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Faye Dunaway: Birthday Wishes for a VERY Beautiful and Talented Actress

January 14, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Faye Dunaway, The Thomas Crown Affair

Faye Dunaway

 

Born on this day in Bascom, Florida in 1941, the beautiful Faye Dunaway.

As I’ve said before on this old Hollywood blog, I used to watch (exclusively, mind you) movies from 1930 to 1960. That was it… for whatever reasons. Fortunately, it wasn’t too far into my film-obsessed life that I realized there are A LOT of wonderful films before and after my chosen cut off dates.

When I broadened my horizons and began watching all genres and all years (from Silents through today), I realized that I had been missing out on so much. Whenever I come across another old Hollywood fan and they say they only watch Silents through the Forties, only movies prior to 1940, or nothing before 1950, I always recommend movies, actresses, and actors to lure them into other eras. Having seen what it was like to miss out, I want to keep them from falling into a similar trap – so I use whatever I can at my disposal to trick them into branching out.

I’m pushy like that.

I recently had great success with a Twitter friend who only watched Westerns and black and white movies, as he put it. That was it.  Yet he was forever annoyed that there wasn’t enough on TV to watch! I thought to my pushy self, “Hmmm, here’s a tough nut to crack, but I’m going to give it a try.”

I gave him two names, Faye Dunaway and James Caan. I knew he was already a Caan fan (thanks to El Dorado), so I suggested he branch out and see his other films.

As for Faye Dunaway… come on.. how is anyone NOT going to love her?! I recommended Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, and The Thomas Crown Affair (’68).  An excellent student, he found The Thomas Crown Affair on Prime Video the very next night and fell immediately under Faye Dunaway’s spell. Last I heard, he has seen almost as many of her movies as I have!

He has also ventured out and seen a lot of James Caan’s work and now enjoys movies that cover a wide variety of subjects and years.

I can’t remember the last time he complained about not being able to find something to watch on television!

If you aren’t familiar with Faye Dunaway’s body of work, or if you’ve only seen one or two of her films, I couldn’t recommend her any more highly. It’s frustrating – make that VERY frustrating – to those of us who are huge Faye Dunaway fans when one movie (the Joan Crawford one) is almost synonymous with her name. It certainly, certainly, certainly wasn’t her best film – but it was so different and so controversial that it continues to be talked about today.

As a fan of this beautiful actress, I have tried to put a positive spin on the whole thing. For example, she was quite brave to accept the role. I mean, let’s not blame Faye Dunaway for the movie… it would have been made anyway, with her or without her. To accept a role, playing a film legend and household name took guts. Problem is, Joan Crawford was the type of larger than life person that makes imitating them almost impossible. Any attempt (even by one of the best actresses of our time) to do so rings hollow and comes across as… well.. an impersonation.

The failure of the movie to hit on all cylinders is not anyone in particular’s fault… well, aside from Joan Crawford, herself, who simply cannot be imitated.

At any rate, if you’ve never seen that particular move, don’t. Just don’t. In fact, as a fan of both of these wonderful actresses, I beg you not to!

Recommended Faye Dunaway Films:

Each link goes to the movie on Prime Video.

Bonnie and Clyde (’67)

The Thomas Crown Affair (’68)

The Towering Inferno (’74)

Chinatown (’74)

Network (’76)

Supergirl (’84)

Gia (’98 – made for TV movie)

I’m in the process of finding more of her films on Prime Video, I’ll come back to this post and add them as I find them!

Faye Dunaway, The Thomas Crown Affair

Filed Under: BOTD, Faye Dunaway Tagged With: Faye Dunaway, Faye Dunaway movies, Faye Dunaway pictures

BOTD in 1906, the Colorful and Beautiful Louise Brooks

November 14, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Louise Brooks, The American Venus

Louise Brooks

Mary Louise Brooks (nicknamed Brooksie) was born in Cherryvale, Kansas on November 14, 1906. This particular beautiful and outrageously talented actress always serves as a reminder to me to never limit the movies or stars I see. I had, for years, concentrated my silent movie viewing to Clara Bow, Mary Pickford, Buster Keaton, and Charlie Chaplin. When I finally branched out, I found that there are far too many wonderful and exciting stars to “play” favorites.

After all, there are many just waiting to become favorites themselves, and Louise Brooks is a prime example.

The more I see of her and the more I read about her, the more I love her. She was VERY ahead of her time, colorful, original, and deliciously honest and frank. She wasn’t afraid to hold anything back and, frankly, I’d have loved to have seen her face if someone told her she wasn’t being a perfect “lady!”

If you aren’t familiar with this wonderful star, I hope you’ll search out her films and get to know her better. You’re going to love her.

Louise Brooks, Pandora's Box

Louise Brooks, Pandora’s Box


Filed Under: BOTD, Louise Brooks Tagged With: Louise Brooks, Louise Brooks picture

Pictures of the Day: Birthday Beauty, Veronica Lake

November 14, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Veronica Lake, This Gun for Hire

Veronica Lake

Today’s Picture of the Day happens to also be Birthday Beauty Veronica Lake (born on this date in 1922). To show just how anal I am about things like this, I flipped a coin to see whether to give picture of the day to Louise Brooks (who was also born on this date in 1906) or Veronica Lake.

Ironically, each beautiful and talented actress is known almost as much as their films.

Veronica Lake, This Gun for Hire


Filed Under: BOTD, Film Noir, Picture of the Day, Veronica Lake Tagged With: Film-Noir, This Gun for Hire, Veronica Lake, Veronica Lake pictures

BOTD in 1922, the Beautiful and Talented Veronica Lake

November 14, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Veronica Lake, This Gun for Hire

Veronica Lake, This Gun for Hire

Beautiful Veronica Lake was born on November 14, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York. Veronica is one of those actresses who I, personally, believe doesn’t get enough credit. She is, sadly, remembered most for her iconic hairstyle and (among those of us who are film historians.. immersing ourselves in details) for her personal demons, mental illness and the demon that almost always chased it, alcoholism.

She was so much more, though, and we should all start focusing on that.

Veronica Lake Alan Ladd, This Gun for Hire

Veronica Lake Alan Ladd, This Gun for Hire

Veronica starred in some of the best film-noirs ever made, alongside Alan Ladd.

They starred in four film-noirs together:

  • This Gun for Hire (1942)
  • The Glass Key (1942)
  • The Blue Dahlia (1946)
  • Saigon (1948)

They also both appeared in the 1942 extravaganza Star Spangled Rhythm.

My personal favorite Veronica Lake movie, however, is I Married a Witch. The FUN movie is hilarious and really showcases a lighter side of Veronica. The fact that it is, far and above my favorite may have a little to do with me simply wanting to remember her  smiling, mischievous, and bewitchingly happy. If that’s the case, mission accomplished because when I think of Veronica Lake, I think of the beauty below… and I’m very much okay with that.

Veronica Lake, I Married a Witch

 

Veronica Lake


Filed Under: BOTD, Veronica Lake Tagged With: Veronica Lake, Veronica Lake pictures

BOTD in 1918, The Beautiful and Talented Rita Hayworth…

October 17, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, You Were Never Lovelier

Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, You Were Never Lovelier

Rita Hayworth has been one of my absolute favorite actresses for as long as I can remember. I remember being very, very young and walking through the living room and saw what looked like a princess from one of my storybooks come to life. I sat and watched her with my mom. While I’d give just about anything to be able to sit and watch anything with my mom again, some things haven’t changed – I still think of Rita as a fairytale princess that came to life – if only for a brief time, before leaving us.

The first Rita Hayworth film I saw (the one I watched with my mom) was You Were Never Lovelier (1942) and, to this day, I don’t know why Gilda is so much more popular than this one. Granted, Gilda is an extraordinary movie… but so is You Were Never Lovelier.

Truth be told, though, I am absolutely wild about just about every Rita Hayworth movie. The Lady from Shanghai and The Loves of Carmen aren’t high on my list, but Rita’s in them… and that’s good enough for me!

If you’ve never seen You Were Never Lovelier (link to the dvd on Amazon), I hope you’ll find it and watch it soon. If you HAVE seen it, watch it again! Each time I do, I love it even more.

 

Rita Hayworth, You Were Never Lovelier

Filed Under: BOTD, Fred Astaire, Musicals, Picture of the Day, Rita Hayworth, You Were Never Lovelier Tagged With: BOTD, Fred Astaire, musicals, Rita Hayworth, You Were Never Lovelier

Pictures of the Day: Celebrating Angela Lansbury’s Birthday!

October 16, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Angela Lansbury, The Harvey Girls

Angela Lansbury, The Harvey Girls

One of my favorite Old Hollywood, modern Hollywood, and television actresses of all time is the same actress – the absolutely wonderful, talented, and beautiful Angela Lansbury.

I could spend all day trying to sum up the things that make this lady so extraordinary and the next three days trying to describe how much I love her! Given that my husband and cats would all appreciate meals on each of these days, I will simply say, there has never been anyone quite like her and there never will be.

I “collect” my favorite stars – in that I collect all books about them, all of their movies and television series (when applicable), magazine articles, photos, etc. Rest assured this lady is one of the ones collected in this household.

I’m trying to collect the entire Murder She Wrote (link to the collection on Amazon) series – but I’m doing it season by season. In the end, it would probably be cheaper to just buy the entire collection at once, but it’s too late now!

Happiest of birthdays to this extraordinary lady!

Angela Lansbury, The Manchurian Candidate
Angela Lansbury, The Manchurian Candidate


Filed Under: Angela Lansbury, BOTD Tagged With: Angela Lansbury, BOTD

BOTD in 1924, the Wonderful Lauren Bacall

September 16, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall

Lauren Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924, in New York City. Little did anyone know the legendary actress Betty Joan would one day become!

While I love all of Lauren Bacall’s movies (she has a very rich filmography… as rich and distinctive as her voice), my favorites are Key Largo, Dark Passage, The Big Sleep, How to Marry a Millionaire, and To Have and Have Not.

When Humphrey Bogart was on the screen, there was magic. When Lauren Bacall was on the screen, there was magic. When they were on the screen together…. the word hasn’t been invented for the magic they generated together.

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, Key Largo

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Key Largo


Filed Under: BOTD, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bogie and Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Lauren Bacall pictures

Claudette Colbert: Born on this Date in 1903

September 13, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

One of the most extraordinary actresses of all time was born on this date in Saint Mandé, France in 1903. This is an actress with a filmography that’s so remarkable – not just in quantity but quality as well.

Below are my… as of now… personal favorite Claudette Colbert movies (each link leads to the film on Amazon Prime or dvd). I know, as I watch more of her films, I’ll pick up new favorites to add along the way.

  • It Happened One Night (1934, directed by Frank Capra), co-starring Clark Gable. This film is so popular for a very good reason – it’s outstanding and the humor stands the test of time. It Happened One Night is also available on dvd.
  • Cleopatra (1934, directed by Cecil B DeMille), co-starring Warren William as Julius Caesar and Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Antony. Visually stunning and the acting is superb.
  • I Met Him in Paris (1937, directed by Wesley Ruggles), co-starring two of my favorite actors – Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young. They (like Claudette, herself) are wonderful in everything!
  • The Sign of the Cross (1932, directed by Cecil B. DeMille), co-starring Fredric March and Charles Laughton. Beautiful and lush, as you’d always expect from Cecil B. DeMille.

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Filed Under: BOTD, Claudette Colbert, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Born on this Date, BOTD, Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Lucille Ball: A Legend was BOTD in 1928!

August 6, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Fancy Pants, Lucille Ball and Bob Hope

Lucille Ball and Bob Hope, Fancy Pants

The wonderful, beautiful, hilarious, intelligent… I could go on for weeks… Lucille Ball was BOTD in Jamestown, N.Y. in 1928. All of us who love movies and (especially) television owe a debt of gratitude to the event. Television would never have been the magical force it became without Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Not even close.

The picture of the day is from the hilarious movie she made with her friend Bob Hope, Fancy Pants (1950). It is deliciously over the top, hilarious, and outrageous… just like its wonderful stars.

Happy Heavenly birthday to my personal favorite television star of all time… bar none!

Filed Under: Bob Hope, BOTD, Lucille Ball, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bob Hope, Lucille Ball

The Unforgettable Myrna Loy: Born on this Date in 1905

August 2, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Myrna Loy, Double Wedding

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.

Double Wedding, Myrna Loy and William Powell

Myrna Loy and William Powell

Filed Under: BOTD, Myrna Loy, Picture of the Day, William Powell Tagged With: Myrna Loy, Myrna Loy pictures

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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

  • 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
  • Happy Thanksgiving!
  • Tamango: Dorothy Dandridge and Curt Jurgens
  • Today We Live: Joan Crawford, Gary Cooper, Robert Young, and Franchot Tone

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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