Connecting with Clayton - Episode Two By John Clayton

Elin Vanderlip signs book 4 John.jpg — Connecting with Clayton - Episode Two

By John Clayton

My meeting and TV interview with

PV Legend Elin Vanderlip at Villa Narcissa

“You’d better come soon,” said the amazingly provocative voice on the phone, “Why’s that?” I instantly replied, “Well,” said the silver tongued Lady, “I’m going to be 90 in a few weeks and,” – dramatic pause - “I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.” The challenging, even tantalizing statements came from PV Icon – I’d go so far as to say - LEGEND, Elin Vanderlip.

As the host, writer and producer of my cable TV show “Armchair Traveler” I always searched for offbeat, sometimes controversial people, and Ms. Vanderlip was a long sought after connection that was exactly what I was seeking. Up to that point in time however, I’d been unable to ACTUALLY reach the fabled Lady, so I called my longtime friend, the Daily Breeze’s unique columnist John Bogert (now, sadly passed away) and asked him for a phone number. He gave it to me, and that’s how I eventually landed the Elin Vanderlip interview.

Given Elin’s advice about meeting her “as soon as is possible,” we met two days later in early May, 2009. I awaited it with – and let’s be right up front here – intense excitement. We agreed to meet at “Villa Narcissa,” the charming, aristocratic, Italian themed mansion tucked away in the verdant green hills of Southern California's Palos Verdes Peninsula that Ms. Elin called home.

I was entranced as soon as I saw it. It reminded me, instantly, of a particularly glamorous journey I’d taken to Tuscany and Lombardi in northern Italy a while back, as her sumptuous Italian style villa is set amidst a countryside panorama that is, at once, exquisite, stunning and in a certain sense, totally dazzling. Adding to an aura of feeling as if I were being enveloped in a fairy tale in this pursuit of an interview -- especially when traveling to her home -- was that the sensation was made even stronger by the fact of her mansion being in this beautiful dreamlike natural landscape setting. For a reason I only truly comprehended later on, I had an intuition this interview might well be a once-in-a-lifetime-meeting.

Dotted here and there at numerous of the Villa’s garden locations, were huge potted plants, many filled with vibrant, somehow extra colorful hydrangeas and, on the gently sloping hillsides, lush olive trees. Romanesque columns also “appeared” quite unexpectedly in my view, and it made me wonder if, at another time, Villa Narcissa might have dated back to the Roman Empire.

Once inside Villa Narcissa, the same awe and sense of wonder still wrapped me in its multiple folds – I was intrigued hook, line and sinker. Without a doubt, I was immediately aware of a palpable feeling of subdued wealth, luxury and a cultured, high-class atmosphere that permeates this magnificent mansion.

While my cameraman set up his recording equipment, I noticed the stately, majestic walls were filled with the requisite fine art paintings, many highlighting the colorful Vanderlip family. It was all VERY impressive.

Throughout my life every interview/conversation I’ve done in front of a camera or microphone, I was in charge of how it all went. When Elin came in she sat on a gloriously looking, very comfortable sofa, while I was opposite, in a nearby chair. “No, no dear boy,” she said, “come, come and sit here with me.” So much for supposedly “being in charge,” thus I did as requested.

I always prepare for ANY radio, TV, newspaper or Podcast interview I do, with a list of key questions that, I know, elicit the type of interesting, maybe even the provocative answers I’m seeking. I opened our videotaped chat and we got off to a wonderful conversation. It was really eerie because as I probed and sought the answers I was hoping for, she began sharing information, but more often than not, before I’d even got out the entire question. I was, however, able to well, let’s say “insert” most of MY questions, so that by the close of our dialogue I’d obtained EXACTLY what I planned for, from our interview.

Ms. Elin had a marvelous variety of superb stories and amazing anecdotes from her travels around the world – gained from meetings and friendships with kings and queens, as well as celebrities of an Oscar level category interest, and yes, politicians who were always “in the news.” It was, at least in my view, a gold mine of an intriguing conversation.

When we’d completed the recording session, she handed me the book she’d written, entitled, “Eccentric, Obstinate and Fabulous.” As she passed it to me she said, “Here, let me sign it for you.” It’s almost bursting at its printed seams with personalized photos, thought provoking inside information, and a marvelous, very creative literary style, that provides you with – for sure – a you ARE there yourself moment. All total validation of the book’s title.