Old Movies, Actors and Actresses | Hollywood Yesterday

Sidney Poitier: Lilies of the Field

February 26, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Sidney Poitier

Unless you’ve lived in a cave for your entire life, you know the gentleman above – the great, great (some stars make it necessary to repeat yourself) actor Sidney Poitier. As fine an actor – and human being, for that matter – as you’ll ever hope to read about.

While I have many favorite Sidney Poitier roles and films, Lilies of the Field (Amazon dvd link) and his excellent, award-winning portrayal of Homer Smith are right up there. Each time I think it is, unquestionably, my favorite Poitier film, I’ll re-watch another one and think…. “How can I possibly choose just one?!”

I love both him and Harry Belafonte to distraction, so their Buck and the Preacher (Western they made in 1972 with Ruby Dee and Cameron Mitchell) always has to be in the conversation when talking about my favorite Poitier films. Have you ever seen this one? I just love it! Even the theme music is to die for.

At any rate… back to Lilies of the Field. When it comes to old movies and favorite stars, I tend to ramble off and have to get myself back on the main road from time to time. Or had you noticed?

Sidney Poitier, who directed the film, won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as Homer Smith. He also won the Golden Globe as Lead Actor. Both awards were very well deserved, as he did a remarkable job.

While Poitier is thought of, primarily, as an actor (and idol to the millions who know a great smile when they see one!!), he was also an exceptional director, with 9 titles to his credit.

Sidney Poitier and Lilia Skala, Lilies of the Field

A Few Interesting Bits of Trivia:

Lilies of the Field (Amazon dvd link) is considered to be one of fifteen films that changed American cinema.
This is reportedly Levar Burton’s favorite film.
The title comes from The Sermon on the Mount.
Features Lilia Skala’s only Oscar nominated performance, as Mother Maria.

If you’ve never seen this incredible film, I hope you’ll watch it at your earliest convenience. It is extraordinary.

Tra La La La from An American in Paris (Excellent Number, Excellent Performers, Excellent Movie!)

February 25, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain (splashing in puddles and wonderfully swinging from the light-post)

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Top Hat (with feathers gloriously flying)

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire, You Were Never Lovelier (The Shorty George)

The cast from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (singing and dancing, while building a barn!)

All are great, timeless, iconic scenes from musicals. I have one that’s on my personal favorites list – one that probably isn’t on many other lists. In fact, given the fact that it’s in the excellent An American in Paris (Amazon link to the dvd), it could get lost among all the brilliance.

HOWEVER, I’m in love with the scene. Always have been. Always will be.

When you take the immeasurable talents of Gene Kelly and combine them with the immeasurable talents of Oscar Levant, this is what you get! The dancing, the piano playing (Mr. Levant was a genius), the singing, and my-oh-my the tap dancing (!!!)… pure movie magic.

Kim Novak, Vertigo Promo Shot (Love These Pictures!)

February 24, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Kim Novak, Vertigo Promo Shot

If you’ve never seen Vertigo (Amazon dvd link), I can’t recommend it enough. In fact… if we’re being honest… even if you HAVE seen it, I highly recommend watching it again. I guarantee you’ll notice things you missed the first time around. For example, nuances in Kim Novak’s performances will jump out at you during the second viewing that may have gone unnoticed the first time around.

It’s just a very, very good Hitchcock – one of the best, in my opinion.

Audrey Hepburn, “Sabrina” Behind the Scenes Photos

February 23, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Audrey Hepburn, Behind the Scenes of Sabrina

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it on Hollywood Yesterday before, but Behind the Scenes photos are something of an obsession of mine. I can’t put my finger on it, but there is just something about them that sends me over the moon and all around the galaxy.

(Continued below Audrey Hepburn’s loveliness)

Audrey Hepburn, Behind the Scenes of Sabrina

These behind the scenes photos are from one of my absolute favorite movies ever, 1954’s Sabrina (Amazon link) further drive home just how lovely and graceful Audrey Hepburn was.

As if any of us needed a reminder!

The Nicholas Brothers Story: Get to Know Fayard and Harold Nicholas Better!

February 22, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Harold and Fayard Nicholas

Being a HUGE fan of Dorothy Dandridge, my path was destined to cross with the phenomenal Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold. Not only did the three work together, Dorothy was married to Harold (the younger brother) from 1942 to 1950. They had one child together, a daughter named Harolynn.

The Nicholas Brothers were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

I told someone just this week that I almost wish a movie were made about the brothers. What a fascinating one it would be! There’s only two problems with this wish:

I don’t know if I trust Hollywood to do a story on them with the respect they deserve. Past attempts by Hollywood to tell the stories of the great men and women from Old Hollywood have made me very skeptical. The sensationalism and “shock” approach kind of make me hope they never attempt to tell another story of my favorites!
They could never find one actor to dance like Fayard or Harold… let alone two!

I would honestly settle for a great biography written about the brothers. I’d love it for my personal library – plus, I want the world to know these men.

They should be household names!

If you’re an author who happens to be reading these words… do us all a favor and give us the biography we need and The Nicholas Brothers deserve!

Picture of the Day: Lena Horne and Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

February 20, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne, Cabin in the Sky Behind the scenes photo with Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

My love for Lena Horne is no secret – ADORE the woman! Whether it’s as an actress or singer… or human being, in general… she was one in a couple of billion. This photo of her with Eddie Anderson is one of my favorites. The fact that she’s smiling that megawatt smile and dressed to the nines is only part of the reason. I’m also obsessed with “behind the scenes” photos. I love that she and Rochester were hanging out and that she was so genuinely happy.

Sigh. Love her so.

If you’ve never seen the much underrated and underappreciated Cabin in the Sky (Amazon link), I hope you’ll do so asap. It is as remarkable as Lena, herself…. well… close.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly – An American in Paris (Picture of the Day!)

February 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my newest favorite Old Hollywood actresses is Leslie Caron. If I’d ever seen her films before, she’d have already been a favorite! As it is, I saw my first Leslie Caron movie within the past three months and have been watching them (one after the next) since.

So… yes… expect to see much more of her on Hollywood Yesterday.

The photo above is a publicity photo from the 1951 film, An American in Paris (Amazon link). The wonderfully fun and colorful film (directed by Vincente Minnelli) costarred Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, and Nina Foch. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll catch it soon. It’s outstanding.

Katharine Hepburn, Picture of the Day and a Confession…

February 18, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Katharine Hepburn, The Philadelphia Story

If you spend much time discussing Old Hollywood with other fans, you know that some stars are more loved than others. Some (like James Stewart, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Rita Hayworth, and Lucille Ball) seem to be universally loved… you seldom hear anyone say unkind things about these stars.

Others (like Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Jerry Lewis, Elvis…), on the other hand, can start debates, discussions, and sometimes even arguments when you simply mention their names. Unfortunately for me, I happen to love each one of these “divisive” stars! Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich are also often divisive.

For whatever reasons, the one I take the biggest exception to is Katharine Hepburn. I, admittedly, can be overly defensive when it comes to this particular actress. I will defend the others, mind you, but there’s just something different when it comes to her.

I’ve even blocked people on Twitter who said she wasn’t a talented actress. No time in my life for people who have zero common sense!

Kidding… kidding. Okay, not really.

So there you have it, my confession of the day. I am ridiculously over-protective and defensive of Miss Hepburn. In my personal opinion, she could do no wrong when it came to acting. She was so incredibly talented and versatile – just as wonderful in comedies as she was in dramas.

She was also a generous actor – when it was a co-star’s “moment,” she allowed them to shine. Some (even some of my favorites, mind you!) never wanted anyone to shine but themselves.

Her generosity in this regard stands out.

Who does Joi tend to get insanely defensive of??? THIS LADY!!!

Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens, The Nutty Professor

February 18, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens, The Nutty Professor

I absolutely love The Nutty Professor, starring Jerry Lewis (who also directed the fun movie) and Stella Stevens. They worked beautifully together and I cannot imagine another star in either of these colorful roles.

If you haven’t seen this adorable twosome in The Nutty Professor (Amazon dvd link) in a while, check them out soon – you’ll fall in love with them all over again.

This film isn’t talked nearly enough about – it is one heckuva fun ride.

Kim Novak and James Stewart, Vertigo

February 17, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Kim Novak and James Stewart, Vertigo (1958)

The first time I saw Vertigo (Amazon dvd link), I was a teenager – it was shown on television one night when I was supposed to be doing homework. I recall being so mesmerized by Kim Novak’s beauty and talent that I could scarcely follow the movie. I just followed her!

Years later, I rewatched it and realized just what a chilling, wonderful movie it is. Trippy, yes… but an enjoyable kind of trippy.

I have to tell on my teenaged self a little here – at the time… this was before I was completely obsessed with old Hollywood, remember…. I spent half the movie thinking that the brunette Kim Novak was Yvonne DeCarlo. At some point, during the film, it occurred to me that it was Kim Novak in a dual role – making me even more impressed with her.

If you’ve never seen Vertigo – I hope you’ll check it out. Fair warning, though… don’t let Kim Novak get you under her spell – you won’t know what’s going on!