Old Hollywood: Movies, Actresses, and Actors
Macdonald Carey, Marilyn Monroe, Zachary Scott, and Claudette Colbert
Let’s Make it Legal is an underrated and rarely shown romantic comedy from 1951. The cast, alone, warrants more attention than this fun movie receives! The movie was directed by Richard Sale and the cast includes Claudette Colbert, Macdonald Carey, Marilyn Monroe, Zachary Scott, Barbara Bates, Robert Wagner, and Frank Cady.
You can find Let’s Make it Legal on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the film on Prime Video.
Charles Laughton, Claudette Colbert, and Fredric March
The wonderfully grand film The Sign of the Cross (1932) was directed by the one director who could have done it the most justice, Cecil B. DeMille. The extraordinary cast includes Claudette Colbert, Frederic March, Charles Laughton, Elissa Landi, and Ian Keith.
If you haven’t seen this one in a while, revisit it soon. It is truly one of the most remarkable films made and the cast is absolutely mesmerizing.
You can buy The Sign of the Cross on dvd (Amazon link). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video… hopefully one day!
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra (1934)
With the utmost of respect for Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh, Claudette Colbert is my favorite cinematic Cleopatra. Part of it could be that Claudette is one of my top 5 favorite actresses.. but I simply prefer her portrayal.
Truth be told, I actually like the 1939 version of Cleopatra better than the others as well. Directed by the legendary Cecil B. DeMille, the cast also includes Henry Wilcoxon, Warren William, Joseph Schildkraut, Gertrude Michael, and Ian Keith.
You can find the wonderful extravaganza that is the 1939 Cleopatra on dvd and blu-ray (Amazon link)
Claudette Colbert
I am running around today like the overly-caffeinated crazy cat lady that I am, so it’s one of those days where I post the picture of the day and just leave you alone with it. When days like this happen, I try to make sure it’s a picture (or pictures) that pretty much speak for themselves. In this case, I’ve chosen wisely.
Claudette Colbert always makes a great option when it comes to allowing photos to speak for themselves. She always has so much to say!
Claudette Colbert
You can buy The Sign of the Cross on dvd (Amazon link). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video… hopefully one day!
Claudette Colbert
How’s this for an extraordinary picture of the day?! The Claudette Colbert publicity photo was for her wonderful 1933 Romantic Drama (co-starring Fredric March), Tonight is Ours. Directed by Stuart Walker, it is unfortunately very difficult to find on television EVER and almost impossible to find on dvd. If you find it either place, take advantage of the situation!
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert
One of my favorite actresses (and one of the stars I most ardently collect) is Claudette Colbert. As far as I’m concerned, she’s one of the most talented and compelling actresses or actors of all time. Whether it was a light, romantic comedy, a drama, or a sweeping epic film that seemed larger than life… she made every movie better simply by being Claudette Colbert.
I know what’s best for me; after all. I have been in the Claudette Colbert business longer than anybody. ~ Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert, Tonight is Ours (1933)
I love everything about the wonderful Claudette Colbert – from her films to her wonderful quotes. The one below is one of my favorites. The more you read about this amazing actress, the more you find to love about her!
“To be celebrated is nothing. To be loved is everything.” ~ Claudette Colbert
This publicity photo of Claudette Colbert is from Tonight is Ours (1933, directed by Stuart Walker). The movie co-stars Fredric March, Alison Skipworth, and Arthur Byron. Unfortunately it’s as impossible to catch on television as it is to find on dvd!
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
Recently, after I tweeted out a few pictures of Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, someone commented that she was their favorite Cleopatra. I thought, “Oh, we’re going to get along famously!” She’s absolutely my favorite Cleopatra as well… second only to the original Cleopatra, herself.
Only she could beat Claudette Colbert in the role. More practice.
You can find Cleopatra (1934) on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert
Cleopatra (1934) was directed by the extraordinary Cecil B. DeMille and boasted a cast that was extraordinary in its own right: Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, Joseph Schildkraut as Herod, and Ian Keith as Octavian.
This is one of those special movies I personally rewatch every chance I get. Not only is it mesmerizing and entertaining each time but I also notice something I’d never noticed before – in spite of having seen this one well over 10 times! Each time I revisit these characters and story, I notice a new expression on someone’s face, a gesture they make I hadn’t noticed before, a gorgeous piece of furniture or jewelry… there’s just so much exquisiteness you can’t possibly enjoy it ALL at one sitting!
You can find Cleopatra (1934) on dvd (Amazon link). Trust me, buying the dvd is the way to go… this one begs to be watched and rewatched
Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
There’s just something so RIGHT about Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra (1934). Everything about her performance was magical as far as I’m concerned. The whole movie is an iconic work of art and I can never see it often enough.
The epic was directed by the wonderful Cecil B. DeMille and starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, and Claudette Colbert (of course) as the mesmerizing Cleopatra.
You can find the wonderful 1934 Cleopatra on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
My main goal with Hollywood Yesterday is to keep the names, faces, and films of the stars that mean so much to me shining brightly. When I’m guilty of focusing more time on my personal favorites (such as Olivia de Havilland) than other stars, I hope you’ll forgive me. I am, by all indications, very human!
Also, please know that I try to keep my posts (except for book reviews) short and to the point, so you can enjoy the pictures, grab the information, and get back to your life. I don’t appreciate anything that’s overly wordy, so I don’t want to do that to others. For better or worse, I write as I talk, so if you ever feel like you’re reading the words of someone who’s a cross between Lucy Ricardo, Daisy Duck, and a Jerry Lewis character, that’s just because you are!
Wait. What did I just admit to??
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…
