Lakes Park, Ft. Myers, Florida. March, 2016. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
CONAL FOWKES AND EDDY DAVIS with a medley from Annie Hall
Posted in Faces at the Farmers' Market |
Paul Goldfinger. Naples, Florida Click once to enlarge.
MATT MONRO “And We Were Lovers” Theme music from the 1966 film “The Sand Pebbles” with Steve McQueen which was nominated for best picture. It was about the US Navy in a turbulent China, 1926.
Posted in Music from the movies, Photography by Paul Goldfinger, Photography: Black and White gallery | Tagged Echoes of China 1926 | 1 Comment »
Mt. Hermon Way in Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo. 10/18/25. Click once to see the creatures.
CARMINA BURANA. Carl Orff. London Philharmonic
Posted in Blogfinger Presents |
An early scene in Stardust Memories from the PBS documentary about Woody Allen. Still image by Paul Goldfinger.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net
“Stardust Memories” (1980) was Woody Allen’s 10th film in which he acted and directed. It came after his biggest hit, “Manhattan” (1979), a gorgeous film which had won four Academy Awards.
“Stardust Memories” is about a famous filmmaker who comes to a seashore retreat to celebrate his work. The movie is a serious effort that examines themes such as life, death, relationships and religion. It was shot in black and white by Gordon Willis, the famed cinematographer who also filmed “The Godfather.”
Woody says that “Stardust Memories” is one of his favorite movies, but it bombed at the box office. The film was discussed during part I of the Woody Allen Documentary on PBS Sunday night.
Woody as Sandy Bates in Stardust Memories
The Great Auditorium exterior was used to represent the Stardust Hotel. Some other exteriors in OG and Asbury were also used, but other locations and studio venues participated. I think the Casino was used as a train station. Evidently, the electrified cross was taken down since it needed repairs, and Woody paid for a new one after filming.
In the documentary, they showed some scenes from the film, and I managed to grab a few still shots from the TV including two showing the GA.
Some of the peculiar characters in the film. The Stardust Hotel in the background. Paul Goldfinger still image.
So while we are on the subject of movies where local towns are used as locations, Stardust is a favorite of mine, and the above article explains it all. It was last posted on Blogfinger in November, 2011.
MUSIC: From the Stardust Memories soundtrack. Louis Armstrong (recorded 1931) plays “Stardust.” The movie title is derived from the Stardust recording sessions (1931) where Louis, in an alternate take, said “Oh, memories” three times in succession.
Woody liked the latter version of the song for the movie title, but the version below was chosen for the soundtrack. (Do you care? Some aficionados actually do.) PG
Posted in Blogfinger Movie Review, Music | Tagged Stardust Memories in Ocean Grove | 3 Comments »
Participants: Josh Pomponio (L) Wm. Paterson U.; Katherine Picariello, NYU; Marlee Roberts, NYU; Scott Schuler, NYU; Stephanie Wong, Rutgers; George Itzhak, NYU (missing from the photo: Lindsay Rassmann, Montclair State; Charlie Redd, NYU; Nicole Rosen, Drexel U;) click image for full view. The NYU contingent was from the Tisch School of the Arts. Paul Goldfinger photo Blogfinger.net.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. Note comments below:
On Sunday May 5, 2013 we had nine short films screened at the 2nd Annual Blogfinger Film Festival.
Paul introduces the Festival program. 5/5/2013. The NYU hat is to honor professional film makers from that school who made movies in the Grove: Woody Allen, David Chase, and Marlee Roberts. Also the Sopranos and others filmed in OG. Eileen Goldfinger photo.
And given the anticipation of the Festival, how could we not recall the making of a famous movie in the Grove over thirty years ago? It was then that Woody Allen included Ocean Grove in his film “Stardust Memories.” He said that “Stardust” is one of his favorites among his many triumphs.
From Woody Allen—Music From His Movies, Vol 2, here is the Glenn Miller Orchestra (from Stardust Memories) with “Moonlight Serenade.”
Posted in Music from the movies | Tagged Cinema in the Grove, Woody Allen's Stardust Memories | 3 Comments »
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Dean of the Blogfinger Off-shore School of Medicine in Ocean Grove, NJ.
Also, I like the doctor in this Woody movie. He’s wise and understands people. Who cares if he smokes; he has a sense of humor.
I knew a really good GP whom I met when I first entered practice. He smoked in the hospital and was always dropping ashes on his vest. His name was Julie, and he knew his patients personally and he was from the neighborhood. I liked him. But docs like him were already on their way out.
Everybody called me “Dr. G”…even the charge nurse who ruled on one of the medical floors at Dover General. She was a fine hospital nurse and she had firm and sensible opinions. She always wore a little sweater, and her hair was up on the top of her head with a dark ivory comb for good measure. On top of that was her nurses cap. She liked to talk to me about movies when I made rounds on her floor and she especially liked Woody. She loved to laugh. I could trust her.
I don’t remember her name, but I do remember her.
DAVID GILMOUR “Smile” This is an intricate song with a variety of meanings, but at its core it reflects the power of a smile. Doctors need to smile more as part of their tool kit, even though their little black bag contains only hardware. In my office drawer I kept a pair of Groucho glasses and a rubber cigar. It sometimes was therapeutic.
2025 update: Diane Keaton just passed. Here she is in Annie Hall
.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents |
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @ Blogfinger. Madeleine’s review of OG is above. Reposted from 2014 on BF.
If you recall the movie “Greta,” it begins with Greta (Hillary Duff ) riding in a bus heading for Ocean Grove to visit grandma. She says that her grandmother lives in a very depressing town. Greta really doesn’t want to go.
I took exception to Greta’s review, because she was clearly misinformed. The other problem I had with her narration was that, unlike all the other movies which featured Ocean Grove (eg Stardust Memories and Boardwalk Empire,) this was the only film that actually correctly identified the town. So it wasn’t exactly great publicity.
Which brings me to Madeleine’s review (above.) She is the granddaughter of an eminent OG family–the Aanensens. Ted sent this to us and said that it was written when Madeleine was seven after she had spent a summer’s day at the Ocean Grove beach.
I like the part where she tells us how good our town tastes and smells. She is right about the smells—we have the aroma of the sea and of coconut suntan lotion. Madeleine doesn’t tell us what she has been tasting in the Grove, but maybe it’s just that Aanensen home cooking. She also likes the colors here, so she is seeing us in a totally original way, sort of how a certain English rock group described their home as a colorful place to live.
Asbury Park wall art 2015, near the Casino.
Ted says that Madeleine “does a good job of summing up Ocean Grove.” You know, he’s right. Madeleine has a mind of her own, and she likes our town, and we like her review.
THE BEATLES
Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Grover Opinions | Tagged Granddaugters review Ocean Grove | 5 Comments »
Suzanne relaxing on the porch of her rented OG cottage. By Paul Goldfinger. 8/31/24.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Blogfinger.net 8/3/1/24
Suzanne, a mother of 4, from Georgia, loves to be in Ocean Grove each summer. We found her reading, but it didn’t take much to reveal her happiness when a big smile erupted easily across her face as she is called by a guy on a bike with a camera around his neck. Despite her blanket, Suzanne is no crab.
It’s a quiet Saturday on the 2024 Labor Day weekend. She’s reading the National Geographic, and I couldn’t help but recall how that famous publication got us wrong when they did a cover story in the Grove. They portrayed us as mostly being a religious summer enclave, but Suzanne relaxing on her porch gives a different impression. Ocean Grove is a complicated town with a variety of looks.
Suzanne loves the quietude here, and that cottage seems so suited to her. She enjoys walking around town and taking some photos, so I invited her to send us her best. Clearly this photo captures her love of solitude.
Today was pretty quiet despite the holiday. There are a lot of dog walkers, bicyclers, visitors, and renters in town, and we know that many are from New York. I saw many young couples and small kids.
Over at the tents, a mom is chasing a toddler who was out-running her. Few people are out and about this afternoon. Where are they?
Our porch culture was evident as so many folks were entertaining on their porches.
There’s a concert tonight in the Great Auditorium called “Holiday Encores at the Movies.” And tomorrow morning there is “Worship” at the GA.
There’s so much for everyone in Ocean Grove, and if a livelier time is anticipated, folks walk past our North End house on the way to the hot spots and eateries of Asbury Park.
And if they park for free here, so what? I’ve gotten over that!
BEVERLY KENNY with a song that captures the mood today in this small Jersey Shore town.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents |
By Andrea Modica. American photographer. Image at Pine Plains, New York. 2019. Platinum print 8×10
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
Andrea Modica is a well known photographer. She joins my online list of female photographers.
Ms Modica was born in Brooklyn in 1960. She was educated at Yale, and now she is a Professor of Photography at Drexel University.
I like her work in black and white, especially when she does platinum printing.
This image is striking due to her use of light. I love the subject who gazes at the photographer in a provocative way. (Maybe that is my bias as a male looking at this model.)
It was printed as an 8×10 which is the size I have always preferred. It is a platinum print, a method that offers rich results.
I took a printing course with George Tice*, the New Jersey photographer who has helped bring back vintage platinum printing.
He demonstrated the gorgeous technique to my class, and it requires a great deal of expertise although I have stuck with silver gelatin papers.
If any of our Blogfinger readers want to see a Tice platinum print, please let me know. I have one. Just contact me at Blogfinger@verizon.net.
This image reminds me of my own work, although this photo is more contrasty than my style. However it is quite beautiful.
I receive mailings from the Joseph Bellows Gallery in La Jolla, California, and that is how I learned about this image by Andrea Modica.
*Here is a link to a post on Blogfinger which is about George Tice and the old houses in the Grove.
George Tice and OG architecture.
BILLIE EILISH AND KHALID. “Lovely”
Posted in Blogfinger Presents |
Ocean Grove’s Lake Avenue near the NJ bridge. Paul Goldfinger photo. © Click to enlarge. 11/9/21
BILL FRISELL from his album When You Wish Upon a Star.
Posted in Blogfinger Presents | Tagged Wesley Lake |
“Polka dots and moonbeams 2010.” Theschereport.wordpress.com —PG
“A country dance was being held in a garden
I felt a bump and heard an ‘Oh, beg your pardon’
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream.”
Posted in Music | Tagged MUSIC. Polka Dots and Moonbeams with Joe Temperley | 1 Comment »
No ugly ducklings here. Paul Goldfinger photo ©. July 4, 2012
BAND OF HM ROYAL MARINES: “Colonel Bogey” Bridge Over the River Kwai
Posted in Ocean Grove events, Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery: Ocean Grove | Tagged Ocean Grove July parade 2012 |
Portrait of Eileen. Paul Goldfinger photograph. Blogfinger.net
TEDDY WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA, WITH BILLIE HOLIDAY “If You Were Mine.”
Posted in Photograph by Paul Goldfinger, Photographic Gallery, Black and White, Portrait of Eileen | Tagged Portrait of Eileen |