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Hollywood Yesterday

Golden Age of Hollywood

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Old Hollywood Actresses

Here are the actresses (leading ladies as well as "scene stealers") from Hollywood's Golden Age - the classic era that many refer to as "Old Hollywood." I just call it the Best Hollywood.

Ella Fitzgerald and Carol Burnett: The Carol Burnett Show

October 10, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ella Fitzgerald and Carol Burnett on The Carol Burnett Show

Carol Burnett and Ella Fitzgerald

The adorable photo of two legendary women, above, is from Ella Fitzgerald’s October 24, 1969 appearance on The Carol Burnett Show. The mind is a funny thing, isn’t it? I can remember the words to just about every Carol Burnett skit and can distinctly remember seeing this episode (in reruns while growing up)… yet I forget why I walk into a room at least once a week!

I need to buy The Carol Burnett Show on dvd because I love it now perhaps EVEN more than I did back then. Carol Burnett has always been one of the most hilarious people in show business and her cast was right there with her.

She also seems just genuinely likable, doesn’t she?

I rewatched this episode not long ago – because I love Ella Fitzgerald and Carol Burnett so much. If you haven’t seen it in awhile, I hope you’ll find it and give it a look.

Wonderful, wonderful ladies.


Filed Under: Carol Burnett, Classic TV, Ella Fitzgerald, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Carol Burnett, Ella Fitzgerald, The Carol Burnett Show

Celebrating the Wonderful Yvonne De Carlo on Her Birthday

September 1, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Yvonne De Carlo, The Ten Commandments

Yvonne De Carlo as Sephora, The Ten Commandments
Beautiful Yvonne De Carlo was born on this date (September 1) in 1922 in Vancouver. Having grown up LOVING her on The Munsters, I’ll never forget how far my jaw dropped when I first saw her out of “Lily” makeup! My mom and I were watching The Ten Commandments on tv and she pointed the beautiful Sephora.. then she asked, “Do you know who the actress is?” I had no idea, so I said so. When she said she was “Yvonne De Carlo,” I recognized the name from The Munsters’ credits and must have looked at her like she was crazy because she said, “I promise.. it’s her!”
When I took a closer look, it became obvious – same perfect bone structure and beautiful eyes. Her talent as an actress became even more incredible to me – she could do comedy AND drama and do both beautifully.
Yvonne De Carlo was talented, stunning, hilarious, and utterly fascinating. 
Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster
Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster
(About being Yvonne De Carlo and Lily Munster at the same time.) “I guess I lead a double life, and I must admit I’m happy with both.” ~ Yvonne De Carlo

Filed Under: Classic TV, Picture of the Day, Yvonne DeCarlo Tagged With: The Munsters, Yvonne De Carlo

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard, In Name Only… Love this Movie!

July 22, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

 

 

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard, In Name Only

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard, In Name Only

With many actors and actresses, I can’t remember exactly when I fell under their spell. However, with a few, I remember precisely the film and performance that made me vow my undying love to them forevermore.

With Carole Lombard, it was her beautiful, perfect portrayal of Julie Eden in the wonderful 1939 film In Name Only. An amazing cast includes Cary Grant, Charles Coburn, Kay Francis (oh, how detestable she is in this role!!!), Katharine Alexander, and Helen Vinson.

You can find In Name Only (Amazon linnk) on dvd or watch it right away on Prime. I highly recommend this movie… just be sure to fall and fall hard for Carole Lombard.

Filed Under: Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, In Name Only

Carole Lombard and John Barrymore, Twentieth Century (1934)

December 31, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Carole Lombard, Twentieth Century

Carole Lombard, Twentieth Century (1934)

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.”

What an absolutely beautiful compliment – and a testament to the professionalism and talent of Carole Lombard.

John Barrymore and Carole Lombard


Filed Under: Carole Lombard, John Barrymore, Picture of the Day, Quotes from Old Hollywood's Stars Tagged With: Carole Lombard, John Barrymore

Great Gift Idea for Fans of Classic Hollywood: Renegade Women in Film & TV

November 23, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Renegade Women in Film and TV

Renegade Women in Film & TV

I love my family. Okay, that should probably go without saying, but seriously… I really, really love my family.

Not only because they’re the coolest, most colorful, and lovable group of people you could ever hope to meet but also because they’re uncommonly thoughtful, kind, generous, and… well…. DARN good. Not just good. DARN good.

The book you see here is an early Christmas gift from my youngest daughter Stephany. She and her two sisters (Emily and Brittany) have contributed to my Old Hollywood book and dvd collections tremendously and I love that they love supporting my obsessive habit!

They’ve helped create the monster behind these words.

Renegade Women in Film & TV is an absolutely remarkable book. Not only is it gorgeous (hardcover and packed with colorful illustrations of the women it celebrates), it is an exceptionally inspiring read.

Within the pages I was reminded of just how remarkable some of my favorites are (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Dorothy Dandridge, Hedy Lamarr, Hattie McDaniel, Dorothy Arzner, Mary Pickford, Rita Moreno, Anna May Wong, Marlo Thomas, Oprah…). I also learned a lot about some ground-breaking women I knew very little about (Ida Lupino, Mae West, Edith Head, Barbra Streisand, Susan Harris, Mary Tyler Moore, Lesley Visser, Barbara Walters, Geena Davis…) and met ladies I knew nothing about and a few I’d never heard of before but will never forget now.

(Continued Below Lucille Ball… how mesmerizing are those eyes??)

Lucille Ball in Renegade Women in Film and TV

Lucille Ball

As expected, there are outstanding women who are missing that I’d have LOVED for them to have included..

  • Olivia de Havilland
  • Bette Davis (she gets a mention at the end)
  • Greta Garbo
  • Betty White
  • Etc.

However, the ones who AREN’T there should not and do not detract from the ones who are. Besides, maybe there’ll be a follow-up. I certainly hope so!

Renegade Women in Film & TV would make the most wonderful gift for fans of Old Hollywood and/or Classic TV imaginable. You will, however, want to get your hands on a copy for yourself, too, trust me.

But, here’s the thing… you may want TWO copies. I know I do. One for enjoying and keeping whole (it would make a perfect coffee table book) and one for removing the gorgeous photos for framing. They are truly stunning.

See Renegade Women in Film & TV  for more information.

Renegade Women in Film and TV

Renegade Women in Film & TV

 

Filed Under: Carol Burnett, Classic TV, Dorothy Dandridge, Hattie McDaniel, Lucille Ball, Old Hollywood Actresses, Old Hollywood Book Reviews Tagged With: Old Hollywood Actresses, Old Hollywood Book Reviews, Women of Old Hollywood

Carole Lombard, To Be or Not to Be

November 15, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Carole Lombard, To Be or Not to Be

Carole Lombard, To Be or Not to Be (1942)


Filed Under: Carole Lombard, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Carole Lombard, Carole Lombard picture

Are You Up for an Old Hollywood Challenge???

October 23, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo

Just as we all have our favorite Old Hollywood actors and actresses, we all have the other extreme, don’t we? Actors or actresses that, for whatever reason, don’t float our boat. Heck, there are some we wouldn’t even let on our boat if we were starving and they were carrying a pizza in each hand!

There are various reasons we may not care for them. A few I’ve ran into, personally…

  1. They may have done something (in real life) that we either disliked or downright hated. The distaste we have for them, as a human, may be so strong that we refuse to watch their body of work – let alone like it.
  2. They may have said something unkind about one of our favorites and we’re holding a grudge like it’s an Olympic event.
  3. We may have seen them in one (possibly even two) films or roles and were not impressed – or, if we were impressed, we were not blown away.

Funny thing is, though, very often these “undesirables,” if given half a chance, can win us over. They’ve been known to waltz right into your top favorites when given this the chance to shine.

Confessional time – please don’t hold any of this against me and, if you must judge me, please remember I have made retribution.

I am, by nature, an extremely non-judgmental person. In fact, judgmental people are among my least favorite people. For this reason, I honestly don’t have an issue with holding things actresses/actors did or said in their real life against them. For one thing, they all had their private battles and lived in a completely different world from the one we know. Their “reality” was more like a “fantasy,” and their reactions to the craziness around them simply can’t be put under a microscope and studied. It just isn’t fair. Does it make abuse, affairs, lies, cheating, and so on okay? Of course not.. but, again, their “reality” and “norm” were not like anything we’ve ever seen.

For another thing, a lot of it is hearsay. He said, she said… she did… he did… I read once that an actress had an affair on her husband (an equally well-known and beloved star). I was good and ready to carry a grudge against her for at least a week until I read that the husband was the first to cheat. In fact, it was after his second mistress that she decided that, well… if that’s how he wanted to play.

I put down the grudge.

Finally, how could decide that it’s perfectly reasonable to hold bad behavior against actors and actresses, yet not be prepared to do the same for athletes, historical heroes/heroines, politicians, and authors, right? I mean, if we don’t like a particular actress because she was a lousy mother, what about the first ladies who weren’t exactly Caroline Ingalls either?

When I see my Optometrist, I honestly don’t care what kind of wife, mother, daughter, or sister she is. I don’t care what her opinions about politics are. I don’t care who she likes or doesn’t like. I care about her ability to keep my eyes healthy and prescribe the eye wear I need to keep from running into walls!

That’s it. I just want her to do her job. I judge how good or bad of an Optometrist she is by this and this, alone.

Actors and actresses that have gotten on my bad side earn their way there, usually, by boring me in a particular movie or by not being what I consider to be a good actor/actress.

The following stars have been in my proverbial doghouse before… now, remember, don’t judge me. I saw the light!

Greta Garbo. I used to think Greta Garbo was the most (not one of, mind you, but THE MOST) overrated star to ever exist. I was even convinced that she only existed, in the first place, just to torment me.

Yeah. We have a past.

I first saw her in Hotel – a film that, in MY opinion, Joan Crawford stole and ran away with. When I first saw Grand Hotel, I just kept thinking, “Greta Garbo overacts… she’s kind of painful to watch… oh, geez, where’s Joan?!” From that day, forward, I had a very, very bad impression of Garbo.  When one of her movies would come on television, I’d say, “No thanks!” and change it to the History Channel, sports, I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke… a safe, familiar place to hide from Greta.

I finally decided to watch another Greta Garbo movie – Susan Lenox, Her Fall and Rise (1931). I figured, “It has one of my favorite actors, Clark Gable, in it, so at least it’ll be worth it…” I was not prepared to fall head over heels in love with Greta! My old nemesis. She was beautiful, charming, fun to watch, wonderful, and downright adorable. My mind had no idea how it was even possible but it also wanted, very much, to see more Greta Garbo movies.

Simply by having BOTH an open mind AND a desire to love as many stars from Old Hollywood as possible, I was able to discover a new favorite and erase a “least favorite.” That’s always a trade I’m in favor of because positivity beats negativity 10 times out of 10.

Leslie Howard. Blame it on Ashley. I never thought fondly of Leslie Howard and it all has to do with his dull as dirt character, Ashley, in Gone With the Wind. Whenever I saw his face, I saw Ashley and his wishy-washy face. So much so that it took me YEARS to ever consent to watch him in anything! I finally did and… what do you know?… the man was a very, very fine actor. Not the least bit boring, either. Go figure.

(Continued below Maureen O’Hara and Paul Henreid…)

Maureen O'Hara and Paul Henreid in The Spanish Main

There have been other stars who I actually LIKED, but grew to LOVE when I saw them in different roles.

Two come to mind that I liked a great deal, but after seeing them in more than just one role, they became absolute favorites…

Olivia de Havilland. Again, you can blame Gone With the Wind on this one. Olivia de Havilland was lovely and wonderful as Melanie in Gone With the Wind, but when you’re alongside larger than life characters like Scarlett, Rhett, and Mammy… lovely and wonderful don’t exactly stand out. While I “liked” her, Olivia de Havialland was not in my top 20 favorite actresses by any stretch of the imagination. That is until I saw The Strawberry Blonde, Devotion, and Robin Hood. She didn’t just march into the top 10, she flew past the vast majority of them and reached rarefied air enjoyed by Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara, Rita Hayworth, Katharine Hepburn, and Barbara Stanwyck.

Paul Henreid. I had only seen Mr. Henreid in Casablanca and, like Olivia, I liked him a lot. Great actor, wonderful screen presence… in fact, I couldn’t find a single thing about him to NOT like. And yet… whenever I’d talk about my favorite actors (Humphrey Bogart, Buster Keaton, James Stewart, Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Bob Hope…), his name would not be included.

Every now and then, I make a list which includes 3 stars I want to see more of.  Nearly a year ago, I wrote Paul Henreid, Van Johnson, and Susan Hayward in my notebook because, somehow, I had only seen ONE movie for each star! They each have gone on to become absolute favorites. (If you have never seen The Spanish Main with Paul Henreid and Maureen O’Hara, see it! It is one of my favorite swashbuckling movies – in fact, I do believe it is my very favorite.)

Now for the Challenge…

The idea for this challenge came about a few weeks ago. Within one day (ONE DAY, mind you!), on Twitter, I saw the following actors and actresses mentioned along with words such as, “I don’t like____” or “____ doesn’t do anything for me…”

  • Katharine Hepburn
  • Lucille Ball
  • Joan Crawford
  • Clark Gable
  • James Stewart
  • Bette Davis
  • Cary Grant
  • Ava Gardner
  • Lana Turner
  • Humphrey Bogart
  • Charlie Chaplin

Seriously?? The list above reads like my top tier of favorites… heck, it reads like the top tier of a lot of people’s favorites! Just as I was wondering how anyone could possibly not like any of these stars, it hit me… I’ve been that way before (holy cats, I’m still there with Laurence Olivier and an actress you’d all pass out from if I mentioned her name, so… yeah, I’ll skip that drama. I am still looking for the movie that’ll change my mind about him or her, but the search continues.).

One of my greatest passions in life is Old Hollywood, Classic TV, and Classic Radio shows. I work feverishly to do my part to keep these wonderful stars, films, and episodes shining brightly. I know there are many others who feel the same way. The bottom line is, the more stars we embrace, the more light we can shine on the entire period.

Again, positivity beats negativity every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

The challenge is as simple as it gets – simply write down an actor or actress (start with just one for now) that you either don’t like or are pretty lukewarm toward. Challenge yourself to, in the coming weeks, watch at least two of their films you’ve never seen. If you’re on Twitter, ask their fans for recommendations (we’re always ready to give the top recommendations for our favorites, aren’t we?!)

Try to watch more than two, if you’re able. Whatever you do, approach the film(s) with an open mind. Sitting there thinking, “Okay, little Miss Katharine Hepburn, show me what you’ve got!” probably won’t allow for the best experience.

Note: Not ALL stars are for ALL fans and it is possible you will never like certain stars no matter how many times you watch them. However, it is much, much, much more likely that they will win you over if you give them a chance.

One more word about the “behavior” of some stars. While I do not judge these men and women (any more than I do the ones I see today) and do not hold their behavior or lack of class against them, I do (however) have an extra EXTRA strong appreciation for those who were in the same rat race but didn’t sink to the level of rats. The actors and actresses who were decent humans, good husbands/wives/parents… the ones who their fans can read about in anyone’s biography and feel proud to be a fan.

These stars deserve a little extra appreciation, in my book, and I will always give it to them.

(Continued Below the Legends…)

Lana Turner and James Stewart Ziegfeld Girl

How About Movie Genres or Decades?

You could also do a similar challenge for movie genres and movie decades. Is there a certain genre you don’t think you care for? A certain decade of films you try to avoid? This is a tough one for me because there is absolutely NO genre I don’t love and no decade I don’t cover with my movie obsession.

If you can think of a genre or decade, challenge yourself to watch a few relevant movies in the coming weeks. Again, if you’re on Twitter, ask for recommendations! If you aren’t on Twitter…. get there! Okay, only slightly kidding. If you aren’t on Twitter, ask other movie fans for recommendations.

Another approach would be this – think of an actor or actress you like, then see if they were in a movie in the genre you need. If you like Barbara Stanwyck, for example and are looking to add Film Noirs to your list of films… are you ever in luck.  She was in one of the greatest film noirs of all time –Double Indemnity. As far as that goes, she was also in Westerns, comedies, and dramas.

Hmmm, I’ve always been obsessed with Barbara Stanwyck, maybe that explains why I love all genres.

You may or may not be able to move a “don’t care for..” star to a list of favorites – but I guarantee you’ll have fun trying.

Branch out, watch more, and make room in your life for as many favorites as you can handle! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

P.S. If you have a star or stars win you over, I hope you’ll let me know. I live for that sort of thing!

For What It’s Worth…

My recommendations for the stars named above. If you don’t like any of these stars, now, I hope you’ll see the movies I list. I’ll limit my recommendations to just three – although it can be tough sometimes.

Please give them a chance, they truly are remarkable stars – some of the absolute best, in my opinion.

  • Katharine Hepburn (Stage Door, Bringing Up Baby, Desk Set)
  • Lucille Ball (Lured, The Next Time I Marry, Dance Girl Dance)
  • Joan Crawford (Dance Fools Dance, The Last of Mrs. Cheyney, Dancing Girl)
  • Clark Gable (Red Dust, Lone Star, It Happened One Night)
  • Cary Grant (Bringing Up Baby, Monkey Business, Only Angels Have Wings)
  • James Stewart (Ziegfeld Girl, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Stratton Story)
  • Bette Davis (Dark Victory, A Stolen Life, In This Our Life)
  • Ava Gardner (The Barefoot Contessa, Lone Star, The Killers)
  • Lana Turner (Ziegfeld Girl, The Bad and the Beautiful, The Postman Always Rings Twice)
  • Humphrey Bogart (Sabrina, Casablanca, The Big Sleep)
  • Charlie Chaplin (The Gold Rush, The Kid, Modern Times)

Filed Under: Old Hollywood Actresses, Old Hollywood Movie Actors Tagged With: Old Hollywood Actors, Old Hollywood Actresses

Carole Lombard Quotes and Trivia: As Clark Gable Clearly Knew, She Was Extra Special

May 2, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Carole Lombard

Carole Lombard

I love reading about old Hollywood actors and actresses. Okay… let’s be honest – I’m completely obsessed with it. Carole Lombard (like Fred Astaire and James Stewart, to name a few) is one of those people who… the more you read about her, the more you like her. She apparently had a huge personality and a wicked sense of humor. She was friends with Lucille Ball, so that shouldn’t surprise us.

Below are a few Fast Facts about the stunning actress, followed by trivia and classic Carole Lombard quotes.

Birth: Carole Lombard was born Jane Alice Peters on October 6, 1908 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. One of her nicknames was actually “The Hoosier Tornado.”  After her parents divorced, Carole moved, with her mother, to the Los Angeles area in 1916. Her first film was A Perfect Crime in 1921 when she was only 12 years old. It would be four more years before she appeared in another film.

In 1926 Carole was seriously injured in an automobile accident. The left side of her face was scarred as a result of the accident.  To LITERALLY add insult to injury, once she had recovered, Fox canceled her contract.

In spite of the accident (and Fox’s rejection), Carole Lombard went on to achieve legendary success as a leading lady.  Gifted with a beautiful voice, she was able to transition from silents to “talkies” – something many stars were unable to do.

In 1931, she was teamed with William Powell in Man of the World. She and the talented actor fell hard for one another and married. Unfortunately, like many things in Hollywood, it didn’t last and they divorced in 1933.

In No Man of Her Own (1932), Carole’s co-star was none other than the wonderful Clark Gable. They hit it off and were married seven years later in 1939. By this time, she was with Paramount Pictures and was one of its biggest stars.

Her last film was in 1942.  She played Maria Tura opposite Jack Benny in To Be or Not to Be. Tragically, the beautiful actress was killed before the movie’s release. The film wrapped in 1941 just as the US entered World War II. Carole went home to Indiana for a war bond rally. On January 16, 1942, Carole, her mother, and 20 other others were flying home California when the plane went down outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.

There were no survivors. Carole Lombard was only 33 years old. THIRTY-THREE.

Carole Lombard Trivia

After her 1926 automobile accident badly cut her face, Carole elected for plastic surgery. At the time, doctors believed that use of anesthetic during the surgery would leave worse scars, so she endured the reconstructive surgery without an anesthetic. Unimaginable!

She was only 5’2″ (with shoes).

She was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the first woman killed in the line of duty in World War II.

To Be or Not to Be was in post-production when she died in the plane crash. The producers decided to remove a line where her character asks, “What can happen in a plane?“.

Lucille Ball said she actually agreed to do I Love Lucy when Carole (who had been a close friend) came to her in a dream and recommended she take a chance on television.

Considered by a lot of fans to be the inspiration for the icy blondes in Alfred Hitchcock’s films. (I certainly think she was.)

Carole Lombard’s performance as Maria Tura in To Be or Not to Be is ranked #38 on Premiere magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.

Turned down the role of Ellie Andrews in It Happened One Night. Claudette Colbert was then given the role and won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance.

During their honeymoon, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed at the Willows Inn in Palm Springs, California. Not only does the Inn still exist, guests can stay in the same room the legendary couple stayed in, called “The Library Suite.” The room remains largely unaltered since the Gables stayed slept there.

She and Gloria Swanson were close friends.

Both of her husbands (William Powell and Clark Gable) starred in Manhattan Melodrama (1934) with Myrna Loy.

Apparently her mother had had a bad feeling about taking a plane and wanted to take a train to Los Angeles instead. The decision to take the plane was literally decided by the flip of a coin – with Carole “winning” the toss.

Carole had a much-loved little dachshund named Commissioner that reportedly ignored Clark Gable completely. After her death in 1942, however, the dog would not leave his side.

One of my personal favorite stories about Carole Lombard comes from writer Garson Kanin. Apparently Carole never had a dressing room when shooting a movie. Instead, she preferred to socialize with the cast and crew members during her breaks. Words can’t describe how much I love this about her.

Carole Lombard Quotes

“(William Powell) is the only intelligent actor I’ve ever met.”(Explaining why she would not work with Orson Welles) “I can’t win working with Welles. If the picture’s a huge hit, he’ll get the credit and, if it’s a flop, I’ll be blamed.”

“Personally, I resent being tagged ‘glamour girl’. It’s such an absurd, extravagant label. It implies so much that I’m not.”

“A woman has just as much right in this world as a man and can get along in it just as well if she puts her mind to it.”

“I can’t imagine a duller fate than being the best-dressed woman in reality. When I want to do something, I don’t pause to contemplate whether I’m exquisitely gowned. I want to live, not pose!”

“When it comes to your personal life, such as love and romance, girls should take a tip from the men and keep their affairs to themselves. Any man worth his salt regards his private life as his own. To kiss a girl and run and tell would mark him as a cad. Why doesn’t that apply to girls also?”


Filed Under: Carole Lombard, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Carole Lombard, Carole Lombard Quotes, Clark Gable, Quotes from the Stars

I Love Lucy: The Lost Pilot (Complete Episode)

August 21, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Synopsis: Ricky tries to keep Lucy away from auditioning for a TV show, but when a clown becomes unavailable, Lucy takes his place!


Filed Under: Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance Tagged With: I Love Lucy, I Love Lucy complete episode

Marjorie Main: Getting to Know Ma Kettle a Little Better….

July 19, 2017 By Joi 2 Comments

Marjorie Main
Marjorie Main
I spend (and will continue to spend, because that’s how I roll) a lot of time writing about Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Olivia de Havilland, John Wayne, James Dean, and the other legends from “Hollywood Yesterday.” The household names, if you will. The reason behind this blog is to keep these stars shining as bright as they did when they were earthbound, so the posts will continue to be cranked out.

But what about the equally talented stars who didn’t quite achieve this level of notoriety? It’d be my great honor to keep these stars shining just as brightly, so I’m going to begin spending a lot more energy on these wonderful men and women. I’m anxious for all of us to get to know them a little better.

First up (Marjorie Main) is a random one, I’ll admit, but I’ve always enjoyed her so much. Marjorie just seems like a perfect place to start for several reasons. For one thing, she falls into a category that a lot of these non-household names fall into. The category where we end up saying things like, “Wait a minute…. I know that face… I know that voice… where have I seen her/him from…. Gunsmoke? Andy Griffith? I Love Lucy? Was it a Western? Was it a Musical… nah, I don’t think they could sing…. Where do I know that face from?!?!”

Marjorie Main is a classic example of this because I pretty much went through the entire series of questions above recently when she showed up on an episode of Wagon Train I was watching. She was the title character in the episode “The Cassie Tanner Story.” For whatever reasons, when I’m trying to identify a face, my “go to” options are Gunsmoke (after all, who didn’t guest star on this series at some point?!), musicals, westerns, or screen time with Lucy or Andy.

As Cassie Tanner (with her adorable hat) kept looking at me from my tv, it finally hit me… Ma Kettle, it’s you!

The 5’7″ actress was born Mary Tomlinson in Acton, Indiana (basically Indianapolis). Her father was a minister which is undoubtedly why – after she joined vaudeville – she changed her last name to keep from “embarrassing” the family.

Marjorie Main as Cassie Tanner on Wagon Train
Marjorie Main as Cassie Tanner on Wagon Train
 

More Facts About Marjorie Main

  • Her film debut was A House Divided in 1931.
  • She Played Baby Face Martin’s mother in Dead End (1937). Baby Face was played by Humphrey Bogart. This role led to other motherly characters for Marjorie.
  • She had a fear of germ contamination and was known to wear white gloves and a surgical mask in an effort to protect herself.
  • She played the character of Ma Kettle in a total of 10 films.
  • She was married to Stanley Lefevre Krebs from 1921–1935 (his death).
  • After her husband  died in 1935, Marjorie would often have “conversations” with him – even in the middle of filming.  If she had to interrupt a scene… that’s just what she’d do! She’d let the director know when it was okay to continue and then she’d do so as if nothing happened.
  •  Marjorie appeared in several MGM musicals, including, Meet Me in St. Louis and The Belle of New York.
  • She died from lung cancer on April 10, 1975 in Los Angeles.

Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation Trailer (1953):


Filed Under: Old Hollywood Actresses Tagged With: Ma and Pa Kettle, Marjorie Main

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Welcome to Hollywood Yesterday!

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was sheer magic and I see no reason for the magic to ever die! Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my own favorites) here.

Old Hollywood Actresses

Lena Horne

See the Old Hollywood Actresses page for the index of Classic Hollywood Actresses and Classic TV Actresses.

Old Hollywood Actors

Ross Martin and Robert Conrad

See the Old Hollywood Actors page for the index of Old Hollywood and Classic TV actors.

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Recent Posts

  • Clara Bow: It Lobby Cards
  • Cabin in the Sky: Great Behind the Scenes Photo
  • George Sanders and Anne Baxter, All About Eve Promotional Picture
  • Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen: The Thomas Crown Affair
  • Maureen O’Hara: Malaga Promotional Photo
  • Faye Dunaway: Birthday Wishes for a VERY Beautiful and Talented Actress
  • Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Ann Miller: Behind the Scenes of Kiss Me Kate
  • Christmas in Connecticut: One of the Best Christmas Classics of All Time
  • Diana Rigg and George Lazenby: Behind the Scenes of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
  • John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, Rio Grande

Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

The Quiet Man is one of the most beautiful, entertaining, colorful, and perfect movies ever made. Two of my favorite stars (Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne) in one of my favorite movies? It doesn’t get much better than that!

More old movie reviews.

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times

Thank you so much for visiting Hollywood Yesterday! You honor me with your presence and I hope you’ll return very soon and very often.

Stay positive. Stay happy. Stay you.

Meet: Mildred Davis

Mildred Davis

The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name!

Ava Gardner Posters

Ava Gardner Show Boat Publicity Photo

Ava Gardner Posters

Rita Hayworth Posters

Rita Hayworth, Gilda Promo Shot

Rita Hayworth Posters

Old Hollywood Movies

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Top Hat Cheek to Cheek

There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.

Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)

We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)

The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)

The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)

The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)

Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)

El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)

Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)

The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)

Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)

To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)

Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)

Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)

The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)

More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

Classic Hollywood Books & Biographies (Reviews)

Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn, A Personal Biography

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

Ginger by Ginger Rogers
Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball
More coming soon!

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

Getting to Know the Gorgeous and Talented Dorothy Dandridge

My Lucy Obsession

Lucille Ball

Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…

Barbara Stanwyck Quotes

Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!

Legalities…

Aside from pictures of books I review, I do not claim to have taken any of the pictures on this website, nor do I own the pictures – the ones of the stars or the affiliate (product) pictures.  Other, far more talented photographers than me have the credit for the beautiful photos you see. If you would like credit for a photograph or would like one removed, please e-mail me.

Movie posters and promotional photos are used in the belief that they qualify for the Fair Use law. Fair use is a doctrine in the law of the United States that permits limited use of copyrighted material without having to first acquire permission from the copyright holder. Fair use is one of the limitations to copyright intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest in the wider distribution and use of creative works by allowing as a defense to copyright infringement claims certain limited uses that might otherwise be considered infringement.

When you click through an affiliate (product, book, dvds..) link, I earn a small portion of the money you spend IF you purchase anything. This does not cost you any extra money, of course. This is how I am able to work from home and support my cats! – Joi

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