Joi | Hollywood Yesterday

Vincent Price Quotes About His Laura Co-Star, Gene Tierney

October 11, 2023 By Joi

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price, Laura

Laura (directed by Otto Preminger) premiered on October 11, 1944 in New York City. The iconic and hugely popular film-noir stars Gene Tierney, Vincent Price, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, and Judith Andrews.

The entire cast is phenomenal but, in my personal opinion the stars you see above steal the film… Vincent Price and Gene Tierney were, quite frankly, quilty of stealing a lot of films.

I find the quotes below, by Vincent Price about Gene Tierney to be fascinating for several reasons…

1. His respect for and adoration of Gene Tierney are palpable and greatly understandable.
2. I’m fascinated by his quotes about her appearance. When I first read them, I thought, “Well, since he met her when she was a teenager, he probably simply doesn’t see her as the rest of the world does!” But, after reading MANY of this wonderfully hilarious actor’s quotes and seeing many interviews showcasing his great wit, I believe he was being sarcastic… you can even see him trying to keep a straight face while saying the words. I mean, after all, look at her. There’s no way he could have been serious OR that nearsighted lol.

“Gene was the most underrated actress that we ever had! I’ve known her since she was about 17; and I adored her! She really wasn’t a great beauty or sex idol. When you look at Laura (1944), and people ask why it has lasted, I think it’s because of Gene Tierney. There’s no way she can look dated. Her hair looks modern, her clothes. She didn’t have a great body, but had a body that wore clothes well.” ~ Vincent Price

“No one but Gene Tierney could have played Laura. There was no other actress around with her particular combination of beauty, breeding and mystery.” ~ Vincent Price

You can find Laura on dvd, Blu-ray, or Prime Video (Amazon link)

Gene Tierney, Laura

Audrey Hepburn Quote: I Believe in Pink… I Believe in Miracles..

October 10, 2023 By Joi

Audrey Hepburn defined grace, beauty, elegance, intelligence, and style. Come to think of it, she defined many glorious words… and all of them excellent!

One of my favorite of her quotes (and there are MANY) is below. I believe each and every word sums up the beautiful and iconic actress and humanitarian, herself.

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Wall Art

2023 Christmas Ideas for Old Hollywood Fans:

October 9, 2023 By Joi

The ridiculously cute and comfortable- looking lounge pants (Amazon link) pictured here are available on Amazon and would make an ideal gift idea for anyone who loves old Hollywood and Marilyn Monroe.

They’re also available with Audrey Hepburn and Betty Boop – equally adorable!.

FEATURES:

90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
Imported
Drawstring Waist closure
Machine Wash

See lounge pants (Amazon link) for a closer look!

Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier, Our Virgin Island

October 8, 2023 By Joi

Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier

Our Virgin Island (1958) was a drama romance, directed by Pat Jackson. A visually beautiful film, it has a lot going for it. It’s main asset, in my opinion, is the always wonderful pairing of Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier. The two worked so beautifully together and deserve much more attention when conversations about great screen couples come up.

They were magical together and had the kind of spark film directors always dream of.

The cast also includes John Cassavetes, Isabel Dean, Virginia Maskell, Howard Marion-Crawford, and Colin Gordon.

To feature one of Hollywood’s all-time biggest stars in Sidney Poitier, it’s surprising that this film is SELDOM (all caps) ever shown on television. You truly have to make a point out of finding it yourself.

Unfortunately the dvd isn’t available at this time and it isn’t on Prime Video. If these dire situations ever change, I’ll come back here and joyfully update this post!

Twentieth Century with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard

October 6, 2023 By Joi

John Barrymore and Carole Lombard, Twentieth Century

In honor of Carole Lombard’s birthday, I enjoyed (make that GREATLY enjoyed) a rewatch of one of my favorite screwball comedies, Twentieth Century (Amazon dvd link). The hilarious film was directed by the wonderful Howard Hawks and stars the equally wonderful John Barrymore and Carole Lombard in the lead roles.

Some consider this comedy a bit of a stretch… maybe over the top.. but I love it with every fiber of my being. As far as I’m concerned a film can seldom be TOO over the top because that’s where the fun often is! As I’ve said countless times, the only time I get annoyed with a film is when it bores me.

The ultimate, unpardonable sin for a movie to commit in my little world! If a film asks me to extend my imagination or to believe the unbelievable… I don’t hesitate for a single second. I’m always ready, willing, and able to go as far with them as they want me to go.

Just don’t bore me… that’s my only requirement as a traveling companion. Keep my attention… keep me entertained… make me laugh or make me cry. Make me wish, for the duration of the film, that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Twentieth Century does all that and more.

John Barrymore and Carole Lombard, Twentieth Century

After filming of Twentieth Century (Amazon dvd link) ended, John Barrymore gave Carole Lombard an autographed photo he’d autographed with a tribute she must’ve treasured: “To the finest actress I have worked with, bar none.”

High praise, indeed, from an actor who worked with some of the greatest talents the world has ever known. However, the praise is completely understandable – Carole Lombard was the very definition of the word special. Her charisma, talent, beauty, and spark (which came from within) comes through in every film she made.

Something else comes through loud and clear in each of her films as well – she, literally, made everyone around her “step up their game” whether they (or she) knew it or not. I don’t just watch and enjoy old movies…. I kind of study them, for lack of a better word, and I have noticed that the stars around her in a film (while often brilliant in other films as well… such as William Powell, Kay Francis, Cary Grant or Clark Gable) seem even more inspired, even more ALIVE than ever.

Personally I think it’s never more obvious or true than with the great John Barrymore. Wonderful in all films, he (somehow) seems even more inspired, motivated, and ALIVE in Twentieth Century with Carole Lombard than any of his other films.

I call it that Lombard magic and it never, ever fails to fascinate me.

You can find Twentieth Century (Amazon dvd link) on dvd – no film collection is complete without this one!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Ann Sheridan and George Raft, They Drive by Night

August 18, 2023 By Joi

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)

Stunning Ann Sheridan Canvas Poster on Amazon… Perfect Gift Idea (for Them or YOU!)

August 17, 2023 By Joi

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”)

The Wonderful Ethel Barrymore was BOTD in 1879

August 15, 2023 By Joi

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: Beautiful Desert Legion (1953) Promotional Pictures

August 15, 2023 By Joi

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, A Southern Yankee (1948)

August 11, 2023 By Joi

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.