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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

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….)

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….)

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

Buttons: A Christmas Tale On DVD December 3!

November 23, 2019 By Joi 2 Comments

As I began to put this post about Buttons: A Christmas Tale together, I kept thinking, “I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a new dvd release…”

But it just now hit me. I don’t think I’ve EVER been this excited about a new movie’s dvd release, simply because my favorite movies are old! Which is why I am beside myself with excitement for this one – two of its stars aren’t just legends, they’re two of my favorites: Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury.

I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to adding this to my collection.

Buttons: A Christmas Tale is the magical, musical story that shows believing can be the greatest gift of all. Follow the heartwarming journey of two orphan girls whose only wish is to find a home for Christmas. With a little help from their guardian angels (screen legends Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury), they discover that miracles really can happen when you find the power to believe. From director Tim Janis, this inspiring holiday film for the whole family features an all-star cast including Jane Seymour, Roma Downey and Abigail Spencer, and is narrated by Kate Winslet and Robert Redford.

It seems like there is so much negativity, cantankerousness (bet you didn’t expect to bump into that word today), and anger in the world, maybe Buttons is thing we ALL need right now.

A couple of beloved Guardian Angels coming into our world… reminding us how beautiful life truly can be? Sign me up!

Buttons Official Trailer:

I love the beauty in front of and behind this film. I also love that they used two Hollywood film and television legends in these extraordinary roles. They were wise enough to know that extraordinary roles call for extraordinary stars. Angela Lansbury and Dick Van Dyke are as extraordinary as extraordinary gets.

I hope you’ll show your appreciation for these wonderful legends by adding this one in a billion film to your collection. Legends don’t team up everyday, you know.

Continued Below….

The release date of the DVD is December 3, 2019, but you may pre-order at https://paramnt.us/Get.Buttons now. This would make such a beautiful Christmas gift – especially for young people or for people (like me) who are head over heels in love with the film’s guardian angels, Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury.

Digital copies of the film are also available. The digital copy may also be purchased at the same link.

Buttons: A Christmas Tale on DVD

Lena Horne: The Lady is a Tramp (One of my Favorite Lena Horne Performances)

October 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

There are many actresses, actors, and performers who I always find myself wondering, “How is everyone in the world not a HUGE fan?!” Lena Horne is one of these under-celebrated stars (at least in my opinion).

What do I (personally) consider to be under-celebrated?

If the average person (not someone in our Old Hollywood community) can’t name at least one of their movies or songs, they’re under-celebrated.
If those of us within the community can’t name at least three of their movies or songs, they’re under-celebrated.

While Lena Horned, obviously, doesn’t fall through the completely unknown crack, she should be more heartily celebrated.

The lady had more talent in her left eyebrow than a lot of stars did.

That’s right, I said it.

This is actually one of the best things about having an Old Hollywood blog (and Twitter account) – I can go on and on and on and on and on about my favorites and feel like I’m (hopefully) helping keep their name familiar, their body of work work alive and their face forever smiling.

I know, a little deep for a Friday, but… blame it on Lena. She puts me in my feels.

When you watch Lena perform in the video above (which I surely hope you will at least once), pay close attention to her facial expressions and her hand gestures. I think she was simply brilliant – and the stage command! The lady was doing what she was born to do and, if you ask me, that is always breathtaking.

The Lucy Show: The Complete Series on DVD

September 24, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Lucy Show: The Complete Series is available on Amazon and if you don’t already own it, you should do something about that asap. In fact, what are you waiting for?!

Okay, that was pushy… I apologize, but what can I say, no one loves Lucy quite like I love Lucy!

The Lucy Show ran from 1962-1968 and, in my opinion, was nothing short of delightful. The cast worked beautifully together and the dialogue and acting were hilarious.

Plot: After the death of her husband, Lucy Carmichael (Lucille Ball) and her newly divorced friend Vivian Bagley (Vivian Vance), move their families under one house. Two high-spirited women and a houseful of kids makes for a lot of fun.

Sometimes you almost feel sorry for Lucy’s cranky boss Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) as he helplessly watches Lucy get into one thing after another.

Find The Lucy Show: The Complete Series on Amazon – it makes a perfect gift for the Lucille Ball fan in your life.

Buster Keaton: Two of His Best Films: Steamboat Bill, Jr and The Cameraman

September 23, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Talk about a double feature! While I love all Buster Keaton movies to distraction, Steamboat Bill, Jr. and The Cameraman are two of my absolute favorites. For them to be available in a “2 for 1” package makes me especially happy. This Buster Keaton Double Bill is available on Amazon for less than $15. While I have every intention of grabbing one for myself, it’d also make a perfect gift idea for any fan of Old Hollywood and/or Buster Keaton.

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Tom McGuire, and Marion Byron star in one of Buster’s most popular and beloved films. I’ll always have a strong connection to this one because it was my first Buster Keaton film. It was this film that introduced me to an actor who is now one of my absolute favorites. It was also this film that made me fall head over heels in love with silent movies.

William Canning Jr. (Buster) comes to River Junction to meet his father who hasn’t seen him since he was a child. Junior isn’t AT ALL the type of son Senior was expecting or hoping for… at first, that is. By the end of the wonderful movie, he is EXACTLY the son he hopes for.

Senior Canning is being put out of business by J.J. King (Tom McGuire), who not only owns pretty much the entire town, but has recently acquired a new paddle wheel steamer that makes Canning’s older boat, the Stonewall Jackson, seem like a dinosaur.

In spite of the trouble brewing between their parents, Bill Jr. and Kitty King (J.J’s beautiful daughter) take a liking to each other. You can imagine how well this goes over with their fathers.

By the end of the movie, Bill Jr. is called upon to save his father, J.J. AND Kitty. This is one outstanding film and you’ll love every single minute.

The Cameraman

This film stars Buster Keaton and Marceline Day. After seeing a beautiful office worker, Sally (portrayed by Marceline Day), who works for MGM Newsreels, Buster decides to trade in his tin type setup for a movie camera – thinking he can impress both the beauty and MGM. Naturally, it’s a lot easier said than done and the result is absolutely hilarious. Watch for a monkey you’re sure to fall in love with.

Buster Keaton and Ernest Torrence Steamboat Bill, Jr.

From Amazon:

Steamboat Bill, Jr. – Step back in time to the golden age of classic Hollywood comedies. The hugely talented megastar of early cinema, Buster Keaton, provides hilarity in this great comedy. William (Bill) Canning, Jr. goes to River Junction to meet his father who hasn’t seen him since childhood. Neither are sure what the other’s reaction will be. But the old man has problems anyhow, he’s out of business because of the new paddle steamer which is far better than his old boat, Stonewall Jackson. But Bill falls for the daughter of the man who owns the new steamer to the dismay of both fathers. A storm hits River Junction and young Bill must save the daughter and both fathers! Action packed hilarity!

The Cameraman – Step back in time to the golden age of classic Hollywood silent comedies. Buster Keaton in one of his all-time classic films. He’s madly in love with a beautiful woman working at MGM Studios and so he decides to try and get closer to her. Problem is, he’s clumsy. He tries to make it as a motion picture cameraman, but it’s a lot harder than he thought! Lots of action and stunts as you would expect from the king of slapstick comedy.

For more information, see Buster Keaton Double Bill on Amazon.

Buster Keaton and Marion Byron Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Wonderful Audrey Hepburn Movie Collection with HD Remastering

September 20, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I was on Amazon earlier (takes a sip of truth serum… I’m always on Amazon), looking for a particular Audrey Hepburn Biography when this collection caught both eyes.

The Audrey Hepburn Collection (HD Remastering) includes Audrey’s five best movies… I’d also throw in Charade:

Breakfast At Tiffany’s (Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen)
Struggling writer Paul Varjak moves into a New York apartment building and becomes intrigued by his pretty, quirky neighbor Holly Golightly. Holly’s lifestyle confuses and fascinates Paul; in public she flits through parties with a sexy, sophisticated air, but when they’re alone she changes into a sweetly vulnerable bundle of neuroses.

Funny Face (Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire)
An impromptu fashion shoot at a bookstore brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk.

Roman Holiday (Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert)
A young princess, tired of the constraints her position brings, runs away. She does not know the man who befriends her is a reporter out for her story.

War And Peace (Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Mel Ferrer)
By 1812, Napoleon’s forces controlled much of Europe. Russia, one of the few countries still unconquered, prepares to face Napoleon’s troops together with Austria. Among the soldiers are Count Nicolas Rostov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. Count Pierre Bezukhov, a friend of Andrei’s and self-styled intellectual who is not interested in fighting. Pierre’s life changes when his father dies, leaving him a vast inheritance.

Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, William Holden)
Bogie and Holden are the mega-rich Larrabee brothers of Long Island. Bogie’s all work, Holden’s all playboy. But when Sabrina, daughter of the family’s chauffeur, returns from Paris all grown up and glamorous, the stage is set for some family fireworks as the brothers fall under the spell of Hepburn’s delightful charms.

This excellent collection is a must have for any lovers of Old Hollywood. It’d also be a perfect gift idea.

The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Collection

September 17, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my favorite gifts for my birthday is pictured above – The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Set! Obsessed…. I am completely obsessed with Buster Keaton films, so this was as perfect a gift as it could be for me.

And, yes, of course I’ve already watched each of them.

Twice.

This set includes:

The General
The Goat
The Blacksmith
Steamboat Bill, Jr (my personal favorite Buster Keaton Silent Film)
Cops
The Love Nest

The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are considered to be two of the greatest silent films of all time. In fact, Orson Welles once called The General “… the greatest comedy ever made.” High praise and very deserved.

You can find The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Set on Amazon for currently under $10.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on What’s My Line (Oct. 2, 1955)

June 22, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Watching What’s My Line on YouTube has become an obsession of mine. They’re hilarious, entertaining, and I get a big kick out of seeing my favorite stars trying to be “tricky.” Some are more successful than others!

Given the fact that Lucille and Desi are two of my favorite stars of ALL time, the one below was destined to become a personal fave. Enjoy!

Fascinating Marion Davies Documentary (Video)

June 17, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

As I’ve often said on Hollywood Yesterday, when it comes to being a fan of Old Hollywood (or Classic Hollywood, whichever term you prefer), I am addicted to a broad range of films and stars – from Silent Films all the way through the 70s. What’s more, I have no boundaries when it comes to genres – Westerns, film noir, silent movies, musicals, slapstick comedies, dark dramas, horror films, over-the-top romps (pretty darn fun if you ask me).

I draw no lines because, quite frankly, a lot of the best stuff is found just outside the “lines.”

Having such a wide open arena is phenomenal. There’s almost always a movie on television I want to watch, I’m familiar with most Old Hollywood stars and directors, I have a great number of favorites – the more, the merrier! – and there are countless stars and movies that I can collect (dvds, books, photos, etc..).

One of the funnest things is the fact that every now and then… out of the wild blue… I come across a new actor or actress who I flip for. He/she will then strut right up my list of favorites and take root. After a while it’s as though they had been there all along.

The most recent star to do this is Marion Davies, but she isn’t just strutting up the list of favorites, she’s full on marching.

This is why, very often, you’ll come across stars who aren’t heavily represented here on Hollywood Yesterday. Sometimes they simply haven’t gotten their marching orders yet.

Amazing, isn’t it…. you can watch old movies for YEARS and still find yourself “meeting” new stars. I’ve loved and watched old movies since I was a little girl and only recently saw a Marion Davies film (Hearts Divided). Since that first introduction, however, I’ve gone on to watch her in as many films as possible.

I’ll tell you what’s as fun of discovering a new favorite – waiting for the next one to come along!

You’re going to enjoy the documentary below – whether you’re already a Marion Davies fan or a future one (as far as I’m concerned, there can only be two – those who know her and are already fans and those who don’t know her, yet, but WILL be fans!).

See Also: Hearts Divided Review

Marilyn Monroe Reusable Tote…. Gorgeous!

April 29, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I have become obsessed… obsessed, I tell you, with using reusable totes. Why? I’ll give you a condensed run-down of the reasons because “why” is a very good question!

As an animal lover extraordinaire, my number one reason is to protect wildlife.

According to SPREP.org, thousands (as in the 100,000 range!) of marine animal deaths are caused each year when these animals mistake plastic shopping bags in the ocean for food.
Plastic bags that fly out of trash cans also pose huge hazards to small animals who become trapped in them.

Using reusable totes also cuts down on pollution and conserves resources – benefiting not only animals but all of us!

I currently use a big red Target reusable tote for Target (and other places, as well, as tacky as that may sound) and a few plain-looking Kroger totes for Kroger. Each time I grab my totes and take off for the store, I always wish I had one with one of my Old Hollywood favorite actresses and/or actors on it. I’d love few things more than taking them along for the trip.

I’ve been searching online for such totes and will blog about them here as I find them.

The first one I’ve turned up is this gorgeous Marilyn Monroe Reusable Tote. Oooh La La, what a beauty! And, it’s less than $10 on Amazon.