From Wilde's wit to women's wartime resilience, and the eerie allure of horror cinema, the Storm Petrel Foundation has long opened its doors to stories that echo across time. I am happy to say that I have seen all (I think!) past exhibitions: Oscar Wilde - celebrating the wit, brilliance, and cultural legacy of Wilde through rare editions and memorabilia.
Unseen and Unheard: Stories of Women Under Fire which highlighted the overlooked experiences of women during World War II. As I walked into this exhibition I remember trying to hold back my tears as there were war songs being played in the background. Was it We'll Meet again? It's a Long Way to Tipperary? I no longer remember but it touched me deeply.
The Other Side / The Other Side... Reloaded was devoted to horror, gothic, and science fiction, showcasing film posters, books, comics, and original artwork.
These exhibitions stand out because they blend literature, cinema and history into accessible cultural narratives. Each exhibition draws from private collections, making them unique - treasures that would otherwise remain unseen.
The Foundation's townhouse setting in Attard adds intimacy making the experience feel like stepping into a living archive.
The Foundation has a rich curatorial history. Much of its success is due to the enthusiasm of Bernie Mizzi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Storm Petrel Foundation and in the case of the present exhibition about Hollywood star Joseph Calleia, Justine Balzan Demajo who is the curator.
The exhibition has been on since 1 November and will be closing on 15 December. I would like to urge you not to miss it. These exhibitions are unique. So much work goes into putting them together. It is not going to happen again soon.
Joseph Calleia was unique in his own way. Multi-talented he was determined to make his way to Hollywood. He was born in Rabat in 1897. He attended the Primary School in St Julian's and secondary school at St Aloysius. His father was an architect and in 1913 sent his to London to study engineering. Instead he began to perform in music halls using his tenor voice to sing Scottish ballads. His father disapproved so he changed his name to Joseph Spurin. In 1917 he travelled to the United States, in itself an act of bravery in the 30s. There he performed for the Red Cross and Armed Services and volunteered for the American Tank Corps.
While taking part in a number of vaudeville shows he struggled to make a living doing odd jobs in New York and stoking the furnace of a department store. Yes! He was determined and resilient.
These and his many talents helped him to go on stage in 1919 in Denver where he performed in Jerome Kern's musical comedy Have a Heart as a member of the chorus. He tours for 40 weeks in Pietro and spends six weeks in Broadway where he also works as stage manager and repairs trunks for three dollars each. (I love this man!)
The musical comedy The Golden Wing includes the song Adelai which Calleja composed himself, played and sung with great success. And so he goes on participating in theatre in London and New York. But soon in 1925 he makes his concert debut at Town Hall in New York singing arias from operas.
Not one to avoid work he was participating in Princess Flavia in New York. Before the opening of the show, he sold pianos with great success. Princess Flavia closes a month and a half later. In February 1926 he sings excerpts from works by Scarletti, Paisiello, Schumann, Gounod and Leoncavallo, as well as two of his own compositions during a highly-acclaimed recital at New York's Steinway Hall. And so it goes on and onto Hollywood where he made 62 films.
In 1929 he married Eleanor Vassallo.
Go to the exhibition and learn much more.
This information is based on Alan Fenech's book Joseph Calleia: From Little Italy to Little Things and on the exhibition.
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