Cecil Beaton (January 14, 1904 – January 18, 1980)

Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton, CBE (14 January 1904 – 18 January 1980) was an English fashion and portrait photographer, diarist, painter, interior designer and an Academy Award-winning stage and costume designer for films and the theatre. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1970.

Beaton was born on 14 January 1904 in Hampstead the son of Ernest Walter Hardy Beaton (1867–1936), a prosperous timber merchant, and his wife Etty Sissons (1872–1962). His grandfather, Walter Hardy Beaton (1841–1904), had founded the family business of Beaton Brothers Timber Merchants and Agents, and his father followed into the business. Ernest Beaton was also an amateur actor and had met his wife, Cecil's mother, when playing the lead in a play. She was the daughter of a Cumbrian blacksmith named Oldcorn who had come to London to visit her married sister. It is through this connection that Cecil is related to the Blessed Father Edward Oldcorne who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot. They had four children — in addition to Cecil there were two daughters Nancy (1909–99) and Baba (1912–73), and another son Reggie (1905–33).


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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Beaton

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Coming Soon: Strange Frame (2012) directed by G.B. Hajim

Strange Frame
DVD Available: Mar. 19, 2013
Produced: 2012
Director(s): G.B. Hajim
Starring: George Takei, Claudia Black, Tara Strong, Ron Glass, Cree Summer, Tim Curry, Juliet Landau, Alan Tudyk
Language: English/Closed Captions
Length: 98 min.
Rating: Not Rated
Amazon: Strange Frame (2012)

The first lesbian science fiction rock ‘n roll animated film.

“Strange Frame boldly brings an epic, futuristic lesbian drama to creative life with fresh animation. —SheWired

This gorgeous animated sci-fi story is centered around the theme of the transformative power of love between two women. As our story begins it is the 29th century, 200 years after the Great Earth Exodus. We’re on Ganymede, one of Jupiters moons. Our hero Naia (prolific voice actress Tara Strong) is a feisty, young singer-songwriter who falls in love with the beautiful saxophonist Parker (Claudia Black — Farscape, Stargate SG-1). The two embark on their new relationship and also form a new band — and now they have to not only make it as musicians but also to fight for their freedom.

Here on Ganymede the human race has long since left a decimated Earth. To survive the harsh climates of other planets and moons, humans have genetically modified themselves making skin color and sexual organs a common matter of fashion. Dramatically rendered in rich, colorful animation, Strange Frame brings us into a world of space pirates, indentured slaves and genetic mutations — infused with music throughout, to create a dreamlike tale unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Strange Frame co-stars a terrific array of voice talents including Tim Curry, Cree Summer, Juliet Landau, Ron Glass, Alan Tudyk, Michael Dorn, Claudia Christian and George Takei. Written by Shelley Doty and GB Hajim; directed by GB Hajim.

Coming Soon: Any Day Now (2012) directed by Travis Fine

Any Day Now
DVD Available: Apr. 23, 2013
Produced: 2012
Director(s): Travis Fine
Starring: Garret Dillahunt, Alan Cumming, Isaac Leyva
Language: English
Length: 97 min.
Rating: Not Rated
Amazon: Any Day Now (2012)

They made him a promise. He made them a family.

Any Day Now is a powerful tale of love, acceptance and family. When a teenager with Down Syndrome (Isaac Leyva) is abandoned by his mother, a gay couple (Alan Cumming and Garret Dillahunt) takes him in and becomes the loving family he’s never had. But when their unconventional living arrangement is disconcerted by authorities, the men are forced to fight a biased legal system to save the life of the child they have come to love as their own. Inspired by a true story from the late 1970s, Any Day Now touches on legal and social issues that are as relevant today as they were 35 years ago.

Coming Soon: Saltwater (2012) directed by Charlie Vaughn

Saltwater
Produced: 2012
Director(s): Charlie Vaughn
Starring: Berna Roberts, Ian Roberts, Ronnie Kerr, Bruce L. Hart, Will Berthencourt
Language: English/Closed Captions
Length: 81 min.
Rating: Not Rated
Amazon: Saltwater (2012)

Will leaves the Navy after many years and soon reunites with old friends as he attempts to start his new civilian life. His friend Rich tries to set him up with the ruggedly handsome Josh. While there is immense chemistry between the two, timing and certain ideals never seem to align. When a shocking tragedy happens the two are forced up to pick up the pieces together. Saltwater is a story about men of all ages, finding love, losing friends, navigating their way through life and knowing it’s the journey rather than the destination that’s important.

Coming Soon: A Perfect Ending (2012) directed by Nicole Conn

A Perfect Ending
DVD Available: Feb. 05, 2013
Produced: 2012
Director(s): Nicole Conn
Starring: Michael Adam Hamilton, Imelda Corcoran, Mary Wells, Cathy DeBuono, Bryan Jackson, Barbara Niven, Jessica Clark, John Heard, Morgan Fairchild, Rebecca Staab, Kerry Knuppe
Language: English/Closed Captions
Length: 106 min.
Rating: Not Rated
Amazon: A Perfect Ending (2012)

FROM ACCLAIMED LESBIAN DIRECTOR NICOLE CONN (Elena Undone, Claire of the Moon)

“The sexiest lesbian film of 2012.” — Curve Magazine

Drop dead gorgeous Jessica Clark (True Blood’s Lilith) and TV icon Barbara Niven co-star in this glossy, sexy and fun romantic drama from writer-director Nicole Conn (Elena Undone, Claire of the Moon). When straight and married Rebecca (Niven) seeks out the sexual services of high-priced call girl Paris (Clark) she isn’t expecting to fall in love. A Perfect Ending is filled to the brink with aching desire, and the sexual chemistry between Niven and Clark is off the charts. The cast also boasts Morgan Fairchild, John Heard, Rebecca Staab and a cameo from celesbian actress/therapist Cathy DeBuono.


She’s elegant, wealthy and proper — an upstanding wife and mother with three grown children, a swanky estate and a horrible husband. And tragically, she’s never had an orgasm. Determined to solve the problem, Rebecca’s lesbian friends set her up with an exceptionally talented high-class call girl named Paris — and, needless to say, the lives of both Rebecca and Paris are changed forever. Filled to the brink with aching desire, the sexual chemistry is off the charts between ‘90s TV icon Barbara Niven as the beautiful blond client and out lesbian actress Jessica Clark (True Blood’s Lilith) as the smokin’ hot hooker who truly does have a heart of gold.

This opposites-attract, edge-of-your-seat lesbian romance is a glossy, sexy and fun romantic drama guaranteed to earn a fresh array of fans for veteran writer-director Nicole Conn (Elena Undone, Claire of the Moon).

Grappling with intense family drama at home, Rebecca escapes into the oasis of her encounters with Paris. Meanwhile, outside of her lucrative sex-worker day-job, Paris is a struggling artist with troubles of her own.

Featuring a bold, beautiful, unleashed performance by Barbara Niven and a star turn from drop dead gorgeous Jessica Clark (yes, the British South Asian beauty is also a fashion model), A Perfect Ending also boasts the fabulous Morgan Fairchild as the presiding madam of ill-repute and the talented John Heard as Rebecca’s husband, plus a great turn by prolific daytime star Rebecca Staab and a cameo from celesbian actress/therapist Cathy DeBuono.