Old Movies, Actors and Actresses | Hollywood Yesterday

Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell: Hit the Deck

March 4, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell

Hit the Deck is one of those musicals that’s just a delight to watch. The dresses, the hairstyles, the shoes, the jewelry, the beautiful dancing and singing – it’s just a pleasure to watch and I take pleasure in it every time it’s on. I will be buying the dvd soon because Jane Powell is one of the stars I collect.. which means I must have everything pertaining to her – movies, magazines, books, collector’s cards, photos – ALL OF IT!

There are a number of stars who I, personally, am trying to make better known. Jane Powell is one of them. There are a few reasons why Jane Powell may not be as well-known as other actresses from old Hollywood and none of them have anything to do with the beautiful and talented actress, herself.

She only made 26 feature films. While this absolutely makes a wonderful career, fewer movies made = fewer people seeing a particular star.
Except for one (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), her movies aren’t shown as often as many other old movies.
Generally speaking, with few exceptions, musicals aren’t watched by the whole family as other films are.
While Jane Powell was/is remarkably beautiful, it was never her beauty that was publicized. Actresses who weren’t “pinups” didn’t have the free publicity that comes with being seen just about everywhere.

You can watch Hit the Deck on Prime Video or order the dvd (Amazon link).

Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell

John Wayne and Evelyn Knapp: His Private Secretary

February 28, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Mickey Rentschler, John Wayne, and Evelyn Knapp

When you think of John Wayne, no doubt you (like me) you picture him as a cowboy. Then again, you may picture him as a war hero – I’d wager to guess that most of us either picture him in cowboy boots or combat boots.

Think about it… this man wore a lot of boots!

If you’ve never seen the Western superstar in a role that involved neither a horse, gun, or boots, I beg you to seek such movies out! His Private Secretary (1933) would be a really fun place to start. No boots, no guns, no deputies and the only tank is a fuel tank… but it’s still very entertaining and it is a hoot – a perfect hoot, at that – seeing John Wayne as a regular guy.

(Continued Below the Lobby Card…)

John Wayne, Evelyn Knapp, and Mickey Rentschler

The movie stars the wonderful Evelyn Knapp as Wayne’s leading lady. She even got top-billing in this one because she was better-known at the time. She was a very beautiful and talented actress and one that has always made me wonder, “Why was she not given more roles?!”

Reginald Barlow stars as John Wayne’s dad. Alec B. Francis, Arthur Hoyt, and Natalie Kingston round out the cast.

You can find His Private Secretary on Amazon (links to the Amazon page with dvd options). It’s available on its own or (better still) part of a John Wayne collection of films. Sometimes the collections are at a better price than the individual movie.

John Wayne and Evelyn Knapp

You can find a GREAT selection of Lobby Cards on Amazon. The link leads to a page on Amazon that lists many of their lobby cards (there are many pages of them!). You have to scroll past and through a few gift cards that pop up for some reason, but there are many great lobby cards and they’re often priced very, very reasonably.

When the Daltons Rode with Kay Francis, Randolph Scott, Frank Albertson, and Andy Devine

February 27, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

When the Daltons Rode

Kay Francis, Randolph Scott, Andy Devine, Frank Albertson, Mary Gordon, Brian Donlevy, George Bancroft, Broderick Crawford, and Stuart Erwin star in the underrated 1940 western When the Daltons Rode.

Talk about an outstanding cast! Actually, I’m not sure outstanding even covers it. Kay Francis (while not nearly as well-known to the average person as Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, or Barbara Stanwyck) was second to no one when it came to talent and screen presence. I’m afraid I don’t, yet, have a lot of Kay Francis photos or information on Hollywood Yesterday. Her photos (like the popularity she deserves) are difficult to come by.

I have recently added to my Kay Francis collection, so expect to see much more of her beautiful face around these parts. Sigh, I watch so many westerns, I even talk like I live in one now. “… around these parts..” – who even says that? Apparently me and deputies, I guess.

(Continued Below…)

Randolph Scott, Broderick Crawford, and Kay Francis

When the Daltons Rode is a fictionalized story of the famous outlaw brothers, the Daltons. The story, more or less, leaves the viewer sympathizing with the Daltons and believing they were left with no choice… they HAD to become outlaws!

Needless to say, like MANY films based on real life, the story takes a LOT of liberties and, in the end, pretty much tells the story it wants to tell. Frankly, that’s all fine and well with me – fiction is often a lot more entertaining and easier to wrap your mind around.

Kay Francis and Mary Gordon

I hope you’ll seek out this western and visit with the Daltons and the women who loved them soon. This is an exceptional cast and the film is very enjoyable (I’m convinced that anything involving Frank Albertson and Andy Devine can’t help but be fun!).

You can find the dvd When the Daltons Rode on Amazon or you MAY be able to watch the movie on Prime Video – I say “MAY” because I, personally, get a message that it’s unable to be seen in my location. What the what? I mean, what does that even mean?

Oh well, I’d rather have the dvd for my Kay Francis collection anyway!

*** You can find many lobby cards on Amazon.

Anna May Wong, Island of Lost Men lobby card

February 18, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

The exotic and beautiful Anna May Wong possessed a unique quality that always mesmerizes me. She often (at once, mind you) appeared to be as fragile, lovely, and delicate as a hyacinth but as powerful, fierce, and confident as a tigress. When I watch her, it always occurs to me that she is one of the few stars who embodied such a fascinating contradiction.

Anna May Wong films can be tough to come by – whether you’re trying to watch them on television or Prime Video or looking to buy a dvd, so if you come across one… grab it!

The gorgeous Island of Lost Men Lobby Card pictured at the top IS readily available, however. The link will take you to Amazon where the card is less expensive than I’ve seen it other places.

Laurel & Hardy, Iris Adrian, and Lona Andre in Our Relations (1936)

February 16, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Daphne Pollard, Stan Laurel, Lona Andre, Betty Brown, Oliver Hardy, and Iris Adrian

I’ve seen more and more people talking about Laurel and Hardy movies the past few years than I have in many years…. maybe ever. I love it. While I hate that it’s perhaps tied to people wanting to escape hard times, I love that (once again) Laurel and Hardy are lifting spirits when they need it the most.

The photos here are from their hilarious 1936 film Our Relations. The movie stars Daphne Pollard, Stan Laurel, Alan Hale, Sidney Toler (yes, one of the Charlie Chans!) Lona Andre, Betty Brown, Oliver Hardy, and Iris Adrian.

Iris Adrian

I have recently become such a huge fan of both Iris Adrian and Lona Andre. I hadn’t seen either of them in many films but, after watching a few, they now have a huge fan sitting here in Kentucky chugging on coffee and searching for them on eBay.

It can be a challenge to find Our Relations on television or on dvd (as a single film). It, unfortunately, doesn’t appear to be on Prime Video yet, either. The only place I have personally been able to find it is as a mini collection on dvd on Amazon. It’s very inexpensive and more than worth ordering.

Stan Laurel and Lona Andre

Maureen O’Hara McLintock! Lobby Cards

February 15, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bruce Cabot and Maureen O’Hara, McLintock!

The lobby card above features Maureen O’Hara and Bruce Cabot in the wonderfully fun western McLintock! The 1963 film, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, boasts an unbelievably strong and colorful cast. In addition to Cabot and O’Hara, the film stars John Wayne, Stefanie Powers, Patrick Wayne, Yvonne DeCarlo, Chill Wills, Jerry Van Dyke, Edgar Buchanan, and Jack Kruschen.

You can watch McLintock on Prime Video or buy the dvd on Amazon for your collection.

Fellow Lobby Card Fanatics and Collectors, you can find a great collection of lobby cards on both eBay and Amazon. I’ve always been aware of the availability of the cards on eBay but have only recently become aware of the great number on Amzaon.

Maureen O’Hara McLintock Lobby Card (love this one!)

Diana Sands, Sidney Poitier, and Ruby Dee – A Raisin in the Sun (LOVE this Photo!)

February 12, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Diana Sands, Sidney Poitier, and Ruby Dee

Diana Sands, Sidney Poitier, and Ruby Dee starred in the wonderful 1961 film A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Daniel Petrie. I wanted a photo from the film for my picture of the day and thought I’d use one of my favorite pictures from any film!

Sidney Poitier’s charisma, energy, and sheer God-given talent makes him one of the greatest stars of our time. Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Claudia McNeil are just as excellent in the film – and, if we’re being completely honest, not a one of these powerful actresses gets her due.

If you’ve never seen A Raisin in the Sun or if (like me) it’s been entirely too long since you visited these remarkable characters, I hope you’ll find it on Prime Video or, better yet, add the dvd (links to the Criterion Collection dvd on Amazon… one’s already in my cart!) to your collection. I have one dvd in my Ruby Dee collection and one on the way for my Sidney Poitier collection. Yes, as a matter of fact, I take my old Hollywood collections VERY seriously… or could you tell?!!?

Olympe Bradna: A Real “Knockout” Picture of the Day

February 11, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Olympe Bradna, Knockout (1941)

Pictured above is the beautiful French actress Olympe Bradna (1920–2012). While her name, today, is only familiar to true fans of classic Hollywood, Olympe was a wonderful actress and truly one of the most beautiful stars of her era.

When she signed with Paramount in 1936, she was introduced to American audiences with a publicity campaign that, among other things, gave the pronunciation of her first name as “O-lamp.”

The puclicity photo above is for the 1941 movie Knockout (directed by William Clemens). The movie also starred Arthur Kennedy, Anthony Quinn, Virginia Field, and Cliff Edwards.

James Garner and Sally Field Make Murphy’s Romance a PERFECT Movie

February 10, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

When I hear the words “perfect movie,” a particular little group of personal favorites comes to mind. One of the first ones to come to mind is represented here by its phenomenal stars, Sally Field and James Garner…. Murphy’s Romance.

What an absolutely breathtakingly wonderful movie it is!

I recently revisited the movie (for probably the 10th time since first seeing it in 1985). What can I say… I’m completely obsessed with this movie?!

Sally Field and James Garner: Perfect Cast, Perfect Movie

The only reason I don’t have 1,000 posts on Hollywood Yesterday about Murphy’s Romance is simple… I only started branching out to include movies from the 80s. Let’s face it – we’re getting further and further from a decade that often feels like was 10 years ago. I won’t ruin your day with the math, but a movie from 1985 more than qualifies for a blog celebrating great films and stars of yesterday – even if many from its cast are still very much with us and working on a daily basis.

In honor of Murphy’s Romance, I just created a category titled, “Perfect Movies” and I am in love with the idea of this movie representing the first movie in the category.

You can (and SHOULD) find Murphy’s Romance on Prime Video or, do like I do with my very favorites, add it to your collection on dvd (Murphy’s Romance on dvd – link to Amazon).

PERFECT

Ginger Rogers: Sitting Pretty (Was she ever?!) Publicity Pics

February 8, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ginger Rogers, Sitting Pretty

Ginger Rogers, Jack Oakie, and Jack Haley starred in the 1933 musical-comedy Sitting Pretty (directed by Harry Joe Brown).

Unfortunately you don’t hear much about this one and it is RARELY shown on television, but it’s a lot of fun. The three leads are, as always, perfectly delightful in every way. Ginger Rogers was as beautiful as she was talented and her gift for comedy doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

As I said, this one is hardly ever shown on television – it’s one that pretty much has to be found on dvd. Problem is, that, too, can prove almost impossible! If you DO find it, grab it so it doesn’t get away!