Return to Avedon

Photo above shows, left to right, Frank Finocchio, Susy Parker, and Richard Avedon in the CBS TV studios in New York in November 1959.

This text will open Part II of the finished book.

RETURN TO AVEDON

It’s the end of October in 1959 and I’ve just been discharged from the U.S. Army following nearly three years of active service. After a journey home from Fort Sheridan, Illinois, to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a reunion with my parents, siblings, and friends, I used my savings to buy a second-hand car and repair to my family’s secluded cabin on South Mountain to think about my future.

Now what?

I only knew that I want to remain in photography, preferably by starting my own business. Doing this in New York would have been prohibitively expensive and any degree of success a long way off, so I considered the option of opening a commercial studio right there in Allentown. Or going into a kind of partnership with someone who was already established. The downside to this was that it was still Pennsylvania, not the Big Apple. 

Or do I just ask Avedon for my old job back?

Although I stayed in contact with Avedon during the first few months of army service in 1957, I had neglected the relationship as I got caught up in work with the secretive Army Security Agency, stationed in Tokyo. Oddly, before going to Japan I was stationed outside of New York City at the Army Information School, Fort Slocum, David’s Island, just off The Bronx. This was from April into June, during which time our class had several lessons in Manhattan at the New York Times, NBC-TV, and the United Nations. Somehow, I only visited him once during this time, shortly before leaving for the Far East. On this occasion Hiro Wakabayashi, my replacement and future star photographer, gave me contacts to look up in Tokyo. Instead, on weekends I usually drove to Pennsylvania and often held parties at the cabin.

So, when I returned home in late 1959 I was very reluctant to call him, feeling that I had distanced myself from that part of my past.

Lunch break at CBS Studios

Then, a few days later, my mother received a phone call from Frank Finocchio, Avedon’s studio manager, asking her if she knew when I’d be back. Now! She said. When I returned the call, I was invited to come over to the CBS-TV studios in Manhattan to watch Dick at work helping to produce a TV spectacular celebrating the “Fabulous Fifties.” I was amazed to see him working in television, and doing a good job of it. Over the next few hours I took pictures of the production with the Nikon S-3 camera that I had purchased at the Army PX in Tokyo for some $140, including three lenses! These included shots of Dick at work as well as some of the stars.

Here are some of them:

Below left, Susy stars. Right Henry Fonda narrates.

  

Avedon directing, above.

Susy stars!  

When taping stopped for the day, Dick invited me over to see his new studio at 110 East 58th Street (see page 000). While there he gave me a signed copy of his 1959 book “Observations” (see page 000) and then asked if I would come back to work for him. This was an exciting job offer that I just couldn’t turn down. I realized then that there was only one place to be, and that was at the top. To be anywhere but in New York was to be nowhere. The idea of my own business would have to wait.

Some of the staff I already knew from before my army service, including studio manager Frank Finocchio, office manager Polly Hatch, and sales representative Laura Kanelous. And some others who were in one way or another associated with him, such as photographer Hiro Wakabayashi, retoucher Bob Bishop, and supplier Jerry Fenton. New faces included assistant Harris Radin and secretary Sue Mosel.

And, of course, Suzy still ran the place — Suzy being supermodel Suzy Parker, Dick’s favorite. She had an amazing ability to just take charge of sittings, in her charming way.

I moved back to New York during the first week of November and checked into a residential hotel near Sutton Place, a temporary residence until I could find a suitable apartment. Soon after that I moved into an old brownstone on East 69th Street, just off Second Avenue, which I decorated in a pseudo-South Seas motif with bamboo, straw matting and burlap.

Text and photos copyright © 2010 Earl Steinbicker

Comments

[Cookie Finocchio-Duonola]

This wonderful man was my Uncle Frank...I'mCookie Finocchio-Duonola...My father Joe was Franks oldest brother...I csan remember my father referring to Uncle Frank as the "kid" Uncle was 16 when I was born. As I grew I loved to have him take photos of me.... And we still look at those Holy Communion photos he took at the Botanical Gardens many yrs. ago.....He was the best, when he was photographing a yhoung gorl in a commuion dress or Joe Dimaggio or some of the very beautiful models.....Thank you for the Tribute.