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.

Rita Hayworth and Carol Burnett, The Carol Burnett Show (1971)

April 30, 2023 By Joi

Rita Hayworth and Carol Burnett, The Carol Burnett Show

Two of my favorite redheads are shown here and they couldn’t be more adorable if they had to. Rita Hayworth was a guest star on the wonderful The Carol Burnett Show in 1971 and I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from seeing one of the most glamorous actress the world has ever known, looking so… well… human!

So she really WASN’T an angel sent down from Heaven.. who knew??

You can find the complete series (or buy seasons individually) of The Carol Burnett Show on dvd or watch on Prime Video. (Amazon link)

Happy Birthday to the Extraordinary Carol Burnett!

April 26, 2023 By Joi

Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball

The adorable picture above shows two of my favorites doing what they do/did best… making people smile. Such extraordinary women and very close friends in real life as well.

Carol Burnett’s birthday is today and I can think of no better way to honor her than a photo with a friend that meant so much to her.

She was born on April 26, 1933 in San Antonio, Texas and television and its fans are all the richer for it. It’s amazing to me just how timeless The Carol Burnett Show is, even today. The music, opening monologue, skits, and humor ring as wonderful today as they did then and so much of that is because of the wonderful redhead we’re celebrating today.

Happiest of birthdays, Carol Burnett, and thanks for all of the wonderful fun and laughter!

You can find the complete series (or buy seasons individually) of The Carol Burnett Show on dvd or watch on Prime Video. (Amazon link)

Carole Lombard, Gorgeous Publicity Photo for No Man of Her Own (1932)

February 10, 2022 By Joi

Today is one of those days where I have, literally, 5 minutes to publish the picture of the day… so, basically, I am going to hit you with an extraordinary picture of Carole Lombard and run.

My guess is you aren’t complaining!

This is a publicity photo for Carole’s 1932 comedy-romance No Man of Her Own, directed by Wesley Ruggles. The wonderful movie co-stars Clark Gable (LOVE their chemistry!) and is absolutely a must-see for fans of the wonderful actress.

Carole Lombard Movie Collection (Amazon link)

Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis In Name Only

February 24, 2021 By Joi

Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis

One of my favorite movies is In Name Only (1939, directed by John Cromwell), starring Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, Kay Francis, and Charles Coburn. It’s everything I associate with a great movie:

an excellent cast
a compelling story
wonderful direction
a script that pulls you in
moves your emotions!

Carole Lombard gives one of her finest performances in this one and Cary Grant and Kay Francis turn in wonderful performances in their own right. The only drawback of this one for me is the fact that Kay Francis DOES do such a phenomenal job. She is so deviously believable as the vile, selfish Maida that it makes you hate her with a cruel, cold hatred. After watching this film, I always have to remind myself that there’s a big difference between Kay Francis and the witch she played!

If you’ve never seen In Name Only, I hope you’ll catch it as soon as possible. It’s one of my favorite Cary Grant films and probably my absolute favorite Carole Lombard movie. She truly is breathtaking in this one.

You can watch In Name Only on Prime Video (Amazon link) or buy the dvd on Amazon.

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard

Ella Fitzgerald and Carol Burnett: The Carol Burnett Show

October 10, 2020 By Joi

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.

Celebrating the Wonderful Yvonne De Carlo on Her Birthday

September 1, 2020 By Joi

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

(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

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

July 22, 2020 By Joi

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.

Carole Lombard and John Barrymore, Twentieth Century (1934)

December 31, 2019 By Joi

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.

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

November 23, 2019 By Joi

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

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.