Lee Miller: Exposing the Horrors of World War Two

[@restishistorypod]

As always we appreciate your feedback on The Rest Is History to help make the podcast better: forms.gle/qVqdcCMyraQ9megAA

[@afctaylor12]

My great grandad was part of artillery regiment he then for some reason,(unknow) he became a driver and logistical planer for Richard dimbleby. They were one of the first in to Belsen. He never sleep well in his day of life after that according to my grandad

[@JamesBarry-j7m]

It's also the photograph of her in Hitler's bathtub

[@ZarlaTristan]

So guys I’d urge you to delve into the life of the incredibly Anne Lister of Halifax, England. Born in the 18th century, amazing character and lives the most outrageous life. She details her life in journals written in her own code. The story of these journals is bizarre and wonderful enough. since they have been translated they have brought her story and life of the time to us all. Her works have just been granted a status which they deserve. Please consider bringing this amazing lady to your channel. Loved this one!

[@kellyh4629]

Fell upon your channel a few weeks ago. Absolutely love all your episodes. You are unique and I have subscribed. Please keep them coming. Thanks.

[@MichaelDembinski]

Another American female photographer rescued for posterity by a man who discovered her negatives was Vivian Maier. She worked all her life as a nanny and owned a professional-quality camera (a twin-lens reflex Rolleiflex like Lee Miller's) and took it with her everywhere, snapping street scenes. She took over 150,000 photos in her lifetime, had relatively few of them printed, none exhibited. She died two years after a young collector and historian, John Maloof, chanced upon a cache of her negatives at a storage locker auction. Maloof recognised the intrinsic value of what he'd discovered, then sought to uncover the facts about Ms Maier and get her photos into the public eye.

[@michaelreid819]

seen a fantastic doc on vivian.have a look about for it. fantastic lady who recorded the eveyday new york over decades.

[@billgiddings2362]

On the 16th of Sept 1940, Lee took a surreal photo of bomb rubble in Dawes Street, South East London. In the foreground was a child’s doll with upraised arms. The previous Sept my family had moved into the newly build Council Flats of Dawes House a hundred yards further along Dawes Street. Age 5 I had been evacuated to Newton Abbott in July 1940, and billeted with an old lady in a house overlooking the cattle market which was the beginning of the High Street. On Aug 20 German bombers flew down the High Street firing guns and bombed the Railway Station further down. By Christmas Eve I had gone off the radar and my mum came to search for me and I returned with her to Dawes House, experiencing the big raids of Dec 31st and that of the 9th and 10th of May 1941. The locality, including the Elephant and Castle were extensively bombed. The mystery is what was Lee doing in Dawes Street. Nearly opposite the bomb ruin on the corner of Dawes Street and East Street is a house that in 1920 became the first house in London offering birth control advice. During the War it became a centre for treating what in my young day we called VD. In June 1944, I was witness to a V1 that flew by Dawes House missing us by a whisker, landing in East Lane a hundred yards away. A few weeks later another V1 came down in Dawes Street a short distance from the bombed houses that Lee photographed. Lee, of course was in France.

[@francescaderimini2931]

As an American born Historian I have been fascinated by Miller. She was never promoted in Chicago and in fact was hated by Feminist Professors.

[@charlescawley9923]

Fine set of comments. They reflect the quality of the piece. Thank you.

[@drcew11]

Thanks guys for another good episode! First I’d ever heard of Lee Miller. Really interesting.

[@brettcurtis5710]

The women War Correspondents have fascinated me for many years - they were pioneers and the Lee Millers, the Margaret Bourke-White's, the Martha Gelhorns - all amazing photo journalists and tough tough women who pioneered what women could do in an occupation viewed as a man's world! look forward to seeing the movie!

[@LeslieABronxBebeFalu]

Have you ever heard of Dickey Chapelle? She was an American photojournalist known for her work as a war correspondent from World War II through to her death in the Vietnam War. She died on the field in Vietnam. A movie about her life would be very inspirational and tell the story of her photography.

[@TheLoneWanderersBunker]

In your expert opinion, why do we not hear about China during WW2? When I ask others about China and WW2, most people know about the Rape of Nanjing, but mistakenly attribute it to WW2, not realising it happened in 1937.

[@josephhudson9589]

Because we're Eurocentric. We don't hear much about the Pacific war and don't want to as evidenced by the reception of "The Pacific." No one knows about the New Guinea campaign. Most people couldn't find Burma on a map. The China Burma theater was a bloody horrible affair and should be more recognized.

[@barbara9120]

Boys, a little tip for you from The Bronx: Poughkeepsie is pronounced POE-KIPSEE.

[@bluemonday70-bl5ne]

Yes, and I believe Archie Comics has its headquarters there

[@excellentcomment]

Ummm, isn't it actually "poo-kip-see"?

[@ChiefRxcka]

I'd say it's more "PUH-KIPSEE"

[@mamumonkan]

@@ChiefRxcka +1

[@Elitist20]

'Do you pick your feet In Poughkeepsie?' - The French Connection

[@JoshAkers-cd1zj]

Brilliant episode and an incredible story, can't wait to see the film!

[@eshaibraheem4218]

I can't get out of my head the idea of redundant dancing bears being retrained as masseuses. The surrealists would have been thrilled.

[@KonguZya]

I'm more hung up on the Spongebob character Man Ray featuring prominently at the beginning.

[@avs4365]

Have been aware of her work since the release of her son's book. It truly is a sensational life and photography, being a lifelong hobby of mine, can only have admiration for her skill and bravery. A remarkable person which I hope the film conveys.

[@ZarlaTristan]

So glad to see this today, I have tickets to see LEE tomorrow. I’ll appreciate it in all its complexities now. Thankyou

[@deborahhebblethwaite1865]

I love listening to you two. 🇨🇦

[@mamumonkan]

must be an acquired taste ( in the British public school boy tradition ) ?

[@jessicarowley9631]

I have always felt that Miller's photographs of Dachau transmit her feelings through them directly to the viewer. I know someone who's grandad stole a crested, silver and ivory, cutlery set. It was found in the loft of the family home after his grandads death. I need to ask what they have done with it!

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

Another brilliant episode. Wondering what you are doing, guys. Rehashing and retelling every book you've ever read? For at new audience.

[@eshaibraheem4218]

This was wonderful. Many thanks, again.

[@dullsearake]

Glad I found this channel. It is much better than gansta rap which I've trying to devolve from.

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

Ah. Already eagerly awaiting Tom belting out tunes in the upcoming Evita episode...

[@jimb9063]

Thank you. Fantastic story of a wonderful resilient character.

[@mamumonkan]

who ended up a severe alcoholic

[@shannonbloom4133]

Man Ray, friends with George Hodel. Hodel, a suspect in the Black Dahlia case. At least Steve Hodel, George's son considers him a suspect.

[@nigelcowie6883]

It's so brilliant listening to this, as always!

[@marieparker3822]

Richard Dimbleby's despatch to the BBC from Belsen, which was liberated by the British army, was so graphic in its horror that, six weeks later, the BBC had still not broadcast it. Dimbleby told them that if they did not broadcast it, he would publish it himself, and would never work for the BBC again.

[@martinborgen]

47:20 But the photo of Lee Miller in the bath is not just a casual photo of the moment; all the details such as the Hitler portrait and Miller's boots are carefully placed to enhance the photograph. The mud is probably from Dachau, and the photo is made with the experience of photographing these horrors in mind, but the photo has some careful (and IMO masterful) staging going on.

[@j0nnyism]

Her life is quite apposite for this channel as photographers are in fact visual historians

[@simonelubbe4653]

LUV U GUYS! Finally a semblance of insight into some really historical ly interesting characters & events while in yr delightful company.

[@camslumlord]

Love your reference to Patricia Highsmith.

[@kerenludlow2368]

The story of the Kotex job ruining her career is told by the guides in Farley Farm( her Sussex home).

[@charles300566]

Very interesting. If anyone happens to be in Saint Malo, France, there's an exhibition of 54 of Lee Miller's photos of the liberation of the city, on until November 4.

[@trevor9934]

As regards to Lee modelling nude for her father, there are biographies of her that suggest, and one can arguably see in her images taken by him, that she learnt to disassociate herself from the gaze of the camera. Just look at her face, carefully. Her father's photography seems darker when one sees that he moved to stereoscopy images of her and her friends, in the nude, in their 20's. It would not go down well today... During her time in Paris and her cooperation with Man Ray, he readily acknowledged that they shared many projects and in many cases no attributes were made of her, as she said, it didn't matter... When Lee arrived in Paris she was told of a surrealist party at which she would see all her old friends. It was fancy dress, so Penrose was dressed up as a cross between a beggar and a druid. Lee had not time for a costume, so she arrived in a glittering formal evening dress and, in his own words, struck Penrose like lightening. As her daughter described it, they fell into deep lust! As you say, Azis let her go with enough shares so that should could live independently. Miller worked for Vogue for free, doing anything until the departure of male photographers gave her an in, and she became the stalwart and major contributor to Brogue's photography. She went out of her way to highlight the role of women in the war - as WAAF, Wrens, and army auxiliary. She also made it a focus to get this information to the US to influence American opinion. If you read the book Lee Miller's War, you will read her filed stories from the start of the invasion to the end of the war, and her prose is some of the best of the war that I have seen. According to her friend, lover and fellow journalist David Sherman, she wrote some of the best stories he read. Most of her images taken through the liberation of Europe were taken with a Rolleiflex TLR - so square format, she did 'liberate' a custom Leica from Hitler's apartment. The image of her in Hitler's bath was a creation of Lee and one of two: the first was taken by Sherman of Lee, who had deliberately staged the scene with the photo and the statue, so not just an accident. She also shot Sherman, who was Jewish, in Hitler's bath on the day he committed suicide, with the image of a shower above him - symbolic of the gas chambers. Penrose was enrolled in the army with the rank of Captain, to begin with to consult on camouflage, and said his lectures were not well attended until he added that photo of Lee in the nude, then attendance picked up dramatically, with repeat attendees! Penrose had taken a lover while Lee was away, and Sherman told her of this, and the final straw was when Audrey told her Vogue could no longer support her. She lost her mojo for photography - she sort of rejected photography (association with the war), she suffered massive PTSD when it was not even given a name, but she managed to kick the booze and became a talented and award-winning chef. That was when she was reconciled with her son. Anthony only found her archive by accident when looking for something else in the attic. Not only her photos, but pros, cuttings and notes that really catalogued the minutia of her life. To me, her live was bookended with tragedy - rape and PTSD. A huge talent but a flawed human with huge strength of character and determination. I count her along with that other great character: Vivian Maier, also fascinating and a brilliant talent.

[@ellaw356]

I wish they could post pics as they talk.

[@sonjasrensen5132]

You talk about adrenaline kick. But it sounds like she reacts with PTSD symptoms and she never tells about her experiences. She is coping by drinking. I'm looking very much forward seeing the film with Kate Winslet. Have heard her tell about the film and now your podcast. Yes she was a pioneer:-) Thank you

[@joebombero1]

How about an episode dedicated to a discussion of Alexander's dream of conquering Africa and Western Europe? Could he have succeeded?

[@cashrulez5952]

😂😂

[@Joker-no1uh]

He didn't want to go West to Europe. He wanted to keep going East where the wealth was. There were no large empires in Europe. Rome was still a small republic at the time.

[@johnsimpson8893]

So, it was not just Hitler found the end of the War inconvenient.

[@unappreciatedtreehouse821]

As a follow up The Rest is History should discuss Dickey Chapelle and Martha Gellhorn.

[@bluemonday70-bl5ne]

I love you gents. Don't ever change.

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

Goldfinger actuall was threatening to sue Ian Fleming but backed down as Fleming said if he did he would change the character to 'Goldprick'. Also Roland Penrose was the uncle of the Noble Prize winner Roger Penrose.

[@MB-hc9tk]

The movie is meant to have very mixed reviews but I still look forward to seeing it. I heard that not only was the photo taken of Lee washing off the dirt from the concentration camp in Hitlers bathtub but they took photos of her Jewish friend in the tub too.. the shower head being reminiscent of the things that released gas back in the chambers. She also passed a comment about hitlers apartment being full of boring artwork supposedly . She was also meant to have discovered an effect man ray became famous for doing - something about shutter speed and exposure , she discovered it whilst developing photos she had made a “mistake” ? Like a eureka moment. And yes the controversial “Freudian” nude pictures for her father - Lucian Freud in particular painted pictures of his daughter in this way - I haven’t read her book but I know she did write a book about that experience

[@edvarnadoe4308]

During WWII in Japan, more people died by napalm(fire) than the atomic bombs.

[@paudical]

Is the light on Tom's face a metaphor for Christianity? It's quite distracting chaps.

[@simonstewart2095]

FFS! Spoiler Alerts when discussing a movie!

[@julio5prado]

Fascinating !

[@restishistorypod]

LEE is only in cinemas from Friday 13th September, book tickets now - www.leefilm.co.uk

[@mamumonkan]

is this forever snickering of English public school boys still called for ( or not a bit out of place ? )

[@johncarroll772]

Flashman has a lot to answer for 🤔

[@mamumonkan]

@@johncarroll772 the worst I remember was by Dalrymple and Anand on the Kohinoor (sounded like they were at it in a bath tube )

[@robertgerrity878]

​@@johncarroll772 I got that.

[@WinstonGriffith-o9r]

I'd love to chat with you guys, quick, cheeky, intellectual, jealous of your company!

[@valeriestephenson8346]

Fantastic story Fantastic human being

[@technicolortony3091]

If your gonna do an episode on bears, consider cats. I know there's several stories of moussers on ships getting into it

[@simonelubbe4653]

BRING IT ON!

[@Catswinter]

Alistar, please tell your wife to clean your wedding ring

[@JonathanRossRogers]

6:32 The Goldfinger in the Bond movie of the same name didn't want to rob Fort Knox. He wanted to irradiate all the gold there so that the gold he already owned would appreciate. This was a change from the novel, in which robbery was the goal.

[@geertdecoster5301]

Only a good talk on a great woman. Only you all need to consider the consequences of PTSD... yes, I need to shout that out. But I guess that only people who've been in a war or an equal trauma know what that is. That is why everything happened after the war. You blew it at the end. Sorry!

[@m-alexandria-g]

A bull AND a bear. Man Ray is the whole stock market!

[@LChalifoux]

PUH-kip-see. You're welcome. 😎

[@taxpayer1040]

I am surprised that two historians with such a veneration of the U.S. did not know this.

[@LChalifoux]

@@taxpayer1040 Exactly. Also, it's a bit rich for a couple of Brits to be making a fuss over place names with odd pronunciations.

[@mamumonkan]

SPOILER ALERT - SPOILER ALERT - SPOILER ALERT - DON'T LISTEN BEYOND @26:00min

[@mamumonkan]

... if you want to enjoy the movie

[@allauddin732]

Nothing worked. Wrong results. Further inquiries.

[@pyotrivanignat]

It’s pronounced pa kip see poughkeepsie

[@lindawilliams4581]

Good grief, can one sentence be said without interruption?! It is quite distracting.

[@andrew348]

Bye Felicia

[@Happyheretic2308]

I hope to God the film is not a woke lib-fest. The Reagan film, with Dennis Quaid, looks wonderful, too. Maybe just a couple of films out that are actually watchable, at last ..?

[@LoneWulf278]

What does woke mean?

[@Happyheretic2308]

@@LoneWulf278 oh, please.

[@LoneWulf278]

@@Happyheretic2308 Please, what?

[@nanshe3x]

@@Happyheretic2308 I was actually wondering what woke means too. Some of us are genuinely confused.

[@Happyheretic2308]

@@nanshe3x the promotion of the "social justice" agenda (the US version), the aggressive "be kind (or else we'll make your life hell)" approach, the utter disregard for Western culture and heritage, the twisting of children's minds from nursery stage, etc., etc., etc.

[@Liz-lr1ch]

Tom is being a monster, lord knows how Dominic puts up with him.

[@ibbledibble]

Kate winslet’s accent is yikes

[@thegreyinitiate3680]

My parents went to Niagara Falls on their honeymoon 😂

[@Happyheretic2308]

Not ‘sensuousness’, Dominic. Viscerality.

[@rabeksmom]

It's pronounced "puh-kip-see" and I agree, the spelling is awful. (I live not too far from there) :)

[@sallyadcock8160]

Tom, l think l'm a little bit in love with you. I could easily listen to you for hours.

[@airmark02]

& the Lee Miller's of Palestine are at work now exposing the horror ...

[@Johnconno]

Picasso KNEW Lee Miller. 🥒

[@MB-hc9tk]

I heard this too that he used Lee to model for vast quantities of paintings but when I visited the Picasso museum in Malaga , I don’t recall seeing any of them sadly

[@Johnconno]

@@MB-hc9tk If Lee Miller turned up at my studio I wouldn't be painting her either. 😘

[@MB-hc9tk]

@@Johnconno is that so , do you think Lee would have you ? 😂 perhaps so perhaps not , I’m sure the paintings are somewhere , I’ll have to look into it 😂

[@Johnconno]

@@MB-hc9tk Good Luck! 😆

[@MB-hc9tk]

@@Johnconno well i tell you Malaga men probably know how to dance 😉 Antonio banderas also a Malaga man and he’s a bit of a dish , so if she had fun with Picasso can’t say I blame her 🤷‍♀️😂

[@JuneAdams-li9sy]

Woman Ray 😅😅😅😂😊

[@steventrotter4958]

The non stop Shoah rememberance tour still going strong 80 years later. Hashtag NEVERFORGET

[@paddycreane]

Weird take from this