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William Desmond Taylor, circa 1922
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Murder in Hollywoodland


Old Hollywood is the perfect backdrop for an unsolved murder, and given our current, seemingly insatiable fascination with true crime, even better if it’s a real one. Hence, the 1922 shooting of prominent filmmaker William Desmond Taylor—who directed more than 60 films, including Anne of Green Gables and Huckleberry Finn—proves ideal source material for the six-part podcast series Murder in Hollywoodland. Structured as a whodunit and paced like a thriller, the story unfolds with re-created snippets from the leading actors who knew him best, including Charlie Chaplin, Mary Miles Minter, Mabel Normand, and Mack Sennett. But the question that lurks in every corner is not only who is responsible but how much did the studios know? (podcasts.apple.com) —Bridget Arsenault

Scent

Boy Smells


Fancy a free flight to the inside of a Fellini film? It’s high time to stow away your santals and ski-lodge scents for Boy Smells’s oh-so-herbal Italian Kush candle. With notes of limoncello, oregano, pomelo, patchouli, and pot leaves, the candle provides instant transport to a land of leisure and lemon groves. Allora, do as the stoners do and light up; pair your caprese with some devil’s lettuce and call it a Roman holiday. After all, the scent’s namesake herb is officially legal—in New York, that is. Now that’s amore. ($34, boysmells.com) —Sarah Nechamkin

Watch

Zola


In 2015, a woman named Aziah “Zola” Wells tweeted, “Y’all wanna hear a story about why me & this b-tch here fell out?! It’s kinda long but full of suspense.” Hailed by Rolling Stone as the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted, the subsequent viral thread outlined a tale of stripping, sex trafficking, suicide, and even a shooting that was quickly optioned by A24. Five years later, Zola debuts, a sparkling and propulsive chronicle about the titular protagonist (Taylour Paige), who joins her new friend, Stefani (Riley Keough), on a drive from Detroit to Florida to strip in new clubs, accompanied by X (Colman Domingo), their driver, and Derrek, Stefani’s hapless boyfriend (Nicholas Braun). As the group heads deeper into the Sunshine State, darker currents begin to rise to the trip’s glittery, champagne-soaked, and ocean-lined surface—it goes south, literally and figuratively. Co-written by Jeremy O. Harris (of the record-breaking Slave Play) and Janicza Bravo, who also directed, the cinematic iteration of Zola’s Twitter thread, which felt very Spring Breakers, is a slower burn, drawn out in particular by standout performances while still maintaining the dark humor of Zola’s legendary tweets. (In theaters June 30) —Clementine Ford

Stay

Callicoon Hills


If a lo-fi getaway from the sweltering New York heat is in order, a charming new spot in the Catskills awaits. Located in Callicoon Center, Callicoon Hills is a 120-year-old property that has been transformed into a rustic resort with all the modern amenities (except, blessedly, televisions). The notion: an escape into a gentle era, complete with a vintagey king-size pool and surrounded by plenty of places to hike and fish. Resting, reading, and exploring are essentially mandated activities, and the equally low-key meal options have been designed for those who’d prefer to avoid a scene. Breakfast is served at the Rise & Shine Coffee Shop, and dinner is best enjoyed at Conover Club, which specializes in fare such as fried-chicken sandwiches and butterscotch pudding. (Rooms from $189 per night, callicoonhills.com) —Ashley Baker

Recycle

Tom Ford


Who else but Tom Ford could make a plastic watch the hottest thing in town? Naturally, it’s not just any plastic—Ford has used 100 percent recycled ocean plastic for this 002 model. (Every product makes use of 32 bottles of plastic waste.) It’s quite a looker, with a matte-black dial, luminous numerals, and a stainless-steel crown. It’s even water-resistant to 10 ATM, so should you feel the need to submerge—but not dive—go right ahead. While we’re partial to the black version, the braided band also comes in bright shades of blue and gold. ($995, tomford.com) —Ashley Baker

Strut

Salvatore Ferragamo


Parties are back, and with all due respect to the ballet flats that have been soldiering us through the pandemic, fancier footwear is in order. Named after the rooftop gardens of Venice, Ferragamo’s suede Altana pumps have been worn by Hollywood types since they were first introduced, back in 1939. Luckily, they remain as smashing as ever and are back on the scene just in time for this most stylish of summers. The gold leather-covered heel is made of cork cylinders for maximum comfort, and the rounded toe and ankle strap ensure that they are game to go wherever the day—or evening—might take you. ($850, matchesfashion.com) —Ashley Baker

Issue No. 102
June 26, 2021
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Issue No. 102
June 26, 2021