The Merchant of Venus

Two sisters stumbled upon their father's impactful history through an unanticipated discovery: an iconic image appearing in the 2003 film "Seabiscuit," now widely recognized and used as the avatar for the 1929 Stock Market Crash, shattering the notion of his family that he was an ordinary business man.
 
Two sisters stumbled upon their father's impactful history through an unanticipated discovery: an iconic image appearing in the 2003 film "Seabiscuit," now widely recognized, as the 1929 Bankrupt Investor image shattering the notion of his family that he was an ordinary businessman.
 
Walter Thornton was no ordinary man; he was a trailblazer in the worlds of modeling, beauty, and advertising, leaving an indelible mark on American society.
 
He was a prominent male model during the Jazz age and later made history by founding the first agency exclusively for photographic advertising models in 1930. Among Thornton's other achievements, the invention of the "Pin-Up Girl of WWII" stands as a testament to his creativity and patriotism. These pin-up girls not only encapsulated the spirit of an epoch but also became beacons of hope for soldiers overseas, eliciting heartfelt letters that spoke volumes about their impact.
 
His influence extended to Hollywood, where he discovered and represented future movie icons such as Lauren Bacall, Susan Hayward, Joseph Cotten, and the legendary Grace Kelly.
 
Bestowed with the moniker The Merchant of Venus by columnist Walter Winchell, Thornton displayed a keen talent for shaping cultural tides until a tragic event in 1954 tarnished his reputation. Fueled by their deep affection for their father, the sisters embarked on a journey to unravel his downfall, revealing connections to the era's HUAC/McCarthy persecutions.
 
The Merchant of Venus unearths a previously overlooked chapter of history through the chronicles Walter Thornton's life odyssey, showcasing his triumphs, courage, and resilience.