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You are here: Home / Archives for Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly, BOTD in Philadelphia in 1929

November 12, 2022 By Joi

Grace Kelly on the Set of The Country Girl

Grace Kelly on the set of The Country Girl

Grace Kelly was BOTD  in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1929. Not counting made for TV movies, the legendary actress made only 11 films. In spite of the relatively small number, her lovely fingerprints are all over Classic film and she’s an iconic star to this day.

She left Hollywood in 1956 to marry  Prince Rainier of Monaco. They had three children and were married until her death in 1982 at the age of 52.

Her one Academy Award was for Best Actress in a Lead Role for The Country Girl. She was also nominated for her role in Mogambo (in the category of Supporting Actress). She won the Golden Globe for each of these roles.

You can find The Country Girl on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the film on Prime Video.


Grace Kelly, The Country Girl

Grace Kelly, The Country Girl

Filed Under: BOTD, Grace Kelly Tagged With: BOTD, Grace Kelly, Grace Kelly pictures

Hitchcock and the Censors by John Bellheimer (Review of a Fascinating Book!)

February 21, 2022 By Joi

Hitchcock and the Censors by John Billheimer

Hitchcock and the Censors

Though I have never taken Film History college courses, I do consider myself somewhat of a film historian. I mean, I’ve probably read as many books about Hollywood (primarily old Hollywood) as any film historian with a degree to show for their efforts! The main differences are that I never have to pass difficult tests, write essays, finance the great education, and (admittedly) my self studies are confined to old Hollywood, whereas those with college educations study a far greater number of films and different eras.

I have built up (and continue to do so regularly) a wonderful library of books that provide a wealth of information. Books about Alfred Hitchcock, not surprisingly, provide a great deal of information and insight into making films during that particular period of time.

Description of Hitchcock and the Censors From Amazon:

Edgar Award Winner: This lively account of the director’s battles with the Code Office is “an essential addition to any Hitchcock shelf” (Mystery Scene Magazine).

From 1934 to 1968, the Motion Picture Production Code Office controlled the content and final cut on all films made and distributed in the United States. Code officials protected sensitive ears from standard four-letter words, as well as a few five-letter words like tramp and six-letter words like cripes. They also scrubbed “excessively lustful” kissing from the screen and ensured that no criminal went unpunished. Thus, throughout his career, Alfred Hitchcock had to deal with a wide variety of censors attuned to the slightest suggestion of sexual innuendo, undue violence, toilet humor, religious disrespect, and all forms of indecency, real or imagined.

During their review of Hitchcock’s films, the censors demanded an average of 22.5 changes, ranging from the mundane to the mind-boggling, on each of his American films. Code reviewers dictated the ending of Rebecca, absolved Cary Grant of guilt in Suspicion, edited Cole Porter’s lyrics in Stage Fright, decided which shades should be drawn in Rear Window, and shortened the shower scene in Psycho.

In Hitchcock and the Censors, John Billheimer traces the forces that led to the Production Code and describes Hitchcock’s interactions with code officials on a film-by-film basis as he fought to protect his creations, bargaining with code reviewers and sidestepping censorship to produce a lifetime of memorable films. Despite the often-arbitrary decisions of the code board, Hitchcock still managed to push the boundaries of sex and violence permitted in films by charming—and occasionally tricking—the censors and by swapping off bits of dialogue, plot points, and individual shots (some of which had been deliberately inserted as trading chips) to protect cherished scenes and images. By examining Hitchcock’s priorities in dealing with the censors, this work highlights the director’s theories of suspense as well as his magician-like touch when negotiating with code officials. Read more on Amazon (Amazon link).

Alfred Hitchcock on the set of Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock on the Set of Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock is a favorite director of many film lovers (including mine). The man was a genius. After reading Hitchcock and the Censors by John Billheimer, I’ve realized that he was even more of a genius than I ever gave him credit for!

From the Back Cover

Throughout his career, Alfred Hitchcock had to contend with a wide variety of censors attuned to the slightest suggestion of sexual innuendo, undue violence, toilet humor, religious disrespect, and all forms of indecency, real or imagined. From 1934 to 1968, the Motion Picture Production Code Office controlled the content and final cut on all films made and distributed in the United States. During their review of Hitchcock’s films, the censors demanded an average of 22.5 changes, ranging from the mundane to the mind-boggling, on each of his American films.

In his award-winning Hitchcock and the Censors, author John Billheimer traces the forces that led to the Production Code and describes Hitchcock’s interactions with code officials on a film-by-film basis as he fought to protect his creations, bargaining with code reviewers and sidestepping censorship to produce a lifetime of memorable films. Despite the often-arbitrary decisions of the code board, Hitchcock still managed to push the boundaries of sex and violence permitted in films by charming—and occasionally tricking—the censors, and by swapping off bits of dialogue, plot points, and individual shots (some of which had been deliberately inserted as trading chips) to protect cherished scenes and images. By examining Hitchcock’s priorities in dealing with the censors, this work highlights the director’s theories of suspense as well as his magician-like touch when negotiating with code officials.

I have a peculiar habit when meeting a new book that I have probably confessed on the old Hollywood blog before… I go straight to the index and search for names of my favorite stars… then I read what is said about each one on the pages listed. I know, I know, it goes against every rule of reading a book from front to back, but I find that I simply MUST read about my favorites before actually beginning at the first.

When I first sat down with this fascinating book, I found SO MANY of my favorites listed in the index that I grabbed a tall glass of raspberry tea and settled in my favorite den chair and got comfortable. Maureen O’Hara, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Lucille Ball, Barbara Bel Geddes, Ingrid Bergman, Robert Montgomery, Ethel Barrymore, Anne Baxter, Joan Fontaine, Grace Kelly, Janet Leigh, Cary Grant… I found a wealth of information for each star and, in spite of reading about each one regularly, learning new things about many of them along the way.

Make no mistake about it, however, Alfred Hitchcock is the star of this show and rightfully so. I have more profound respect for him, his talent, his PATIENCE, his willpower, and his lasting fingerprints on moviemaking and film as we know it.

There were about 20 times, in the course of reading this book that I LITERALLY closed the book, sat it down, and took a moment to process what I had read… to absorb, if you will, the boldness of of the man and the magic of the legend.

I was fascinated beyond belief the number of battles he had to wage over somewhat expected things such as kissing to a fairly unexpected wink that, in my opinion, brilliantly and poetically closed his career. Whether you love film history, Hitchcock, and/or MANY of old Hollywood’s greatest stars, this is absolutely the next book you need to add to your library.

You can find this wonderful book on University Press of Kentucky or Amazon (Amazon link).

Cary Grant, Alfred Hitchcock, and Grace Kelly - Behind the Scenes of To Catch a Thief

Filed Under: Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Film History, Grace Kelly, Old Hollywood Book Reviews Tagged With: Alfred Hitchcock, Alfred Hitchcock book, book reviews, Cary Grant, Film History, Grace Kelly, Old Hollywood Books

Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor: A Two-for-One Picture of the Day in Honor of My Mom

January 10, 2022 By Joi

Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief

Grace Kelly

Today is my mom’s birthday. She has celebrated her birthday in Heaven since 2006 but it’s always a special day for me. As soon as I woke up, I knew exactly who the picture of the day would be…. her two favorite actresses, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor!

So, in my mom’s honor, here are two very remarkable actresses – they would, however, pale in comparison to my remarkable, selfless, compassionate, and uncommonly COLORFUL mother!

Happy Heavenly birthday… you are and forever will be missed by your daughter and three granddaughters.

Elizabeth Taylor, Elephant Walk

Elizabeth Taylor

Filed Under: Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly, Dial M for Murder (One of My Favorite Hitchcocks!)

October 26, 2021 By Joi

Grace Kelly, Dial M for Murder

Grace Kelly, Dial M for Murder

There are about three Hitchcock films that I tie for my favorites – the ones I watch and rewatch and rewatch. Dial M for Murder is one of the “chosen ones.” Ray Milland and Grace Kelly are perfection in the film and it’s just so deliciously done.

Hitchcock took the unique onscreen presence of Grace Kelly (one that some have referred to as stiff and even cold) and made it absolutely wonderful in this role. While he certainly didn’t, he made it seem as though the movie had been created and crafted with her in mind.

Even Ray Milland, in one of his finest performances, seemed to position himself and his character in a manner that would make her shine.

Personally I believe Hitchcock worked similar magic for all of his leading ladies – just never more noticeable than with this particular film and this particular legendary actress.

You can find Dial M for Murder on DVD (Amazon link).

Grace Kelly, Dial M for Murder Closeup

Grace Kelly

Filed Under: Alfred Hitchcock, Grace Kelly, Perfect Movies Tagged With: Alfred Hitchcock, Grace Kelly

Publicity Still for Mogambo: Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly

October 29, 2019 By Joi

Publicity Still for Mogambo

It seems to me that Mogambo is one of those films you either love to distraction or hate with a passion. For me, it’s that latter, I’m afraid.  Which is ODD and downright WEIRD because Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly are three of my favorites. Love them like crazy.

And yet… I’d rather gargle live crickets than watch this film.

Due to my love of the three stars, I’ve given it several chances to win me over. I have watched it three times over the years, with the following thoughts:

  1. First Viewing: Ava is absolutely wonderful, Grace is boring in this role, and Clark is as miscast as miscasts get. Why did Grace sign on for this?
  2. Second Viewing: Ava is absolutely, positively wonderful, Grace is absolutely, positively boring in this role, and Clark is as absolutely, positively miscast as miscasts get. Why did Grace sign on for this?
  3.  Third Viewing: Ava. She’s the only good thing about this turkey of a movie. Why did Grace sign on for this?

And yet… I see so many people name it as a favorite movie?! I don’t get it, but that certainly doesn’t mean it can’t be “got.” The worst thing about it is that I collect ALL Ava Gardner films, as well as ALL Grace Kelly films which means I’m actually going to have to buy this thing one day. Horrors! I’ve already decided it’s going on the Ava Gardner collection shelf.

After all, she’s the only good thing about it. Why did Grace sign on for this?

Find Mogambo on Amazon, if you’re also a collector or one of those who happens to like it.

Filed Under: Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Grace Kelly

Cary Grant Quote About Grace Kelly, His Favorite Leading Lady

October 29, 2019 By Joi

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief

Think for just a minute about Cary Grant’s leading ladies:

  • Rita Hayworth
  • Katharine Hepburn
  • Audrey Hepburn
  • Joan Fontaine
  • Jean Arthur
  • Ginger Rogers
  • Ann Sheridan
  • Myrna Loy
  • Grace Kelly
  • Ingrid Bergman
  • Rosalind Russell
  • Sophia Loren
  • Deborah Kerr
  • Leslie Caron
  • Doris Day
  • Eva Marie Saint
  • Jayne Mansfield
  • Jeanne Crane
  • Loretta Young
  • Shirley Temple

Reads like half of a “top actresses of Old Hollywood” list, doesn’t it? I name all of these exceptional actresses to simply highlight the weightiness of the following quote by Cary Grant in 1986:

“I’ve worked with (Ingrid Bergman). I’ve worked with Katharine Hepburn. I’ve worked with some of the biggest stars, but Grace Kelly was the best actress I’ve ever worked with in my life. That woman was total relaxation, absolute ease – she was totally THERE. She was an extraordinarily serene girl.”

When you take into account all of the stars he worked with over his career, this is truly an exceptional quote – about an exceptional actress. He didn’t just single Grace out with this quote, either. He often cited her as his favorite leading actress. He, of course, attended her state funeral (1982) and wept throughout the service.

The Hollywood legends co-starred in To Catch a Thief in 1955, one of the last movies Grace Kelly would make.

After she became Princess Grace, Cary Grant would visit her on occasions in Monaco. Click here for a hilarious short article on Vanity Fair about the “dirty jokes” he would tell her family on these visits.

I think you’re going to like his poem about generals and… well… privates.

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief

“We all loved her very, very much.” ~ Cary Grant, about Grace Kelly

Filed Under: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly Tagged With: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief

Welcome to Hollywood Yesterday!

Ann Sheridan, It All Came True

Ann Sheridan
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 positively magical and I see no reason for the magic to ever die.

Be warned, I am (by nature) overtly positive, I never take anything too seriously, I say extraordinary so often you’d think I invented the word, and I overuse exclamation points to distraction. I’m perpetually over-caffeinated.. we’ll blame that.

Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my personal favorites) here!

Old Hollywood Actresses

Lena Horne, Meet Me in Las Vegas

See the Old Hollywood Actresses page for the index of Classic Hollywood Actresses and Classic TV Actresses.

Old Hollywood Actors

Henry Fonda, Behind the Scenes The Grapes of Wrath

See the Old Hollywood Actors page for the index of Old Hollywood and Classic TV actors.

Old Hollywood Book Reviews

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice

I love reading old Hollywood biographies and memoirs as much as I love watching classic movies, and that’s truly saying something!

To see my Old Hollywood book reviews, please see the index listed here: Book Reviews.

Pictures of the Day

Maureen O'Hara, The Parent Trap

Maureen O’Hara

The Old Hollywood & Classic TV Pictures of the Day are published as regularly as possible. If I miss a few days, please just know that the husband, daughters, sons-in-law, grandbabies, and/or my cats were demanding my attention. I’ll be honest, nothing comes before any of them! Not even Maureen O’Hara or Henry Fonda.

Priorities, y’all.

Movie Collections on Amazon

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Recent Posts

  • Happy Heavenly Birthday to the Extraordinary Donna Reed
  • Nat King Cole and Ruby Dee, St. Louis Blues (1958)
  • The Spider Woman (1943): Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Gale Sondergaard, and Dennis Hoey
  • Rest in Peace, Beautiful Gina Lollobrigida
  • Beautiful Rhonda Fleming in a Stunning Promotional Photo for The Golden Hawk (1952)
  • The Wonderful Paul Henreid was BOTD in 1908
  • Judy Garland Behind the Scenes of Presenting Lily Mars
  • Paul Lynde Quote + Under the Yum Yum Tree Pics with Imogene Coca and Jack Lemmon

Movie Night, ANY Night…

John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Arthur Hunnicutt in El Dorado
Have movie night ANY night with Prime Video on Amazon:  Prime Video (Amazon link)

Thank You for Visiting!

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times
Thank you so much for visiting Hollywood Yesterday! You truly HONOR me with your presence. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, The Adventures of Robin Hood

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?? 

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!

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

 

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
Vitagraph by Andrew A. Erish
Vitagraph by Andrew A. Erish
More Old Hollywood Book Reviews!

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…

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 (joitsigers@gmail.com).

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 (“Joy”)

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