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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.

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.

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.

Marilyn Monroe Christmas Ornament (Into the Cart with You, MM!)

November 6, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

I’m not sure I’ll get it done this year (after all, I have officially waited until the absolute last minute) but by next year, I want an entire tree in our den decorated entirely with all things pertaining to the Golden Age of Hollywood.

If I start rounding up ornaments now, a year from now I’ll be SET.

This gorgeous Marilyn Monroe Keepsake Ornament may just be the first one in my collection! The fact that it’s such an iconic moment from Marilyn’s history and from Old Hollywood makes it absolutely irresistible for me.

I also love that it’s from Hallmark… that means it will be as perfect as Miss Monroe was, herself.

Okay. Close.

See Marilyn Monroe Keepsake Ornament for more information.

John Wayne Coffee Mug Features One of His Best Quotes

November 6, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

If you have fans of John Wayne on your Christmas list, here’s a great gift idea. This is the John Wayne Courage Mug and it’s gorgeous. I love the Western-themed colors and the Western font used on the John Wayne quote printed inside the mug (“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”) is absolutely perfect.

Features:

20-ounce Mug
Dishwasher Safe
Microwave Safe
Material: ceramic

Click through the picture or the link for more information.

Also on Amazon: More John Wayne Coffee Mugs

Life-Size Rita Hayworth Standup Cardboard Cutout

October 18, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

I’ve bellyached and bemoaned so long that maybe… just maybe… we’ll start seeing more collectibles, gift ideas, books, etc. for ALL our Golden Age of Hollywood favorites as opposed to just Marilyn, James, John Wayne, and Audrey.

Not that I don’t love them muchly, because I do. But let’s not forget Lucille (not just as Lucy), Ava, Rita, Barbara, Hattie, Veronica, Lana, Angie, Maureen, Joan Crawford, Joan Blondell, Joan Fontaine, Lauren, Bogie, Elizabeth, Bette, Claudette, Helen, Yvonne, James Stewart, Dorothy, Ginger, Fred, Jerry, Dean, Ray, Butterfly, Jane Wyman, Olivia… you get the idea.

There are far too many wonderful stars to settle for just four!

I just saw this glorious Rita Hayworth Standup Cardboard Cutout on Amazon and I had to come blog about it instantly.

Can you tell she’s one of my absolute favorites?

Printed on heavy duty cardboard
Can be mounted on wall or door or can be displayed standing with the included easel
Shipped folded and is easily assembled
Stands 68 inches tall and is 27 inches wide

I only hope we’ll start seeing more of all the stars we love so much. I’ll just keep bemoaning and bellyaching until we do.

Count on it!

Fun Gift Idea for John Wayne Fans: John Wayne Comic Boks

September 30, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Over the many years of publishing this Old Hollywood blog, I’ve discovered just how many fans of John Wayne there are – as well as how loyal their love for The Duke is! As a fan, myself, I get a huge kick out of hearing from fellow John Wayne fans.

Like a lot of fans of Old Hollywood and Classic Movies, fans of John Wayne love to surround themselves with collectibles – movies, art prints, posters, books, mugs, photos, etc. I recently saw something on Amazon that these fans would get an especially big kick out of: John Wayne Comics.

I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t even know such a thing existed, until I saw the comic pictured here, John Wayne Adventure Comics Number 1. What a fun gift idea this would be for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries… or anytime for that matter.

John Wayne was (and IS for those of us who watch more old movies than new) one of the biggest movie stars of all-time. His impressive career spanned from 1930 to 1976 and turned out some of the most memorable movies and characters in movie history.

While The Duke is remembered mostly as a cowboy, he starred in nearly 200 motion pictures, which weren’t all Westerns. In fact, he played a wide variety of roles… and, yet…. whenever I think of John Wayne, he is always in a cowboy hat and almost always on a horse.

From 1949 until 1955, he starred in a series of 31 comic books, which are now, apparently, pretty difficult to find in circulation.

Whether you want to start a collection for yourself or someone you love, Amazon makes rounding up this particular cowboy much easier!

Halloween is Just Around the Corner… Is Your Pooch Ready???

September 28, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

When I was looking around Amazon this morning for Marilyn Monroe collectibles, I saw something that…. welllll… sort of stopped me in my tracks.

You can see why, no doubt!

First of all, how cute is this dog? Seriously, if my cats allowed it, I’d have at least one just like her. And, yes, I’d dress her up as Marilyn for Halloween.

How could I not?

This pupper is wearing a glam Halloween costume and is clearly a fan of MM. I just cannot get over how cute this is.

Boobs. It has BOOBS!

Click through the link or the model, herself, for a closer look.