Miss Fisher's Campfire Notes - Day 10

Question 10: Who is your Hollywood crush?

One: Joseph McCarthy!
Twelve: Dr. Engelbert said “Hollywood crush.”
One: Oh, I just think if Joseph McCarthy did not go into politics, he could have made it in Hollywood with his charm, wit, and masculine good looks. Obviously, his place is in politics.
Twelve: I’m glad he’s not in the movies. I’m tired of seeing him in all the other media.
One: I’m sure if you were in the news, he’d be tired of seeing you. Lucky for him that you aren’t. Anyway, my Hollywood crush is Jimmy Stewart. It’s a shame I never got to perform with him, but we were in different studios.
Twelve: Also, you never had a starring role in any film.
One: Shut up.
Seven: My answer is Amedeo Nazzari.
Twelve: Who?
One: This is about Hollywood actors, not other industries.
Seven: I saw a movie with him once many years ago and I liked it. I have not seen many American movies. I have barely seen any movies even from my country.
Seven: Thank you for allowing this answer, Miss Fisher.
Four: If we are not limited by American cinema, my answer is Mifune Toshiro.
Twelve: I should look these guys up.
One: The question was Hollywood …
Ten: My Hollywood crush is … hmmm …
Twelve: Just pick some guy you like, he doesn’t have to be the most handsome guy.
Ten: Spencer Charters.
Twelve: Um, okay, the train conductor character actor. To each his own.
Eight: Since it is my turn, my answer, Dr. Engelbert, is Merle Oberon.^[1] She is a beautiful woman with a mysterious aura.
One: A woman? This is about crushes. You wouldn’t be a homosexual, would you?
Eleven: Well, it’s just really about who in Hollywood we like. It’s not like we are actually going to be able to go on a date with any of these people.
One: I could have seduced Jimmy Stewart if I had the chance. I still have the chance, but I won’t do it because I am a good Catholic wife.
Eleven: See? It means nothing.
Eight: Though, I would like to sleep with Merle Oberon.
One: What did you say?
Eight: Merle Oberon deserved an Oscar.
One: Ah, okay.
Nine: As for me, Dr. Engelbert, the actress I pick is Pearl Bailey. Even though she is a Negro, she can outperform all your Aryan beauties.
One: Aryan beauties, huh. Is everyone else choosing women here?
Five: Not me. My Hollywood crush is Spencer Tracy.
Six: Kind of like me, partner. My Hollywood crush is John Wayne.
Five: Oh yes, that is a good choice too. I don’t like Mr. Wayne’s politics, but I like the cut of his jibe. We could come to an understanding.
Six: Real man’s man … I’m into real man’s men.
Five: Miss Fisher, what’s your answer? What kind of a man are you into?
Twelve: Wow, even I haven’t heard of him, but he sounds like a real hunk.
Twelve: Wow! It’s finally my turn! Oh, yeah, my Hollywood crushes are William Powell, John Garfield, Henry Fonda, and Robert Mitchum. Ooh, and also Barbara Stanwyck and Myrna Loy.
One: Dr. Engelbert is asking for your one true Hollywood crush, not everyone in Hollywood.
Twelve: In that case, I chose William Powell. I like that he seems like he can get along with any group of people you put him with, whether it’s lowdown gangsters or high society folks. He shares that trait with Myrna Loy, his partner in so many movies, and I think with my husband as well.
One: He’s as chinless as your husband.
Eleven: My turn? My Hollywood crush is Cary Grant.
One: She gets the question.
Twelve: Yeah, good choice.

1. Merle Oberon was the first Asian nominee for Best Actress, but the first openly Asian actress to win was Michelle Yeoh. Meanwhile, the first fae to win Best Actress was Janet Gaynor, but the first openly fae to win was Meryl Streep. ↩︎