BOTD | Hollywood Yesterday

The Unforgettable Myrna Loy: Born on this Date in 1905

August 2, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Myrna Loy, Double Wedding

Myrna Adele Williams on August 2, 1905 in Helena, Montana. She would go on to become the much-loved actress Myrna Loy.

What better star to shine the spotlight on than the birthday girl herself, today?!

Myrna Loy is always such a joy to watch – she had a unique acting style that was all her own and, while I’m sure it was, didn’t seem to be inspired by anyone but HER, herself. There was an underlying strength and confidence radiating from her that jumps through the screen at you.

Those of us who adore her certainly aren’t alone.

Some of her biggest fans included James Stewart, Winston Churchill, and Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt were also fans.

The beautiful photos, shown here, are from Myrna’s hilarious 1937 movie Double Wedding, with William Powell.

Talk about a magical duo… this was one of the most magical.

Myrna Loy and William Powell

BOTD in 1928, the Wonderful Natalie Wood

July 20, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Natalie Wood and James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause

Legendary actress Natalie Wood was BOTD in San Francisco, California in 1938. Born Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko, she would go on to become, not only one of the best actresses ever – but also one of the most beloved actresses.

Natalie starred in some of the most memorable movies from old Hollywood:

Miracle on 34th Street
Rebel Without a Cause
West Side Story
The Searchers
Splendor in the Grass
Gypsy
From Here to Eternity
Sex and the Single Girl
The Great Race (pure fun!)

What a filmography. What an actress.

Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, Miracle on 34th Street

One of the greatest child actors of all time, Natalie defied the odds and went on to have an outstanding career as an adult. If you’ve never seen her in Gypsy, Love with the Proper Stranger, and Splendor in the Grass – be sure to search the movies out and watch them soon. She’s remarkable in each.

Natalie Wood died (presumably from drowning) on November 29, 1981 at the age of 43. Had she lived longer, her amazing filmography would have been even richer. As it is, she has given us many incredible performances to remember her by.

Most Natalie Wood fans CHOOSE to remember her smiling, full of personality and full of life. We choose to focus on her wonderful films and excellent performances. When you’re a fan of an actor or actress, you want desperately to have good things associated with their name… beauty, not ugliness… love, not hate. As a Natalie Wood fan, that’s certainly the choice I make

I’m pretty certain it’s how the beautiful lady would want it.

Natalie Wood, The Searchers

Natalie Wood, Gypsy

Happy Birthday to Lindsay Wagner (I May be the Biggest fan of The Bionic Woman of All Time…)

June 22, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lindsay Wagner, The Bionic Woman

I have always been a huge Lindsay Wagner fan – mainly because of her outstanding role as Jaime Sommers on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. I can still remember when she first showed up as a guest-star on The Six Million Dollar Man (one of my favorite shows – I never missed a minute!) – as soon as she arrived, I was smitten. She was beautiful, funny, and as likable as any character I had ever seen on tv or in movies.

I wanted her to stick around for every episode. Fortunately, the network went one better and gave me The Bionic Woman! Needless to say, it became a huge obsession – never missed an episode and OF COURSE I had the lunch box and doll. I would give just about anything to still have them!

I have to order the complete series on dvd (The Bionic Woman – link to the dvd set on Amazon) and maybe start watching it on Prime until it gets here!

Happiest of birthdays to Lindsay Wagner!

Lindsay Wagner, The Bionic Woman

Happy Birthday to the One and Only John Wayne!

May 26, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, McLintock

John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.. Two of My Favorites!

Born on this date in 1907 in Iowa, Marion Robert Morrison! My favorite John Wayne movies? I love them all….. seriously.

My absolute favorites, however are…

The Quiet Man

Stagecoach

Rio Bravo
El Dorado

The Train Robbers

McLintock!

The Searchers

Rio Grande

The Sons of Katie Elder

Rooster Cogburn

Like a lot of lucky people, I have wonderful memories of watching John Wayne westerns with my parents – my father, in particular. My mom’s attention would come and go (everything on television competed with whatever book she was reading at the time… the stereotypical bookworm!), but my dad and I never even looked away from the screen if a John Wayne movie was on.

Happy Heavenly birthday, Mr. Wayne and thanks ever so much for all of the wonderful films, entertainment, and family memories.

John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara

Picture of the Day: Birthday Boy Henry Fonda!

May 16, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda, Behind the Scenes of The Grapes of Wrath

One of my all-time, absolute, no holds barred favorite actors is Henry Fonda. The man was nothing short of EXCELLENT in every role fortunate enough to have him at the helms.

Supper is in the oven (and BBQ chicken waits for no one, not even the great Henry Fonda), so I only have time to post this picture of the day. Monday I’ll have another Henry Fonda dedicated post – one in which I rave and rave about my favorite Henry Fonda movies and roles. I’m sure you won’t want to miss that (she says with sarcasm dripping from every word).

Have a great day and wonderful weekend! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Happy Birthday, Ann-Margret!

April 28, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

When it’s one of your absolute favorite actress’ birthdays, it takes the mystery right out of who the picture of the day will be! The only choice is… which gorgeous picture of the star will you use?

Today is beautiful Ann-Margret’s birthday and I hope it is as wonderful as she is.

She has been one of my top favorites for nearly as long as I’ve been alive.

Beautiful, charismatic, multi-talented, and a very, very good person. No wonder she’s such a favorite.

Happiest of birthdays to an ABSOLUTE favorite star!

Birthday Celebration: Jean Harlow (BOTD in 1911)

March 3, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

James Cagney and Jean Harlow, The Public Enemy

Little did anyone know when Harlean Carpenter was born on March 3, 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri that she’d go on to become one of the biggest movie stars of all time. While “Harlean Carpenter” may not be a household name, the name she took for herself…. Jean Harlow… certainly is.

As I often tell people (Twitter people, family people…. any people who will listen or even just pretend to listen), If you only “know” Jean Harlow from her photographs or from things you’ve read about her… you don’t “know” Jean Harlow at all.

Heck, you’re barely even familiar with her!

It’s when you delve into her quotes and, more importantly, into her films, that you find the magical, magnetic star that she was. Trust me, it’s a delve worth taking.

As you may know, I have watched old movies (as well as classic television) all of my life. Every decade, every genre, every actor, every actress. And yet… I still can’t put my finger on what makes Jean Harlow so special. To this day, I have no idea what trait or feature it was that sets her apart from the rest. She wasn’t necessarily better than other actresses of her time (not all of them, anyway!), but she did have a certain charisma that made her stand out like a beautiful sunset that makes it impossible to look away.