat stands out as a symbol of elegance and cultural heritage.  These hats are most commonly associated with tropical exploration and summer elegance, boasting a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century.  Expertly hand-woven by Ecuadorian artisans from the palm-like grass, the "Panama" hat, despite its misleading name, had become a quintessential expression of British summer fashion.

Hat-weaving as a cottage industry began to evolve on the coast of Ecuador from the early 1600s.  Montecristi and Jipipapa, the two villages where weavers worked gave their names to the hats produced there. Montecristi Panama hats are highly prized today. Rumors abound that master weavers work only by the light of the moon or when the sky is overcast. 

Clark Gable wore a Panama hat referred to as a Monte Carlo most famously in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind which helped to popularize the hat's elegant style in Hollywood cinema.

Charlton Heston wore a Panama hat in The Naked Jungle, Sydney Greenstreet and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Paul Newman in Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, Peter O'Toole in The Last Emperor, Gregory Peck in To Kill and Mockingbird, Edward G. Robinson in Key Largo, Robert Duval in The Natural and Robert Redford in The Great Gatsby, Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones, Johnny Depp in The Rum Diaries and Sean Connery in The Man Who Would Be King.

Others who wore Panama hats were Winston Churchill, Fred Astaire, Truman Capote, President Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

Roosevelt was famously photographed wearing a Panama hat during his 1906 trip to the Panama Canal which helped to popularize the hat and solidify its association with Panama even though it actually originated in Eduador.  The photos were widely  circulated making the Panama hat a fashionable accessory and cementing its iconic status.  

Roosevelt's impeccable style and use of media helped establish this fashion item in popular culture.

Truman Capote wore a fine Montecristi Panama hat, often a lightweight and rollable variety in a classic fedora featuring a pinched, center-creased crown. The rollable variety was convenient for a world traveler like Capote. As a discerning and extravagant figure, Capote chose the "creme de la creme" of Panama hats

 The Montecristi is considered the highest quality Panama hat, handcrafted in Ecuador and known for its exceptionally tight weave using toquilla straw.  The finest Montecristi hat can take months to weave and are known for their smoothness and durability. 

Napier Municipal Theatre 

The Napier Municipal Theatre is a stunning example of Art Deco beauty.  With seating for 993 her stage has been hosting world-class performances for decades.

The Napier Municipal Theatre dates back to early 1912 when an elaborate building was designed in the Italian renaissance style by leading Australian architect William Pitt.  

119 Tennyson Street

Napier Municipal Theatre

Circa late 1920s prior to the 1931 earthquake

Sadly, the much-loved theatre became a total ruin in the 1931 earthquake.  The town managed without a replacement for several years while more urgent construction took priority.  In 1935, frustration at the lack of an adequate performance venue came to a head and plans for a new theatre progressed.  An 1,154 seat theatre was rebuilt and opened for its first performance on June 3, 1938.  Some improvements were made over the next 50 years, but nothing major was attempted until the formation of a development committee in 1987.

Redevelopment of the theatre began in 1992 and was completed in two stages over the next five years with a prime focus on preserving the integrity of its original Art Deco architecture.  Local architect Guy K. Natusch led a team of designers in the skillful addition of modern theatre facilities for both performers and patrons making this theatre truly unique.  

 

Napier, New Zealand

The city of Napier was founded in 1855 and was named after Charles Napier, Commander-in-Chief of the British armed forces in India.  This photo was taken before the massive 1931 earthquake that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.  Napier turned its tragic past into an architectural wonder.

Far from the world's great population centers and from the European and American cities where 20th century design evolved lies a small city that is unique.  Napier, New Zealand was rebuilt and by the end of the decade, Napier was the newest city on the globe.  Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s ..  Classical, Spanish Mission and above all Art Deco, he style of the 20th century .. in such a concentrated area.  And Napier's art Deco is unique with Maori motifs and the buildings of Louis Hay, admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Enhanced by palms and the angular Norfolk Island pines which are its trademark and bounded by fertile fruit and grape growing plains, dramatic hills and the shores of the South Pacific, beautiful Napier is the center of the Hawke's Bay region.  In Napier, you can enjoy the legacy of its brave rebuilding and savour the spirit of the optimistic Art Deco era.  

Napier's footprint changed drastically after the earthquake causing the seabed to rise several feet which created approximately 7,500 acres of virgin land to rebuild on.

The Auckland Savings Bank building features decorative touches that are common with Art Deco architecture. Completed sometime between 1932 and 1933 and designed by the architectural firm Crichton, McKay & Haughton, the Auckland Savings Bank's single-story facade features triangular deco patterns and symbolism inspired by New Zealand's indigenous Polynesian Maori people.  They arrived in the 1300s from Polynesia via large canoe voyages, developing a distinct culture, language and mythology.

100 Hastings Street

After the earthquake, citizens rallied together to rebuild Napier.  Art Deco design was all the rage at the time so it only made sense to rebuild in this architectural style. 

Masonic Temple

59 Tennyson Street

Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery

1 Tennyson Street

The Daily Telegraph 

with lotus-topped columns

49 Tennyson Street

The Daily Telegraph was a newspaper serving Napier and the Hawke's Bay region district of New Zealand.  It was established in February 1871 by founding editor and London journalist, Richard Halkett Lord.  The newspaper remained in publication until 1999 when it merged with the Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune to become Hawke's Bay Today in Hastings, New Zealand with editor, Chris Hyde.

1 Ossian Street

Perhaps the most iconic Art Deco building in the city, the National Tobacco Company building designed by architect, J. A. Louis Hay was completed in 1933.  The one-story structure is known for its arched entryway domed ceiling and stained glass windows. 

James Augustus Louis Hay designed a significant number of reinforced concrete structures for the new town in line with principles of earthquake-resistant construction.  His designs are distinguished from contemporary commercial buildings mainly by their exterior stylistic allusions. Characteristically, Hay's National Tobacco Company building (1933) derived its ornament not from fashionable art deco motifs, but from the work of American architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.  

A social man, Hay was well-known in Napier not only as an architect, but as a boat builder, oarsman, waterskier and actor. He cut a dashing figure walking the streets.  In summer he wore white suits, bow-ties, a panama hat and was often accompanied by his fox terrier, Spark. He was often seen driving a stylish automobile called a Minerva.

While it is true that many talented architects were employed in the city of Napier, the work of J. A. Louis Hay stands well above that of his contemporaries in quality, range and quantity.    He also built homes of interesting design and function.  This is one located in the Hawke's Bay region of Napier. 

 

A Louis Hay designed home.

James Augustus Louis Hay

(1881-1948)

Circa 1935

 

What defines Art Deco architecture?

Art Deco architecture is defined by its prominent use of geometric shapes (like zigzags), chevrons and sunburts, streamlined forms and stylized ornamentation often applied to buildings with a strorng vertical emphasis and a monolithic appearance.  It features a rich variety of materials including steel, chrome and decorative glass reflecting a celebration of the modern, industrial age with a focus on luxury and leisure. 

Bold geometric forms, sleek and elongated figures, classical influences, modern materials and high-quality craftsmanship are all hallmarks of the Art Deco style.

Today, the city of Napier in New Zealand counts over 140 Art Deco-style buildings in its central business district with plenty more found in the city's suburbs.  Napier is considered the "Art Deco Capital of the World".  Napier hosts an annual Art Deco Festival each February to celebrate its history attracting enthusiasts from around the world.  Much of the 1930s architectue is lovingly cared for giving the city the feel of a perfectly preserved 1930s film set. 

"Nowhere in the world will you find as immense a collection of Art Deco architecture in such a small space, all next door to each other.  Not even South Beach Miami."

Sally Jackson, general manager of the Art Deco Trust

Even the local McDonald's is housed inside an Art Deco building at 5 Thackeray Street. To help protect, preserve and promote Napier's rich architectural heritage, the city formed an Art Deco Trust in 1985.  

Actors Who Didn't Get Certain Roles that Ultimately Became Iconic Roles

Role:  Rose in Titanic

Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly passed on the role which ultimately went to Kate Winslet.  Paltrow once joked she chose other films with "great characters and stories" over a movie about a ship.  

Role:  Jack in Titanic

Matthew McConaughey was supposed to portray Jack Dawson.  When negotiations fell through, Leonardo DiCaprio was installed in his place.  The iconi film generated over $2 billion at the box office.  Before DiCaprio was cast, Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp were considered for the iconic part.  Despite McConaughey's feelings about his audition that he felt "went really well" .. DiCaprio landed the role and both actors will likely agree their respective careers turned out just fine. 

Role:  Allie Hamilton in The Notebook 

Britney Spears reportedly auditioned and blew the casting directors away though the part ultimately went to Rachel McAdams.

Role:  Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

Christina Applegate reportedly turned down the role which went to Reese Witherspoon because she was leery of playing another "dumb blonde" character after her role as Kelly Bundy in Married... with Children.

Role:  Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

The role of Indiana jones was originally intended to go to Tom Selleck who was a huge hit in "Magnum, P.I." (1980) at the time.  The show was reluctant to let their star perform in a movie that was obviously destined to be a mega hit.  The moustached actor was forced to choose between the two roles and decided to honour his original commitment to the TV show.  

Role:  Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (1994)

The classic role of Forrest Gump was initially offered to John Travolta.  He declined the part and has since openly admitted that passing on the role was the biggest mistakes of his career.  

Role:  Harrison Ford in Star Wars:  Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Burt Reynolds once admitted that his biggest regret was passing up the role of Han Solo.  Reynolds once said:  "I think that has to be the biggest mistake of my career.  I blame the agent.  It was not all down to me."

Role:  Al Pacino in The Godfather Part II (1974)

Jack Nicholson declined the role of Don Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) trilogy.  Years later he explained why he turned down the role:  "I knew the film was going to be a great film, but at that time I believed Indians should play roles written for Indians and Italians should do the same."

Role:  Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (2006)

Hugh Jackman declined to be considered for taking the part of 007 around the time of the first X-Men (2000).  Later, the actor said he turned down the role out of fear he would get typecast and that it would limit his opportunities in the future.

Role:  Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire (1996)

Director Cameron Crowe has admitted he worte the sports drama with Tom Hanks in mind.  Hanks couldn't take the role as he was busy directing a film. 

Role:  Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992)

Michelle Pfeiffer turned down the offer to star at Catherine Tramell because she found the bare-all scenes too daunting.

Role:  Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (1990)

Meg Ryan declined an offer for the role.  The actress has said that she thinks the movie is degrading towards women and she wasn't the only one who thought so. 

Role:  Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Johnny Depp had to decline the role because of scheduling conflict with other projects.

Sometimes actors make the decision to turn down a huge role, only to regret it later.  Other times, things simply don't go their way.  Even the very best can still botch an audition.  

Uranium glass glowing under ultraviolet light.

Uranium Glass

Uranium glass is glass which has had uranium added to a glass mix before melting for coloration.  The proportion usually varies from trace levels to about 2% uranium by weight, although some 20th-century pieces were made with up to 25% uranium.

First identified in 1789 by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth (1743-1817), uranium was soon being added to decorative glass for its fluorescent effect.  

Uranium glass was made into tableware and household items, but fell out of widespread use when the availability of uranium to most industries was sharply curtailed during the Cold War.  Most uranium glass is now considered to be antiques or retro-era collectables, although there has been a minor revival in art glassware.  

Vaseline Glass is a particular color of yellow-green glass.  Not all yellow-green glass will turn florescent green with a UV light is shined on it.  "If it doesn't glow green, it's not vaseline glass.  Vasline glass was primarily made from 1840, up to just before WWII and then was continued from 1959 to the present.  Vaseline glass was in its heyday during rhe Victorian period from the 1880s to the 1920s.  Most green depression glass wil glow.

 

Lucy Murals

 in 

Jamestown, New York

Gary Peters & Gary Peters, Sr. 

 California, Here We Come

32 Harrison Street

Jamestown 

New York

Job Switching

24 E. 3rd Street

Jamestown, New York

Season 2 Episode 1

I Love Lucy

Lucille Ball

Vivian Vance

Elvia Allman, factory foreman

Circa 1952

Why did Ethel get removed from boxing chocolates?

Ethel had been in four departments, after being kicked out of the boxing department because she kept pinching the chocolates to see what kind they were and Lucy related.  The boss tells them .. "if a candy goes unwrapped, they'll be fired".

Sidenote:  Turns out actresses Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance received some actual training in dipping and wrapping chocolates at the See's candy factory on La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles before filming the 1952 scene on a re-created production line back at their Hollywood set.  

Postage Stamp

261 E. 3rd Street

Jamestown, New York

Circa 1999

Lucy & Ricky

406 Spring Street

Jamestown, New York 

Vitameatavegamin

Spoon Your Way to Health

311 Spring Street

Jamestown, New York

Lovely Lucy

Lucille Ball Memorial Park

Celoron, New York 

Sculptor Carolyn Palmer revealed this life-size statue of Lucille Ball on August 6, 2016 on what would have been her 105th birthday.  

Other Murals Around Chautauqua County

Vibrant Celebration

Chuck Tingley

120 Foundry Alley

Jamestown, New York

Greetings from Chautauqua

Gary Peters, Sr. & Gary Peters, Jr. 

standing 

beneath the T and the A

Greetings From Chautauqua Lake

By

Urban Inspirations

Vincent Alejandro, mural artist

Erie Street

Mayville, New York

 

Union Street

Westfield, New York 

Circa 2022

Gifted to the village of Westfield by the Lakeshore Center for the Arts

Wendy Santilli, graphic designer

Sharri Gollnitz and her team of artists

Tyler Pitts of Drywall, Trim and Paint (prep work)

Funds were made possible from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Market Street

Westfield, New York

Created by Dominic Laporte 

from

Ottawa, Canada

for

Paint CHQ

Westfield, New York