Quotes from the Stars of Old Hollywood

A Beautifully Classic Quote from a Beautifully Classic Actress (Mary Astor)

November 10, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Mary Astor

“There are five stages in the life of an actor: Who’s Mary Astor? Get me Mary Astor. Get me a Mary Astor Type. Get me a young Mary Astor. Who’s Mary Astor?” ~ Mary Astor

With all due respect to this outstanding actress, it’s impossible to imagine anyone EVER asking, “Who’s Mary Astor?”

Impossible!

This lovely and powerfully talented actress has a filmography that includes The Maltese Falcon, Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women, and Across the Pacific.

If you aren’t familiar with this wonderful actress, I hope you’ll make a point to see more of her films as soon as possible. She will leave quite an impression on you.

This, I promise.

Mary Astor Movies on Amazon

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes by Bob Hope with Linda Hope (Review)

October 19, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes

One of my favorite entertainers of all time is synonymous with the word, itself: Bob Hope. The man was simply brilliant in everything he did – every word, every joke, every film… brilliant.

Not only was Bob Hope a wonderful actor and entertainer, like some of my other favorites, he was also all class – with some to spare. James Stewart, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Hattie McDaniel, Maureen O’Hara, Olivia de Havilland… some stars were such high quality people that it makes being a fan as easy as an autumn breeze.

The book above, Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes by Bob Hope with Linda Hope is one of my all-time favorite books in my collection. It’s like sitting down in your favorite chair with a hot cup of tea (or tall glass of iced raspberry tea, depending on the season) and having Bob Hope, himself, stand in the middle of your room making you laugh until your sides ache.

“I was destined to be an actor. The day I was born, I stood up and took a bow. Really. When the doctor slapped me, I thought it was applause “

The stories, jokes, and vintage Bob Hope self-deprecating humor are such a joy, I’m really at a loss for words. If you, or anyone in your life loves to laugh, this book is a must have…. if you love to laugh and are a fan of the wonderful Bob Hope, Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes is an absolute MUST HAVE.

To comedians, ‘material’–their jokes–has always been precious, worthy of protecting and preserving. On stage, a good vaudeville routine could last years as it was performed on tour across the country. On radio, a year’s vaudeville material might be fodder for one week’s broadcast. Bob Hope used new material not only for his weekly radio series, but also for the several live charity appearances he made each week.

Organized by the stages of his life, accompanied by black-and-white photographs, this book gives readers a chance to enjoy the very best of Hope’s jokes, from his early years in vaudeville, his top-rated radio show in the ’30s and ’40s, his legendary television appearances, and much more.

Bob Hope’s wonderful, one-of-a-kind personality comes shining through on every page of this delightful and fun book.

“I knew the troops would be glad to see me. I said, ‘Look at me, fellas, these are the kind of clothes you’ll be wearing when you get home!’ Fifty guys re-enlisted.”

About the Authors

Bob Hope was in the forefront of the entertainment industry for virtually his entire life. Primarily a comedian, he also acted, sang, and even danced, hosted his own radio and television shows, and starred in sixty movies. Bob Hope’s dedication to and love for the American GI is legendary. He traveled around the world to entertain the men and women in uniform during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. No individual in the history of show business journeyed so far–and so often–to entertain so many. He received more than two thousand awards and citations for his humanitarian and professional efforts, and was honored and befriended by every U.S. president since Franklin Roosevelt.

Linda Hope, Bob and Dolores Hope’s daughter, is chief operating officer of Hope Enterprises, Inc., and producer of her father’s television specials for the last twenty-five years.

“Jobs didn’t come easy. For months at a time, I forgot what kind of work I was out of.”

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes is absolutely hilarious and would make a perfect gift idea for anyone. They broke the mold when Bob Hope came along and this collection is a perfect reminder of this very fact.

Wonderful Georgia Hale Quote About Charlie Chaplin (A Man She Spent a Lifetime Loving)

May 16, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I’ll be writing more about Georgia Hale’s Biography/Autobiography, “Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups” in future posts. I cherish this particular book a great deal. Not only are Georgia Hale and Charlie Chaplin two of my personal favorites, it’s very difficult to get my hands on Georgia Hale information, photographs, or collectibles. Her career (while dazzling) was very, very brief and there simply isn’t a lot out there.

Needless to say, this book is a very prized possession. It’s a wonder I don’t keep it under lock and key!

For those who may not know, Georgia Hale loved Charlie Chaplin a great deal. She spent most of her adult life loving him. They never married and the extent of his affections for Georgia can only be guessed at. He seemed to have a great deal of affection for her, on one hand, but on the other hand? Wedding rings… to other women.

As I often say on this Old Hollywood blog, I am not here to judge, nor would I ever attempt to. There had to be something strong and very real in their relationship or Georgia simply wouldn’t have loved him as strongly as she did. This much I’m certain of.

You know, unlike Georgia, a lot is written about Charlie Chaplin. Sadly, it isn’t all favorable. However, within one quote in her book, Georgia has (in my opinion) tied all the pieces of his complex and beguiling personality together…. as, really, only she could.

I can’t possibly even BEGIN to tell you how much I love this quote about Charlie Chaplin by Georgia Hale: “If Charles Chaplin carried within him many contradictions, was tender-hearted, cruel, sensitive, child-like, a poseur, all of these qualities were part of his creative spirit.”

When I first read this quote, it struck me that this type of approach could be taken with many of our favorite Old Hollywood actors and actresses. So many of these wonderful stars behaved and even thought along some pretty original and inexplicable lines. Yet… the qualities we can’t often get our heads around are, as Georgia so eloquently said, part of their creative spirit.

June Allyson Quote About Studio Life

March 21, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

“The only parental authority I had was the studio. When I was a star, there was always somebody with me, to guard me. I was not allowed to be photographed with a cigarette, a drink, a cup of coffee or even a glass of water because someone might think it was liquor. When I left the studio I was already married and had two children, but I felt as sad as a child leaving home for the first time.” ~ June Allyson

Fay Wray Quotes

February 22, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

(In 2004, referring to King Kong) “He (Merian C. Cooper) called me into his office and showed me sketches of jungle scenes and told me, ‘You’re going to have the tallest, darkest leading man in Hollywood.’ Naturally, I thought Clark Gable. But then he showed me this sketch of a giant ape up the side of the Empire State Building, and he said, ‘There’s your leading man.'”

“Right after The Wedding March (1928), everything happened at once. Sound was coming in, and color was being used for the first time. It was very exciting to be a part of it.”

(About The Wedding March) “That movie meant a lot to me; my heart was right up in my throat.”

(About King Kong) “When my youngest daughter first saw the film, she said, ‘Kong wasn’t trying to hurt you, he was just trying to protect you,’ which was right.”

(About The Wedding March) “I still love that film, Erich von Stroheim was a wonderful human being, and he took a chance on me. I was only 19 when I did the screen test, but he saw something in me. After 75 years, it’s still one of the happiest experiences of my life. And it was a nice part, wasn’t it?”

“I was known as the queen of the Bs. If only I’d been a little more selective.”

“King Kong is my friend. He’s been my public relations man for years. It was an extraordinarily good role, but the richness of the role that I had in The Wedding March appealed to me more and that’s very understandable, I think, since there weren’t many nuances in the King Kong role. That was a fantasy, and there was a broadness to it that seemed unreal.”

James Dean Tin Sign Features a Quote That’s Both Iconic and Ironic

November 30, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

This great-looking James Dean Tin Sign features one of his greatest (and tragically ironic) quotes: “If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, and if he can live on after he’s dead, then maybe he was a great man.”

The 16″ x 12″ sign pictures one of my favorite pictures of James Dean.

When I read this quote again today (for probably the millionth time), it occurred to me how eerily similar he and Marilyn Monroe were and are. Both are huge legends – so huge, in fact, that huge doesn’t even seem to cover it. I searched my mental reserves for a larger, more appropriate adjective but none would serve any better than huge, so I did the next best thing.

I made it bold. STILL not enough for these two!

They’re household names and faces, even among people who have never seen a single scene from one of their movies.

Another thing they, obviously, have in common is the tragic ending to each legend’s life. Both died needlessly and far too soon. James Dean was only 24 when the car wreck took his life. 24! It boggles the mind to think of the things this actor would have gone on to accomplish. He was unspeakably talented and, let’s face it, had more spark on screen than most actors.

Whatever “it” is, both he and Marilyn were dripping in it.

The final thing they had in common is their insight and wisdom. It comes through in their quotes. Each was far brighter than probably even they realized and spending time with them leaves me feeling so cheated. What movies, pictures, and quotes could these huge personalities have gone on to bless us with.

The world is a brighter and better place because James Dean and Marilyn Monroe once walked among us.

Take a closer look at the James Dean Tin Sign pictured here.

A Favorite Arlene Dahl Quote

November 25, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

“With enthusiasm anything is possible.” ~ Arlene Dahl

As I often say, I have been joyfully obsessed with Old (or Classic) Hollywood since I was a little girl. I loved watching the movies, reading about the stars, and just diving head-first into their world. One of my favorite stars, from early on, was Arlene Dahl.

Before I knew what great acting, screen presence, or actor chemistry was, I simply loved her because (to me) she seemed like a lovely princess.

When I watch her films today I can certainly see where I got the impression that she was a real-life princess. She certainly looked like one – but there was more, she even moved and spoke like one.

No wonder I was convinced I was watching a princess whenever she was on the screen!

Betty Grable Quotes

October 21, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Beautiful Betty Grable is one of my favorite stars – one that, the more I read about her, the more things I find to like about her. I love her personality and sense of humor. She seems to have been an especially likable, down-to-earth star in spite of her beauty and success.

She somehow remained very humble and didn’t seem to give herself nearly enough credit for her acting abilities. Like Marilyn Monroe and a few other stars, I just don’t think she realized how talented she actually was.

Below are some of my favorite Betty Grable quotes:

“The woman’s vision is deep-reaching, the man’s far-reaching. With the man the world is his heart, with the woman the heart is her world.”

“The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.”

“You’re better off betting on a horse than betting on a man. A horse may not be able to hold you tight, but he doesn’t wanna wander from the stable at night.”

(About Marilyn Monroe) “It may sound peculiar to say so, because she is no longer with us, but we were very close. Once when we were doing that picture How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) together, I got a call on the set: my younger daughter had had a fall. I ran home and the one person to call was Marilyn. She did an awful lot to boost things up for movies when everything was at a low state; there’ll never be anyone like her for looks, for attitude, for all of it.”

“There are two reasons why I am successful in show business and I am standing on both of them.”

(When asked if her status as new mother threatened her image) “I never thought of it. If they don’t like it, the devil with ’em. Fact is, I’ve more fan mail since, especially from servicemen telling me about their wives and babies.”

“It’s loud, it’s cheap, it’s gaudy. It’s like everything I’ve ever done – I LOVE IT!”

“I’m strictly an enlisted man’s girl.”

(About Desi Arnaz) “She was everything to him. It was always Lucy, Lucy, Lucy. She was his life.”

“My legs made me.”

“I’m a song-and-dance girl. I can act enough to get by. But that’s the limit of my talents.”

Elizabeth Taylor Quotes

August 29, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Elizabeth Taylor

“I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I’m not afraid to look behind them.”

“Big girls need big diamonds.”

Richard came on the set and sort of sidled over to me and said: “Has anybody ever told you that you’re a very pretty girl?” ‘I thought, Oy gevalt, the great lover, the great wit, the great Welsh intellectual, and he comes out with a corny line like that! But then I noticed his hands were shaking as if he had Saturday night palsy. He had the worst hangover I’d ever seen. And he was obviously terrified of me. I just took pity on him. I realized he really was human. That was the beginning of our affair.

“I really don’t remember much about Cleopatra. There were a lot of other things going on.”

(After she divorced Richard Burton for the second time) “I love Richard Burton with every fiber of my soul, but we can’t be together. We’re too mutually self-destructive.”

“I’ve always admitted that I’m ruled by my passions.”

“People who know me well, call me Elizabeth. I dislike Liz.”

“I’ve only slept with men I’ve been married to. How many women can make that claim?”

“I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed too – for being married so many times.”

“I fell off my pink cloud with a thud.”

(About Michael Jackson) “He is part of my heart. We would do anything for each other.”

(About Marilyn Monroe) “She seemed to have a kind of unconscious glow about her physical self that was innocent, like a child. When she posed nude, it was ‘Gee, I am kind of, you know, sort of dishy,’ like she enjoyed it without being egotistical.”

“Acting is, to me now, artificial. Seeing people suffer is real. It couldn’t be more real. Some people don’t like to look at it in the face because it’s painful. But if nobody does, then nothing gets done.” (2005)

“I don’t entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I’m me. God knows, I’m me.”

“I don’t like my voice. I don’t like the way I look. I don’t like the way I move. I don’t like the way I act. I mean, period. So, you know, I don’t like myself.”

“I’m a survivor – a living example of what people can go through and survive.”

“Everything makes me nervous except making films.”

“There’s still so much more to do. I can’t sit back and be complacent, and none of us should be. I get around now in a wheelchair, but I get around.” (2005)

“I’ve been through it all, baby, I’m mother courage.”

“If someone’s dumb enough to offer me a million dollars to make a picture, I’m certainly not dumb enough to turn it down.”

“You find out who your real friends are when you’re involved in a scandal.”

“Put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.”

“I hate being called Liz, because it can sound like such a hiss.”

(About Michael Jackson) “What is a genius? What is a living legend? What is a mega star? Michael Jackson – that’s all. And when you think you know him, he gives you more . . . I think he is one of the finest people to hit this planet, and, in my estimation, he is the true King of Pop, Rock and Soul.”

(on John Wayne) His image had as much impact in the world as many of our presidents have had, but Duke was a great actor, a great humanitarian, but always himself. To be a friend was a lifetime thing.”

(Tweet 7/23/2010) “Hold your horses world. I’ve been hearing all kinds of rumours about someone being cast to play me in a film about Richard and myself. No one is going to play Elizabeth Taylor, but Elizabeth Taylor herself.”

“I believe in mind over matter and doing anything you set your mind on. I, along with the critics, have never taken myself very seriously.”

“Success is a great deodorant.”

“My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked.”

“Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.”

In 2009, during a hospital stay, Elizabeth Taylor tweeted to Kathy Ireland: “Thanks Darling for the beautiful flowers and all the prayers. Now can you just get my puppy past security?”

“Never let yourself think beyond your means…mental, emotional or any otherwise.”

Marilyn Monroe Quotes

July 28, 2017 By Joi Leave a Comment

Marilyn Monroe (How to Marry a Millionaire)

A career is wonderful, but you can’t curl up with it on a cold night.

A sex symbol becomes a thing. I just hate to be a thing.

An actress is not a machine, but they treat you like a machine. A money machine.

Dogs never bite me. Just humans.

Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting then being one.

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

Fame will go by and, so long, I’ve had you, fame. If it goes by, I’ve always known it was fickle. So at least it’s something I experience, but that’s not where I live.

First, I’m trying to prove to myself that I’m a person. Then maybe I’ll convince myself that I’m an actress.

Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.

I am invariably late for appointments – sometimes as much as two hours. I’ve tried to change my ways but the things that make me late are too strong, and too pleasing.

Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature.

The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.

The thing I want more than anything else? I want to have children. I used to feel for every child I had, I would adopt another.

There was my name up in lights. I said, ‘God, somebody’s made a mistake.’ But there it was, in lights. And I sat there and said, ‘Remember, you’re not a star.’ Yet there it was up in lights.

I don’t want to make money, I just want to be wonderful.

I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and for my talent.

I have too many fantasies to be a housewife. I guess I am a fantasy.

I am involved in a freedom ride protesting the loss of the minority rights belonging to the few remaining earthbound stars. All we demanded was our right to twinkle.

I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.

I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.

I don’t mind living in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it.

I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t want to look like one.

I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

Being a sex symbol is a heavy load to carry, especially when one is tired, hurt and bewildered.

I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.

I love a natural look in pictures. I like people with a feeling one way or another – it shows an inner life. I like to see that there’s something going on inside them.

I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.

I restore myself when I’m alone.

I’m very definitely a woman and I enjoy it.

I’ve been on a calendar, but I’ve never been on time.

I’ve never dropped anyone I believed in.

If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have got anywhere.

If I’m a star, then the people made me a star.

It’s all make believe, isn’t it?

It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone – so far.

It’s not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on.

It’s often just enough to be with someone. I don’t need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You’re not alone.

Men are so willing to respect anything that bores them.

To put it bluntly, I seem to have a whole superstructure with no foundation. But I’m working on the foundation.