COVID-19 Slams Hollywood; GameStop’s Trail of Destruction; Peter Jackson and the Airplane Thief

Plus: Billie Eilish's Maximalist Nail Aesthetic View in your browser | Update your preferences A SPECIAL EDITION OF COCKTAIL HOUR January 28, 2021 THE BIG READ Peter Jackson and the Airplane Thief By Marc Wortman A dashing American aviator built a fantasy force for the Lord of the Rings director. When planes started to disappear, the Hobbit-like Oscar winner was compelled to show his ferocious side. Read More If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for "Cocktail Hour" here. PANDEMONIUM Epicenter: Hollywood Los Angeles experiences a surge in coronavirus cases as only Hollywood can, with parking lot power lunches and concern tempered by on-demand pot. By Margaret Heidenry Read More STONKS Why GameStop Mania Will End in Tears By William D. Cohan This week's wild saga is no different from market dramas of the past, except that it happened at turbo speed. When the dust settles there will be a few winners—and a whole lot of losers. Read More THE LONG CON Meet Elizabeth Carmichael, Wily Con Artist By Julie Miller The unbelievable true story of a serial fraudster who transitioned in the '70s is unspooled in HBO's The Lady and the Dale, premiering January 31. Read More PHOTOGRAPHY 1950s Africa in Color The United Nations sent Todd Webb to capture eight African countries during a period of rapid industrialization—but the pictures he came back with included beauty, fashion, jubilation, and much more. By Bill Shapiro Read More HOT TIPS Inside Billie Eilish's Epic Nail Game By Laura Regensdorf Nail artist Tammy Taylor unpacks the more-is-more aesthetic of V.F.'s March cover star, from Gucci logo tips to a chrome manicure. Read More FROM THE ARCHIVE The Big Short War By William D. Cohan In this 2013 story, William D. Cohan chronicles hedge fund titan Bill Ackman's assault on nutritional-supplement company Herbalife. Read More 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 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.