1930s Movies | Hollywood Yesterday

Mary Pickford in a Great Promotional Picture for Kiki (1931)

November 14, 2022 By Joi

Mary Pickford, Kiki (1932)

Mary Pickford meant (and means) so much to old Hollywood. I’m convinced that her drive, talent, brains, beauty, and vision helped shape Hollywood and film-making as we know them. She’s also one of those stars who you honestly love more each time you see them.

Frankly, some stars aren’t quite like this – you’ll like them, love them, dislike them… or feel lukewarm about them, often changing with each film or performance! Thankfully there are many who, like Mary Pickford, simply keep your emotions moving in the right direction.

Ann Sheridan and John Litel, Alcatraz Island Publicity Photo

March 26, 2022 By Joi

Ann Sheridan and John Litel, Alcatraz Island

Ann Sheridan and John Litel star in the 1937 crime drama, Alcatraz Island. Directed by William C. McGann, the movie also stars Mary Maguire and Gordon Oliver.

This was the first film set in the prison on Alcatraz Island, which had opened in 1934 and is a better film than its lack of popularity would lead you to believe.

Cary Grant: The Vault Collection (Plus a Photo from Madame Butterfly, 1932)

October 22, 2021 By Joi

Ready or not (are we ever completely ready??), Christmas is just around the corner and, if you haven’t already, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas gift ideas!

I’m one of those Christmas FANATICS that actually shops and plans for Christmas year round. Seriously, I keep totes to put great things I see and buy throughout the year for loved ones. When you have a large family, it’s really the only shot you have… shop early and shop often!

I even plan and practice special cookies, pies, cakes, and side dishes throughout the year for both Christmas and Thanksgiving. My family hasn’t complained about this fetish once.

Beginning today, I’ll be adding more and more “gift ideas for Old Hollywood fans” on the blog. I figured a wonderful place to begin is with one of everyone’s favorite actors, Cary Grant. What better gift for a lover of old movies than a Cary Grant collection?!

This DVD Box Set is the Cary Grant: The Vault Collection (Amazon link). It includes 18 of his wonderful early films, including..

His feature film debut, This Is the Night (1932)
Devil and the Deep (1932)
Blonde Venus (1932)
Hot Saturday (1932)
Madame Butterfly (1932)
She Done Him Wrong (1933)
The Woman Accused (1933)
The Eagle and the Hawk (1933)
Gambling Ship (1933)
I’m No Angel (1933)
Thirty Day Princess (1934)
Kiss and Make-Up (1934)
Ladies Should Listen (1934)
Enter Madame! (1935)
Wings in the Dark (1935)
The Last Outpost (1935)
Big Brown Eyes (1936)
Wedding Present (1936)

The thing I love so much about this collection is the fact that these are films hardly ever (if ever!) shown on television. They’re also films that are downright impossible to find on their own. The only way to own rare movies like these are usually ONLY when you buy them in a collection. I’ve run into this so many times when building my own private dvd collections of my favorites (including Cary Grant). This collection is absolute gold for old movie fans – especially those of us who love Cary Grant!

Please see Cary Grant: The Vault Collection (Amazon link) for a closer look!

Cary Grant in Madame Butterfly (1932)

Jean Harlow, Mary Astor, and Clark Gable, Red Dust (1932)

September 26, 2021 By Joi

Jean Harlow and Clark Gable

One of my favorite films is the 1932 drama Red Dust, directed by Victor Fleming. Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, and Mary Astor are absolutely wonderful in this movie and the charisma between the three of them is what you could only call magic.

The story was retold in the 1953 film and I’ll just say this… personally, they should have never tried to retell it. Even though Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, and especially Ava Gardner are wonderful in it, the magic simply wasn’t there – through absolutely no fault of the stars or the legendary director John Ford. Magic either exists or it doesn’t – you can’t make it and you certainly can’t fake it.

You can find the magic of Red Dust on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Jean Harlow and Mary Astor

Great Behind the Scenes Picture from Red Dust (1932)

September 11, 2021 By Joi

Donald Crisp, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, and Mary Astor

One of my favorite 1930s films (or films from any era!) is Red Dust (1935) and four of the reasons are pictured above: Donald Crisp, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, and Mary Astor. Extraordinary movie, extraordinary cast, and extraordinary director (Victor Fleming).

You can find the extraordinary Red Dust on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video!