Old Hollywood: Movies, Actresses, and Actors
Ann Sheridan and George Raft
They Drive by Night (1940 film-noir, directed by Raoul Walsh) has the type of cast directors dream of. Lead by Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Ann Sheridan, and George Raft, the cast also includes George Tobias, Alan Hale, Roscoe Karns, and Gale Page.
Ann Sheridan and George Raft
You can find They Drive by Night on Amazon on DVD or Prime Video.
Ann Sheridan Print, 8 x 10″ (Amazon Link)
While I (literally) shop for, meal plan for, look forward to, and dream about Christmas year round, this is the time of year I really kick it in gear. So I hope you’ll forgive me if I begin to talk incessantly about Christmas shopping and Christmas movies.
And, yes, I am very aware that it’s August lol!
Ann Sheridan Canvas Print (Amazon link)
The gorgeous Ann Sheridan canvas print would make a gorgeous gift idea for any classic film lovers in your world. I happen to have one in my life and Ann Sheridan is one of her absolute favorites, so plan to buy this one for her right away. (I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I am both the gifter and giftee… yay me!)
Amazon has countless stars from Old Hollywood available on Canvas prints, so you’re sure to find your favorites as well as the favorites of those on your list. Simply click the link above and start your Christmas list today… no need in waiting till the last minute I always say. ~ Joi (“Joy”)
Ava Gardner, Walter Huston, and Ethel Barrymore in The Great Sinner
One of (IMO) the best actresses of all-time… and absolutely one of my favorites.. Ethel Barrymore was BOTD in Pennsylvania in 1879.
The wonderful lady is pictured here with Ava Gardner and Walter Huston from the film The Great Sinner (1949, directed by Robert Siodmak).
You can find The Great Sinner on dvd (Amazon link). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video, yet but they seem to be adding more classics, so hopefully it will be soon.
Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl was, whiteout a single doubt, one of the most beautiful stars from old Hollywood (or any Hollywood for that matter). The camera loved her and it seems to have been a mutual attraction.
These beautiful photos are promotional images for her 1953 adventure Desert Legion. Directed by Joseph Pevney, the movie also stars Alan Ladd and Richard Conte.
Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl and Red Skelton
The beautiful Arlene Dahl was BOTD in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1925. In her honor, I decided to spotlight one of my favorite Arlene Dahl films, A Southern Yankee.
What seems like a TOTALLY unlikely team, Red Skelton and Arlene Dahl, work beautifully together in the fun 1948 comedy. Directed by Edward Sedgwick, the movie also stars Brian Donlevy, George Coulouris (always wonderful), Lloyd Gough, and John Ireland.
You can find A Southerner Yankee (Amazon link) on dvd or Prime Video.
Redd Foxx, Lena Horne, and Demond Wilson
While I love all of them (to the point of blissful addiction), one of my favorite episodes of Sanford and Son is “A Visit from Lena Horne.” The hilarious episode first aired on January 12, 1963 and it’s as funny today as ever.
In the episode, Fred Sanford (in an effort to get his son Lamont to have the chance to meet Lena Horne) leads her to believe that Lamont is a little boy. As they always are, Fred’s “fib” goes up in smoke.
LENA HORNE: (Asking about “little” Lamont): “Oh, is he asleep?”
FRED: “Just went to sleep.”
LENA HORNE: “Oh, I’m so sorry. I could’ve helped put him into his ‘jammies.”
FRED: “Yeah, he would have liked that.”
You can find Sanford and Son (Amazon link) on dvd and on Prime Video. I LOVE that seasons are available on Prime. It’s without a doubt one of the best series of all time – and no one (I mean NO ONE) is any funnier than Redd Foxx.
Lena Horne, Redd Foxx, and Demond Wilson
Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable, The Misfits
The Misfits (1961) was directed by one of my personal favorite directors, John Huston, and features an equally wonderful cast that includes Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, Thelma Ritter, and Eli Wallach.
The compelling film is iconic for several reasons:
The movie is outstanding and their performances, as well as those of Montgomery Clift and Thelma Ritter, are impeccable.
If you’ve never seen this great movie, you can buy The Misfits on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Marilyn Monroe Poster (Amazon):
Marilyn Monroe Vintage Poster (Amazon link)
Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable
The popular romantic comedy How to Marry a Millionaire was directed Jean Negulesco features the type of cast any director would LOVE to have. The stars include Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, Cameron Mitchell, Alexander D’Arcy, Fred Clark, and William Powell.
Talk about an all-star cast!
While the entire cast is exceptional, I think Marilyn Monroe is the stand-out performance in the entire film…. which, given this cast, really says A LOT about the iconic actress.
You can find How to Marry a Millionaire (Amazon link) on dvd for your collection or watch the movie on Prime Video.
How to Marry a Millionaire Movie Poster (Amazon link)
Susan Hayward
Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) was directed by Delmer Daves and boasts a full on wonderful cast – Victor Mature, Susan Hayward, Michael Rennie, Debra Paget, Ernest Borgnine, and Anne Bancroft to name a few.
This is one of those deliciously entertaining films that makes you fall in love with old movies all over again. While it isn’t an iconic, household name like Casablanca or The Adventures of Robin Hood, it is wonderfully colorful, vivid, and incredibly fun. Outstanding cast, beautiful costumes, and larger than life sets.
Sign me up!
You can find Demetrius and the Gladiators (Amazon link) on Prime Video, DVD, or Blu-ray.
Kay Francis and William Powell
One Way Passage (1932) was beautifully directed by Tay Garnett and is a film I couldn’t possibly recommend strongly enough. The drama’s cast includes Kay Francis, William Powell, Frank McHugh, Aline MacMahon, Warren Hymer, and Frederick Burton.
One Way Passage deservedly won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story, and I’m absolutely shocked it wasn’t nominated for more Oscars. The leads are beyond wonderful – compelling in every scene. Apart, Kay Francis and William Powell were always extraordinary… but, together, they’re downright movie magic.
You can find One Way Passage on DVD or Blu-ray (Amazon link). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video and isn’t shown very often on television. It’s worthy of a LOT more attention!
My main goal with Hollywood Yesterday is to keep the names, faces, and films of the stars that mean so much to me shining brightly. When I’m guilty of focusing more time on my personal favorites (such as Olivia de Havilland) than other stars, I hope you’ll forgive me. I am, by all indications, very human!
Also, please know that I try to keep my posts (except for book reviews) short and to the point, so you can enjoy the pictures, grab the information, and get back to your life. I don’t appreciate anything that’s overly wordy, so I don’t want to do that to others. For better or worse, I write as I talk, so if you ever feel like you’re reading the words of someone who’s a cross between Lucy Ricardo, Daisy Duck, and a Jerry Lewis character, that’s just because you are!
Wait. What did I just admit to??
Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.
Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)
We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)
The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)
The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)
The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)
Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)
El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)
Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)
Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)
The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)
Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)
To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)
Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)
Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)
The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)
More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews
Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…
