Musicals | 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.

Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, Viva Las Vegas (One of My VERY Favorites!)

May 15, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, Viva Las Vegas

Ann-Margret…. one of my favorite actresses and entertainers.

Elvis Presley….. one of my favorite actresses and singers.

Viva Las Vegas…. how could it NOT be one of my favorite movies. As in EVER?!

I am in love with this 1964 movie more than I could ever say. It epitomizes the Sixties in many ways and makes visiting the colorful and fun era unspeakably entertaining.

The Only Thing Better than One Fred and Ginger Movie…Two Fred and Ginger Movies

April 17, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, The Gay Divorcee

As far as I’m concerned, there is just nothing quite like sitting down and enjoying a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical. The world outside your window can be barking mad (and is it ever right now?!), but if Fred and Ginger are on the tv… everything suddenly feels fine… perfectly fine.

Oh, sure the madness will be there as soon as the ending credits finish rolling (it comes more into focus the closer the credits get to the end, doesn’t it?), but for a blissful few hours, the only thing that matters is helping “him” straighten things out with “her,” so that “you” get that happy ending you need.

(Continued Below…)

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Roberta

Today, I did something I seldom do (simply because I don’t often have the opportunity) – I watched not one but TWO films back to back and just let the laundry and dishes fend for themselves. When I met up with my cats in the den – with my raspberry tea and popcorn in tow – I knew I had carved out the entire afternoon for a double feature. The only thing left to do was decide which two movies it’d be.

A Western? Maybe a Film-Noir? A Musical? A Comedy? Drama?… Possibly a combination of two different genres??

Nah. Fred and Ginger – cheek to cheek, toe to toe, and back to back. I hadn’t seen The Gay Divorcee in two forevers, so I decided to start with it. Then, I decided to follow it up with Roberta because Ginger is especially adorable in it… too adorable for her own good, actually.

Four hours of BLISS and I don’t regret a single second. The dishes, the laundry, and supper (Uh oh.. I’d better get that started…) can wait. When your psyche needs the magic of Fred and Ginger.. that’s all that matters.

Sigh. They really were something else all together, weren’t they? I love them both dearly.

Hmmm… wonder what my cats have any plans for tomorrow afternoon?

Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse: The Band Wagon

April 12, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire, The Band Wagon

The Band Wagon (1953), directed by Vincente Minnelli, stars a few names that helped make musicals as successful as they were and as enjoyable as they are: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, and Nanette Fabray.

Everything about this film is stunning – the wardrobe, the choreography, the stars.. everything.

As someone who grew up watching ABC soap operas like her life depended on it, I also get a huge kick out of seeing a very young James Mitchell – not at all like the Palmer Cortlandt (All My Children) I’m most familiar with.

Was he ever deliciously wonderful in the role of Palmer?!?! One of the best daytime actors and characters of all time.

Sorry, I got sidetracked.

Something that Fred Astaire doesn’t get nearly enough credit for is the fact that he was a really good actor. He was, obviously, an absolute dancing guru… but, make no mistake about it… the man could act.

If you’ve never seen The Band Wagon, check it out as soon as possible. It’s a lot of fun and very well-directed – Vincente Minnelli was absolutely one of the best.

Rent or Buy The Band Wagon on Amazon Prime Video. You can also buy The Band Wagon on Blu-Ray (Amazon Link).

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

March 7, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, An American in Paris

Ever love a movie so much you’re overcome with warm feelings even when you simply see promotional pictures? That’s me and some of my very favorites, including An American in Paris.

Ready for an unpopular opinion that may blow your hat off? I like this Gene Kelly musical 10x more than Singin’ in the Rain.

Go ahead and pick your hat up. I’ll be here when you get back.

They’re both wonderful musicals and each cast is outstanding. I love the music and dancing in each film. I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Donald O’Connor in Singin’ in the Rain and I love Gene Kelly and his sidekick Oscar Levant in An American in Paris. I guess, truth be told, I enjoy Oscar’s performance a bit more.

The real difference, for me, between the two, however, is the lead actress. I buy into the Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron pairing much much more than I do the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds one.

Now, I realize this is all a very unpopular opinion.. in fact, I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything even remotely negative about Singin’ in the Rain! It’s almost an unwritten rule – <em><strong>One must love every single thing about the musical and never mutter anything construed as anything less than glowing praise!!!</strong></em>

Ooops, I smashed that rule. Don’t get me wrong, I love Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly’s performance in the rain is an iconic, one in a billion, mesmerizing work of art. I think the movie is great. I simply like An American in Paris better and it’s due to the chemistry between the main stars as much as anything.

Ironically, while I don’t think lovely Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly had even a single spark of chemistry, I think she and Donald O’Connor had tons! Every single time I’ve watched the movie, I think the same thing throughout the movie…. “Girl, you’re with the wrong guy.”

At any rate, An American in Paris (Amazon Link) is one of my all-time favorite movies, not just musicals. I love every single thing about it. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll find it soon. There’s a number Gene Kelly and Oscar Levant perform in their room that’s as wonderful as any musical number you can think of.

Yes… even that one.

Ever love a movie so much you’re overcome with warm feelings even when you simply see promotional pictures? That’s me and some of my very favorites, including An American in Paris.

Ready for an unpopular opinion that may blow your hat off? I like this Gene Kelly musical 10x more than Singin’ in the Rain.

Go ahead and pick your hat up. I’ll be here when you get back.

The real difference, for me, between the two, however, is the lead actress. I buy into the Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron pairing much much more than I do the Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds one.

Now, I realize this is all a very unpopular opinion.. in fact, I’ve never heard anyone ever say anything even remotely negative about Singin’ in the Rain! It’s almost an unwritten rule – One must love every single thing about the musical and never mutter anything construed as anything less than glowing praise!!!

Yes… even that one.

Tra La La La from An American in Paris (Excellent Number, Excellent Performers, Excellent Movie!)

February 25, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain (splashing in puddles and wonderfully swinging from the light-post)

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Top Hat (with feathers gloriously flying)

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire, You Were Never Lovelier (The Shorty George)

The cast from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (singing and dancing, while building a barn!)

All are great, timeless, iconic scenes from musicals. I have one that’s on my personal favorites list – one that probably isn’t on many other lists. In fact, given the fact that it’s in the excellent An American in Paris (Amazon link to the dvd), it could get lost among all the brilliance.

HOWEVER, I’m in love with the scene. Always have been. Always will be.

When you take the immeasurable talents of Gene Kelly and combine them with the immeasurable talents of Oscar Levant, this is what you get! The dancing, the piano playing (Mr. Levant was a genius), the singing, and my-oh-my the tap dancing (!!!)… pure movie magic.

Natalie Wood: Behind the Scenes Photo from West Side Story

February 21, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Natalie Wood and Director Jerome Robbins Behind the Scenes, West Side Story (1961)

A while back, I watched four Natalie Wood movies within the span of two weeks. I was blown away, not only by her tremendous talent, but by the fact that she went from one of the most adorable child stars of all time to one of the most beautiful actresses of all time.

Many child stars retain a certain “child-like” look that stays with them – so much so that you tend to “see” them as children, even when they’re adults.

Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Not so with Natalie Wood! She magically and effortlessly transitioned from adorable to gorgeous. It’s obvious, simply by looking at her photos, but it’s downright jaw-dropping if you watch a films like Miracle on 34th Street, Father Was a Fullback, The Searchers, and West Side Story back to back to back to back.

Natalie Wood, The Searchers (1956)

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.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly – An American in Paris (Picture of the Day!)

February 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my newest favorite Old Hollywood actresses is Leslie Caron. If I’d ever seen her films before, she’d have already been a favorite! As it is, I saw my first Leslie Caron movie within the past three months and have been watching them (one after the next) since.

So… yes… expect to see much more of her on Hollywood Yesterday.

The photo above is a publicity photo from the 1951 film, An American in Paris (Amazon link). The wonderfully fun and colorful film (directed by Vincente Minnelli) costarred Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, and Nina Foch. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll catch it soon. It’s outstanding.

The Nicholas Brothers: Down Argentine Way (1940)

February 10, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Nicholas Brothers, Down Argentine Way

The Nicholas Brothers are (in my opinion) the best part of the 1940 Musical Down Argentine Way. They’re always so much fun to watch and bring so much energy and passion to everything they touch. It’s a wonder more movies didn’t pick up on this and inject their goodness into more films!