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Christmas in Connecticut (1945): Time for this Movie to Be More Famous!

December 2, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, Christmas in Connecticut

Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, Christmas in Connecticut

Old Hollywood enthusiasts certainly know (and LOVE) Christmas in Connecticut (Amazon Link). We joyfully list it with our other favorite Christmas films – It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas. However, for some reason (that’s beyond me), “mainstream” movie viewers aren’t familiar with it.

Maybe it’s time we start making more noise about this film!

(Continued Below….)

Christmas in Connecticut - Barbara Stanwyck Publicity still with Dennis Morgan

Creative Plot

Barbara Stanwyck stars as journalist Elizabeth Lane. She is a food writer with a popular column runs is one of the country’s most-read magazines. In these columns, she describes herself as a great cook, a hard-working mother… as a woman who runs her home, kitchen, AND farm!

Sounds impressive, right? Unfortunately it’s all lies! She lives (alone) in an apartment in New York and gets all of her recipes from her adorable best friend Felix (played by S.Z. Sakall, in the only way he knows how to play any role… to perfection and deliciously). Truth be told, Elizabeth would probably struggle with boiling water.

The owner of the magazine she works for has decided on a special holiday “angle” for the column: A heroic serviceman will spend his Christmas on Elizabeth’s farm. Obviously… first they’re going to need a farm!

Elizabeth fears that, if the truth comes out, she’ll lose the job she loves, so she gets desperate. Desperate to the tune of “creating” a family, cooking skills, and even the beautiful farm and home.

(Wrapped Up Below….)

Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, Christmas in Connecticut

Perfect Cast

Joining Barbara Stanwyck and S.Z. Sakall (who’d be plenty in and of themselves) is Sydney Greenstreet (another of my favorites), Dennis Morgan, Reginald Gardiner, and the always wonderful Una O’Connor.

Though he isn’t as well-known as most of the stars around him, Dennis Morgan is absolutely perfect in this role. He plays it to a tee and has noticeable chemistry with beautiful Barbara Stanwyck.

The film is filled with laughs, loves, and plenty of Christmas spirit and charm. If you’ve never seen Christmas in Connecticut (Amazon Link), check it out right away. If you have seen it…. you know what I’m fixing to say… see it again!

Lobby card with Barbara Stanwyck, Sk Sakall & Reginald Gardiner

Lobby card with Barbara Stanwyck, Sk Sakall & Reginald Gardiner

Filed Under: Barbara Stanwyck, Christmas, Christmas in Connecticut, Dennis Morgan, Gift Guide 2019, Sydney Greenstreet, SZ Sakall Tagged With: Barbara Stanwyck, Christmas in Connecticut, Dennis Morgan, S.Z. Sakall, Sydney Greenstreet

The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne

October 30, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Young Duke: A John Wayne Biography

The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne

As I’ve often said on Hollywood Yesterday, I collect Old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies like it’s my job. I’m content with one or two biographies of some stars, while others are such favorites, I collect anything and everything written about them. John Wayne is one of these “give me one of everything” stars. He’s a favorite and has been since I watched him on television with my day. That may be part of the reason I love The Duke so much.  The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne by Howard Kazanjian and Chris Enss is the newest addition to my John Wayne collection and I was anxious to tell you about it.

This book would make a great gift idea for anyone in your life who loves John Wayne. It’s a “fast read” with plenty of pictures, so even those “old cowboys” you love will enjoy it!

In addition to the wonderful content and pictures (lots of things even I didn’t know and quite a few pictures I’d never seen), the book includes great quotes about John Wayne and his influence on family and co-stars. I love these quotes so much because what people say about us is one of the strongest blocks in the building of our legacy.

Quote About Stagecoach

From the Back Cover:

By the time Stagecoach made John Wayne a silver-screen star in 1939, the thirty-one-year-old was already a veteran of more than sixty films, having twirled six-guns and foiled cattle rustlers in B Westerns for five studios. By the 1950s he was Hollywood’s most popular actor—an Academy Award nominee destined to become an American icon.

Through rare photographs and revealing family anecdotes, The Young Duke offers an unflinching look at how Marion Morrison became the legend known as John Wayne—from his boyhood in Winterset, Iowa, and his days as a college football star, to his stunning box-office success in Westerns and war movies in the 1930s and 1940s. Shedding new light on Wayne’s formative years and early Hollywood roles and influences, this stirring biography uncovers the true stories behind the screen legend’s public and private lives.

About the Authors:

Chris Enss is an award-winning screenwriter and the author or coauthor of more than two dozen books.

Howard Kazanjian is an award-winning producer and entertainment executive who for three decades has been producing television programs and feature films, including two of the highest grossing films of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Great Addition to a Collection

There are, of course, more detailed biographies of John Wayne – many delve into his life and you can spend glorious weeks reading every detail. This book is a much different book from other biographies. Would it provide a complete picture of John Wayne, the actor or the man? No – certainly not. This book was intended more for a “quick read” or for collectors, like me, who simply must have everything related to their favorite stars!

This is a great addition to any biography collection and a very fun read. Whereas some biographies are “heavy” with filmographies, research, quotes, and information, this one is “light.”

When you want a fast-paced overview of a star’s life, sometimes that’s just what you’re looking for!

Find The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne  on Amazon or in your favorite second-hand bookstore.

Filed Under: Gift Guide 2019, John Wayne, Old Hollywood Book Reviews Tagged With: John Wayne, Old Hollywood Biographies, Old Hollywood Biography Reviews

Christmas Music from Ella, Lena, Louis, Eartha, and More…

October 25, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I would say that Christmas is already on my mind but, if we’re being honest, it’s never OFF of my mind. Ella Fitzgerald

Yes… I’m one of those people and I make no apologies for it.

I have a large, wonderful family and shopping year-round for gifts is the only way I can stay sane or stand a chance to get things done. I buy things in stores and online (often starting the day after Christmas!) and hide them away in totes. Admittedly, sometimes I dip into the totes during the year for little, “Here’s this… just because I love you..” expressions, but that’s fun too.

I’ve begun a #ClassicFilmGifts series of tweets on Twitter and will now also begin a series of Christmas Gift Ideas posts here on Hollywood Yesterday. Granted, very often (very, very, very often in fact), we’re the only one in our family who collects Classic Hollywood collectibles and one of the only ones who watched old movies – in which case, the gift ideas are actually for US.

Again… that’s fun too!

These particular gift ideas are actually ones I’m sure you (like me) will want long before Christmas and will want all for yourself! They’ll each be on their Merry way to our house right away. These artists are some of my favorite in the world and I can’t wait to spend the Christmas season with them.

Continued Below Ella Beautifully Singing The Christmas Song…

Christmas With Ella & Friends

Christmas With Ella & Friends is one of the ones that’s already in my Amazon shopping cart.  I searched for Ella Fitzgerald Christmas CDs and literally gasped when I saw the list of friends she brought to the Christmas party with her!

  • Louis Armstrong
  • Bing Crosby
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Doris Day
  • Eartha Kitt
  • Dinah Washington
  • Dean Martin
  • Brenda Lee
  • The Platters
  • And more …


The CD cover states that there are 40 songs included in the 2 CD set, but Amazon lists 50. Either way, that’s a lot of wonderful Christmas songs from some of the greatest voices of all time. I will let you know for sure how many there are as soon as my CD arrives!

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is another “must have. Who better than Ella to get a swinging Christmas and  jazzy new year off on the right note??!

This 1960 collection includes:

    1. Jingle Bells
    2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
    3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
    4.  What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
    5. Sleigh Ride
    6. The Christmas Song
    7. Good Morning Blues
    8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
    9. Winter Wonderland
    10. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
    11. Frosty The Snowman
    12. White Christmas
    13. The Secret Of Christmas
    14. Medley: We Three Kings Of Orient Are/O Little Town Of Bethlehem
    15. Christmas Island
    16. The Christmas Song
    17. White Christmas (Alternative Take)
    18. Frosty The Snowman (Alternative Take)

Continued Below Lena Horne’s Gorgeous Rendition of White Christmas

Merry From Lena

If you read very much of what I write (bless your heart), you know I love Lena Horne. Like, A LOT. I could listen to her all day/all night and never complain. I actually once had this CD but will have to reorder it.

I guess I wore it out! I remember playing my favorite songs (The Little Drummer Boy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town) over and over and over. Lena Horne Christmas Music

  1. Jingle All The Way
  2. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
  3. Winter Wonderland
  4. White Christmas
  5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
  6. The Little Drummer Boy
  7. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
  8. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
  9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
  10. Silent Night
  11. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

These are the songs that are the soundtrack to Christmas and no one… absolutely no one…. sings them more beautifully than Lena Horne.

Lena Horne, like Rita Hayworth and a few other select entertainers, gets so much recognition for her beauty (and, come on, it’s understandable) but she was so much more than a beautiful face. She could act, sings (could she ever sing!), and dance.

And if you’re talking about stage presence and a certain “it” factor – Lena was all over it. If you aren’t familiar with her music, I hope you’ll familiarize yourself right away.


I hope you’ll click through these links and order at least one of these wonderful Christmas song collections. Christmas music is one of the most beautiful (magical, even) things about Christmas.

In fact, as something of an expert on Christmas (immodestly, I put myself right up there with Mrs. Claus in the category), if I were to recommend a way to make the Season even sweeter, I’d suggest starting a Christmas CD collection – and these are a few of the CDs I’d recommend for you to start with.

I will write about more Christmas CDs in the coming weeks – in fact, I was near the middle of a “Top 10 Christmas CDs” post but I got too excited about these three and had to share them immediately. Christmas (and these artists) do that to me. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

 

Filed Under: Dinah Washington, Doris Day, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Gift Guide 2019, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong Tagged With: Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong

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

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  • 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
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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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