Lena Horne | Hollywood Yesterday

The Cabin in the Sky Lobby Card… LOVE IT!

May 25, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cabin in the Sky Lobby Card: Rex Ingram, Kenneth Spencer, Eddie Anderson, and… of course, Lena Horne!

I’ve already declared my undying love for Lobby Cards – the design, the font, the colors… I am obsessed. I’ve begun collecting them and am having the time of my life.

The one above is one I’d like to get my mitts on. First of all, I collect anything and everything related to Lena Horne, so this is a must have for my collection. Also, I love the colors and the overall design of this lobby card. Bonus… the movie, itself, is outstanding!

You can find Cabin in the Sky (link to dvd on Amazon) on dvd or Watch on Prime. I haven’t been able to find any Cabin in the Sky lobby cards on Amazon yet, but there are a few gorgeous posters – including one very similar to the lobby card above as well as one (shown below) featuring the wonderful art on the front of the dvd.

As you’d imagine, the collector in me is beside herself.

Lena Horne: Someone to Watch Over Me

May 21, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

I have many things that are such a part of my daily routine that I do them without even thinking… feeding my cats, drinking coffee (cup after cup…), reading from an Agatha Christie book (even books I’ve read before), etc. Another of these “dailies” is listening to Lena Horne. There’s just something about her beautiful voice that I’m so drawn to, I make sure I don’t go a day without it.

While I normally pop in my cds, I do enjoy videos on YouTube (after all, like the one above, they come with such gorgeous pictures!). The song above, “Someone to Watch Over Me” is one of my favorites.

I know you’ll love it (and the pictures!) just as much.

The Gorgeous and Talented Lena Horne

Lena Horne and Richard Widmark: Death of a Gunfighter

May 9, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne, Death of a Gunfighter

I love Lena Horne for a lot of reasons – she was beautiful, talented, strong, intelligent, stylish, classy, and had the voice of an angel… the star angel in God’s choir.

I also love her because she was one of the musicians and actresses my mom and I agreed on!

She loved Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly the way I loved Maureen O’Hara, Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Ann-Margret.

She loved The Waltons… I loved Little House on the Prairie.

She loved Lawrence Welk… I preferred Hee Haw.

She loved Cary Grant best… I preferred John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.

(Continued Below…)

Lena Horne and Richard Widmark, Death of a Gunfighter

We even differed with books – She loved reading romance novels… I loved Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew and would need to be PAID to read a romance novel!

But when it came to Lena Horne, we were both in absolute awe of her. If she were on the television, we froze and hung on her every move. If she were on the radio or we were playing her music in the house… we knew every word of every song. We had one lovely entertainer we could agree on! Because of this, I think of my mom anytime I see a Lena Horne photo or film.

So, as you can see, the wonderful Lena Horne has a special place in my heart.

The photos shown here are from her 1969 film, Death of a Gunfighter. I am absolutely in love with the fact that she was cast as Richard Widmark’s wife… the gorgeous girlfriend of the protagonist who just happens to be a woman of color.

We may not think twice about that now, but back then? It was bold casting that paid off in a big way. She was wonderful in the film and had palpable chemistry with Richard Widmark.

If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll check it out.

Richard Widmark and Lena Horne

Stormy Weather Lobby Card (Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, and Cab Calloway… So Much Talent!)

March 1, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bill Robinson, Lena Horne, and Cab Calloway, Stormy Weather

The three talented individuals above are three of my favorites… so you can imagine how much I love Stormy Weather (1943).

Each of the 15 times I’ve seen it.

NOT exaggerating.

If you’ve never seen this musical even once, I hope you’ll find it soon and watch every last glorious moment.

Picture of the Day: Lena Horne and Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

February 20, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne, Cabin in the Sky Behind the scenes photo with Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

My love for Lena Horne is no secret – ADORE the woman! Whether it’s as an actress or singer… or human being, in general… she was one in a couple of billion. This photo of her with Eddie Anderson is one of my favorites. The fact that she’s smiling that megawatt smile and dressed to the nines is only part of the reason. I’m also obsessed with “behind the scenes” photos. I love that she and Rochester were hanging out and that she was so genuinely happy.

Sigh. Love her so.

If you’ve never seen the much underrated and underappreciated Cabin in the Sky (Amazon link), I hope you’ll do so asap. It is as remarkable as Lena, herself…. well… close.

Beautiful Lena Horne: Thousands Cheer Publicity Still

November 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Beautiful Lena Horne, Thousands Cheer

I’ve had a rough week -what better star than the glamorous, mega-talented Lena Horne to get me back on track?! Nothing quite like one of your favorite stars to snap you out of a Funk… even when it’s with a capital F!

This publicity still is from the 1943 musical Thousands Cheer, with Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Mary Astor, Eleanor Powell, Mickey Rooney, Red Skelton, and (even!) more.

Lena Horne: “Believe In Yourself” from THE WIZ

November 7, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Wiz is a beautiful, spectacular film from 1978 with an all star cast to rival any: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell (hilarious man!), Richard Pryor, and (of course) my much beloved Lena Horne. And, honestly, that’s just “some” of its star power.

If you’ve never seen this musical/fantasy, do yourself a favor and catch is asap. You can find The Wiz on Amazon – it makes an outrageously fun addition to any dvd collection.

In the video below, the wonderful Lena Horne sings Believe in Yourself. Mesmerizing!

Christmas Music from Ella, Lena, Louis, Eartha, and More…

October 25, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I would say that Christmas is already on my mind but, if we’re being honest, it’s never OFF of my mind.

Yes… I’m one of those people and I make no apologies for it.

I have a large, wonderful family and shopping year-round for gifts is the only way I can stay sane or stand a chance to get things done. I buy things in stores and online (often starting the day after Christmas!) and hide them away in totes. Admittedly, sometimes I dip into the totes during the year for little, “Here’s this… just because I love you..” expressions, but that’s fun too.

I’ve begun a #ClassicFilmGifts series of tweets on Twitter and will now also begin a series of Christmas Gift Ideas posts here on Hollywood Yesterday. Granted, very often (very, very, very often in fact), we’re the only one in our family who collects Classic Hollywood collectibles and one of the only ones who watched old movies – in which case, the gift ideas are actually for US.

Again… that’s fun too!

These particular gift ideas are actually ones I’m sure you (like me) will want long before Christmas and will want all for yourself! They’ll each be on their Merry way to our house right away. These artists are some of my favorite in the world and I can’t wait to spend the Christmas season with them.

Continued Below Ella Beautifully Singing The Christmas Song…

Christmas With Ella & Friends

Christmas With Ella & Friends is one of the ones that’s already in my Amazon shopping cart. I searched for Ella Fitzgerald Christmas CDs and literally gasped when I saw the list of friends she brought to the Christmas party with her!

Louis Armstrong
Bing Crosby
Frank Sinatra
Doris Day
Eartha Kitt
Dinah Washington
Dean Martin
Brenda Lee
The Platters
And more …

The CD cover states that there are 40 songs included in the 2 CD set, but Amazon lists 50. Either way, that’s a lot of wonderful Christmas songs from some of the greatest voices of all time. I will let you know for sure how many there are as soon as my CD arrives!

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is another “must have. Who better than Ella to get a swinging Christmas and jazzy new year off on the right note??!

This 1960 collection includes:

1. Jingle Bells
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
5. Sleigh Ride
6. The Christmas Song
7. Good Morning Blues
8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
11. Frosty The Snowman
12. White Christmas
13. The Secret Of Christmas
14. Medley: We Three Kings Of Orient Are/O Little Town Of Bethlehem
15. Christmas Island
16. The Christmas Song
17. White Christmas (Alternative Take)
18. Frosty The Snowman (Alternative Take)

Continued Below Lena Horne’s Gorgeous Rendition of White Christmas

Merry From Lena

If you read very much of what I write (bless your heart), you know I love Lena Horne. Like, A LOT. I could listen to her all day/all night and never complain. I actually once had this CD but will have to reorder it.

I guess I wore it out! I remember playing my favorite songs (The Little Drummer Boy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town) over and over and over.

Jingle All The Way
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
Winter Wonderland
White Christmas
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
The Little Drummer Boy
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Silent Night
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

These are the songs that are the soundtrack to Christmas and no one… absolutely no one…. sings them more beautifully than Lena Horne.

Lena Horne, like Rita Hayworth and a few other select entertainers, gets so much recognition for her beauty (and, come on, it’s understandable) but she was so much more than a beautiful face. She could act, sings (could she ever sing!), and dance.

And if you’re talking about stage presence and a certain “it” factor – Lena was all over it. If you aren’t familiar with her music, I hope you’ll familiarize yourself right away.

I hope you’ll click through these links and order at least one of these wonderful Christmas song collections. Christmas music is one of the most beautiful (magical, even) things about Christmas.

In fact, as something of an expert on Christmas (immodestly, I put myself right up there with Mrs. Claus in the category), if I were to recommend a way to make the Season even sweeter, I’d suggest starting a Christmas CD collection – and these are a few of the CDs I’d recommend for you to start with.

I will write about more Christmas CDs in the coming weeks – in fact, I was near the middle of a “Top 10 Christmas CDs” post but I got too excited about these three and had to share them immediately. Christmas (and these artists) do that to me. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Lena Horne: Her 1996 PBS “American Masters” Biography

October 15, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne

If you watch a lot of Old Hollywood movies – especially if you cover a LOT of territory (say from the silents through today) and a LOT of genres (silents, film noir, westerns, comedies, rom com, slapstick, drama..) – you meet a lot of new stars along the way. Stars who may have either missed your radar completely in the past or stars that, while on the radar, hadn’t really had their chance to shine for you. YET.

Personally, June Allyson is a perfect example of a star being on my radar (after I’d seen her in Executive Suite) but became an absolute favorite after I saw her in a few other films.

The beautiful and talented lady above, Lena Horne, is one who had completely escaped my radar somehow. It is only within the past few years that I saw my first Lena Horne movie!

It was love at first sight, so to speak, with Lena. She had a huge impact on me the minute she first danced on my screen. She had an obvious beauty that jumps out at you right away, with such a radiant complexion that you know shines from within. And the smile? Her dazzling, perfect smile lights up the room. She had a happiness from within that put on a spectacular show on the outside.

Then when she opened her voice and began to sing… well, that’s when my jaw really hit the floor.

While I hate comparing stars and try (often unsuccessfully) not to do so – her gift for entertaining and for taking her viewers far, far away begs to be compared to that of Judy Garland. Yes, she was her own woman, actress, singer, dancer, and star BUT her showmanship and command of the spotlight greatly reminds me of Judy Garland – one of the highest compliments that can be handed out, if you ask me.

I still just have no idea how I could have watched old movies and classic tv shows all of my life – and done so as though I were being paid to do it – and not ever come across a Lena Horne movie until recently. It never ceases to amaze me when I come across new favorites or begin to see an old favorite in an even better light. It’s also great fun when you start liking a star you’d previously disliked… yes, that has even happened from time to time!

I encourage you, yet again, to often step out of your favorite decade(s) and even genre(s). You never know who might be waiting for you on the other side. They might just have the most dazzling smile and beautiful voice you ever heard!

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.