Missing Reels (51 page)

In his book
Film Crazy
, writer Patrick McGilligan asked Raoul Walsh about one of my favorite films, the 1941 version of
The Strawberry Blonde
. It’s also set in New York, but in the 1890s, when Walsh was a boy. “A jolly time, good times, nice people,” said Walsh. “That’s the way it really was,” asked McGilligan, “or that’s the way you want to remember it?” “It’s the way I want to remember it,” replied Walsh.

I hope that lovers of New York and the movies can overlook the liberties I’ve taken. It’s the way I want to remember it.

I
AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO
J
AMES
W
OLCOTT AND
T
OM
S
HONE, FOR
their fellowship and constant encouragement during the writing of this novel; to Rusha Haljuci, who read the manuscript at every stage; and to the great Kevin Brownlow, whose chance remark to me inspired the plot. Profuse thanks to Hooman Mehrman, Dave Kehr, Lou Lumenick, Larry Harnisch, and John McElwee, who patiently answered my questions, usually without knowing why on earth I was asking. Thanks to my editors, Mark Krotov and Dan Crissman; and to my wonderful, indefatigable agent, Gary Morris.

FARRAN SMITH NEHME
has been writing about classic film at her blog, Self-Styled Siren, since 2005. She also is currently a freelance movie reviewer for the
New York Post
, and her film writing has appeared in
The New York Times, Barron’s
Magazine,
Cineaste
Magazine,
The Baffler
, and many other publications. In 2008 she was named Film Blogger of the Year by
GQ
’s Tom Carson. She lives in New York City.

JACKET DESIGN BY ANTHONY MORAIS
AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH © GARY SPECTOR

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