Woman in famed World War II photo christens new photo lab
48 HOURS
The photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse in New York’s Times Square
is one of the most memorable ones taken on V-J Day in 1945, the day
of victory for the Allied forces over Japan in World War II.
When she stepped off the subway that day, Edith C. Shain, the
nurse in that photograph, didn’t expect to be swept up into the arms
of a serviceman. She also never thought that kiss, which seemed to
last for several minutes, would be snapped by acclaimed Life Magazine
photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt and appear on the magazine’s pages.
She was mortified after seeing the photograph in the magazine,
said longtime friend and local film historian Jack Allen, and kept
the truth from her family. It wasn’t until 40 years later that she
wrote a confession letter to the photographer that ended up being
reprinted in Life Magazine.
Shain, 84, will reminisce about that war and give her views on the
war in Iraq when she attends the grand opening of Allen’s new
photography lab, Dream City Photo, from 3 to 5 p.m. today in Burbank.
The photo, with a yellow ribbon tired around it, is in the window
of the lab at 2401-A W. Magnolia Blvd. During the grand opening
festivities, guests can have their picture taken with Shain and the
famous picture as a free souvenir, Allen said.
“Since our grand opening happens to coincide with the return of
troops from Iraq, we decided to celebrate the end of the war too, and
our friend, Edith Shain, seemed the most appropriate hostess.
Especially since our store slogan is ‘serving the stars of yesterday
and tomorrow,’ ” he said.
Restoring old photographs, especially those of famous Hollywood
stars, is the specialty of the multipurpose facility.
“If you collect photos of Joan Crawford, we would be the lab you
want to target,” he said. “We have a familiarity of the people in the
photo. We might need to correct color, sharpness, or even put the
makeup back on.”
A resident of Valley Village, Allen was born in Burbank and lived
in Glendale until he was 12. Through his company, Dream City
Publications, he published a book of 140 unpublished photographs of
Marilyn Monroe he digitally restored. Titled “Marilyn by Moonlight,”
it features color and black-and- white photographs of Marilyn and
took a year to complete. It is the first digital book published on
the actress, he said.
People are still enamored by the actress 50 years later because
she lived the Cinderella story, Allen said. She turned around after a
few years of modeling to become an international movie star.
“She had the face and body hard to duplicate,” he said. “There was
a magic about her combination of sweetness and childlike innocence
and raw sensuality. It’s a rare combination.”
Allen will be combining the lab into a gallery where collectors
can purchase photographs of many famous Hollywood icons. For more
information, call 260-9700.
SPECIAL EVENTS
MAGIC SHOW DEBUTS AT ALEX
“Abracadabra,” a new magic show presented by The Alex Theatre,
makes its debut at 3 and 8 p.m. today at the Glendale theater. Las
Vegas and internationally famous illusionists are scheduled to appear
in what officials hope becomes an annual family event.
Headliner for the debut is Ayala, a well-known illusionist in
Mexico and Latin America, who is a star at Caesar’s Palace Magical
Empire and other venues around the world. Masks, spears, fire,
comedy, dance and swords are among the elements incorporated into his
theatrical, special effects-driven illusions.
Comedy illusionist and actor Ed Alonzo will be master of
ceremonies and is closing the first half of the two-hour, four-act
show.
“I am the misfit of magic,” said Alonzo, who lives in Toluca Lake.
He played Max the owner of the diner on NBC’s “Saved by the Bell.”
One of his tricks is to shoot a brick out of a cannon and attempt
to catch the brick between his teeth.
“My forte is, things start out right and then go into a
catastrophe,” he said.
One of the most amazing acts in the show is Jason Byrne, Alonzo
said, a regular in Las Vegas, who does illusions with doves.
“He takes Play-doh and scrunches it together into the size of a
softball. When he cuts it in half, a dove pops out of the doh,” he
said.
Dario Vazquez, whom Alonzo calls the fastest juggler in the world,
is also on the program. He has performed at Las Vegas casinos
including Bally’s, the Stardust, the Riviera and Circus Circus.
“He has a 10-foot triangle of connected pipes he spins,” Alonzo
said. “It’s pretty crazy stuff.”
Tickets range from $10 to $30, and may be purchased at the box
office, 216 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale, or by calling 243-ALEX.
BURBANK MEDIA CITY BALLET PERFORMS
Burbank Media City Ballet will present “Rachmaninov Sketches” and
excerpts from Aram Khachaturian’s classic love story, “Gayne,” at 4
p.m. Sunday at The Alex Theatre in Glendale.
Company Artistic Director Natasha Middleton, the daughter of
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo soloist, Andrei Tremaine, is the
choreographer for “Rachmaninov Sketches,” a three-movement ballet set
to the music of Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
“Gayne” is directed by Associate Director/ Choreographer Ruben
Tonoyan, formerly of the Kirov Ballet & Armenian National Opera
Ballet.
Tickets range from $15 to $25 and are available by calling
243-2539. The Alex is at 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
BURBANK CHORALE SINGS BURBANK DODGER NIGHT
The Burbank Chorale, which has been singing in Burbank and the
surrounding communities for 83 years, has been selected to sing the
national anthem tonight at Dodger Stadium for the city of Burbank
Dodger Night.
Pre-game activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and the game begins at 7:10
p.m. For ticket information, call 238-5300 or www.burbankchorale.org.
For more information, call the chorale’s President Pat Gafford, at
759-9177.
ROAD’ERS CELEBRATE MOMS AT CAR SHOW
Road’ers Car Club is celebrating moms a week later with its
Mother’s Day Cruise In classic car show beginning at 6 tonight at
Bob’s Big Boy, 1407 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale.
The first 50 moms attending will receive a rose. There will be
raffles, prizes and D.J. Jim spinning his oldies but goodies.
Eight trophies will also be awarded. All antique, hot rod, muscle
and custom cars are welcome. For more information, call Rick Fox at
240-9461.
Last month’s winner of Best Chevy 2003 was Willie Cano and his
1956 Chevy. Best of Show was won by Jerome Ruzicka’s 1964 Chevy
Impala.
YOUNG MARVELS PERFORM AT MEET THE MUSCIANS
The Women’s Committee of the Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn.
will present a total of $4,400 in scholarships to students at the
annual Meet the Musicians free concert at 7 to- night at the Brand
Library Recital Hall.
Performing during the evening will be 14-year-old Katrina Bobbs
and 16-year-old Martin Leung, co-winners of the Blanche Bobbitt Piano
Scholarship for a pianist younger than 18.
One of eight children, Katrina, together with her sister, Emma,
were selected to perform on a May segment of “From the Top,” a public
radio program distributed by Public Radio International.
When Martin was 3, he listened to his sister’s piano lessons and
started playing himself. His formal lessons began the next year.
Since that time, he has won innumerable awards and scholarships and
has performed as soloist with many orchestras.
There is no admission but donations will be appreciated. The Brand
Library Recital Hall is 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale.
DESCANSO GARDENS BLOOMS FLOWER FEST
Descanso Gardens ends its annual Spring Show and Festival of
Flowers this weekend.
The Montrose African Violet Society Show and Sale will be from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. A Scottish
dance performance will be at 1 p.m. today and the Cleary School of
Irish Step Dancing will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday.
A Discovery Station, where children and adults are invited to stop
and smell the roses, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Children can pick up an adventure map to help them guide their
families and friends to the Children’s Maze, the Bird Observation
Station and through the forest to find Miss Spider’s Tea Party.
Tram tours and rides on the Enchanted Railroad will help visitors
explore the gardens, as will guided walking tours at 1:30 p.m. today
and Sunday.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Admission fees
are $6 for adults; $4 for seniors and students; $1.50 for children 5
to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger. For
information, call 949-4200.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please call
JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax
them to 241-1975.