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Gorgeous Marilyn Monroe Scarf

April 9, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The gorgeous black and white Marilyn Monroe scarf pictured to the left is so gorgeous I couldn’t throw it into my Amazon cart fast enough. Fortunately it only costs a little over $5, so there’s zero guilt attached.

I’m in awe at how popular and beloved Marilyn Monroe is, so many years after her death. The same can, of course, be said about many of the stars of Old Hollywood . These stars have some of the most loyal fans the world has ever known.

One of the things I love most about their continued popularity is the fact they are gaining passionate new fans each year as younger generations fall under their spell.

The Marilyn Monroe scarf isn’t just fashionably gorgeous, it’s the perfect way for fans of Marilyn Monroe to let the world know that she’s still on their minds and in their hearts.

Click through the picture or either of the links for more information. This beauty would make a great Mother’s Day or Christmas gift. And, yes, as a matter of fact, I do think about Christmas year round! We have a pretty large family, so if I stand a chance of getting everything I want to get for everyone, I have to start early and keep going all year.

The wonderful thing is, it makes Christmas last year-round.

Danny Kaye: The Pellet With the Poison from The Court Jester

April 7, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Danny Kaye’s performance as Hubert Hawkins in The Court Jester (1955) is so beyond brilliant there isn’t even a word for it. Doing this type of comedy WELL has to be incredibly difficult, and yet, here’s our hero making it look as natural as breathing!

Maid Jean: “It’s so easy I can say it.”
Hubert: “Then you fight him.”

The Court Jester also stars Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, and the wonderful Angela Lansbury.

In an interview, Danny Kaye’s daughter Dena recalled that whenever her Father was approach by fans, they would often ask him to recite “The Vessel With The Pestle.” He would always comply and recite the dialogue verbatim whether in a restaurant or on the street. Danny never refused his fans.

Now that’s a special kind of star!

Lucille Ball Fleece Throw Blanket (Gorgeous!)

March 23, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

There is not a bigger fan of Lucille Ball on the planet (or off) than I am. Trust me… I checked. I collect everything associated with this one of a kind beautiful redhead. The problem is, while it’s easy to find collectibles of her as Lucy (I have a gazillion of these collectibles that serve as proof), getting your hands on collectibles of LUCILLE, as a glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood actress, can be tough.

And make no mistake about it, she had a wonderful Hollywood career pre-Lucy Ricardo and she was most definitely Glamorous with a capital G.

This is one of the reasons I’m so in love with this Lucille Ball Fleece Throw Blanket and one of the reasons I threw it immediately into my Amazon cart.

Truth be told, I threw it in there so fast there was a palpable gust of wind.

Features:

Polyester
Fleece throw blanket
36″ x 60″
Officially licensed Lucille Ball product
Cool City Girl design (one-sided print). Unprinted side is white.
Soft 100% polyester

See Lucille Ball Fleece Throw Blanket for more information – this is one gorgeous gift idea for any fan of Lucille Ball.

Glamorous, Indeed!

Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars (Review)

March 6, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars

As I said in my last post, I’m an avid collector of all things “Old Hollywood” – books, dvds, magazines, photos, artwork, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, dolls… Books are something I add to my collection almost weekly. What can I say? Books are as big of an obsession for me as old movies are, so combine the two and I can’t stop myself or even slow myself down!

The book you see here, Movie Star Chronicles is one of the newest ones to join my collection. Naturally, my beloved Audrey caught my eye and into the cart it went. I LOVE that the publisher put three of “our” stars on the cover – Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando.

Beautifully done!

Audrey Hepburn’s Photo Spread

Many stars (“our” stars as well as modern-day stars) are featured in photo spreads like the one Audrey has (above). The stars have a “timeline” that features their filmography, including release dates and genres.

While I love the information, the gorgeous pictures are my favorite thing about this one. Look at the stunning photo of Greta Garbo below. Wouldn’t this photo make a gorgeous art print?!

Greta Garbo as Elizabeth Dohna

Book Description from Amazon:

Movie Star Chronicles promises to satisfy the curiosity of moviegoers, cinephiles, and the Hollywood-hungry fans that fuel today’s entertainment news industry. For film students, it is a practical reference to the most important actors in cinematic history.

Entries illustrated with film and television stills and other archival material chart the careers of 330 actors from the era of silent film to today’s blockbusters. Expert text gives an entertaining overview and color-coded timelines provide an at-a-glance guide to the actor’s career, their roles, movie release dates, earnings and awards.

With 576 pages and more than 2,500 illustrations for only $29.95, Movie Star Chronicles is an outstanding value. It includes:

A to Z coverage of 330 movie stars, with extended entries for 100

20 feature articles on popular movie trends, including vampires; western heroes; singers turned actors; femmes fatales; saints and sinners; acting dynasties; combat stars; cops and more

30 lavish double-page photo spreads showing cinema’s most influential stars at work and how film has evolved from silent black- and-white to color 3-D

20 illustrated features on genres and trends, such as Superheroes, Acting Dynasties, Screen Sirens, and Movie Villains

Color-coded timelines showing the arc of an actor’s career, including release dates and types of features, such as Criminal, Romantic Drama, and Thriller

Best Actor awards: Oscars, BAFTA, Cesar (France), Goya (Spain), David Di Donatello (Italy), Golden Horse (Asia), Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance.

Covering Hollywood, Bollywood and world cinema, Movie Star Chronicles is truly international and comprehensive. Sure to attract a wide readership, it is an essential purchase.

Audrey Hepburn Timeline (continued on the next page in the book)

This big, beautiful book is an excellent coffee table book – one guests would love to lose themselves in. It would also make a gorgeous and much-appreciated gift, whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas.

Greta Garbo’s Photo Spread

I found my copy at the Ollie’s in town but I haven’t seen this one in any bookstores. They do have it on Amazon, of course, however. Pretty sure they have everything.

Take a closer look at Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars on Amazon. I highly recommend it.

The Joys of Being a Golden Age of Hollywood Collector

March 4, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Do you collect, books, photos, and other memorabilia from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Silents, Classic TV, and/or Old Radio? I do and, frankly, it is one of the greatest joys in my life. Naturally it’s eclipsed by faith and family, but other than that, it’s one of the “top dogs” when it comes to putting a smile on my face.

I collect books and movies of absolutely everyone from the Golden Age of Hollywood era and Classic TV, but when it comes to photos, memorabilia, old magazines, etc., I narrow the field to my absolute favorites.

My Personal “Narrowed Field of Favorites for Photos and Memorabilia” are…

ACTRESSES

Lucille Ball
Audrey Hepburn
Rita Hayworth
Barbara Stanwyck
Maureen O’Hara
Veronica Lake
Dorothy Dandridge
Claudette Colbert
Marilyn Monroe
Ava Gardner
Ingrid Bergman
Hattie McDaniel
Lana Turner
Ginger Rogers
Butterfly McQueen
Veronica Lake
Lauren Bacall
Debbie Reynolds
Jane Wyman
Agnes Moorehead

ACTORS

James Stewart
Buster Keaton
Humphrey Bogart
Charlie Chaplin
Bob Hope
Abbott & Costello
Lauren & Hardy
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis
John Wayne

MOVIE COLLECTIBLES

Some Like it Hot
The Quiet Man
Casablanca
Gone With the Wind
Rio Bravo
It’s a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
Elvis movies
Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire

TV SHOW AND RADIO COLLECTIBLES

I Love Lucy
The Golden Girls (not exactly “classic” tv but a personal all-time favorite… Love me some Blanche!)
The Carol Burnett Show
Classic Radio Memorabilia

And that’s “narrowed!” There’s a reason I always seem to be out of money. Again, when it comes to books, there is NO narrowing – I buy and devour books related to any actor or actress. Problem is, I often fall head over heals for them and they move into the “memorabilia collectors” column! That happened with Ingrid Bergman – the more I read about her, the more I liked her. Boom! She sandwiched her way onto the list.

The Joys and Benefits of Collecting

A while back, I was unspeakably sick (Flu A and bronchitis – either is a nightmare, but both at once… especially when you have asthma… is a special walk alongside the hounds of hell). The illness knocked me completely off my feet. While trying to heal, it occurred to me that not only did watching my beloved old movies give me happiness when I needed it most, but my collections brought a great deal of distraction and joy into my days as well.

Made the hounds barking more bearable.

I got to thinking about this a few days ago after ordering a Dorothy Dandridge book – everyone should have passions and joys in their life that are purely their own. Joys that no one else has to understand – and they darn sure don’t have to approve of them. Things that…. well… put a smile on your face, sunbeams in your heart, that lift your spirits skyward – whether you have rocking pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu or not.

Some people have hobbies like golf, tennis, hiking, or bowling. At least collecting hobbies don’t depend on weather or physical abilities.

Don’t get me wrong, watching old movies/classic tv, listening to old radio programs, and collecting aren’t my only hobbies – I LIVE to cook, spend time with my family (the humans and the cats), watch baseball, read, and take long walks. Maybe that’s the secret to happiness… having multiple hobbies and interests.

As you grow older (what I consider the “fun” side of 45), you tend to get a few things figured out. One of these, for me, is the fact that the more things you surround yourself with that make you smile, the better. Life won’t always give you reasons to smile. Heck, there are some days, weeks, and even months at a time where it seems determined to make you do anything BUT smile.

That’s when you have to come through and be your own hero. Having multiple interests and joys will set you up for success and give you reasons to smile more and fret less.

If you’re new to collecting, I have a few tips to help you along the way…

Amazon is a wonderful, wonderful place to find photographs, books, memorabilia, etc. It’s one of my favorite places to shop.
eBay is also excellent. Simply search for your actor, actress, movie, or show and you’ll be blown away by all that’s offered. I don’t use eBay simply because I don’t like the whole bidding process. However, if I wanted something that was available as “buy now,” I’d certainly hop on that grenade.
Have you ever heard of Ollie’s? If you have an Ollie’s near you, they are a goldmine for inexpensive books. I’ve 5 recently for the price I would have paid for one at a bookstore or online.
Thrift stores and yard sales are also fun to check out. In addition to my Old Hollywood collectibles, I also collect pig figurines, Historical books, Agatha Christie books, vintage jewelry, Christmas ornaments and villages, and cookbooks – being on the hunt at thrift stores is downright addictive. When you find something, it’s like you’ve struck gold!
Calendars – not only are they great fun to look at all year, you can save the pictures, frame them, and hang them on the wall. I have many Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wall art thanks to this trick.

Are you a collector? Who or what do you collect? Leave a comment and let us know!

I Love Lucy Vitameatavegamin Mug, With Spoon

February 7, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Here’s something that needs to join my Lucille Ball collection immediately, if not sooner.

The beautiful Vitameatavegamin Mug even comes with a little spoon – how cute is that??

It’s currently available on Amazon for less than $15.

I’ve actually found a lot of items in my Lucille Ball collection (as well as my Old Hollywood, in general, collection) on Amazon. Books, photographs, figurines, dolls, paper dolls, mugs… they really and truly do have almost anything you could think of.

Product Description

I Love Lucy Vitameatavegamin mug with spoon
14 oz. ceramic mug for your favorite beverage
Great gift for the ultimate I Love Lucy collector.
Not dishwasher or microwave safe. Hand wash only.

See I Love Lucy Vitameatavegamin Mug, With Spoon for more information!

Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin Clip:

Forever Lucy: A Must Have for Lucille Ball Fans and Collectors

January 24, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Being the obsessive Lucille Ball fan that I am, I add to my Lucille Ball Collection regularly. I recently added another magazine to the collection, Forever Lucy.

Everything about it is perfectly wonderful… just like Lucille, herself.

I’m actually wishing I’d grabbed two – one for reading cover to cover multiple times and one for the pictures, alone. Many are full-size and would be absolutely gorgeous framed. I do this often with calendars and the gorgeous pictures in Forever Lucy would be just as stunning.

I told you I was obsessive. I didn’t lie.

I love that the book (seems far too elaborate to refer to it as a magazine) focuses on all of the many facets of what made Lucille Ball… well… Lucille Ball.

Those of us who are fans and collectors of this amazing actress run into the same frustrating thing time and time again – publications that only want to focus on Lucy Ricardo and the phenomenal I Love Lucy. Don’t get me wrong, I love the character and show as much as anyone and more than most. However, to even hint that one sitcom defines this woman lies somewhere between an oversight and a sin against humanity!

She was intelligent, beautiful, incredibly bold, fashionable, loving, AND funny. She was, as they say, the total package and this book celebrates the total package the way it should be celebrated.

There are wonderful candids, gorgeous glamour shots, scenes from movies as well as television, Lucille Ball quotes, and articles you’ll find yourself lost in.

Basically, if I had put together a bookazine (there, I’ll compromise), this is exactly the one I would have put together, myself. Big, glorious pictures (some that even I have never seen), fascinating facts and quotes, and so much more.

And, yes, thankfully, there is plenty in here about the greatest sitcom ever made…. I Love Lucy.

If you can’t find Forever Lucy in your favorite store, Amazon is here for you. Click the link for more information. This is a must, must, MUST have.

Ravings of a Dean Martin Fan with “A Marshmallow World” on the Side

December 13, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, A Marshmallow World

There are many personal favorite stars who I am convinced DO NOT get the appreciation they deserve. Who knows, maybe one of the reasons I started this Golden Age of Hollywood blog, in the first place, was to remedy the oversights!

Example of the day…. Dean Martin. Okay, this is one I could really go on and on about. Seriously.

Is he a household name? Absolutely.

Do people realize that he was a hilarious comedian? Absolutely.

Do they realize how extraordinary his voice was? Absolutely.

But… somehow (in my opinion) he still doesn’t quite get the appreciation he deserves.

Dean Martin had a larger than life personality and a sense of humor that was staggering. These traits seem to be associated with him more than any other – which is fine, mind you… we should all have such a wonderful personality that it’s remembered long after we’re gone.

And yet…

If you’ve watched as many Dean Martin movies as I have and have listened to as many of his songs as I have, you know that this was an incredibly multi-talented star – the kind that do not come around often.

I think I actually had “Dean Martin fan” etched into my DNA. He was one of my mother’s favorite singers (he, Elvis, and The Oakridge Boys… what a soundtrack I had growing up!) and he was one of my dad’s absolute favorite actors. Like me, he’d go on and on about how effortless he made each role seem. Whether he was playing straight man to the wonderful Jerry Lewis or serving as a deputy to John Wayne’s character in Rio Bravo – he was never caught “acting,” he simply WAS the character you were enjoying at the moment.

My husband and I watch Rio Bravo several times a year and, yes, we do have the lines memorized at this point. We’ve seen it so often, we’ll often cue the characters…

Okay, Dude, rub your face…
Time to sing, boys…
Walk it out, Chance…
Fling those feathers, girl!

Sometimes we’ll even laugh in anticipation of what Stumpy’s fixing to say.

A couple of things consistently occur to me EACH time we watch this favorite movie.

ONE. Angie Dickinson was (and is) impossibly and flawlessly beautiful. Her facial features master the concept of teamwork better than most. She was the perfect “Feathers” and there is no actress who could have brought the character to life as beautifully.

TWO. John Wayne was larger than life. His onscreen persona, to this day, stands out as being one of the most imposing of all stars. Whatever “it” is, he had “it” from the tip of his hat to the toes of his boots. Watching John Wayne movies is one of the funnest things in the world and he is the reason.

THREE. Walter Brennan is a national treasure. His Stumpy is one of the most adorable and hilarious movie characters of all time – like “Feathers”, the role was cast perfectly.

FOUR. Dean Martin was more than a performer and more than a personality… he was an actor… make that ACTOR. If he had chosen to, he could have carved out a career as a dramatic actor and gone on to make a slew of memorable dramas. Fortunately for us, however, he chose a diverse career and has left us with dramatic roles, comedic roles, and songs that are as memorizing as a flip of Feather’s feathers.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is also one of my favorite Dean Martin songs and I listen to it nonstop this time of year. A Marshmallow World is a seriously fun song – it sets the tone for the Christmas season deliciously.

At the top of the post is A Marshmallow World performed by Dean Martin and a friend of his… I’m sure you’ve heard of him.. Frank Sinatra. I love this duet! At the bottom of the post is the version of A Marshmallow World by Dean Martin all by himself. What. A. Voice. I couldn’t decide which version to include in this post, so I did the “totally me” thing and went with both.

What can I say? I hate decisions.

Dino Paul Crocetti will always be one of my favorites and, if you get a chance, I hope you’ll watch each of his movies and listen to each of his songs. If he isn’t already, he’ll quickly become one of your favorites, too.

James Dean Tin Sign Features a Quote That’s Both Iconic and Ironic

November 30, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

This great-looking James Dean Tin Sign features one of his greatest (and tragically ironic) quotes: “If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, and if he can live on after he’s dead, then maybe he was a great man.”

The 16″ x 12″ sign pictures one of my favorite pictures of James Dean.

When I read this quote again today (for probably the millionth time), it occurred to me how eerily similar he and Marilyn Monroe were and are. Both are huge legends – so huge, in fact, that huge doesn’t even seem to cover it. I searched my mental reserves for a larger, more appropriate adjective but none would serve any better than huge, so I did the next best thing.

I made it bold. STILL not enough for these two!

They’re household names and faces, even among people who have never seen a single scene from one of their movies.

Another thing they, obviously, have in common is the tragic ending to each legend’s life. Both died needlessly and far too soon. James Dean was only 24 when the car wreck took his life. 24! It boggles the mind to think of the things this actor would have gone on to accomplish. He was unspeakably talented and, let’s face it, had more spark on screen than most actors.

Whatever “it” is, both he and Marilyn were dripping in it.

The final thing they had in common is their insight and wisdom. It comes through in their quotes. Each was far brighter than probably even they realized and spending time with them leaves me feeling so cheated. What movies, pictures, and quotes could these huge personalities have gone on to bless us with.

The world is a brighter and better place because James Dean and Marilyn Monroe once walked among us.

Take a closer look at the James Dean Tin Sign pictured here.

Scarlett and Prissy Figurine from Gone With the Wind

November 14, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

The beautiful Scarlett and Prissy Figurine depicts a classic scene from Gone with the Wind. Prissy is, to this day, one of my favorite movie characters EVER – right up there with Mammy from the same movie.

Prissy makes you just want to put your arm around her and protect her. Prissy was brought to life by the adorable Butterfly McQueen, who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for her acting talent. She brought so much passion to this character and, even though the role was relatively small, everyone knows who Prissy was and, more importantly, everyone knows who Butterfly McQueen was! Making yourself and your character so memorable that she stands the test of time is the work of an exceptional actress.

I loved her famous character so much, I named one of my most loved cats ever “Prissy” in her honor.

I cannot even begin to fathom what actors and actresses of color went through during the Golden Age of Hollywood – simply to be able to live out their dream. Well, actually, as a history buff and someone who has read a great deal from the era, I can fathom it… I simply don’t want to. It scorches the psyche.

To be able to focus on your craft in spite of the hardships and injustices around you simply takes my breath away. Each actor and actress who fought for their rights to enjoy the right to live out their dream deserves our respect and deserves to be recognized often. I mean, they did what the white actors and actresses did but with unimaginable restraints and cruelties on their shoulders. Again… it takes my breath away.

I regularly hear from other Gone With the Wind, Butterfly McQueen, and Prissy fans who are looking for “Prissy” dolls and figurines – so I’m always on the look-out for her.. for them as well as myself! One of the things I love most about this particular figurine is the way Prissy’s hands are nervously fiddling with her apron, something the actress brilliantly did to help bring her character to life.

Like Butterfly, herself, it’s just beautiful.

Click through to take a closer look at the beautiful Scarlett and Prissy Figurine.