Golden Age of Hollywood
David Niven and Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner and David Niven were both so colorful and had such bigger than life personalities, I can’t help but think that 1957 film The Little Hut’s set must have been a blast. Directed by Mark Robson, the movie also starred Stewart Granger.
You can find The Little Hut (link to the dvd) on Amazon. I don’t think it’s on Prime Video, unfortunately.
Ava Gardner, The Killers
One of the most beautiful actresses EVER (not just from old Hollywood… but from anytime!) is the wonderful Ava Gardner. I won’t name names, but some actresses got by almost entirely on their looks. Ava was one of the beauties who happened to be a very good actress. In fact, if anything, her beauty (which wasn’t very subtle, was it?) probably kept her from getting more roles than her talent did.
The Killers is one of Ava Gardner’s most popular films and it is certainly one of the best. She’s wonderful as the beautiful Kitty Collins… spelled TROUBLE. The film-noir co-starred Burt Lancaster in one of his finest performances.
You can watch the 1946 film on Amazon Prime… I highly recommend it!
Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart – The Barefoot Contessa
Ava Gardner has been one of my favorite actresses for about as long as I’ve known what an actress was. Humphrey Bogart has been one of my favorite actors for about as long as I’ve known what an actor was.
Love them both to distraction… so you have to know how much I love The Barefoot Contessa. They’re both brilliant in it – but, I’ll let you in on a bit of a guilty secret. Guilty because, being a fan of each star, I should love this film without reservation.
And yet….
While it’s a wonderful, dramatic film (and visually stunning) – each time I watch it, I feel a smidgen of regret. How could anyone have gotten these two giant stars together and not pair them up romantically?! Yes, the movie is wonderful but a film-noir starring these legends as lovers would have left me utterly speechless.
Speechless I tell you!
At any rate, The Barefoot Contessa (dvd on Amazon) is a darn good movie – do I love the ending? Not a lot… but it is very much worth watching.
Ava Gardner
These pictures of Ava Gardner are promotional shots of her film The Little Hut (1957). Leave it to Ava to make us momentarily forget we’re in a pandemic!
Ava Gardner, The Little Hut
Ava Gardner, Mogambo
Ava Gardner, in my opinion, was the best thing about the movie Mogambo (1953).
Like… by a long shot.
She was beautiful, feisty, fun, and (by comparison), the rest of the film and cast (in my opinion) just kind of seemed like wet blankets.
Funny thing is, I see and hear from A LOT of people who really liked the film. That’s why, about a month ago, I rewatched it (it was the third chance I’d given to this movie!), just to be sure I wasn’t missing something.
While I didn’t come away liking it any better than the first two times, I did come away with the reason I don’t like the film and, shockingly enough, it’s because of one of my favorite actresses… Ava Gardner!
Nor for reasons you may thing – she was perfect. In every way. Which is part of the problem…
Don’t get me wrong – I love Grace Kelly and Clark Gable. Just not in this film. Each of the three times I’ve watched, I’ve thought of about a dozen actors that would have (at that time) been better in Gable’s role. I hate to say it, because he is one of my favorite actors… but I think he was too old for this particular role.
My profuse apologies to anyone who loves this film… my opinions don’t make me right – they’re simply my opinions. And since my mom always told me to speak my mind… that’s what I tend to do.
Just ask my family!
You know the really unfortunate thing??? I collect ALL of Ava Gardner’s films so… at some point… I’m going to have to buy this film that I don’t at all like! Oh well… she’s worth it.
Ava Gardner, Mogambo
Ava Gardner
One of my guilty pleasures is Behind the Scenes photos of stars. I love them so much it’s a wonder I hadn’t created a “Behind the Scenes” category on the Old Hollywood blog before today.
Better late than never, as they say!
The photo above is especially wonderful because of the period costume Ava Gardner is wearing – for the colorful and fun 1953 film, Knights of the Round Table (Amazon link), while reading a modern-day newspaper. Whether it was staged or happened doesn’t really matter to me… I simply love it.
Ava Gardner, The Barefoot Contessa
Ava Gardner’s The Barefoot Contessa (Amazon Link) is one of her more popular movies and roles. She’s breathtaking in the film and, itself, is a beautiful masterpiece. While it isn’t one of my favorite of her movies (simply because of the ending – I will fall out of love with a movie in a heartbeat if it doesn’t give me a happy ending!), it is one I highly recommend watching. I also, of course, recommend owning the dvd if you (like me) collect all of Ava and/or Humphrey Bogart’s films.
Obviously, given the fact that the movie begins at a funeral, I knew the unhappy ending was coming, but ever-the-optimist, I was hoping for a big reveal. Had that been the case, this would be among my favorites movies.
The story and the acting are truly enjoyable and, as I said earlier, it’s a visual stunner.
With both of these stars (Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart) being favorites of mine, it may seem unusual for me to say this, but (in my opinion anyway), yet another actor steals this film. Edmond O’Brien (as Oscar Muldoon) gives a wonderful, often hilarious performance and literally steals scenes left and right.
Plot: Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner) was a beautiful star who touched many people’s lives. At her funeral, several of these people remember her and the impact she left on their life. Humphrey Bogart plays Harry Dawes, a fairly washed up writer/director ho was hired by rich producer Kirk Edwards to use Maria Vargas in a film and make it a hit.
Oscar Muldoon (played to perfection by Edmond O’Brein) is a stereotypical PR man who adds so much more to this film than I can convey.
The fast-paced, larger than life world that Maria finds herself in… in the end… destroys her.
Again, this isn’t a “feel good” movie but it is a “FEEL” movie as it will move many of your emotions, often simultaneously.
Ava Gardner, Bhowani Junction
Ava Gardner was one of the most beautiful stars Hollywood (or anywhere else in the world!) has ever had and the 1956 film Bhowani Junction showcases the fact splendidly.
If you’re an Ava Gardner fan and have never seen this film, I recommend you find it as soon as possible. She’s mesmerizing in the role of Victoria Jones. Ava plays an Anglo-Indian woman who is searching for her true identity during the British withdrawal from India. The film is highly entertaining and Ava Gardner was the perfect (PERFECT) choice for the lead role.
Bhowani Junction (Amazon link) was directed by the wonderful George Cukor (one of my absolute favorite directors) and also stars Stewart Granger.
Ava Gardner and Melvyn Douglas
We all have “Old Hollywood” regrets, don’t we? Roles we wish our favorite stars had played (roles we wish our favorite stars had NOT played!), pairings that never happened we wish had happened, etc.
One of my Classic Film regrets is that Ava Gardner and Melvyn Douglas (two of my favorites) weren’t paired romantically in, say, a great film noir. While I enjoy their film My Forbidden Past a great deal, not only are they cousins but she has both of her eyes on Robert Mitchum!
I would have loved a film where her beautiful eyes were only on Melvyn.
Oh well, sometimes we have to take what we can get! You can read more about My Forbidden Past here.
It seems to me that Mogambo is one of those films you either love to distraction or hate with a passion. For me, it’s that latter, I’m afraid. Which is ODD and downright WEIRD because Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly are three of my favorites. Love them like crazy.
And yet… I’d rather gargle live crickets than watch this film.
Due to my love of the three stars, I’ve given it several chances to win me over. I have watched it three times over the years, with the following thoughts:
And yet… I see so many people name it as a favorite movie?! I don’t get it, but that certainly doesn’t mean it can’t be “got.” The worst thing about it is that I collect ALL Ava Gardner films, as well as ALL Grace Kelly films which means I’m actually going to have to buy this thing one day. Horrors! I’ve already decided it’s going on the Ava Gardner collection shelf.
After all, she’s the only good thing about it. Why did Grace sign on for this?
Find Mogambo on Amazon, if you’re also a collector or one of those who happens to like it.
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!
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!
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
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…
