Golden Age of Hollywood
Maria Montez
One of the three actresses nicknamed the “Queen of Technicolor” was Maria Montez. (The others were Maureen O’Hara and Rhonda Fleming.)
One of Maria Montez’s films was the 1949 adventure Siren of Atlantis, directed by Gregg G. Tallas. The fun movie also stars Jean-Pierre Aumont, Dennis O’Keefe, and Henry Daniell.
You can.. surprisingly!.. find Siren of Atlantis (Amazon link) on dvd.
Maria Montez, Siren of Atlantis
Maria Montez, White Savage
White Savage is a 1943 adventure film – the type of movie that I love to call escapism entertainment. One that’ll carry you away from current events, gloom and doom news, and anxieties that accompany daily life and transport you to a colorful and exciting world where you can PAUSE reality for just a little while.
The BEST therapy in the world!
The movie stars the beautiful Maria Montez, Jon Hall, Thomas Gomez, Sidney Toler (best known for his wonderful Charlie Chan films), and Sabu.
You can find White Savage on blu-ray in a Maria Montez & Jon Hall Collection (Amazon link). I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else!
Maria Montez, Cobra Woman
As I pointed out in a recent Maria Montez post, I adore this actress! I love deliciously colorful, unmistakably unique people and she fit the bill beautifully. Her filmography is almost as colorful and fun as she was.
Almost.
Cobra Woman is a 1944 adventure (directed by Robert Siodmak) and also stars John Hall, Mary Nash, Edgar Barrier, and Sabu.
You can find Cobra Woman on dvd or blu-ray (amazon link).
Maria Montez, Cobra Woman
Maria Montez, Arabian Nights
The stunningly beautiful actress Maria Montez was born in the Dominican Republic in 1912. She made 28 films in her young career including Arabian Nights, Sudan, Gypsy Wildcat, Cobra Woman, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Pirates of Monterey. Her charisma, self-confidence, poise, and talent show up in abundance in each film.
I have to tell you, I love this colorful actress to complete distraction. One of my favorite Maria Montez quotes was one she made about seeing herself on the screen in Arabian Nights (1942): “When I look at myself, I am so beautiful I scream with joy!” It didn’t make her smile… didn’t make her giddy… didn’t make her proud. It made her SCREAM with joy, y’all!
Another favorite Maria Montez quote came after she met Orson Welles, “He is as spectacular as I am!”
Have I mentioned how much I love this lady??
Maria Montez was married to actor/writer Jean-Pierre Aumont from 1943 to her tragic death from drowning in 1951. She was only 39 when she died and, indeed, very, very spectacular.
Maria and Jean-Pierre had one child.
You can find the 1942 film Arabian Nights on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Maria Montez, Arabian Nights
I would LOVE to see Maria Montez become better known – she deserves the notoriety… as she would have told you so, herself!
Maria Montez, Cobra Woman
I have an affinity (STRONG affinity) for films that would fall under the description “escapist entertainment” – movies that didn’t take themselves too seriously and hope you follow their lead.
Cobra Woman is a 1944 adventure (directed by Robert Siodmak) that is a delicious example of this type of film. Its star is the ridiculously beautiful and charismatic Maria Montez and she pretty much dares you to look away anytime she’s on the screen.
The cast also includes John Hall, Mary Nash, Edgar Barrier, and Sabu.
You can find Cobra Woman on dvd or blu-ray (amazon link).
Maria Montez, Gypsy Wildcat (1944)
Beautiful Maria Montez was born on June 6, 1912 in Barahona, Dominican Republic. Sadly, she was only 39 when she died. She was found drowned in her bathtub (it’s speculated that she had a heart attack).
The beautiful actress has a very colorful and entertaining filmography and would be a really fun one to “work your way through.” I’m doing that, myself, although many of her films are very difficult to find.
Two of my all-time favorite quotes from stars are from Maria:
Is there any wonder I love her so??
My main goal with Hollywood Yesterday is to keep the names, faces, and films of the stars that mean so much to me shining brightly. When I’m guilty of focusing more time on my personal favorites (such as Olivia de Havilland) than other stars, I hope you’ll forgive me. I am, by all indications, very human!
Also, please know that I try to keep my posts (except for book reviews) short and to the point, so you can enjoy the pictures, grab the information, and get back to your life. I don’t appreciate anything that’s overly wordy, so I don’t want to do that to others. For better or worse, I write as I talk, so if you ever feel like you’re reading the words of someone who’s a cross between Lucy Ricardo, Daisy Duck, and a Jerry Lewis character, that’s just because you are!
Wait. What did I just admit to??
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…
