Melania Trump’s Early Struggles; the Man Behind Rebel Without a Cause; and More

Seven Great Reads From the Vanity Fair Archive View in your browser | Update your preferences     A daily digest of things to discuss over drinks September 20, 2020   Sweet Bard of Youth After a wildly prolific decade of screenwriting and directing that made him the king of teen comedy, John Hughes receded from the cinematic landscape, his legend preserved by the classic '80s trilogy of Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Following Hughes's sudden death, at age 59, David Kamp delved into his intense connections and sudden breaks with his Brat Pack actors, as well as the essential anomaly of his brief Hollywood reign. R E A D  M O R E »   He Comes First Until November 8, 2016, Melania Trump's marriage provided her with a golden Fifth Avenue fortress, at a price—putting up with her husband's humiliations and boorishness. From Melania's ill-fated campaign appearances to her apparent reluctance to embrace the role of first lady, Evgenia Peretz explored how a very private woman was coping with intense public scrutiny of her marriage. R E A D  M O R E »   The Modigliani Code A century after the premature death of Amedeo Modigliani, his allure continues to grow, with the price of his work soaring into Picasso territory. The only question is: How many Modiglianis are fakes? In 2017, as experts vied for authority and museums tested their collections, Milton Esterow delved into the artist's turbulent legacy. R E A D  M O R E »   Love and Majesty It was, in 1947, that rarest of unions: a royal love match. But though the dashing Prince Philip of Greece and the 21-year-old heiress to Britain's throne were clearly besotted as they began a life and family together, trouble lay ahead as "Lilibet" became "Her Majesty" and the new Duke of Edinburgh chafed at his consort role. In an adaptation from her biography, Sally Bedell Smith described the dynastic struggle that rocked Queen Elizabeth II's marriage and the difficult choices she was forced to make. R E A D  M O R E »   Dangerous Talents When James Dean's Porsche Spyder crashed 65 years ago, killing the actor just before the premiere of Rebel Without a Cause, his legend was sealed. But the director who gave Dean that immortal role, Nicholas Ray, has been virtually forgotten. Examining Ray's genius, his loves (including Natalie Wood and, perhaps, Sal Mineo), and the addictions that ruined him, Sam Kashner recaptured the dramas behind Rebel Without a Cause, as well as the bond shattered by Dean's death. R E A D  M O R E »   Magnificent Obsession With its 2,000 acres, 187 rooms, and Masterpiece Theatre lifestyle, Blenheim Palace eclipses even the British monarchy's homes in the eyes of many. And for the three centuries since Queen Anne bestowed the land on the first Duke of Marlborough, his heirs have battled to keep it going. In a rare interview with the then 85-year-old 11th duke, known as Sunny, and his fourth wife, the "exotic" and wealthy Lily, James Reginato explored the sacrifices made in Blenheim's name—from loveless marriages to a bitter legal battle—while Jonathan Becker shot exclusive photos of the palace and its private quarters. R E A D  M O R E »   Becoming a Legend For more than half a century, the look of Condé Nast magazines, including Vanity Fair, was in the hands of Alexander Liberman. In an excerpt from their biography of the legendary editorial director, Dodie Kazanjian and Calvin Tomkins described Liberman's early years in New York, working alongside Condé Nast himself and the redoubtable Frank Crowninshield. R E A D  M O R E » Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. Sign Up Now     This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2020. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.