Joi | Hollywood Yesterday

BOTD, the Amazing, Adorable, Beautiful, Talented, and Beloved Debbie Reynolds!

April 1, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Debbie Reynolds, How the West Was Won

I have a confession to make and I do so reluctantly… and with much shame! I used to not care a lot for Singin’ in the Rain.

Wait… it gets worse.

The reason I didn’t care for it has a lot to do with a lady who is now one of my favorite actresses… Debbie Reynolds! It never was anything against her, personally, mind you. She was beautiful and incredibly talented. I just didn’t see a single spark between her or Gene Kelly.

It honestly took seeing the movie 5-6 times for me to actually fall in love with it! Once I fell under its spell, I totally accepted the two stars together. I still don’t think they had as much chemistry with one another as they had with other co-stars, but there was more than enough, thank you very much.

Debbie Reynolds was born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso, Texas on April 1, 1932. She would go on to become a household name, as well as one of the most beloved stars of all time. I, personally, believe she was (and is) as loved as Betty White, Olivia de Havilland, and Morgan Freeman.

If you’ve never read Debbie Reynolds’ memoirs, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend them. She was a naturally gifted writer and, believe me, her humor will catch you off guard! I reviewed Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds on the blog – it is a wonderful and hilarious book.

Debbie Reynolds and Tony Curtis, The Rat Race

Jean Peters and Ray Milland: It Happens Every Spring (1949)

March 31, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jean Peters

Beautiful Jean Peters absolutely should be better-known than she is. Sure, those of us who spend most of our days and nights in old Hollywood know her beautiful face, voice, name, and talent. It’s the rest of the world I’m talking about. They should know this lovely lady!

Time for us all to make more noise about the ones who aren’t household names yet – while (of course) continuing to sing the praises of those who already are household names.

After all, we don’t want any of them to lose their footing!

This photo of Jean Peters is from the 1949 film It Happens Every Spring. Tomorrow is opening day for baseball, and since it’s one of the things I love as much as old Hollywood, I’ll be posting photos from baseball movies for a few days to celebrate.

How could I not?!

It Happens Every Spring is about a chemistry professor (played by Ray Milland) who accidentally discovers a compound that causes baseballs to curve. He uses this knowledge to become a pitching phenomenon!

You can find It Happens Every Spring on dvd (Amazon Link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Jean Peters and Ray Milland, It Happens Every Spring

Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds: Singin’ in the Rain Promo Pic

March 30, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds

One of the best-loved movies in the history of movies is represented by the pictures here… Singin’ in the Rain. While I love the cast, I used to have a problem with the chemistry between Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. I’ve always loved both stars to distraction (and back) but the lack of chemistry or spark between them always caused me to enjoy the movie a bit less than most people are able to.

While I still don’t think they had much of a spark, I revisited the iconic movie recently and loved it more than I ever have. There’s absolutely enough spark there to make things work!

I think my problem may have been three-fold:

I watch a lot (make that A LOT) of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies… as in over and over… and their chemistry was off the charts.
One of my favorite musicals is An American in Paris and Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron had TONS of chemistry.
I frequently watch other Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly films where they have so much rapport with their co-stars – for example, Debbie Reynolds and James Garner sparked so much you could FEEL it (see How Sweet It Is for proof!).

I finally managed to get out of my own way and appreciate this wonderful movie for what it is – a truly iconic, feel-great musical that deserves the fame it enjoys. Sometimes we have to do just that… get out of our own way and allow the magic to come shining through.

When it comes to old Hollywood, it almost always does.

You can find Singin’ in the Rain (Amazon link) on dvd or watch it on Prime Video (link to Amazon’s Prime Video).

How Sweet It Is with James Garner, Debbie Reynolds, and Maurice Ronet

March 25, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

How Sweet It Is! (1968)

James Garner and Debbie Reynolds are two of my absolute favorites, so (in spite of its lack of popularity) I had high hopes for How Sweet It Is (1968). When I saw that it also starred the hilarious Paul Lynde (in a relatively small, but VERY memorable role), the hopes went through the roof.

As soon as the opening sequence began, I knew this was going to be a 60s-licious experience. The Sixties had a vibe, a charisma, and a magic not seen in any other decade. You see it in the colors, you see it in the fonts used, you see it in the hairstyles, clothes, cars, peace signs, and furnishings and you hear it in the music. Frankly, I love every single second and lap it up like a kitten does cream.

The movie hits the ground running and never slows down. You know how some movies (even the ones that end up being great) start slow or maybe hit a dip somewhere in the middle? The sort of scenes you fast-forward through when you’re rewatching them? How Sweet It Is doesn’t have a single scene I’d fast-forward through if… make that when… I revisit it.

Now, if you were to launch out and read other reviews from critics (something I’d certainly never recommend doing… more on that in a minute), you may see that the humor was lost on some. The problem is, I’m not sure even half of people who watch movies are capable of just watching a movie for what it is – entertainment. People ask too much from a movie, in my opinion.

I keep it pretty simple. I don’t want it to bore me. That’s it. That’s what I ask from it – keep me entertained… keep me thinking… keep me engaged in some manner. Just don’t bore me!

I don’t care if a movie doesn’t make perfect sense every step of the way (I mean, seriously, if it’s REALITY someone is looking for, why bother turning on a movie in the first place?).

How Sweet It Is has an outrageously good time and I couldn’t have enjoyed joining in on the fun any more than I did. James Garner, Debbie Reynolds, Maurice Ronet, and Paul Lynde were hilarious and seemed to very much enjoy working together.

How Sweet It Is… Hilarious Movie!

I hope you’ll find and watch this colorful movie, yourself, soon. Life is seldom sweeter than it is when you’re smiling and laughing – two wonderful side effects of watching this film.

You can find How Sweet It Is on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video!

Maurice Ronet

Lena Horne, Meet Me in Las Vegas (Gorgeous!)

March 24, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne

Today is one of those days when I have a gazillion and one things to do. On days like this, I always choose photos for picture of the day that speak for themselves. What better star to turn to than one of my absolute favorites, Lena Horne. With her beauty and grace, her photos don’t just speak for themselves, they scream!

This photo of the gorgeous Lena Horne are from Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956).

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to put on one of my Lena Horne LPs and get busy. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Birthday to Joan Crawford: BOTD in 1904

March 23, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Joan Crawford

One of the most polarizing stars from old Hollywood was also one of the stars that supplied it (bountifully!) with its glitz and glamor… the talented and beautiful Joan Crawford. I spent a great deal of time (entirely too much, if we’re being honest) trying to decide what movie or what pictures to use for today’s pictures of the day in her honor.

While photos from a movie she walked out on (Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte) and from a tough time in her life may seem bizarre on my part, there’s a method to my madness.

She began work on the film which co-starred Bette Davis (a huge nemesis of Crawford’s!), but was ultimately replaced by Olivia de Havilland when Joan bowed out very early in filming.

It’s apparent that this was a very difficult time for the star – undoubtedly made worse by working with a star she disliked so strongly.

When Joan was replaced, Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland carried out a “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” routine by toasting one another with Coca-Cola (a nudge to Joan Crawford’s husband having been an executive of Pepsi-Cola and that she was now on the board of directors). Joining in on the toast were co-star Joseph Cotten and director Robert Aldrich.

So, it is quite apparent that there was no love to be found for Joan Crawford on the set of this film. Now, I’m not saying she was exactly an angel, herself! All I’m saying is that Joan had to have been completely miserable around this time… not just miserable… but completely miserable. Not only was she fighting father time, she undoubtedly must have often felt like she was fighting everyone at every turn.

So why choose these two pictures from such an unhappy time? Look at them. What do you see?

I see the posture of a queen and the unshakable confidence of a grand Hollywood legend. I see Joan Crawford holding her head up high… letting everyone fighting her know that they weren’t going to beat her down.

That’s why I chose these two pictures. Because they represent what I love the most about Joan Crawford.

Happiest of birthdays to one of the stars who made old Hollywood one of my favorite places on earth.

Jane Powell and Howard Keel: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Promotional Picture

March 22, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jane Powell and Howard Keel

I can’t say with absolute certainty that Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is the first musical I ever saw, but it IS the first one I remember. I loved everything about it, then, as a little girl, and I love everything about it now… with three little girls of my own all grown!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was directed by Stanley Donen and boasts an absolutely incredible cast including Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Russ Tamlyn, Jeff Richards, Julie Newmar, and Ruta Lee. It’s beautiful, joyful, and deliciously colorful entertainment that is timeless.

(Continued Below…)

An interesting bit of trivia about this wonderful musical: MGM had (for whatever reasons!) low financial expectations for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. With these low expectations in mind, they chose to allocate resources, instead, to Rose Marie and Brigadoon. Ironically, neither of these films had anywhere near the commercial and critical success of Seven Brides.

In fact, Seven Brides is, to this day, the most popular of the three!

You can watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on Prime Video (Amazon link) or buy the dvd (link to the dvd on Amazon).

Anne Jeffreys and George Murphy, Step Lively Publicity Photo

March 21, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Anne Jeffreys and George Murphy

One of the things that fascinates me most about being an old Hollywood fanatic is the fact that you can watch these delightful films for well over half your life and STILL come across “new to you” stars – new stars who you fall hook, line, and sinker for!

Somehow I had spent my entire life without seeing any of Anne Jeffreys’ movies. I had loved her back in the day on General Hospital. I always loved to see her character show up because she was so regal, feminine, strong, and beautiful. She had an air of royalty about her that mesmerized me. Another General Hospital star, Constance Towers had a very, very similar air about her. I loved seeing them show up, not only because of these traits but also because trouble almost always followed or preceded them!

Flash forward a few years (okay, let’s be honest… many years) to 2021. I caught the beautiful Anne Jeffreys in a Randolph Scott movie I was watching. At the risk of getting off-topic and having to scamper back… a sport I excel at… Randolph Scott is also a star who recently bolted into my “absolute favorites” tier. Sometimes (like Anne Jeffreys) the star is completely new to you on film and other times (like Randolph Scott), you simply have to see enough of their work to become a huge fan.

Any way, back to lovely Anne. I was watching Randolph Scott’s Return of the Bad Men for the first time and hadn’t even glanced at the other stars in the film. Sometimes I love to do this wiht a ” “new to me” movie…. sort of, you know, see who shows up! Anne’s character (Cheyenne) rode up on a horse and, while I knew it wasn’t Ginger Rogers (because I know all of her films and have seen most of them), I thought it had to be her long-lost twin. Same beautiful confident charisma, same beautiful hair, and a pretty darn similar lovely face.

Then I leaned in closer and realized I knew this particular actress from somewhere. Funny how the mind works, but when I put pause on the movie with her loveliness on the screen, I knew it was from a television show.

I even suspected it was from one in color, and that she was a little bit of a snob! I allowed the scene to play out and when she turned her head, I knew exactly who it was. I literally said, “Anne Jeffreys! Fancy meeting you here.”

As I watched the movie, I kept wondering…

How in the world have her movies escaped me until now?!
Why was she not used in more films in old Hollywood?!
How is she not a household name along with other stars from the era?!
How fast can I find, watch, and collect all of the movies she was in?!

Fortunately my second Anne Jeffreys movie (Step Lively, 1944) wasn’t difficult to find. I loved that it also starred a few who I already loved, George Murphy, Frank SinatraAdolphe Menjou, Gloria DeHaven, and Walther Slezak.

I’ve also begun “collecting” Anne Jeffreys along with my other favorites. In fact, the first photograph is on the way as I type these words and subsequent ones won’t be far behind. She has such a special screen presence and so much charisma that she commands every scene she’s in. There’s a certain magic some stars from classic Hollywood had and she’s one of them. I am honestly mystified why she wasn’t cast in more lead roles.

Suffice to say, you’ll be seeing a lot more of Anne Jeffreys on Hollywood Yesterday right away. I’m having a little trouble finding many photos of her, but trust me, I’m on the job!

You can find Step Lively (Amazon link) on dvd or watch on Prime Video.

I was pleasantly surprised that you can also find Return of the Bad Men (Amazon link) on dvd and on Prime Video. What a great time to be alive!

Henry Fonda, Once Upon a Time in the West

March 18, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda, Once Upon a Time in the West

Henry Fonda is, without a doubt, one of my VERY favorite actors. Has been for as long as I can remember. I’m such a huge fan that, I have a confession to make – part of me actually kind of judges a person’s opinions if he isn’t on their list of favorite actors!

Seriously, a part of me (that I never allow out to play) says, “How in the world can you consider yourself a fan of classic Hollywood or films, in general, if Henry Fonda isn’t on your list of favorite actors?!”

Okay, there you have it. My dirty little secret. When it comes to my favorites, one of the little voices in my head isn’t very nice… but, by gosh, is she ever loyal!

(Continued below Henry Fonda giving a menacing look – the same one I give people who don’t name him on their list!)

Henry Fonda, Once Upon a Time in the West

These photos are from his wonderful 1968 western Once Upon a Time in the West (originally titled C’era una volta il West). The movie was directed one of my favorite directors, Sergio Leone, and also starred Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, Gabriele Ferzetti, and Keenan Wynn.

You can find Once Upon a Time in the West (Amazon link) on dvd or watch it on Prime Video.

Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson, Once Upon a Time in the West

Happy St. Patrick’s Day with One of My VERY Favorite Movies, The Quiet Man

March 17, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barry Fitzgerald and Maureen O’Hara, The Quiet Man

We all have that movie (or movies) that are extra special to us. We put it in the dvd player or turn on the television and INSTANTLY everything is wonderful in our little world.

The Quiet Man is one of those magical movies for me. From the gorgeousness of Ireland to the PERFECT cast (Maureen O’Hara, John Wayne, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen…), this movie hypnotizes me each and every time I watch it.

(Continued Below…)

One of the things I love best about The Quiet Man is its beautiful simplicity. John Ford (one of the greatest directors of all time) took a beautiful love story, found a beautiful setting, and assembled the perfect cast…. all while allowing Ireland and its extraordinary people to be front and center.

(Continued Below…)

While I have a busy day in front of me, behind me, and all around me – I just wanted to quickly pay tribute to this glorious movie by making it the pictures of the day.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

You can find The Quiet Man (Collector’s DVD on Amazon) on dvd or watch on Prime Video.