scotthardwareninja

Pewter Key Ring - Roman Centurion Helmet Key Ring - Pewter. Fun key ring is a great gift for any history enthusiast. A mini pewter Roman centurion helmet supplied on a quality key chain. This highly detailed miniature is of a legionary centurion's helmet, of the time of the Emperor Vespasian, circa 75AD. The helmet would have had a crest of horsehair and would have been worn with silver scale cuirass (body armor) and decorated greaves, to protect his legs. The Roman Centurion Helmet is made from lead-free pewter and supplied on a quality key-chain.

William Wyler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born Wilhelm Weiller
July 1, 1902(1902-07-01)
Mulhausen, Alsace, Germany (now Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, France)
Died July 27, 1981 (aged 79)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Director, Producer
Years active 1925 - 1970
Spouse(s) Margaret Sullavan (1934-1936)
Margaret Tallichet (1938-1981)
William Wyler (July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a motion picture director.

Early life

Wyler was born Wilhelm Weiller to a Swiss father and a German mother, in Mulhouse in the French region of Alsace (then part of the German Empire). [1]

He was distantly related to Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Pictures, through his mother Melanie (a cousin of Laemmle's).

After realizing that Weiller was not interested in the family business of haberdashery and suffering through a terrible year working at 100000 CHEMISES in Paris after World War I, Melanie contacted her distant cousin about opportunities for him.

Carl Laemmle was in the habit of coming to Europe each year and finding promising young men who would work in America.

In 1921, Weiller found himself and a young Czech man, Paul Kohner (later the independent agent) on the same boat to New York.

Their enjoyment of the first class trip was short lived as they found they had to pay back the cost of the passage out of their $25 weekly income as messengers to Universal Pictures in New York.

After working in New York for several years Wyler decided he wanted to go to Hollywood and be a director

Film career

Around 1923, he arrived in Los Angeles and began work on the Universal lot on the swing gang, cleaning the stages and moving the sets.

His break came when he was hired as a 2nd assistant editor.

His work ethic was uneven at best with Irving Thalberg nicknaming him "Worthless Willy".

After some ups and downs (including getting fired) Wyler became focused on becoming a director.

He started as a 3rd assistant director and by 1925 he became the youngest director on the Universal lot directing the Westerns that Universal were famed at turning out.

In 1928, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

He soon proved himself an able craftsman and in the early 1930s became one of Universal's greatest assets, directing such solid films as The Love Trap, Hell's Heroes, Tom Brown of Culver, and The Good Fairy.

He became well-known for his merciless (some would say sadistic) insistence on multiple retakes, resulting in often award-winning and critically acclaimed performances from his actors.

After leaving Universal he began a long collaboration with Samuel Goldwyn for whom he directed such classics as Dodsworth (1936), These Three (1936), Dead End (1937), Wuthering Heights (1939), The Westerner (1940), The Little Foxes (1941) and The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).

Laurence Olivier, whom Wyler directed to his first-ever nomination, for Wuthering Heights, credited Wyler with teaching him how to act for the screen.

Bette Davis not only received three Oscar nominations for her screen work under Wyler, but won her second Oscar for her performance in Wyler's 1938 film Jezebel.

Charlton Heston won his only nomination and Best Actor Oscar for his work in Wyler's 1959 Ben-Hur.

Barbra Streisand co-won 1968's Best Actress Oscar for her screen debut as entertainer Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.

In 1941 Wyler directed one of the key films that galvanized support for Britain and against the Nazis in an America slow to awaken to the threat in Europe, it was Mrs. Miniver (1942), a story of a middle class English family adjusting to the war in Europe. Mrs. Miniver won Wyler his first Academy Award for Best Director.

World War II

Between 1942 and 1945, Wyler served as a major in the United States Army Air Forces and directed two documentaries The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944) and Thunderbolt! (1947), with John Sturges, the story of a P-47 fighter-bomber squadron in the Mediterranean.

Wyler also directed a film which captured the mood of the nation as it turned to peace after the war.

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), the story of three veterans arriving home and adjusting to civilian life, dramatized the problems of returning veterans for those who had remained on the homefront.

Wyler's most personal film, taken from his experiences away from his family for three years and on the front, The Best Years of Our Lives won the Academy Award for Best Director (his second) and Academy Award for Best Picture.

Postwar career

During the immediate postwar period, Wyler directed a handful of critically acclaimed and influential films, The Heiress which earned Olivia de Havilland her second Oscar, Roman Holiday (1953), which introduced Audrey Hepburn to American audiences and resulted in her first Oscar nomination and only win, Friendly Persuasion (1956) which was awarded the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) at the Cannes Film Festival, and Ben-Hur (1959) which won eleven Oscars (equa

BEYONCE, GREEN DAY & LADY GAGA LEAD THE WAY WITH THREE MOONMEN AT THE “2009 VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS”, JANET JACKSON & MADONNA CELEBRATE MICHAEL JACKSON

Taylor Swift Wins “Best Female Video”
While Eminem Grabs “Best Hip Hop Video”

New York, NY (September 13, 2009) –– MTV turned New York City inside out for the “ 2009 Video Music Awards ” as the network celebrated a legend and brought together the biggest names in music, TV, film and sports. Live from Radio City Music Hall, VMA icon Madonna opened the show and introduced the emotional and heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson was joined onstage by the most renowned choreographers in the world and Michael’s tour dancers, all of whom were influenced by the “King of Pop,” for a memorable and high energy performance. To honor her brother and his illustrious career, the dancers recreated some of his most memorable music videos including “Thriller,” “Bad,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Scream.” The celebration received a standing ovation and set the tone for the most important evening in music and pop culture.
Always controversial, British comedian Russell Brand pushed the envelope as he had fun with a slew of new stars and charmed the ladies. Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and popstar Katy Perry helped Russell kick-off his hosting duties in a big way with a light infused performance of the classic rock anthem by Queen, “We Will Rock You.”

Young country-pop superstar Taylor Swift earned “Best Female Video” for “You Belong With Me” in one of the most competitive categories of the evening, causing Kanye West to storm the stage in protest of Beyonce not winning. In a gracious act, Beyonce later called Taylor back on stage to rightfully accept her award. Beyonce did win an outstanding three moonmen including the coveted “Video of the Year” award for her viral video sensation “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).” Also landing three statues was Lady Gaga including “Best New Artist ” for her hit single “Poker Face.” Green Day made a triumphant return to the VMAs by claiming three awards including “Best Rock Video ” for “21 Guns.” Eminem walked away victorious in an extremely heated race for “Best Hip Hop Video” with “We Made You.”

Adding to her collection of moonmen and accepting her award via satellite while on tour, Britney Spears won “Best Pop Video” for “Womanizer.” After officially premiering at last year’s show, T.I. and Rihanna won “Best Male Video” for their multi-platinum song “Live Your Life.”

Eminem once again showcased his comedic chops teaming up with Tracy Morgan and featuring a cameo by Cyndi Lauper to present the “Best New Artist” nominees throughout the show.

Drawing on the musical energy and passion of New York City, MTV used the city as a backdrop to showcase the unprecedented and groundbreaking performances from today’s most popular artists. Making her first VMA performance a standout, Taylor Swift sang a never-before-heard version of her single “You Belong With Me.” Taylor fully incorporated all NYC has to offer by transitioning from a subway car to 6th Avenue surrounded by fans and ending her performance on top of a taxi cab.

Known for her over the top live performances and fashion forward style, Lady Gaga turned a childhood dream into a reality as she made her grand entrance into VMA history. During her unforgettable performance of “Paparazzi,” the international superstar gives her own interpretation on the price of fame which culminates with her levitating into the air.

Surrounded by pyro and using every corner of the VMA stage, fan favorite Green Day made an explosive return to the VMA stage by giving a high energy rock performance of their single “East Jesus Nowhere.”

Beyonce had all of Radio City dancing to “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” with her call and response to the audience as she translated her music video phenomenon to the live stage. The pop diva was backed by an army of dancers as they displayed their incomparable dance moves during her performance.

Already a household name across the pond, British rockers Muse gave a breakthrough performance expanding their fan base worldwide. The band performed their latest single “Uprising” from a live remote at the Walter Kerr Theater in the Broadway district of Manhattan in front of hundreds of screaming fans.

Determined to top herself and once again raise the bar for live performances, P!nk mastered a jaw-dropping aerial act 30 feet above the stage while performing her single “Sober.” And yes, she sang every single word of it.

Bringing the show to a climactic end, JAY-Z and Alicia Keys honored their hometown of New York as they gave a powerful performance of “Empire State of Mind.”

As the official VMA house band, hip-hop’s newest challenger Wale and the legendary go go band UCB hyped up the audience as they put their own unique spin on some of the biggest songs of the year, his own material and a few classic covers. They collaborated with a number of artists including

Metal Pencil Shapener - Medieval or Roman Catapult made from Metal that actually fires and includes a pencil sharpener. A mini Roman catapult made from metal that actually fires. The catapult also incorporates a pencil sharpener. A catapult is a device used to throw or hurl a projectile a great distance. During the Medieval period, when castles and fortified walled cities were common catapults were used as a key siege weapon against them. Catapults were gradually replaced by the cannon in the 14th century. This Medieval Catapult is made from metal, with plastic wheels and has an exciting working firing mechanism. Our Roman Catapult is made from metal, with plastic wheels and has an exciting working firing mechanism. The catapult also incorporates a pencil sharpener