Golden Age of Hollywood
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
While I love Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, my personal favorite actress to play the role is Claudette Colbert. There was just something extra special about her performance – as much in the way she carried herself as anything.
Cleopatra (1934) was directed by the extraordinary Cecil B. DeMille and starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, and Claudette Colbert (of course) as an especially regal and radiant Cleopatra.
You can find the wonderful 1934 Cleopatra on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
Cleopatra (1934) was directed by the wonderful Cecil B. DeMille and starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, and Claudette Colbert as the most stunningly beautiful Cleopatra imaginable.
You can find the wonderful 1934 Cleopatra on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
Some Old Hollywood stars were so exquisite… so perfect… so breathtaking… in a particular role that it seems they were born to play it. Claudette Colbert, as Cleopatra, is one that comes to mind. Yes… I understand that Claudette was born in France and that it is COMPLETELY doubtful that she resembled Cleopatra in the least, but come on… it’s Hollywood – if someone can’t manage to “make believe” and leave reality behind long enough to enjoy a movie, I don’t know what to tell them. All I know is I’d never want to watch a movie with them!
Cleopatra (1934) was directed by one of the best to ever sit in a director’s chair, Cecil B. DeMille. The movie starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony.
Claudette Colbert, Four Frightened People
One of my favorite actresses is Claudette Colbert. Love her beauty, her unique screen-presence, and her talent. I also love her versatility and the fact that her filmography was a goldmine of great, often larger-than-life films. One such film is the 1934 adventure-drama Four Frightened People, directed by the great Cecil B. DeMille.
The film also stars Herbert Marshall, William Gargan, and Mary Boland but… let’s not get it twisted, this is Claudette Colbert’s moment and she makes the absolute most of it.
While I have nothing but great, great love for Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, and Barbara Stanwyck, I will NEVER understand why Claudette Colbert’s name isn’t always listed alongside their names when elite actresses are being discussed. Think about it, she rarely is. You’ll also see see people’s top 10 list of “best actresses” of all time and she is almost always overlooked.
I’m not trying to whine or complain – more than anything, I guess I’m just thinking out loud. It mystifies me – she was truly wonderful and I wish more people would familiarize themselves with her work.
Continued Below…
Claudette Colbert, Four Frightened People Promo Picture
Four Angry People, while greatly entertaining, isn’t one of Colbert’s best-known or frequently-shown movies. If you want to see it, you pretty much have to buy the dvd. As a Claudette Colbert collector, it’s the next one I’m adding to my dvd collection and I can’t wait to see it again – it’s been far too long!
You can find Four Frightened People on dvd (Amazon link).
You can find more Claudette Colbert promotional pictures for Four Frightened People here.
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…
