Golden Age of Hollywood
Cast of Dracula (1931)
Love this Dracula (1931) Promo Shot! The stars are Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, David Manners, and Edward Van Sloan (five of the reasons this iconic movie is as wonderful as it is).
You can buy the iconic 1931 film Dracula on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Edward Van Sloan, David Manners, Helen Chandler, and Bela Lugosi
Elsa Lanchester
I’m not sure I’ve ever published two photos of the day back to back of the same star (or even movie) before, but holy cats, it’s Halloween season and The Bride of Frankenstein is my favorite movie monster, so I can’t help myself.
I love this behind the scenes photo of Elsa. This iconic role was perfectly cast as a role could be cast – she was absolutely perfect in every way.
You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Elsa Lanchester, The Bride of Frankenstein
As I’ve already stated on the old Hollywood blog several times, I’m not the world’s biggest fan of the Frankenstein movies. My favorite is The Bride of Frankenstein but it’s only because of Elsa Lanchester. If she had been in the movie more, I’d have liked it a lot more.
I’m really not sure why I’m not a bigger Frankenstein fan – I LOVE the Dracula movies. Heck I’ve never met one of those I didn’t like.
The most peculiar part of me not liking Frankenstein films is this… Elsa Lanchester isn’t just one of my favorite actress, she’s one I “collect,” as in every photo, doll, or piece of memorabilia I can get my hands on. I particularly love to collect The Bride of Frankenstein figurines and collectibles.
What’s more, in spite of the fact I love Dracula, she is actually my favorite movie monster. She was spectacular.
And yet…. I have no love for the movie… only her!
Sigh. Be that as it may, I enjoy her immensely every single year from about mid-September all the way up to October 31. I break out my Bride of Frankenstein decorations and watch her movie 3-4 times…. admittedly only watching her the final two times.
Even her short scene at the front of the film is outstanding. How could the people in charge not see how magical she was and featured her MORE in the film!?
Okay. Rant, officially over.
For now.
You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Elsa Lanchester as The Bride of Frankenstein
As I’ve said before on Hollywood Yesterday, I am one of the only people in the world who doesn’t like The Bride of Frankenstein.
Like… at all.
For one thing, Frankenstein’s monster, himself, simply doesn’t do it for me. I hated the book and wasn’t remotely fond of the first Frankenstein film. However, these aren’t the only reasons I have such contempt for The Bride of Frankenstein. The greatest reason I don’t like it has to do with the lovely monster you see here…. the big lug’s bride.
With the absolutely, devastatingly wonderful Elsa Lanchester in the role, they had the opportunity to make possibly the greatest movie ever made and create one of the greatest stories ever told. Had she been presented early in the movie and had she actually been the star (or at the very least, the co-star) of the movie – it would have been sensational. Even her makeup is extraordinary!
As it is, she is on screen for mere minutes (minutes which are, without a doubt, the best part of the whole movie).
Mind you, these are only my opinions and, yes, I’m very aware that I’m in the minority with this one. Heck, I may even be a minority of one!
It is what it is, though, and I will forever wish this film had been handled differently. This was one of the greatest, most talented actresses of all time and she would have been extraordinary in her own film. I’ll never forget the first time I saw this movie. I kept waiting for the movie’s namesake to show up… I waited, and waited, and waited… then there she was – in spectacular glory! – right before the movie ended.
Years later, I rewatched the movie – thinking that maybe, knowing how little she was in the film, I’d give the rest of it a fair chance.
Nope. Still didn’t like it.
I’ve tried, probably 8 times over the years to see if it, I don’t know, grows on me. Never has. I simply do not like it, I guess. Which is crazy because I am a huge fan of Boris Karloff and I absolutely LOVE Elsa in the role!
Elsa Lanchester as the Bride of Frankenstein
The Bat Lobby Card
The Bat (1959) is a fun movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Is it a “scary” film? Not by any stretch of the imagination (unless you’re 3-1/2), but it is a hoot.
The film stars Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead, Lenita Lane (excellent with Agnes Moorehead), Gavin Gordon, Darla Hood (yes, that Darla.. you will recognize her IMMEDIATELY as Alfalfa’s buddy), and the ridiculously beautiful Elaine Edwards.
Check this one out when you get a chance. The best things about it are Vincent Price (always worth the Price of admission), the camaraderie between Moorehead and Lane, and the sight of Darla’s sweet little face on a beautifully filled out female figure!
Surprisingly, you can find The Bat on DVD on Amazon. I say “surprisingly” because there have been a lot of great “off the beaten track” old movies I can’t find on dvd. I plan to take advantage of this one being available and adding it to my Vincent Price collection!
The Bat (1959)
Vincent Price and Gavin Gordon in The Bat
Although the weather here in Kentucky doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo, we are fast-approaching Halloween. What better time to focus a few movie reviews on delicious old horror films?!
First up to bat… well… The Bat!
I’m sure I’ve mentioned in my Old Hollywood movie reviews before that there are precious few classic movies I dislike. I am so completely in love with the Golden Age of Hollywood that I’m very easy to please when it comes to movies. Honestly, I’d rather re-watch the movies I don’t particularly like (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Prince and the Showgirl, Mogambo) than to watch anything from Hollywood since 1980.
But that’s just me.
So, there will inevitably be movies now and then that I like or even love that others (possibly even you) may feel lukewarm about or even hate with a vengeance. The movie I want to rave about today might just be the poster child for such a situation. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever read anyone liking The Bat as much as I do.
The Bat was made in 1959, so you have to be understanding when it comes to special effects. Of course, those of us who pretty much live for our next old movie understand that.
The movie stars the always perfect Vincent Price and one of my favorite actresses, Agnes Moorehead. The wonderful cast is round out by Lenita Lane, Gavin Gordon, BEAUTIFUL Elaine Edwards (all caps… yes, deserving), John Sutton, and Darla Hood. Yes! That Darla Hood, from The Little Rascals. You’ll know her the minute she walks in the room – same face, same hair. It’s as though little Darla was simply stretched out and gussied up. Her role isn’t a large one, but she’s memorable.
Plot: A crazy killer known as “The Bat” is on the loose in a mansion (“The Oaks”) filled with people. Agnes Moorehead plays mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder who has rented The Oaks, along with her secretary/friend Lizzie (played by Lenita Lane… quite the scene-stealer).
{Review Continued Below…}
Agnes Moorehead in The Bat
Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, and Lenita Lane are outstanding in this movie. Somehow it just seems Mr. Price was born for this type of film, doesn’t it!?
The Bat would be the last film for both Lenita Lane and Darla Hood. Each actress would go on to live out their life outside of movies rather than in them.
The Bat isn’t, in my opinion, a very frightening film, but it IS very enjoyable and entertaining and absolutely perfect for this time of year!
On Amazon:
Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s Monster
Hello, handsome! The face above needs no introductions. Frankenstein’s monster is as synonymous with horror movies and Halloween as Fred Astaire is with musicals. You could argue that the wonderful Boris Karloff is the Fred Astaire of horror films and, as far as I’m concerned you’d be right. Dead right. Sorry, I couldn’t pass that one up.
With Halloween right around the creepy corner, I thought it’d be the ideal time to look at classic horror movies and the stars who brought them to life.
When they first hit the scene in 1912, Universal Studios focused primarily on melodramas and action films (such as Westerns). However, in 1923 they found a deliciously fun new niche and rode it like a cowboy on caffeine. This is the year Lon Chaney (one of the studios biggest silent movie stars) rocked the movie world when he starred as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
It was also around this time (late 1920s – early 1930s) that several actors and directors from Germany immigrated to America and went to work at Universal.
Universal, and the world, would never be the same!
“Most had worked in German Expressionism, which they introduced to Hollywood through low-key lighting techniques, set design preferences, and a penchant for visual symbolism. This was the birth of the American horror genre as we know it.” – Armchair Reader Goes Hollywood
William Henry Pratt was born on November 23, 1887, in London, England. When he entered the entertainment industry, he took the stage name Boris Karloff. When he came to Hollywood, he worked as a truck driver to help support himself while picking up work in the silent film industry.
The Deadlier Sex (1920), Omar the Tentmaker (1922), Dynamite Dan(1924) and Tarzan and the Golden Lion (1927) are a few of his pre-Horror movie films.
His big.. and I mean huge… break came in 1931 when he was cast as “the monster” in Universal’s Frankenstein (1931). While the film ultimately made Boris Karloff a star, he was actually billed as a punctuation mark in this film’s credits! He’s listed simply as “?” in the opening credits. The movie and Boris were hits and he quickly racked up other memorable roles in movies including the The Old Dark House (1932), The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Ghoul (1933), and The Lost Patrol (1934).
Karloff returned to his neck bolts in 1935 with the wonderful Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and in 1939 film, Son of Frankenstein, which if we’re being honest, is one we Karloff fans want to forget.
I mean, everyone else has.
The Mummy was directed by Karl Freund, Germany’s greatest Cinematographer. Karloff starred as Im-Ho-Tep (the monster who returns to life). The lighting, angles, and use of shadows Freund employed in The Mummy defined classic horror films for years to come.
Karloff is also remembered for his appearances in several Abbott and Costello monster movies (always FUN!): Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff in 1949 and Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1953.
While his career included a wealth of interesting roles and movies, he is most associated with his monstrous performances and for being one of the talents that defined the horror film industry.
Personally, I remember him for these wonderful roles and for one another, equally wonderful role… as the narrator of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch…”
Boris Karloff died in 1969 at the age of 81.
Boris Karloff
The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name!
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!
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
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…
