Old Movies, Actors and Actresses | Hollywood Yesterday

Jim Davis and Barbara Bel Geddes: Two of My Favorite TV Stars for the Picture of the Day

October 27, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jim Davis and Barbara Bel Geddes

Did you happen to look forward to and watch (every second of) Dallas back in the day? I was HOOKED and hooked good. The cast was, in my opinion, one of the greatest casts ever assembled. It’s unfortunate that it got kind of labeled a prime-time soap because, while there is absolutely nothing in the world wrong with soaps – daytime or prime time – many people missed out on an outstanding drama simply because they thought watching it would label them a soap fan.

Their loss!

I’ll be adding a lot more Dallas photos, memories, and other information to the blog as I officially now consider it somewhat of a classic. I chose two of my favorite Dallas stars, and stars in general, to kick the Dallas category off AND to be the picture of the day – the absolutely wonderful Jim Davis and Barbara Bel Geddes.

Sigh. I love them both so much.

Ann Miller: Beautiful, Talented, Charismatic, and then Some

October 26, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann Miller

As I’ve often said, there are certain stars who have careers or levels of fame that bumfuzzle me. How some stars hit it BIG while other, easily as talented (often even more so) stars never quite took off. How some stars are so remembered today that they’re household names EVEN in households that don’t even like old Hollywood.

Uncultured mortals!

Or how certain stars were given chances that weren’t afforded to other (again, just as worthy stars). This would be where Ann Miller’s career and filmography frustrate me. How was this stunningly beautiful and ridiculously talented lady not used in more films? Why was she not given leading lady roles – the girl everyone was chasing.

I mean.. come on… why wouldn’t they?!?

Don’t get me wrong, she has a VERY impressive filmography and outstanding body of work but her talent should have dictated a career and level of fame where, if the name were mentioned to one from the uncultured crowd, they could name, at the very least, two of her movies.

As it is… people who aren’t as engrossed in old movies and classic Hollywood as I am usually react like this when I mention Ann Miller, “I know the name… she was a brunette, right?”

Right. She was a brunette.

I sat down to post her as the picture of the day with ZERO intention of ranting and raving… and yet here we are! Ha, that’s vintage me.

Before wrapping it up, I hasten to say that I was joking… okay, mostly joking… when I referred to those unfamiliar with Old Hollywood as uncultured. I have a bunch of them in my own family, so I have nothing but love for them.

Okay… maybe a hint of contempt…

Ha… I kid!

Veronica Lake: I Married a Witch Promotional Photo with a Confessional on the Side

October 25, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Veronica Lake

I have a lot of inexplicable quirks about me that leave me as puzzled as they would anyone else. I admit it. Heck, most of them are so glaring that denying them would only make me look even more ridiculous than normal.

One such quirk involves the beautiful and talented Veronica Lake. I adore her to distraction. I’ve always thought of her as a fragile little doll… yet I don’t often talk about her, post pictures of her on Twitter (or here on Hollywood Yesterday). Strange, right?

Hang on. It gets stranger.

I find the life of Veronica Lake to be so incredibly sad and senselessly tragic that I (subconsciously) tend to avoid her. When I see her or speak about her, I am reminded that this tiny, beautiful, talented woman had too many personal demons for one person to handle alone… and yet that’s what she pretty much was left to do.

Veronica Lake suffered from mental and emotional problems at a time where “experts” had no idea what to do to help victims. More times than not, simply to get through the day, people would turn to “self-medicating” tactics which only brought more demons into play.

My heart breaks for the stars who were little more than money-makers to studios, family members, and agents. When I read their stories (or simply think about them), I feel a mixture of anger and sadness – anger that no one helped them (or even tried) and sadness that they… while giving the world so much joy… found their own joy to be just out of reach.

As was often the case with these stars (especially, it seems, with the females), other stars and directors turned their backs on them – speaking ill of them, giving them attitudes, and making their unhappy lives even more so.

I tweeted a photo of Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd recently and, while doing so, thought how much I appreciate that (by all indications) Alan Ladd was especially kind to Veronica. It seems to have been a rarity for stars to show decent human kindness to people who were struggling – apparently piling on to their problems seems to have been more en vogue (with Marilyn Monroe as well as Veronica and others).

My inner dialogue went something like this:

You should talk more about Veronica Lake.

It makes me crazy sad!

What if no one talked about her and she was all but forgotten?

It would make me unbearably sad.

Then get over yourself….

Message received.

This fragile little doll won’t be put on a shelf and forgotten if I have anything to do with it. And if I get out of my own way, I will have something to do with it!

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, Sweethearts

October 24, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, Sweethearts (1938)

As I’ve said before on Hollywood Yesterday, when you obsess over movies from every genre and cover every year from silents through the Seventies and even watch a lot of modern era movies… you not only tend to have A LOT of favorites, but you also tend to discover new favorites (new to you, anyway) along the way.

Somehow, over the course of my old movie obsessed life, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy had flown under my radar. Until recently… this year, in fact… I had only seen one of their films and only watched it because my dear James Stewart was in it (for all of, like, three seconds!). I’ve seen more from this remarkable duo this year and will not stop until I have seen every film they made.

Suffice to say, they won me over when they were given the chance to do so. This is one of the reasons I always ask (okay, maybe beg) people to watch more films in a star’s filmography before you either form a bad or indifferent opinion of them. Sometimes you will fall for a star in a “love at first sight” type of way (probably how most of us fell under Marilyn Monroe’s spell!) but most of the time, you have to see several films to see all that they’re capable of.

You’ll be seeing a lot more of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy on Hollywood Yesterday from here on out. They were absolutely divine.

You can find Sweethearts (link to the dvd) on Amazon.

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, Sweethearts (1938)

The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection (Beautiful Boxed Set)

October 24, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection

What exactly is it about The Little Rascals that makes these episodes so enjoyable?!? The children are so adorable and their situations so funny, I could (and often do) watch them every day of the week.

One of the smartest purchases I’ve ever made is shown here – the complete collection of The Little Rascals. Not only is it highly convenient to have the entertaining series available any time I want to kick back with the “gang,” the collection came with an great little booklet with fun facts and pictures (pictured below).

Fun Booklet of Facts and Photos

The entire collection is packaged beautifully, too. I love the way it looks sitting on my dvd shelves. All television and movie collections should be as great looking as this one. I’ve become a huge fan of boxed collections, whether they’re a particular star’s movies, a television series, or film franchise. I do buy some tv seasons separately, but a collection simply looks neater on shelves – plus it’s easier to find what you’re looking for!

Trust me, I’d know. Sometimes it takes me over 10 minutes to find a particular movie or episode I’m in the mood for. Frankly, that’s precious time that could be spent waiting hand and foot on my cats or popping popcorn for movie night!

I’d highly recommend this collection for any fan of The Little Rascals. I’d also suggest it as a great gift idea for anyone in your life who loves classic movies and television. This is the type of gift that would be enjoyed for years and years and years.

And then some!

See The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection (Link to the Collection on Amazon) for more information. There’s a lot of joy to be had in this collection.

Clara Bow, True to the Navy Promotional Picture (So, how gorgeous was she??!!)

October 23, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Clara Bow, True to the Navy

One of my favorite actresses is pictured above, in all her radiant glory. Clara Bow wasn’t just an obvious beauty, she had a certain, unmistakable charm and charisma that comes through her every photo and every film. She had something magical about her – a one in a million radiance that’s almost impossible to describe.

I mean, I work with words every single day and count them among my most cherished friends and she leaves me hunting for adjectives all the time.

Most of the time, I simply recommend one of her films and/or show one of her photographs and let HER do all the speaking.

This is one of those times.

Clara Bow and Fredric March, True to the Navy

Clara Bow Collection (3-DVD)v

Pearl Bailey: Talented, Colorful, Beautiful, and SO Interesting!

October 22, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Wonderful Pearl Bailey

As a Classic Film, Music, and TV fanatic (a raging, out of controlled, unbridled one at that), I spend a LOT of time watching old movies/tv classics, listening to “oldies” and old radio shows, and reading all I can about the men and women who brought the magic to life.

It’s as though I have entered myself in lifetime courses in film history and music study. I don’t have to pay anyone any tuition (not that the books come free, mind you) and I never have to take any exams or write any papers.

The only way to be a film and music historian… on your own terms.

One of my favorite stars to read about and spend time with (what I call researching someone… makes it seem more personal) is Pearl Bailey. I can’t help but believe we would have gotten along famously in real life.

While Pearl was obviously a very good looking lady and extremely talented (singing and acting), she was also very charismatic and colorful – making her even more fascinating to me. Quite frankly some stars can be a little on the dull side, and since my attention span can often be as short as a grasshopper’s nose, I have zero tolerance for “dull.”

In fact, if there is someone you don’t see often on Hollywood Yesterday or see me talk about much on Twitter – odds are they bore me! Sorry, but it is what it is. If someone lacks enough personality, pop, or pizzazz, they lose me.

I highly doubt Pearl Bailey ever bored anyone in her life. She was the sort of person who… even if you happened to disagree with something they said… you absolutely LOVE that they said it!

I also love that she had interests outside of music and acting. One of my favorite books in my collection is Pearl’s Kitchen: An Extraordinary Cookbook (Amazon link). She was an avid cook and a darn good one, at that. Her personality comes through each page, too, which is an extraordinary thing.

Miriam Hopkins and Fredric March, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

October 21, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Miriam Hopkins and Fredric March

When I say I am a huge Spencer Tracy fan.. you can take my word for it. I put him right up there with James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Buster Keaton, and Humphrey Bogart – in the class of royalty! So, you can understand how it pains me to say this… Fredric March made the best Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde I’ve ever seen onscreen.

Sigh. That hurt too say even more than I thought it would.

While Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner were outstanding in the 1941 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, my beloved Spencer Tracy made about as bad of a Mr. Hyde as was possible!

By contrast, Fredric March nailed the character – in my opinion, he gave a brilliant, true-to-character, performance. Miriam Hopkins was also breathtakingly good in the 1931 film as Ivy.

You can watch the 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on Prime or buy the dvd on Amazon.

Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, Haunted Spooks Lobby Cards

October 20, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, Haunted Spooks

Shortly after making the 1920 silent short film Haunted Spooks, the film’s stars, Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis, were married. It was a union that STUCK, as they were husband and wife until her death in 1969.

In far less upbeat news, Harold Lloyd had a horrible injury to his hand while making Haunted Spooks. While posing for publicity photos, a prop bomb exploded in his hand. His face was badly burned and he was temporarily blinded. Even worse, he lost two fingers due to the horrific accident.

In future films, he is always seen wearing a prosthetic glove on his injured hand.

In spite of this, however, he (remarkably!) always insisted on doing his own stunts.

My Favorite Catwoman: The Purrrfect Julie Newmar

October 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Julie Newmar as Catwoman

I honestly can’t think of an actress’s portrayal of Catwoman I DIDN’T like – the role has always been very well-represented in my opinion. Having said that, however, one does stand out as my favorite – Julie Newmar.

Again, I love all of them (some more than others), so don’t take this as a knock on any of the others…. but I feel Julie’s performance best depicted the character if you think in terms of a “cat come to life.” As a self-described crazy cat lady, I have had cats all of my life – and almost always more than one or two.

Those numbers are for amateurs!

Catwoman is my all-time favorite villain and it very well may have something to do with the fact that she was a cross between a woman who had been hurt and let down by humans and a cat seeking to even the score! While the Batman TV Series (link to the complete series on Amazon) was pure “light” entertainment, I still feel that Julie brought the most charisma and cat-like attitude to the role.

Batman TV series is on Prime Video. I love how they have the description for each episode, so you can find your favorites quickly and easily. While I will watch and rewatch all of them… I guarantee you the first ones I seek out will be the ones with Julie Newmar.