Gothamist: Memorializing Audrey Munson

scoutb

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:10 -0500

Norman, I'm also researching Munson's movie career, though I don't know the outcome of the suit you mention. Are you still out there, following this thread?

Norman

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:37:23 -0500

Barry, How much do you know about Audrey Munson's entry into movies? I am using her as a case study in a dissertation on early film. Just before she made her first movie Munson signed a contract with the Palace Theatre (I think it was in Brooklyn) to appear in a show called Fashion. She then demanded a huge salary increase and walked when it was refused. BUT she then tried to sue the BF Keith Theatre Co. for illegal use of her image. I cannot find any record of the outcome of that suit. Don't you have anything on this?

Barry Popik

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:21:55 -0500

No one remembers the April 14, 1996 article in the New York Times, the first article about Audrey Munson in 60 years? The person who rediscovered Audrey Munson was me, Barry Popik. I immediately sent my detailed Audrey Munson research to every organization in town, starting with the Manhattan Borough Historian in the Manhattan Borough President's Office. No one helped me at all, but my work was totally plagiarized in a 1999 book. Yeah, it's miserable being a scholar! Let me tell you, Rodney Dangerfield ("No Respect") had it easy!

sonyactivision

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:38:42 -0500

....and a well-known whore as well?

freddyhere

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:16:32 -0500

Yes, it would be sad if she were a Nobel Prize winning scientist but as the pinup model of her day...?

JoeSchumacher

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:37:15 -0500

65 years in a psychiatric hospital for what was probably a mild case of schizophrenia. She essentially outlived almost all her relatives that knew she had been institutionalized. I learned about Munson several years ago while visiting the Oswego County Fair with my father. She lived in my hometown and the local history people were very excited to learn that a semi-famous person came from there. Even better, her fame was semi-salacious. Posing nude!

savedbyzero

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:18:38 -0500

Isidor Straus also has a memorial plaque in Macy's - he was a co-owner.

MT

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:57:46 -0500

Monster Mash, the statue in Straus park is in memory of husband and wife Isador and Ida Straus who died on the Titanic. They were immortalized when Ida refused to leave Isador on board when they wouldn't let the men in the lifeboats. A tragic story and very sweet memorial to them both. I believe it's located there because they lived across the street from where the park is today.

babyhitler

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:59:54 -0500

it's not sad. she was crazy already. it's only sad if she were sane.

Monster_mash

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:41:03 -0500

I love that sculpture in Straus Park. I believe it is in memory of two sisters who died on the Titanic?

Jen Chung

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:34:40 -0500

Wow, she was in the hospital for 65 years? Incredibly sad. I need to get Geyer's book.

BongoBoy

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:18:57 -0500

Think you've got it backwads, kiddo. The NY Times wrote the original. WNBC printed it on an HP LaserJet, pasted it to various BlackBerries and out came the cameras. Another easily stolen story.

BongoBoy

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:08:22 -0500

Think you've got it backwads, kiddo. The NY Times wrote the original. WNBC printed it on an HP LaserJet, pasted it to various BlackBerries and out came the cameras. Another easily stolen story.