Henry Fonda | Hollywood Yesterday

Henry Fonda and Vera Miles, The Wrong Man

November 9, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda and Vera Miles, The Wrong Man

Ever stop and think how funny it is that (very often), our favorite actors or actresses aren’t (even by our own judgement) the best actresses and actors. We just like them and that’s that. Every now and then, though, the two worlds collide and our favorites are, undoubtedly, among the very best. That’s the case with quite a few of my own personal favorites but none any more glaringly so than Henry Fonda (and his close friend James Stewart, too, for that matter).

Henry Fonda was as talented an actor as one could ever hope to find. Drama, comedy, westerns, romantic films.. he did everything and did it flawlessly.

The photos, shown here as the pictures of the day, are from his wonderful 1956 film-noir The Wrong Man. The movie co-stars Vera Miles and was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It’s an especially good movie and Fonda and Miles are exceptional.

You can find The Wrong Man (link to the dvd on Amazon) on Amazon.

Henry Fonda and Vera Miles, The Wrong Man

Gearing Up for Maureen O’Hara Day on TCM’s Summer Under the Stars!

August 14, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr and Maureen O’Hara, Sinbad the Sailor

August 17 is Maureen O’Hara’s date of birth, meaning it’s kind of a holiday in my little world. I have always LOVED the fact that two of my absolute favorites, Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball, share my birth month. Truth be told, it makes me kind of giddy.

I love that TCM is devoting Maureen’s birthday to an entire day for her and her films. I’ve always loved their Summer Under the Stars each summer and I love it even more when my favorites have their own days.

[Continued Below….]

Maureen O’Hara, Jamaica Inn

Below, in order, are the movies that will be shown (check your local listings for the time):

Jamaica Inn (1939, directed by Alfred Hitchcock). The movie co-stars Charles Laughton. It marked Maureen’s film debut. She was so incredibly young in this film… with the face of an Irish angel.

A Woman’s Secret (1949, directed by Nicholas Ray). I love this film noir, mystery so much. It co-stars one of my favorite actors, Melvyn Douglas and another of my favorite actresses, Gloria Grahame. Rounding out the cast and doing it in scene-stealing fashion are Mary Philips and J.C. Flippen. Neither could possibly be any funner to watch than they are in this one.

The Fallen Sparrow (1943, directed by Richard Wallace). I’m so glad TCM is showing this VERY rarely shown drama… it’s a good one! Maureen’s co-stars are John Garfield, Walter Slezak, Patricia Morison, and Martha O’Driscoll. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to catch this one – it isn’t shown on television often.

The Rare Breed (1966, directed by Victor McLaglen). The Westerns Maureen made with John Wayne get all of the attention, but she made other outstanding Westerns without the Duke. The Rare Breed stars one of my favorite actors, James Stewart. Although he and Maureen lead the cast, the movie is all but stolen by Brian Keith (in a particularly entertaining role!) and Juliet Mills. They’re all wonderful in their roles, but Brian Keith and Juliet Mills are honestly why this movie works. They bring charm and humor and its palpable.

At Sword’s Point (1952, directed by Lewis Allen) This one’s a very underrated movie. Maureen Plays the daughter of Athos (of Three Musketeers fame) in this Technicolor swashbuckler. Co-stars include Cornel Wilde, Robert Douglas, Gladys Cooper, and Alan Hale, Jr.

Sinbad the Sailor (1957, directed by Richard Wallace). I can’t tell you how much I love the fact that TCM is airing these two technicolor beauties back to back. The more swashbuckling the better! Sinbad the Sailor has surprising little actual fighting…. very, very little in fact. However, the charisma of Douglas Fairbanks Jr, the beauty and sass of Maureen O’Hara, and the great humor of Walter Slezak make it an entertaining film in spite of little actual swashbuckling.

The Wings of Eagles (1957, directed by John Ford) With everything they meant to her, personally, and to her career, I am so very, very thankful that TCM is airing one of her films with John Ford and John Wayne. When I first saw the lineup, I was disappointed that The Quiet Man (one of the greatest films of all time) wasn’t included – but then I realized, it’s shown frequently on television. Her day is a special time to show movies that are harder to catch. This outstanding movie is a great one to represent the trio. The biographical drama also stars Ward Bond, Dan Dailey, and Ken Curtis (Festus from Gunsmoke!)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939, directed by William Dieterle) Maureen O’Hara and the wonderful Charles Laughton are teamed again for this masterpiece. If you are an avid old movie fan, you have probably seen this one before. I encourage you to watch it again – if only to marvel at the talent of Charles Laughton. The man was phenomenal and his performance in this film leaves me speechless.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947, directed by George Seaton, who was also one of the writers) I was pleasantly surprised that this one made the lineup! I love the thought of people who have never seen this excellent classic getting a chance to watch it. It is movie magic, plain and simple. The film co-stars John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn, William Frawley, and Gene Lockhart.

This Land is Mine (1943, directed by Jean Renoir) Yet again Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara team up in a wonderful drama and, truth be told, he is every bit as mesmerizing in this role as in his role as Quasimodo. The movie also stars George Sanders and Walter Slezak (he made quite a few movies with Maureen!).

Sitting Pretty (1948, directed by Walter Lang). This light, fun comedy co-stars Robert Young (who is always excellent in everything), Clifton Webb, Richard Haydn, and Louise Allbritton.

Spencer’s Mountain (1963, directed by Delmer Daves) Maureen O’Hara has starred with my absolute favorite actors – James Stewart, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr – and here she’s teamed with yet another one… the wonderful Henry Fonda. They’re perfect together in this outstanding movie. The film also stars James MacArthur and Virginia Gregg.

Maureen O’Hara and Henry Fonda, Spencer’s Mountain

Henry Fonda in War and Peace (The Resemblance to his Son, Peter, is Stunning)

August 3, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda and Barry Jones, War and Peace

One of my favorite actors is, has always been, and will always be Henry Fonda. I don’t believe there has ever been a better actor. Sure, there have been actors “as good,” but better? You’d never convince me of that.

In today’s picture of the day, the great actor is pictured with Barry Jones in the 1956 film War and Peace (directed by King Vidor). Henry Fonda and his son Peter Fonda often resembled one another but never more so than in this photo. The glasses, the hair… even the expression… I see Peter Fonda in this photo more than I see Henry Fonda.

My word what a talented family. I mean, if you stop and think about it for a minute…. WOW!

If you’ve never seen War and Peace (link to the dvd on Amazon), you really have to get your hands on it. Henry Fonda, Mel Ferrer, and Audrey Hepburn are exceptional, as always.

Henry Fonda: 12 Angry Men Promotional Pictures

June 21, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda, 12 Angry Men

Henry Fonda, incapable of giving anything less than a wonderful performance, was certainly on top of his game in 12 Angry Men (1957). He’s one of the reasons a film that really doesn’t “sound” that interesting is positively spellbinding. You don’t want to look away for a minute!

The cast of 12 Angry Men: Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, Ed Begley, Edward Binns, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Joseph Sweeney, George Voskovec, Jack Warden, Lee J. Cobb, and Robert Webber were the jurors and Rudy Bond was the judge.

11 0f the 12 Angry Men

Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck, The Lady Eve Promotional Photo

June 17, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck, The Lady Eve

Usually…. not always, but usually… when one of your favorite actresses and one of your favorite actors team up, the result is a movie you love. It’s certainly the case just about every single time Henry Fonda (one of my absolute favorite actors) teams up with one of my favorite actresses. Barbara Stanwyck, Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara, Katharine Hepburn… he and each of these actresses made movie magic!

Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck teamed up more than once and, in my opinion, their best movie together is the wonderful The Lady Eve (1941). It’s simply one of the most entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable films ever made.

You can find The Lady Eve on dvd (link to the dvd on Amazon)

The Mad Miss Manton: Quirky Comedy Starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda

May 17, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda Star in The Mad Miss Manton

The Mad Miss Manton (1938) is an especially fun film. When one sees that it stars two of the greatest talents of all time (Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda), they’d be inclined to think it might be a dramatic film – perhaps even bordering on film-noir.

One would be mistaken and it wouldn’t take them long to realize it!

Don’t get me wrong – I love it. I can’t think of anything either of these stars could be involved in that I wouldn’t love, though, so be warned – I may be biased. Having said that, films that allow you to escape into their madcap world of laughs and adventure are the heroes we need right now, aren’t they? Movies that don’t CAUSE extra stress or anxiety but help to ERASE any that may already exist – from… oh, I dunno… a global pandemic?!

Directed by Leigh Jason, The Mad Miss Manton delivers exactly what it sets out to – FUN.

Plot: Barbara Stanwyck plays the beautiful, lively socialite Melsa Manton who discovers a body. When said body disappears, police (as well as the press) think she’s nuts (“mad”) until she proves them wrong.

The chemistry between Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck is palpable – studios would capitalize on this chemistry again in 1941, when the pair made The Lady Eve together.

Every now and then, with my movie reivews or book reviews, I like to remind my readers why mine are so short when others create Literature 101-worthy productions.

This Old Hollywood and Classic TV Blog is only one of my blogs – the others require just as much attention… especially my cat blog. Very clingy blog, that one.
I don’t EVER like to give anything away. I want you to enjoy the adventure of the book, movie, or tv series just as I did.
I don’t play the “long content for Google advantages” game. It’s painfully obvious, kind of pathetic, and an insult to readers.
Mostly… what I think isn’t what’s important. What you think is. And the longer you spend reading what I think of books and movies, the less time you have to enjoy them yourself!

You can find The Mad Miss Manton (Amazon dvd link) on Amazon. I highly recommend it! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Picture of the Day: Birthday Boy Henry Fonda!

May 16, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Fonda, Behind the Scenes of The Grapes of Wrath

One of my all-time, absolute, no holds barred favorite actors is Henry Fonda. The man was nothing short of EXCELLENT in every role fortunate enough to have him at the helms.

Supper is in the oven (and BBQ chicken waits for no one, not even the great Henry Fonda), so I only have time to post this picture of the day. Monday I’ll have another Henry Fonda dedicated post – one in which I rave and rave about my favorite Henry Fonda movies and roles. I’m sure you won’t want to miss that (she says with sarcasm dripping from every word).

Have a great day and wonderful weekend! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda, The Cheyenne Social Club

March 12, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda, They Cheyenne Social Club

With so much bad news going around, I thought it was a great day for extra-fun pictures of the day. Here are the one and only (and ever so wonderful) Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda.

These photos are from The Cheyenne Social Club (1970 – also starring James Stewart and Shirley Jones). It has been entirely too long since I’ve seen this one!

You can find a “Double Feature” DVD Set on Amazon – The Cheyenne Social Club and Firecreek (James Stewart and Henry Fonda).

Sue Ann Langdon and Henry Fonda, The Cheyenne Social Club

Henry Fonda and James Stewart: Picture of the Day

February 7, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

James Stewart and Henry Fonda, The Cheyenne Social Club

I get as big of a kick out of the friendship between James Stewart and Henry Fonda as I do any great romantic relationship from Old Hollywood. Why? For one thing, they’re two of my favorite actors, so just about anything they did was aces with me.

For another, these two were about as different as night and day – especially politically. I just love the fact that they were mature enough to put differences of opinion behind them. The average person doesn’t allow others to have their own thoughts – especially nowadays. Everyone seems to think everyone else should, needs to, and simply MUST think the same way they do… you know, vote for who they do, agree with the policies they do, even follow “the right” people on Twitter!

Good for James Stewart and Henry Fonda for realizing the foolishness of such thinking.

Makes me even more of a fan of each… if that’s even possible.

Jezebel, Starring Bette Davis and Henry Fonda (Fast Facts)

November 27, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bette Davis and Henry Fonda, Jezebel (1938)

I have loved every single Bette Davis movie I have ever seen except for one. Ironically, one of her most popular ones is my least favorite – What Ever Happened to Baby Jane… hate it! Halfway through the movie, I was like, “I don’t CARE what happened to her or any of the rest of them!” Well, I cared about the rat, but it was too late for him.

At least I can say this, I’ve never seen a bad Bette Davis performance.

Henry Fonda fares a bit better with me – I have never seen a Henry Fonda film I didn’t like and, like Bette Davis, I’ve never seen a bad Henry Fonda performance.

These two teaming up could only be something magical, which is (of course) exactly what Jezebel is. Magical. The costumes are stunning and the stars are stunning. Visually, it’s just a very beautiful movie. Fortunately, it’s as entertaining as it is beautiful.

Bette Davis gives the performance of a lifetime in Jezebel and you can’t help but be transfixed by her every move. Whenever I watch Jezebel, I think how stunningly she would have played the role of Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. Not that Vivien Leigh wasn’t perfection, mind you… I’m just saying that Bette Davis could have played the role to perfection as well.

If you don’t believe me, watch Jezebel.

Below are a few fast facts related to this iconic movie:

Reportedly, the emotionally-charged and artistic experience left Bette Davis very emotional. She cried for days after filming wrapped up.
Bette Davis took 45 takes to perfect the scene where she lifts her riding skirt with her crop.
Bette Davis realized that William Wyler was an extra special director when he insisted she come view the dailies with him. No actor had ever invited her to view dailies with them before.
Bette Davis’ Oscar for Jezebel was sold at an auction in 2001 for $57,800. The buyer? Steven Spielberg – who then immediately donated it back to the Academy.
Bette Davis credited director William Wyler for making her a box office-star after he directed her Oscar-winning performance in Jezebel.
At one point William Wyler had considered casting his ex-wife (and Henry Fonda’s too, ironically enough) Margaret Sullavan as Jezebel. That would have, no doubt, caused an interesting set..
Humphrey Bogart (who had just worked with William Wyler on Dead End, 1937)) warned Bette Davis that she would hate working with Wyler because of his habit of doing MANY retakes without suggesting anything for the actors to change! On her first day of shooting, Wyler took 28 takes to get one simple scene in the dress shop just right. She found the situation frustrating, BUT when she watched the rushes, she realized that her performance had gotten better with each successive take. Never underestimate the importance of a brilliant director!
Because of excessive takes for each scene by Wyler, Jezebel ran a good 28 days behind schedule.
To keep from falling further behind on schedule, writer John Huston was asked to direct the duel scene. This would mark his first time directing.
William Wyler was known for never actors how he felt about a take was “printed” and it drove Bette Davis nuts. When she finally told him she needed more feedback and approval from her director, Wyler started saying “Marvelous, Miss Davis, just marvelous!” after each take. After a few times of this excessive flattery, she laughed and told him to go back to his old ways.
On hearing that he was about to make a film with William Wyler, Humphrey Bogart (who had just made Dead End with the director and had not enjoyed it) told Henry Fonda “…don’t touch it. Don’t go in there!”.
After winning the Best Actress Oscar for this film, Bette Davis was nominated for Best Actress for the next four successive years for Dark Victory (1939), The Letter (1940), The Little Foxes (1941) and Now, Voyager (1942).
The only film in which Bette Davis gives an acting Oscar winning performance in a Best Picture nominee.