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Cyd Charisse Publicity Pictures for Sombrero (1953)

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Cyd Charisse, Sombrero Cyd Charisse

Beautiful Cyd Charisse was an absolute artist when it came to dancing and watching her is a great joy. She loved dancing more than she did acting, which is understandable. Great artists love what they do!

“If I had to give up either acting or dancing, I’d choose to keep dancing.” ~ Cyd Charisse
(Continued Below….)
Cyd Charisse, Sombrero Cyd Charisse
The stunning photographs in this post are publicity photos for her 1953 film Sombrero. The Musical Romance was directed by Norman Foster and also stars Ricardo Montalban, Pier Angeli, Vittorio Gassman, Yvonne De Carlo, Rick Jason, and Nina Foch.
You can find Sombrero on dvd (Amazon link).
Cyd Charisse, Sombrero
Cyd Charisse

Judy Garland: Beautiful Promo Photo for Summer Stock

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Judy Garland in Summer Stock

Judy Garland

Summer Stock (1950) was directed by Charles Walters and is one of my very favorite musicals. How could it not be… it stars  the extraordinary Judy Garland and the equally extraordinary Gene Kelly?!

The excellent musical also includes Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Marjorie Main, Hans Conried, and Phil Silvers.

You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Marjorie Main, Gloria DeHaven, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland in Summer Stock

Marjorie Main, Gloria DeHaven, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of the Wonderful Summer Stock

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Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of Summer Stock

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly

There’s just something about a musical to make the world seem blissfully perfect, isn’t there?! For me, it’s even more so if Judy Garland or Gene Kelly is involved… so when they’re in the SAME musical, look out! I will be smiling for days.

One of the musicals I watch and rewatch is Summer Stock (1950, directed by Charles Walters). In addition to Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, the musical stars (among others) Gloria DeHaven, Marjorie Main, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and the always entertaining Hans Conried.

You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

 

Vera-Ellen, White Christmas

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Vera-Ellen, White Christmas

Vera-Ellen

One of the most magical and wonderful Christmas films ever made boasted a cast that was equally wonderful and magical. White Christmas (1954, directed by Michael Curtiz) starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney.

How could it miss?!

You can buy White Christmas on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video. This is one of those movies that seems to get even better with time.

Vera-Ellen, White Christmas

Vera-Ellen

 

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain

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Gene Kelly, Singin' in the Rain

Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly, along with Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, and Cyd Charisse  (in addition to the rest of the exceptional cast)  created one of the most iconic movies of all time with Singin’ in the Rain. It isn’t just an exceptional musical, it’s an exceptional movie and one I can never recommend enough.

While the entire cast is flawless, Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor’s are absolutely in the front seat steering this vehicle. Both stars (in my opinion), along with Jean Hagen, should have won Academy awards. Unfortunately, musicals (as well as comedies) don’t often get the strong consideration other movies do, which kind of makes me nuts – I mean, entertainment is entertainment and excellence should be recognized regardless of the genre.

Besides, I’d like to see any member of the academy act while dancing and singing!

You can buy Singin’ in the Rain on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the iconic musical on Prime Video. Either way, I know you’ll agree with my rant above!

Gene Kelly, Singin' in the Rain Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

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Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, Singin' in the Rain

Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse

Whenever the question is asked on Twitter, “What are your favorite FEEL GOOD movies,” you can always expect to see Singin’ in the Rain (1952, directed by Stanley Donen) mentioned more than any other movie. It’s just THAT darn good and makes you feel THAT darn happy.

Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, and Cyd Charisse – in addition to the rest of the exceptional cast – work pure movie magic with this musical and it is always the right time to sit down and visit them… whether it’s for the first time or 100th time.

You can buy Singin’ in the Rain on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the iconic musical on Prime Video.

Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse

Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse

Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte: Carmen Jones

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Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte, Carmen Jones

Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte

 

One of my favorite movies (with THREE) of my favorite performances is Carmen Jones (1954, directed by Otto Preminger). The excellent performances are by Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, and Olga James (in a small but VERY compelling role). The entire movie is an absolute work of art.

A friend on Twitter once asked me what I thought of this movie and I told them it was as flawless and wonderful as Dorothy Dandridge, herself. The friend said they were going straight home from work and watching it if that was the case!

I have smart friends.

Dandridge and Belafonte (two ridiculously talented and beautiful stars!) give such compelling performances in this film, as does Olga James, who should have been in a LOT more films. If you’ve never seen this incredibly bold and deliciously unique film, I hope you’ll find it and watch it very soon. There truly has never been a movie quite like this one and I’m certain there never will be. I couldn’t love it any more.

You can buy Carmen Jones on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte, Carmen Jones

Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn: My Fair Lady (1964)

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Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison

I don’t just love My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison… I ADORE My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. Every word spoken, every note hit, every thread of every costume, every… oh, you get the idea. I’m completely infatuated with it and with the performance of each star.

The wonderful George Cukor directed this iconic musical. The cast also includes Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Jeremy Brett, and Gladys Cooper.

If it’s been a while since you’ve watched this absolute masterpiece, I hope you’ll revisit it soon. It’s even better than you remember.

You can find My Fair Lady on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Audrey Hepburn, Gorgeous My Fair Lady Promotional Pictures

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Audrey Hepburn, My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn

One of the most delightful movies ever made (musical or otherwise) and two of the finest performances (Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison) involve the same legendary film… My Fair Lady. It’s absolutely remarkable and, in my opinion, seems to get better with each subsequent viewing.

I’ve seen it at least 8 times and love it EVEN more after each revisit.

Audrey Hepburn, My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn

You can find My Fair Lady on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video. Either way, it’s a sure fire way to brighten your entire day… possibly even your week!


Audrey Hepburn, My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn, My Fair Lady

Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, New Orleans (1947)

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Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, New Orleans

Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, New Orleans (1947)

Today is Louis Armstrong day on TCM’s Summer Under the Stars and I am BEYOND excited about the lineup. While New Orleans isn’t on today’s schedule, I just had to post the photo above.

Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong are two of my favorites (I even have a cat named after each of them!).

Louis Armstrong was born on this day in 1901 and the world of music should celebrate this fact every single day.

“I never tried to prove nothing, just wanted to give a good show. My life has always been my music, it’s always come first, but the music ain’t worth nothing if you can’t lay it on the public. The main thing is to live for that audience, ’cause what you’re there for is to please the people.” ~ Louis Armstrong
He continues to do that to this day.

Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, The Adventures of Robin Hood

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?? 

Barbara Stanwyck Quotes

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!

Old Hollywood Movies

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Top Hat Cheek to Cheek

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

Classic Hollywood Books & Biographies (Reviews)

Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn

 

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

 

Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

Ginger by Ginger Rogers
Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball
Vitagraph by Andrew A. Erish
Vitagraph by Andrew A. Erish
More Old Hollywood Book Reviews!

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

Getting to Know the Gorgeous and Talented Dorothy Dandridge

My Lucy Obsession

Lucille Ball

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…

Legalities…

Aside from pictures of books I review, I do not claim to have taken any of the pictures on this website, nor do I own the pictures – the ones of the stars or the affiliate (product) pictures.  Other, far more talented photographers than me have the credit for the beautiful photos you see. If you would like credit for a photograph or would like one removed, please e-mail me (joitsigers@gmail.com).

Movie posters and promotional photos are used in the belief that they qualify for the Fair Use law. Fair use is a doctrine in the law of the United States that permits limited use of copyrighted material without having to first acquire permission from the copyright holder. Fair use is one of the limitations to copyright intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest in the wider distribution and use of creative works by allowing as a defense to copyright infringement claims certain limited uses that might otherwise be considered infringement.

When you click through an affiliate (product, book, dvds..) link, I earn a small portion of the money you spend IF you purchase anything. This does not cost you any extra money, of course. This is how I am able to work from home and support my cats! – Joi (“Joy”)