Anna's return part vii

.

"It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments.

Most often they are over before they start -

although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable.

Anna had shined such a light on Siam."

She would be forever changed-

"I will be there in your dreams,

as you will be in mine"

& would never forget.

READ all the "Anna's,,," posts HERE
Anna's things at 1st dibs
quotes from Anna Leonowen's Diaries
Klimt painting
.

Anna's return Part vi

.

all of Anna's things from 1st dibs

Anna's Return part v

.

She was the first English woman I had ever met. 
And it seemed to me she knew more about the world than anyone. 
But it was a world Siam was afraid would consume them. 
The monsoon winds had whispered her arrival like a coming storm. 
Some welcomed the rain, but others feared a raging flood. 
Still she came, unaware of the suspicion that preceded her. 
But it wasn't until years later, that I began to appreciate how brave she was, and how alone she must have felt.
An English woman. 
The first I had ever met. (from the 1999 movie Anna & the King-based on Anna Leonowen's diaries )

more of Anna's return here
all Anna's things from 1st dibs
anna's coat -as seen in Vogue January 1971

 .

Anna's return Part iv

.

Most people do not see the world as it is. They see it as they are.

Anna had changed. She no longer embraced the traditional dress of the Victorians and was determined not to return to corsets and billowing skirts. Her life would be different this time. Her school would be different. One thing she was sure of, her heart would remain in Siam forever.

read all Anna's return posts here. 

1st painting by Tissot

all Anna's things available at 1st dibs here
.

Anna's return part iii

.

all  Anna's things available at 1st dibs. Read all the preceding ANNA'S RETURN posts HERE

Anna's return Part ii

.

She was a stranger when she came to live in Siam-Now returning to England- she would be a stranger there too. Anna Leonowens and her son Louis had lived in Bangkok, where she was contracted to teach English to the children of the royal household. She threatens to leave when the house she had been promised is not available, but fell in love with the children-and their father. After the King's death, she embarks on a return voyage to England. Her return to England, bringing with her- an exotic household, servants and furnishings- would create a sensation. Anna had changed. She no longer embraced the traditional dress of the Victorians and was determined not to return to corsets and billowing skirts. Her life would be different this time. Her school would be different. One thing she was sure of, her heart would remain in Siam forever.
 

painting by Tissot


.

Anna's Return part i

.
She was a stranger when she came to live in Siam-
Now returning to England- she would be a stranger there too.
Anna Leonowens and her son Louis had lived in Bangkok,
where she was contracted to teach English to the children of the royal household.
She threatens to leave when the house she had been promised is not available.
She stayed.
& fell in love with the children-
and their father.
(all Anna's things at 1st dibs HERE.) 
read my SHALL WE? post HERE- to catch up on ANNA.

Anna's return

.

 painting by Alfred Stephens

It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments. 
Most often they are over before they start although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable. 
Anna had shined such a light on Siam.

from the 1999 Anna and the King movie based on the diaries of Anna Leonowens.

Now she was preparing to leave this place that had pulled at her heartstrings.The King was dead.

.

Shall We?

. 

One of the stories I love best- or shall I say one of the musicals I love best is The King & I.
It fulfills all my fantasies. 

I am intrepid. 

I sing. 

I dance. 

I speak beautifully. 

 I conquer.

I win the hearts and minds of a country.

  I bring a King to his knees.

I wear hoop skirts.

Yohji Yamamoto hoop dress

I have watched time and again- enough is never enough with this movie, As you shall see. I have been equally intrigued by the story of Gertrude Lawrence's performance in the Broadway musical and her love affair with co-star, Yul Brenner. Lawrence collapsed after a performance and within a month had died of liver cancer. Lawrence was buried in the champagne-colored gown worn for the "Shall We Dance?" number in the second act of The King and I. She had made Yul Brenner a star and he would always credit her with his celebrity.

Rex Harrison and Irene Dunne starred in the 1946 movie Anna and the King of Siam-sans music- with much critical acclaim. Though Anna does not sing in this version her intrepid nature and great style captured the imagination of this little Anna-wanna-be.

Stories of the real Anna Leonowens are intriguing too- and still somewhat a mystery. She wrote about her experiences in three collections.The English Governess at the Siamese Court: Being Recollections of Six Years in the Royal Palace at Bangkok,The Romance of Siamese Harem Life and Life and Travel in India: Being Recollections of a Journey Before the Days of Railroads. The 1946 drama and the subsequent Broadway musical and movies were based on the 1946 book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. Her book expands on Anna Leonowens' own embellished accounts of her experiences.

You cannot shut the world out forever. Believe me, I've tried. 

-from the Anna Leonowens diaries 

How much do I love the movie? I have wondered about a sequel- Life after the King? Something betwixt fact and fiction-Shall We Say? 

She was a stranger when she came to live in Siam-Now returning to England- she would be a stranger there too. Anna Leonowens and her son Louis had lived in Bangkok, where she was contracted to teach English to the children of the royal household. She threatens to leave when the house she had been promised is not available, but fell in love with the children-and their father. After the King's death, she embarks on a return voyage to England. Her return to England, bringing with her- an exotic household, servants and furnishings- would create a sensation. Anna had changed. She no longer embraced the traditional dress of the Victorians and was determined not to return to corsets and billowing skirts. Her life would be different this time. Her school would be different. One thing she was sure of, her heart would remain in Siam forever.

Tatler magazine, from Hannah Teare fashion stylist here, Kyoto Bolofo photographer

there are 9 posts about Anna- unfortunately blogger has no way of publishing them any way but from last to first- be sure to read them all.

Books about Anna Leonowens, Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, Anna Leonowens: A Life Beyond 'the King and I' by Leslie Smith Dow, Katya & the Prince of Siam by Eileen Hunter

shown throughout this post are photographs of the movie Anna and the King of Siam, Broadway Musical starring Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brenner and the subsequent movie The King & I.

.