Old Movies, Actors and Actresses | Hollywood Yesterday

Dorothy McGuire, The Spiral Staircase (A Haunting Performance!)

September 28, 2022 By Joi

Dorothy McGuire, The Spiral Staircase

I realize I just recently had a post about The Spiral Staircase… VERY recently in fact! So to have yet another one this soon may seem odd, but what can I say?

It’s one of my favorite movies.
It’s Halloween Season!
It’s one of my favorite movies.

This wonderful 1946 horror-suspense film was directed by Robert Siodmak and features a flawless cast including Ethel Barrymore, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Rhonda Fleming, Gordon Oliver, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Allgood, and Kent Smith. Each gives a memorable performance with Elsa Lanchester, as ALWAYS, daring you to take your eyes off of her for one second.

One of my favorite actresses, Ethel Barrymore, also gives a stand-out performance, but let’s make no mistake about it, this is Dorothy McGuire’s film and she gives an extraordinary performance. a haunting performance in fact. This was actually my first Dorothy McGuire movie and I vowed, immediately, to see every film she ever made. She was always wonderful but this remains my favorite of all of her excellent performances.

You can find The Spiral Staircase on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link).

Dorothy McGuire, The Spiral Staircase

Henry Fonda, Young Mr. Lincoln (Excellent Movie, Excellent Performance)

September 27, 2022 By Joi

Henry Fonda as Abraham Lincoln in Young Mr. Lincoln

When two or more of your favorites combine for one film, very often it’s a personal case of movie magic. It’s certainly the case for me with Henry Fonda and John Ford in their excellent 1939 film Young Mr. Lincoln. It’s one of my top favorite movies, and… really… how could it not be?! Ironically, it’s a film Henry Fonda had to pretty much be talked into making simply because he had so much respect for Abraham Lincoln. He was afraid he couldn’t do the great man justice. Fortunately, John Ford saw the greatness in Henry Fonda and convinced him to step into the extraordinary shoes of Lincoln. He actually accepted the role after John Ford had him make a screen test. Fonda later told an interviewer, “I felt as if I were portraying Christ himself on film.” Henry Fonda is nothing short of brilliant in the role. With ingenious film shots and special shoes, Fonda achieved the appearance of being taller and, with his flawless acting talent, he did the rest. The movie is absolutely wonderful and, if you haven’t seen it, I hope you’ll watch it as soon as possible. If you HAVE seen it, revisit it soon and fall in love with movie-making all over again. The movie also stars Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Donald Meek, Arleen Whelan, Eddie Collins, Pauline Moore, Richard Comwell, Ward Bond, and Eddie Quillan.

You can find Young Mr. Lincoln on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon link)

Henry Fonda, Young Mr. Lincoln

Ethel Barrymore in The Spiral Staircase (PERFECT Suspense/Horror Movie from 1946)

September 26, 2022 By Joi

Ethel Barrymore, The Spiral Staircase

One of my favorite movies (not just favorite classic horror movies, but favorite movies, period) is the spell-binding 1946 horror film The Spiral Staircase (directed by Robert Siodmak). While it is categorized as a horror movie, I’d call it more of a suspense, but we’ll just go with “horror” since we’re this close to Halloween.

The movie stars one of my absolute favorites, Ethel Barrymore, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Rhonda Fleming, Gordon Oliver, Elsa Lanchester (SUBLIME as ever), Sara Allgood, and Kent Smith.

The cast is absolutely flawless in a film that’s suspenseful, extraordinarily directed, entertaining, well-written, and downright spellbinding. If you’ve never seen this one, I really hope you’ll check it out this Halloween season. It isn’t necessarily “scary” and won’t give even the biggest scaredy cat (ME!) nightmares. It’s just an outstanding film, period.

You can find The Spiral Staircase on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link).

Ann Dvorak, I Was an American Spy (One of Her Last Movies)

September 25, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak

The picture here is the beautiful Ann Dvorak in the 1925 war drama I Was an American Spy (directed by Lesley Selander). This was, unfortunately, the second-to-last movie Ann made. Her last film, The Secret of Convict Lake also came out in 1951.

I’ve undoubtedly confessed my love and admiration many times on Hollywood Yesterday (as well as on Twitter). I will be adding a lot more of this wonderful actress (who has become one of my top ten favorites) as I accumulate more photos of her to add! Unfortunately my resources are currently pretty limited but, trust me, I am scouring eBay, Amazon, and everywhere possible to find more for my personal collection, as well as more to add to the old Hollywood blog.

You can find I Was an American Spy on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Also See: Read my review of the wonderful Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice.

Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, and Jules Munshin: On the Town (Wonderful Musical, Perfect Cast)

September 24, 2022 By Joi

Vera-Ellen and Gene Kelly, On the Town

On the Town (1949, directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly) is such a wonderful musical – each time I see it, the same thoughts swirl around my head….

We simply do NOT talk enough about Vera-Ellen. She was an absolute treasure and treasures should be loudly celebrated.
Frank Sinatra, while (deservedly) celebrated for his music, voice, entertainment skills, and charisma, does not get enough credit for his acting. He had so much talent as an actor and was VERY versatile. Drama, musicals, comedy – there wasn’t a role out of his reach.
Betty Garrett was the very definition of a flawless performer. She was mesmerizing in every role, every scene… so much energy and always so fun to watch. Whatever film this actress made, she made you fall in love with her character AND her!
Jules Munshin was an absolute GENIUS… he managed (with aplomb!) not to get lost in scenes with not one but TWO iconic legends in Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Seriously.. how does one even think about pulling that off? What’s more, he even manages to steal a few scenes. This wonderful performer should have been given more roles. He was truly something else!
Speaking of “should have been given more,” one of the first names that always comes to mind with these words is the stunningly beautiful and talented Ann Miller. She was never anything less than a knock-out and, like Jules, a complete scene-stealer… yet, Hollywood consistently relegated her to supporting roles or the “second female.” She was capable and deserving of so much more.

Frank Sinatra

On the Town was the third (and final) movie Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra made together. Frank Sinatra would go on to say in an interview, “I could never dance, but Gene Kelly made me look like I could.”

Could have fooled me!

Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra

Ironically, when I first saw the movie (as a teenager), my initial response to the pairing of Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra was negative…. okay, hugely negative. Why? I have no idea. But I distinctly remember the characters all showing up on my tv screen and my mentally pairing them up differently… Frank Sinatra with Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly with Ann Miller, and Betty Garrett with Jules Munshin.

Yes… pairing them completely different than they were in actuality! When it became apparent how each couple was to be paired, I was okay with two of the three but completely not buying into Betty and Frank.

Long story short, they won me over before the movie was even half over. What’s more, guess which pair is my favorite each and every time I revisit this movie. You guessed it, Frank and Betty.

Having said that, I love each couple with all my heart, but… well… feel a little something extra for the one I took a few minutes to warm up to.

Ann Miller and Jules Munshin

You can find On the Town on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the magic on Prime Video.

Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, The Vampire Bat (1933)

September 23, 2022 By Joi

Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, The Vampire Bat

The Vampire Bat came out the same year as King Kong… our heroine Fay Wray went through an awful lot during the early 30s… monsters everywhere! Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray are excellent in this film which also stars the wonderful Melvyn Douglas, Maude Eburne, and George E. Stone.

This one’s perfect for getting in the mood for Halloween and VERY much worth adding to your movie collection!

You can find The Vampire Bat on dvd (Amazon link), on Blu-ray (Amazon link), or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, The Vampire Bat

Fay Wray and Gary Cooper, The Legion of the Condemned

September 22, 2022 By Joi

Fay Wray and Gary Cooper

The Legion of the Condemned (1928) is, sadly, a lost film. The silent drama was directed by William A. Wellman and the cast included Fay Wray, Gary Cooper, and Barry Norton. While I save words such as “tragic” for the loss of human life, it is an especially sad thing that the work of director William A. Wellman, the writers, the crew, and the cast can’t be enjoyed and appreciated by film fans.

Of course, there’s always hope that a copy will be found in someone’s attic, basement, hope chest, or even storage unity. Wouldn’t that be amazing?! Imagine, being able to see a film that had been lost for so long?

Almost too wonderful to think about!

Jerry Lewis and Marion Marshall in Sailor Beware and The Stooge

September 21, 2022 By Joi

Jerry Lewis and Marion Marshall, Sailor Beware

One of my favorite actors is Jerry Lewis – I have always loved people who make me laugh, and boy, does he ever?!?! One of my favorite of his leading ladies is the wonderful Marion Marshall. I love them in Sailor Beware (1952) and even more so in The Stooge (1951). She is a wonderful co-star for Lewis – she gives him the space to do his wonderful thing but doesn’t get lost in the moment.

She had a GREAT gift for comedy as well and it’s more than apparent in her films.

You can find The Stooge and Sailor Beware (Sailor Beware is part of a Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin Collection) on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon links).

You can also find watch many of Jerry Lewis’ films on Prime Video (links to The Nutty Professor, but many others are also available).

Jerry Lewis and Marion Marshall, The Stooge

Happy Birthday to the Wonderful Sophia Loren!

September 20, 2022 By Joi

Sophia Loren, Legend of the Lost

We celebrate the life, career, and radiance of Sophia Loren on her birthday. Sofia Scicolone was born in Rome, Lazio, Italy in 1934. Her career is filled with mesmerizing performances and wonderfully entertaining films.

“The two big advantages I had at birth were to have been born wise and to have been born in poverty.” ~ Sophia Loren

Happiest of birthdays to a radiant light that keeps shining brightly.

The Wonderful Adam West was BOTD in 1928

September 19, 2022 By Joi

Adam West as Batman

One of the most lovable and iconic television stars ever, Adam West, was BOTD in 1928 in Walla Walla Washington. While there are many things to love about this talented actor, one of the things I love most is the fact that he embraced his famous role and the series and movies that came with it. No pretentious “I deserved better” attitude or belittling Batman’s fanbase or anything of the kind.

Major respect for him and the way he treated his fans and the show that made him a household name.

You can find the Batman Television Series on DVD (Amazon link).