Life This Week: January 23, 1939

The cover story this week is a write-up on Bette Davis. I thought I'd watch one of her films I hadn't seen before--The Sisters (1938) co-starring Errol Flynn. They meet at an election-night ball and instantly fall in love. Frank (Errol Flynn) is a sports journalist and aspiring writer; Louise (Bette Davis) is the proper daughter of a small-town pharmacist. They elope to San Francisco and try to make a life for themselves. Too bad Franks's drinking and temper get him fired. Louise tries to keep her household afloat but only manages to drive Frank away. Suddenly--it's the San Francisco Earthquake of 1904. Will Frank and Louise rebuild their marriage while San Francisco crumbles around them?

Images from Doctor Macro

The Sisters will be on TCM Friday, March 9th at 6:15 a.m. CST.

In honor of Louise...

"My-husband-is-charming-yet-worthless" Red Beans and Rice

1 lb dried kidney beans
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 cups cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir or beaujolais-villages (or similar)
1/2 cup cold-pressed olive oil
1/4 lb cooked ham, cut into bite-sized pieces
sea salt
cooked and salted white rice, to serve (I used 1/4 cup uncooked per person)

Twenty-four hours in advance:
Place the kidney beans in a large non-reactive mixing bowl. Add the onion, garlic and hot sauce then cover with the wine. Add enough water to cover the mixture by at least an inch. Soak overnight.

In the morning:
Add more water to the bean mixture so that it is still covered by about an inch of liquid.

About three hours before you plan to eat dinner:
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large stock pot or dutch oven. Add the ham and sauté until just starting to brown. Add the soaked-bean mixture, bring to a boil, the reduce heat and simmer for two to two-and-a-half hours, or until beans are soft. Season to taste with salt.

Serves 6

Adapted from "Dried Red Beans" in The Justin Wilson Cookbook (Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing Company, 1965), 65.