UPDATE FROM VICKI VON STROHEIM -
I got a email back from Vicki Von Stroheim. I asked her a few questions about the years that I was researching and she didn't give me the info I was looking for, but she did give some stories we might be able to use. Below is the email she sent me! Such an amazing lady!
Hi Brooke,
I was born in 11/22/1948 and my grandfather was in the United States while, was working on Sunset Boulevard, the last picture he did in the US. While he was in Los Angeles my other grand parents Gigi and Taylor Trumbo invited Erich and Denise Vernac to a family dinner. Denise brought the food for Erich. Taylor was quite upset because he had spent a great deal of time getting the food ready. Denise had to explain to Taylor that Erich was on a very special diet and then Taylor understood how sick he really was. Several years later the LA Times sent my Grandfather Taylor to Brazil where Erich was. Erich was surrounded by news reporters grandfather Taylor had just gotten pictures of my sister Lori and I in the dresses he had sent from France. Taylor came up behind Erich and put the picture he had in front of him and told him want to see pictures of my grand children? Erich said no those are my grand children, he turned around and saw Taylor and they decided it was about time to head for the bar. The LA Times got their story and my Grand Father's told lies to each other,or that was how I was told, I was only 3.
Hope you liked this tall tale, or the truth. Make it as you like.
Vicki von Stroheim
She also sent me this...
Brooke,
One of the things that really pisses me off is that Erich started the movies in the 1914's his Star at 6826 Hollywood Blvd. is in the middle of an access to a rental car business where people drive over him daily. I think he should be with the big names across the street with the other big stars, they wouldn't be where they are now if he hadn't started movies!!
Vicki von Stroheim
I am responsible for doing research for the last part of Erich Von Stroheim life. It actually was really hard to find any information about this. All the research I find talked most of Von Stroheims life when he was making movies. After he move to France with Denise the information kind of drops off. I emailed Vicki Von Stroheim and ask if she had any information she wanted us to include about this part of his life, I am still waiting to hear back. As soon as I do though, I will update my research on the Google Doc Page. Below is what I have done so far. It might not all be about the last few years of his life, but some of the things I found I thought were interesting.
Also here is the link to our Google Docs page that has everyones research.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SlB537Bt6U7gpnnijgWJo_UzwVZ3tRNpxiQx3IyDpfQ/edit?usp=sharing
Also here is the link to our Google Docs page that has everyones research.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SlB537Bt6U7gpnnijgWJo_UzwVZ3tRNpxiQx3IyDpfQ/edit?usp=sharing
Research:
Stroheim was married three times in he life. First he was married to Margaret Knox from 1913 to 1915, second marriage was to Mae Jones from 1916 to 1919 and third wife was Valerie Germonprez who he never official divorced even though he lived with actress Denise Vernac, from 1939 until his death.
Even though he lived with Denise Vernac in the last part of his life, I found this research in Arthur Lennig Book, Stroheim. He says…
“Now that he was back in Los Angeles, von Stroheim was forced to confront the problems in his marriage. He had lived with Valerie only occasionally since 1936 and had no intention of leaving Denise Vernac. But when Valerie asked him for a divorce in 1943, he vehemently refused. He would only agree to a separation agreement, a troublesome document which tied the two of them together financially for the rest of their lives. Von Stroheim agreed to pay Valerie a percentage of his earnings, leave all of his assets to their son, Josef, and appoint her executor of his estate. He also insisted that the agreement bing Valerie to accept any gifts he might choose to send her. He wanted her to remember him, he said. Regardless of his relationship with Denise, he was unable to let go of Valerie. For her birthday on April 14 of that year, he sent her forty-six roses and a “small token” of jewelry. “I love you from the very Depth of my hear.” He wrote” (Stroheim, p.422)
Stroheim spent the last of his life in France. His silent film work was well regarded by others in the French film industry. While he was there he still acted in films, wrote several novels, and well as working on random film projects. In Europe von Stroheim acted in a few films and co-wrote several screenplays, but never again returned to directing films.
1955- Napoleon was the last film he acted in – played Ludwig van Beethoven
He was awarded the French Legion d’honneur shortly before his death in 1957 at the age of 71. He was carried to his drawing room to receive this award, since he could no longer walk because of his illness.
In 1956 he began to suffer severe back pain that was diagnosed as cancer and eventually became paralyzed. Von Stroheim died at his home on May 12, 1957, with his mistress Denise Vernac by his side.
Quote:
"If you live in France, for instance, and you have written one good book, or painted one good picture, or directed one outstanding film fifty years ago and nothing else since, you are still recognized and honored accordingly. People take their hats off to you and call you "maître". They do not forget. In Hollywood—in Hollywood, you're as good as your last picture. If you didn't have one in production within the last three months, you're forgotten, no matter what you have achieved ere this."
(Eulogy for D.W. Griffith reprinted in The Man You Loved To Hate, by Richard Koszarski, page 282.)
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR -
Because of our last class, Intro to Motion Picture, I found that having a Facebook page that everyone can go to worked very well. As Production Coordinator for our research project I created one again for this class and so far it has worked great. On our Facebook page anyone can write update or post for this class. I will also upload any papers we get in case students miss a day or misplace them. Below is a link to the page.
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