Grey Gardens

In today's episode I'm excited to welcome Walter Newkirk to the podcast. Walter is the author of MemoraBEALEia and Letters From Little Edie Beale as well as his memoir titled The Secret Life of Walter Newkirk. Walter had the unique opportunity to visit Grey Gardens and interview Little Edie in 1976. The two started a letter writing exchange that lasted decades and Walter became a friend to Little Edie enjoying time spent at events, going for luncheon and hitting the night life of NYC.  Listen in for another interesting interview that gives us a sneak peek into the life of Little Edie Beale.    To order any or all of Walter Newkirk's books, email ediebealebooks@gmail.com   You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.

In today's episode, Fern welcomes author David Vass to the podcast. David released a book last year titled Liar, Alleged: A Tell-All: Celebrities, Sex, and All the Rest. David was the sound and lighting director at the popular cabaret club in the West Village called Reno Sweeney, where in 1978 Little Edie Beale performed live on stage for eleven shows. David shares with us intimate details of working with Little Edie and a who's who of celebrity audience members. This is a longer than usual episode but one you are sure to enjoy! Links to both of our books are below. David's book can be purchased on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller. You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.

After a five month break due to health reasons, I'm excited to launch a new Grey Gardens episode with returning guest Brian Buck, who is a long time Grey Gardens fan and admin for the Grey Gardens Facebook group. In today's episode Brian and I want to talk about the garden, the garden walls, the property and the landscape artists who helped each owner from the garden's inception to its reshaping and restoration over the past one hundred years. You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback. You can find Brain's Etsy page at www.etsy.com/shop/CallMeJoeByFryer www.figue.com The Grey Gardens house tour on YouTube

In today's episode we're taking a detour from Grey Gardens and the Edies. Instead, we're going to talk about the infamous author Truman Capote, who is the center of the new miniseries Feud: Capote Verses the Swans. Lee Radziwill, family member of the Edies',  weaves Truman into her life, and in this episode we will learn about his past, his rise to fame, his socialite status, and eventually his demise. Known for Breakfast At Tiffany's and In Cold Blood, as well as other works, Truman Capote has captivated fans for decades. Today's guest Kirsten Crowe will share what she knows about this infamous author.

In todays episode we're going to take a deep dive into some of the problems that existed both within the lives of the Edies and the decaying house they lived in. My guest for this episode which is filled with sensitive questions and intriguing discussion is Marilyn VanPraag, a clinical social worker for over forty years. Marilyn will help to answers questions I've pondered since watching Grey Gardens such as: the state of Big Edie's bed, why were there so many cats, how did the Edies accept the conditions they lived in and why Little Edie came home in 1952 and never tried to relaunch her life until Big Edie's death in 1977. Go mix a highball and get ready for a fascinating episode that helps us understand more about the Edies lives and the state of Grey Gardens at its worst. You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback. Love to read and hear about great books? Follow bookstagramer Jamie L: @booksandscentsy

Todays episode is filled with so many Grey Gardens topics including: Lee Radziwill's footage, the Maysles decision to go back and film the Edies, editing the documentary Grey Gardens, the NY Film Festival, the Premier, The Plaza Hotel, Mick Jagger, Tom Logan, meals and friendship with Little Edie and so much more. Mix a few highballs chickens, this episode is almost two hours long! Listen in for an exciting upcoming stage performance depicting the Edies in NYC with Peter Mac and John Mac!    Grey Gardens Christmas Tickets   greygardensofficial.com   You can purchase Fern's own GG-inspired work of historical fiction, Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.

In today's episode Fern welcomes to the mic, Liam Freivald, who edits and produces the podcast. They will share two exciting announcements! First is the goal of reaching 25,000 downloads. Our thanks to every listener of the podcast! The next announcement is the launch of Fern's book titled Staunch: The Edies of Grey Gardens. After three years in the making, Staunch is finally ready to be released to eager readers! Fern also welcomes Jody Siegel to join her in Grey Garden discussions about Little Edie's hair loss, the Edies' mother-daughter relationship and you'll get a sneak peek and hear the prologue from Staunch! Jody prepared a clip of “Around the World,” the beautiful song Christine Ebersole sang in the Broadway musical. Let's mix some highballs, pet the cats and get ready for an exciting episode!   You can purchase Staunch on Amazon.com as an ebook or in paperback.   The cover was designed by Jessica Bell Design.

Fern welcomes fellow podcast host and Grey Gardens fan Hadley Mendelsohn to todays episode. Hadley is the co-host of the podcast titled Dark House, which features two amazing episodes about Grey Gardens. Listen in to hear Fern and Hadley discuss the Edies, the women's stance against societal norms, ghostly energy existing within Grey Gardens and we will hear Big Edie recite her favorite Charles Kingsley poem. Let's mix some gin gimlets, pet the cats and dive into today's episode! The episode of Dark House that Hadley and Alyssa did on Grey Gardens can be found on Apple Podcasts or the podcatcher of your choice. Lois Wright's book My Life at Grey Gardens: 13 Months and Beyond, which Fern and Hadley referenced in today's episode, can be found on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller (such as Burton's Books).

In today's episode, Fern welcomes Muffie Meyer, one of Grey Gardens editors and directors to the podcast. Listen in to hear editing and behind the scenes details about the cult classic documentary. Little Edie attended Muffie's wedding and the two remained friends until Little Edie's death in 2002.    Contact Muffie Meyer at meyer@middlemarch.com You can follow Fern on Instagram at @Fernlovesmahjongg, on Facebook as Fern Levitch-Bernstein, or you can get in touch via email at Fernhbern@yahoo.com

In todays episode Cassandra Distilli joins me to discuss the beloved Bouvier home named Lasata. It recently came onto the real estate market in East Hampton for a cool  fifty-five million. We delve into Bouvier history and discover who was the first Bouvier to land on American shores and perpetuate the family's lineage. Listen in after you mix a highball and pet the cats!  The book Fern and Cassandra are referencing is The Bouviers: Portrait of an American Family, which can be purchased on Amazon.com or at your local independent bookseller.

In today's episode, Liz Lange, Grey Garden's current owner and style afficionado, joins me to discuss the revitalization of both the historical house and gardens. Grey Gardens was on the cover of a recent edition of Veranda, an upscale lifestyle magazine with a focus on home design and decor. Inside the glossy pages of the magazine, we read Liz's interview and see the updated home and garden. The pictures are eye candy for us gardeners! Throughout the episode we'll learn how Liz preserved original elements of the historical house and launched a refreshingly new look with a style all her own. We'll discover how Liz lovingly honored the Edies by having artwork commissioned, such as busts of the Edies, pictures, and custom wallpaper of the ladies which are displayed in different areas around the house. So go grab a Highball and swirl the swizzle stick as we eagerly open the proverbial garden gate and welcome Liz to the podcast! You can find the episode of the Just Enough Family podcast that features Liz Lange on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. The Veranda article about Liz's renovations to Grey Gardens can be found here. If you'd like to see more of Liz's current work, you can find her fashion design at Figue.com

In today's episode Cassandra Distille and I will talk about the book titled Gristmill by East Hampton author George Caldwell. It's a fictional gothic story that takes place in East Hampton with some similarities and clouded familiarities alluding to the Edies and Grey Gardens. I'll boil some water on Perfection while Cassandra brings some special tea leaves and two cat-themed mugs in preparation of today's episode. Lois Wright's book can be found on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller (such as Burton's Books). www.bookhampton.com Our previous episode on That Summer can be found here. (Also, should you be interested in Fern's memoir that she mentions in this episode, it can be found on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller. She also runs a podcast of the same name alongside this one, Mah Jongg Mondays. I get up to more whacky editing shenanigans on that one, it's quite fun.) -Liam, GG Audio Editor  

The topic of todays episode are the inspections or “The Raids” as Little Edie calls them, from the different Suffolk County Government agencies that could have potentially resulted in an eviction from Grey Gardens for the Edies. My go to person for information on this topic is Grey Gardens historian and devoted fan, Terie Spencer, who joined me here on the podcast in episode two. Terie has been compiling information from the East Hampton Star for years. In addition to what Terie will share with us, I also did research by sourcing archived articles from Newsday, a daily newspaper that serves Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. This will be a fascinating episode and you are sure to hear captivating information, time lines to ground you with the dates of inspections and renovations and quotes by Little Edie that are true to form, in her one of a kind way. Who wants a high ball as we listen in to this high stakes episode where the Edies were put to the ultimate test? Family ties and marital fortune would become integral elements to help the Edies avoid eviction. Bouvier bonds would help them find a solution to rectifying a multitude of health violations. In the 1970s life wasn't easy for the Edies, but they ultimately proved who they were, strong, steadfast and staunch.

Fern welcomes back to the podcast Grey Gardener expert Brian Buck. In today's episode they talk about and listen to clips from the CD titled Little Edie Live! There's so many clips of Little Edie, a cameo by Lois Wright and at the end of the episode the grand dame herself, Big Edie graces us with her charming voice. Let's boil some corn or scoop some ice cream to eat while we listen to our two favorite ladies! Veranda's article on Liz Lange's restoration of Grey Gardens can be found here.

In todays episode Fern welcomes Cassandra Distille to the podcast. They discuss That Summer, the prequel to Grey Gardens. The movie includes a famous Bouvier sister and family member of the Edies, Lee Radziwell. Viewers get to see Grey Gardens before and during renovations when the house was at its worst. We see the caring, kind and compassionate side of Lee, who helped her aunt Edith and cousin Edie to navigate through the process of rectifying a multitude of health violations by East Hampton town officials so they could stay living at Grey Gardens. Let's mix some highballs and listen in! That Summer Big Edie's Big Brother - Black Jack Bouvier

Join Fern and Anna Weltner as they continue their conversation about the gothic and melodramatic undertones in Grey Gardens.  The Veranda article Fern mentions in the outro can be found here. Anna's website is www.annaweltner.com and the article she and Fern are discussing can be found here. The Edgar Allan Poe story they discuss is The Fall of the House of Usher, which CourseHero has a story guide for. Anna can be found on Instagram @annaweltner Fern can be found on Instagram @fernlovesmahjongg

In this two part episode I am excited to welcome Anna Weltner, an American documentarian and video artist to the podcast. In 2019, Anna published the article, “A melodrama in a haunted house: tracing genre influences in Grey Gardens.” After reading this well written article I was intrigued about the gothic and melodramatic undertones in Grey Gardens and contacted Anna. In today's episode Anna explains those undertones and shares both her academic and experiential perspectives with us. Let's sip a highball and pet the cat while we listen and learn from Anna. Anna's website is www.annaweltner.com and the article she and Fern are discussing can be found here. The Edgar Allan Poe story they discuss is The Fall of the House of Usher, which CourseHero has a story guide for. Anna can be found on Instagram @annaweltner Fern can be found on Instagram @fernlovesmahjongg

Listen in as Fern shares her East Hampton visit with returning guest Brian Buck, Grey Gardens historical expert and devoted fan. Fern made stops in front of Grey Gardens, walked on Georgica Beach, drove past the Maidstone Club on her way to see Lasata, then visited the Bouvier grave site at the cemetery in East Hampton. Fern and Brian shifted to a spirited conversation, discussing the ghosts/spirits that were said to have inhabited the rooms of Grey Gardens when the Beales and Bradlees resided there. Enjoy this spook-tacular episode!   Book links: My Life at Grey Gardens: 13 Months and Beyond   Finding Magic: A Spiritual Memoir   Grey Gardens by Sara Maysles   Dark House Podcast

In this episode of Grey Gardens, Fern welcomes Keely Stahl, GG fan and admin of the World Famous Grey Gardens Face Group. Keely posted an article about the documentary written by Nathan Rabin, which is chock full of quotes and topics to unpack about the Edies, the house and film. We dive into thought provoking conversation where we consider one another's opinions and perspectives as well as consider the author's viewpoint. Listen in for an intriguing episode about the two ladies we all love here at the podcast, who lived in the infamous house in East Hampton named Grey Gardens.    You can join The World Famous Grey Gardens Group on Facebook, here.   Contact Fern at: Fernhbern@yahoo.com Instagram: @Fernlovesmahjongg Facebook: Fern Levitch-Bernstein

In today's episode Fern joins Grey Gardens fan and historian Michael Steinbeck. They discuss topics ranging from Jackie O, to favorite quotes, to Phelan's heartfelt letter to Big Edie during financial difficulties to the many layers that make up the complex woman named Little Edie Beale. Don't forget to feed the cats and raccoons before listening in to the newest episode of the podcast Grey Gardens.    20th Century Style Icons: Little Edie Beale https://youtu.be/CwNBbjcpdZ0

I am very excited to welcome today's guest Billy Kalbacher to the podcast. He's the very Billy, who Little Edie refers to in The Beales of Grey Gardens. Billy shares with us some of his personal experiences and cherished memories with both Mother (Big Edie) and Little Edie. As a boy summering in East Hampton he was used to hearing about and seeing the Cat Woman's House. When he got to know the cat ladies in person by a crazy twist of fate, it opened his heart to these two unique women in East Hampton, and gave him the opportunity to help those in need of assistance. Decades later, after Billy raised his family in East Hampton, the long time resident continues to give back to the community he loves through the work of the Clamshell Organization. Let's step back in time with Billy as we listen in, pet the cats and boil some corn.    You can get in touch with Fern via email at Fernhbern@yahoo.com   https://www.clamshellfoundation.org/about

Fern welcomes Christina Raptis, a fellow Grey Gardens fan and Long Islander to the podcast. In today's episode Christina will share her experience attending the estate sale at Grey Gardens as she describes the house, the gardens and Georgica Beach to us. We will also discuss a few scenes from the HBO movie and the documentary that stood out to her as well as the Edies infamous mother-daughter relationship. Pet the cat, mix a gin gimlet and listen in to the newest episode of the podcast!   You can contact Fern by way of: Email Fernhbern@yahoo.com  Instagram: @fernlovesmahjongg Facebook: Fern Levitch-Bernstein   And if you're a mah jongg fan, Fern also hosts another podcast, Mah Jongg Mondays, where she talks about the beloved tile game played worldwide with fellow players and mah jonng experts!

In today's episode Fern welcomes back Brian Buck, Grey Gardens historian, group administrator and expert of the Facebook group Grey Gardens. Listen in to the informative and always respectful discussion about today's Grey Garden topic: the handsome and debonair Black Jack Bouvier, his life, his fathering, his lifestyle and his relationship with his eccentric sister Edith Bouvier Beale. He was the father of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onasis and Lee Radziwell who both came to the Edies aid in the 1970s during the raid. Brain runs the Grey Gardens Facebook group, which can be found here.

In today's episode Fern welcomes David Crotty to the podcast. David is a red carpet photographer and became a Grey Gardens fan decades ago after learning about the film from fashion designer Marc Jacobs. David's creative eye picked up on a specific family heirloom, a beautiful brooch Little Edie wore on her head coverings in most scenes. Listen in to hear how David created a replica, one Christine Ebersol wore in the musical and Drew Barrymore wore in the HBO film Grey Gardens. We also discuss favorite scenes from the films, nuggets of information we gleaned from John H. Davis's book and David shares his meetings with Albert Maysles. Settle in with your favorite flavor ice cream, pet the cats and get ready for another episode of Grey Gardens!    www.greygardensbrooch.com   www.greygardenscoloringbooks.com

In episode #4 Fern welcomes Scotty Fryer to the podcast. Scotty is entertaining Grey Gardeners with his fun and fabulous lip-sync clips of beloved Little Edie on Facebook and TikTok. Fern and Scotty talk candidly about Little Edie; her costumes and fashionista fame, her mother-daughter relationship with Big Edie, her dreams of stardom and her self- actualization of becoming famous and eventually becoming an iconic figure. Let's open a can of liver pâté, squeeze a little lemon on it, mix a Gin Gimlet and listen in to this entertaining and interesting episode! Follow Scotty Fryer on his socials: IG: @call_me_joe_for_real FB: Friar Tuck TikToc: @callmejoeofficial Follow Fern on her socials: IG: @fernlovesmahjongg FB: Fern Levitch-Bernstein

In today's episode Fern interviews photographer Ron Lieberman, who took the well renowned picture of Little Edie for Reno Sweeney Cabaret. Listen in to hear details about the photo shoot, Little Edie's choice of clothing and her response to the picture chosen for the iconic poster we all know and admire. Ron shares his unique experience of photographing and interacting with this famous blue-eyed East Hampton resident whose home just happened to be named Grey Gardens. 

In today's episode Fern welcomes Terie Spencer to the podcast. Terie is a Grey Gardener who has delved into the archives of the East Hampton Star and has gems of treasure to share with us. In addition to that, Terie is a musical theater director and performer and has something special prepared for Big Edie and us! Let's open the garden gate and listen in to episode two.     The book Fern references, I Only Mark the Hours That Shine: Little Edie's Diary – 1929, can be found on Amazon.com or at your local bookseller.   Grey Gardens Official Website   The movie That Summer can be rented or purchased for streaming on Amazon.com

Oh those those two ladies…Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith Beale, also known as Big Edie and Little Edie, are the focus of discussion in the kickoff episode of Grey Gardens. Your host, Fern Bernstein, welcomes Brian Buck to the podcast. Brian is a devoted Grey Gardens fan who has a treasure-trove of information to share about the Bouvier and Beale families and history about Grey Gardens. Go feed the cats then grab a Gin Gimlet and listen in as we open the garden gate and walk into the world of Grey Gardens. My Life at Grey Gardens: 13 Months and Beyond by Lois Wright   Grey Gardens Facebook Group

This is the podcast about a well known house on Long Island named Grey Gardens, made famous by the 1975 documentary by the Maysles. Step into the world of Big Edie and her daughter Little Edie. We'll discuss their family drama and memory lane meanderings. The Edies sing and dance and share their dreams of stardom. It's very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present…