Old Movies | Hollywood Yesterday

BOTD: The Heart of Gone With the Wind, Hattie McDaniel

June 10, 2021 By Joi

Hattie McDaniel and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind

In addition to Judy Garland, another iconic and much-loved actress was BOTD, the wonderful Hattie McDaniel was born June 10, 1893 in Wichita, Kansas. She also happens to be one of my favorites.

She VERY deservingly won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role of Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939). She was the HEART of GWTW.

Hattie McDaniel also starred in other wonderful films including The Mad Miss Manton (1938), The Little Colonel (1935), Alice Adams (1935), and Song of the South (1946) among others.

Happy Heavenly birthday to an actress I CANNOT imagine old Hollywood without.

Hattie McDaniel and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (There’s Iconic, then There’s ICONIC)

November 12, 2020 By Joi

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s isn’t just a highly entertaining film, it’s absolutely iconic. It may be the Audrey fanatic in me speaking, but I don’t (for a minute) think the film would be as iconic and legendary as it is with any other actress in the role.

It and Audrey were a match made in cinematic Heaven.

The 1961 film was directed by Blake Edwards and co-starred George Peppard, Patricia Neal, and Buddy Ebsen.

You can find Breakfast at Tiffany’s on DVD (Amazon link to the dvd) or watch on Prime Video.

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s Promotional Pictures

April 24, 2020 By Joi

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Whenever I’ve had an exceptionally busy or hectic day or feel a bit under the weather, I try to pop in a dvd of a favorite movie (or a film with a favorite star). Sometimes, I only have time to play a few favorite scenes.

This was the case, today. I was feeling MISERABLE from seasonal allergies… along with the zombie effect of the allergy medicine…. and just needed a little pick me up. My brain (even heavily numbed by all the Benadryl I’ve been consuming) knew exactly what I needed… Audrey Hepburn!

I didn’t have time for a full movie, so I just watched a few of my favorite scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Amazon DVD link). She acts like a tonic for me and I immediately felt better.

Sigh. She really was something special, wasn’t she?

The Wizard of Oz Publicity Photos are As Good as Good Gets

February 8, 2020 By Joi

The Wizard of Oz (link to the dvd on Amazon) is one of the most universally known and loved films of all time. Everything about it just feels, somehow, magical and each scene leaves you with a sense of wonder whether you’ve seen it 100 times or you’re watching it for the first time.

I hope these publicity photos leave you with a little of that wonder, today.

Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Bret Lahr, and Terry (Toto)

The Wizard of Oz Cast

Judy Garland – Dorothy
Frank Morgan – The Wizard of Oz
Ray Bolger – The Scarecrow
Bert Lahr – The Cowardly Lion
Jack Haley – The Tin Man
Billie Burke – Glinda
Margaret Hamilton – The Wicked Witch of the West
Terry – Toto (Terry, unlike Toto, happened to be a girl!)

Judy Garland, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, and Ray Bolger

A recent study found that The Wizard of Oz (link to the dvd on Amazon) is the most watched movie in film history. This is partly because it appeals to children and adults, alike, so families often watch it together. Many of the scenes of Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch were actually deleted because they were deemed too scary for children. Do you have any idea what I’d give to be able to see these deleted scenes?!? Can you imagine how magnificent she was?

Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland and Terry, Frank Morgan, and Bert Lahr,

The Wizard of Oz Trivia

The Scarecrow makeup that Ray Bolger wore on his face consisted of a rubber prosthetic with a woven pattern that resembled burlap. By the time the film was finished the prosthetic had left a pattern of lines on his face that took more than a year to entirely go away.
Judy Garland said she had a hard time acting scared of the Wicked Witch because Margaret Hamilton was such a nice person.
When filming first started, Judy Garland wore a blonde wig and heavy, “baby-doll” type makeup. When George Cukor assumed the role of intermediate director , he (thank goodness!) got rid of the wig and most of the makeup and told her to just be herself…. which proved to be the best advice possible.
Judy Garland became very fond of Terry and wanted her for her own dog – however, Terry’s owner (understandably) had no interest in giving her up.
Ray Bolger (The Scarecrow )was originally cast as the Tin Man.
Margaret Hamilton was a lifelong fan of the Oz books and was overjoyed to take part in the film.
Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett, The Beverly Hillbillies) was originally cast as the Scarecrow, but switched roles with Ray Bolger. However, Tin Man costume contained aluminum dust, which ended up coating Ebsen’s lungs. He was also very allergic to it and one day had such a horrible reaction that he couldn’t breathe and had to be rushed to the hospital. The role was immediately recast. Buddy Ebsen, reportedly, was very upset about it – considering it humiliating and a personal affront. When Jack Haley was chosen to be the new Tin Man, the make-up was changed from aluminum dust to aluminum paste.
Margaret Hamilton has said that when she watches the scene where the Wizard (Frank Morgan) gives Dorothy’s friends gifts from his “black bag” (a diploma for the Scarecrow, a ticking heart for the Tin Man and a medal for the Cowardly Lion), she gets teary-eyed, because as she says, “Frank Morgan was just like that in real life–very generous.”

His Private Secretary (1933): Evalyn Knapp and John Wayne Star in a FUN Pre-Code

September 24, 2019 By Joi

Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, and Natalie Kingston in His Private Secretary (1933)

In His Private Secretary, John Wayne is Dick Wallace – a playboy who is as AGAINST working as his workaholic father is FOR working. He wants very little to do with work OR his father’s advice about women… or anything else, for that matter. When Dick meets beautiful Marion Hall (Evalyn Knapp), sparks fly. They fall in love and elope. Unfortunately, Marion Dick’s father doesn’t approve of Mario, as he believes she’s nothing but a gold-digger

In an effort to prove herself, she takes a job at the senior Wallace’s office, using her maiden name. She’s able to fool her father-in-law because he has refused to meet his son’s new bride.

Or so he thinks.

Here’s the pre-code movie in its entirety. It’s a real jolt to see John Wayne in a non-cowboy role, but after you get past the lack of horses and guns, the movie is a lot of fun. I actually love it. I’d love to have a really good copy of it, as you can tell, this one is an old movie and LOOKS it – fortunately we old movie lovers are used to that sort of thing.

This really is a great little movie and the cast is outstanding. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Wonderful Audrey Hepburn Movie Collection with HD Remastering

September 20, 2019 By Joi

I was on Amazon earlier (takes a sip of truth serum… I’m always on Amazon), looking for a particular Audrey Hepburn Biography when this collection caught both eyes.

The Audrey Hepburn Collection (HD Remastering) includes Audrey’s five of her best movies… I’d also throw in Charade:

Breakfast At Tiffany’s (Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen)
Struggling writer Paul Varjak moves into a New York apartment building and becomes intrigued by his pretty, quirky neighbor Holly Golightly. Holly’s lifestyle confuses and fascinates Paul; in public she flits through parties with a sexy, sophisticated air, but when they’re alone she changes into a sweetly vulnerable bundle of neuroses.

Funny Face (Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire)
An impromptu fashion shoot at a bookstore brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk.

Roman Holiday (Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert)
A young princess, tired of the constraints her position brings, runs away. She does not know the man who befriends her is a reporter out for her story.

War And Peace (Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Mel Ferrer)
By 1812, Napoleon’s forces controlled much of Europe. Russia, one of the few countries still unconquered, prepares to face Napoleon’s troops together with Austria. Among the soldiers are Count Nicolas Rostov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. Count Pierre Bezukhov, a friend of Andrei’s and self-styled intellectual who is not interested in fighting. Pierre’s life changes when his father dies, leaving him a vast inheritance.

Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, William Holden)
Bogie and Holden are the mega-rich Larrabee brothers of Long Island. Bogie’s all work, Holden’s all playboy. But when Sabrina, daughter of the family’s chauffeur, returns from Paris all grown up and glamorous, the stage is set for some family fireworks as the brothers fall under the spell of Hepburn’s delightful charms.

This excellent collection is a must have for any lovers of Old Hollywood. It’d also be a perfect gift idea.

Escape with Frankie and Annette to a Simpler (Read: Saner) World

January 7, 2019 By Joi

Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Deborah Walley, and John Ashley (Beach Blanket Bingo)

The world has gone stark-raving mad. I’m pretty sure the phrase, “jump the shark” was invented for us.. right here… right now. But you already knew that, didn’t you? I won’t go into any of the craziness, here, because there are enough people hashing and rehashing on the insanity – you don’t need more of it.

Besides, one of my pet peeves is when people (who are no more or less “right” or “knowledgeable” than the rest of us!) bombard us with their opinions, critiques, name-calling, etc. I have, in fact, stopped visiting certain blogs and even refrained from ordering from certain websites simply because they aren’t able to rise above the moment. No amount of complaining, ridiculing, or name-calling is going to change things. What’s more, you aren’t going to “win” anyone over to your way of thinking – if they’re weak enough to win over with that nonsense, are they really worth having on your side anyway?

At any rate…. sorry, didn’t mean to vent…. things are crazy right now and we’re all looking for a little innocent escapism.

In addition to spending time with my family (which includes many babies who walk around on all fours, meow instead of speaking, and are always getting into something) watching sports, reading, and cooking, one of my favorite ways to escape from craziness is to put on a great old movie. My husband doesn’t watch many old movies with me – truth be told, the older they are, the less-inclined he is to join in.

He does, however, like to watch Westerns, Charlie Chan, Elvis, and Sherlock Holmes with me as well as Frankie and Annette Beach movies.

There’s just something wonderful about sitting in the den, snacks in hand and those furry babies I was talking about earlier, nearby…. all watching the fun and mayhem while forgetting the horrors we see in the news – even if it’s just for a few hours.

By ALL means, we should all keep track of what’s going on in the world (and keep all of us in our prayers) but anytime we can “get away” to a simpler time… well, I think it’s just a healthy thing to do. And it’s always fun to “get away” to the beach with Frankie and Annette.

In the 1950s, AIP (American International Pictures) began cranking out low-budget films aimed primarily at America’s growing teen audience. By the early 1960s, AIP focused on clean-cut, wholesome movies aimed at the younger audience – movies that would appear to them AND their parents.

If only more people in Hollywood had this approach today!

Pairing former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello with teen idol Frankie Avalon, proved to be a stroke of brilliance for AIP. The company produced a series of over-the-top fun movies with the adventures of wholesome teens on California’s beaches.

Frankie and Annette Filmography:

Beach Party (1963)
Muscle Beach Party (1964)
Bikini Beach (1964)
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965)
Fireball 500 (1966)
Back to the Beach (1987)

When it comes to our movie collections, “Beach movies” are among those we collect, so we have each of Frankie and Annette’s films ready at all times. Lately, I’m especially thankful for this.

You can find their films on Amazon and, as far as that goes, I would imagine that many are on Amazon Prime Video – where you can simply rent them as needed.

If you have DirecTV (like we do), you can always simply search for movies like this and either record them or watch them live.

It’s my kind of mental vacation!

Scarlett and Prissy Figurine from Gone With the Wind

November 14, 2018 By Joi

The beautiful Scarlett and Prissy Figurine depicts a classic scene from Gone with the Wind. Prissy is, to this day, one of my favorite movie characters EVER – right up there with Mammy from the same movie.

Prissy makes you just want to put your arm around her and protect her. Prissy was brought to life by the adorable Butterfly McQueen, who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for her acting talent. She brought so much passion to this character and, even though the role was relatively small, everyone knows who Prissy was and, more importantly, everyone knows who Butterfly McQueen was! Making yourself and your character so memorable that she stands the test of time is the work of an exceptional actress.

I loved her famous character so much, I named one of my most loved cats ever “Prissy” in her honor.

I cannot even begin to fathom what actors and actresses of color went through during the Golden Age of Hollywood – simply to be able to live out their dream. Well, actually, as a history buff and someone who has read a great deal from the era, I can fathom it… I simply don’t want to. It scorches the psyche.

To be able to focus on your craft in spite of the hardships and injustices around you simply takes my breath away. Each actor and actress who fought for their rights to enjoy the right to live out their dream deserves our respect and deserves to be recognized often. I mean, they did what the white actors and actresses did but with unimaginable restraints and cruelties on their shoulders. Again… it takes my breath away.

I regularly hear from other Gone With the Wind, Butterfly McQueen, and Prissy fans who are looking for “Prissy” dolls and figurines – so I’m always on the look-out for her.. for them as well as myself! One of the things I love most about this particular figurine is the way Prissy’s hands are nervously fiddling with her apron, something the actress brilliantly did to help bring her character to life.

Like Butterfly, herself, it’s just beautiful.

Click through to take a closer look at the beautiful Scarlett and Prissy Figurine.

The Bat: FUN Classic Horror Movie With Agnes Moorehead and Vincent Price (Review)

October 8, 2018 By Joi

Vincent Price and Gavin Gordon in The Bat

Although the weather here in Kentucky doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo, we are fast-approaching Halloween. What better time to focus a few movie reviews on delicious old horror films?!

First up to bat… well… The Bat!

I’m sure I’ve mentioned in my Old Hollywood movie reviews before that there are precious few classic movies I dislike. I am so completely in love with the Golden Age of Hollywood that I’m very easy to please when it comes to movies. Honestly, I’d rather re-watch the movies I don’t particularly like (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Prince and the Showgirl, Mogambo) than to watch anything from Hollywood since 1980.

But that’s just me.

So, there will inevitably be movies now and then that I like or even love that others (possibly even you) may feel lukewarm about or even hate with a vengeance. The movie I want to rave about today might just be the poster child for such a situation. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever read anyone liking The Bat as much as I do.

The Bat was made in 1959, so you have to be understanding when it comes to special effects. Of course, those of us who pretty much live for our next old movie understand that.

The movie stars the always perfect Vincent Price and one of my favorite actresses, Agnes Moorehead. The wonderful cast is round out by Lenita Lane, Gavin Gordon, BEAUTIFUL Elaine Edwards (all caps… yes, deserving), John Sutton, and Darla Hood. Yes! That Darla Hood, from The Little Rascals. You’ll know her the minute she walks in the room – same face, same hair. It’s as though little Darla was simply stretched out and gussied up. Her role isn’t a large one, but she’s memorable.

Plot: A crazy killer known as “The Bat” is on the loose in a mansion (“The Oaks”) filled with people. Agnes Moorehead plays mystery writer Cornelia Van Gorder who has rented The Oaks, along with her secretary/friend Lizzie (played by Lenita Lane… quite the scene-stealer).

{Review Continued Below…}

Agnes Moorehead in The Bat

Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, and Lenita Lane are outstanding in this movie. Somehow it just seems Mr. Price was born for this type of film, doesn’t it!?

Ironically, in an interview on Sinister Image in 1987, Vincent Price revealed that the stage version of “The Bat” had absolutely terrified him when he was a child. Apparently this is why he accepted the role in this film because he thought the filmmakers “would revive it and bring it up to date.” Sadly, he was disappointed with the final result because he didn’t believe it was a good script.

Could the script have been better? Well, yes. But that simply points out how wonderful the cast and director were to take an “okay” script and make a very entertaining film out of it.

The Bat would be the last film for both Lenita Lane and Darla Hood. Each actress would go on to live out their life outside of movies rather than in them.

The Bat isn’t, in my opinion, a very frightening film, but it IS very enjoyable and entertaining and absolutely perfect for this time of year!

On Amazon:

Vincent Price 5 Frightening Features (The Bat, Shock, The Jackals, The Last Man on Earth, and House on Haunted Hill )
Horror Hall of Fame Gift Set (Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Donald Sutherland, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing…)

Review: Grand Hotel with Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore… and Joan Crawford!

June 26, 2018 By Joi

Before I go any further, I want to completely own up to having off-beat and fairly unique tastes when it comes to “Old Hollywood,” “The Golden Age of Hollywood,” “Classic Movies…” or whatever phrase best fits your fancy. The stars I often adore most are often the ones others overlook. By the same token, many legendary favorites not only don’t float my boat, they don’t even get it in the lake!

I hope you never take anything I say personally if you’re a fan of any of these legends – after all, they’re legends, after all, and that means that you are undoubtedly right and I am as wrong as can be. But I can live with it if you can.

I am a huge fan of the movie “Grand Hotel,” but it’s (undoubtedly) not for the reason you’d imagine… In fact it’s IN SPITE of the reason you’d imagine. Okay, you guessed it. I’m not the biggest Greta Garbo fan on the planet.

I apologize!

There are times, on screen, when she is brilliant. She was certainly an incredibly fascinating woman in real life – and, undeniably beautiful. The grace, the confidence, the voice… stunning. I personally simply don’t embrace her acting style. Embrace? Heck I don’t even hold its hand.

I apologize!

If, by now, you aren’t convinced that my tastes march to the beat of an odd drummer, I also put Laurence Olivier in that category. Yes. That Laurence Olivier. Like Garbo, I have not seen all of Olivier’s movies, so I’m basing this on a sample size I personally possess. If I were to see more of their films, it’s possible that my opinion of each would evolve, but as it is… I’d rather watch an rerun of The Brady Bunch (your pick) than either of these stars at work.

Apologies… plural. They’re really racking up now.

So, how does someone who is not a Garbo fan come to love Grand Hotel? Two words… Joan Crawford. As is the case with all of her roles, I think she is simply mesmerizing in this movie. It’s one of her earlier films, yet the star quality is still there. So much so, in fact, that she upstages much (at the time) bigger names. She plays a stenographess, Flaemmchen, and it’s impossible to remove your attention from her grip whenever she’s on the screen.

“I want to be alone.” – Grusinskaya (Garbo)

The Plot: A gorgeous, luxurious hotel in Berlin is the setting for this star-studded, fast-paced film. I’d imagine it was the inspiration for television series such as Love Boat and Hotel, as well as many films since. The movie takes place over the course of 24 hours as life plays out for the colorful characters – each of which will never be the same after the day they’ve had!

John Barrymore plays jewel thief Baron Felix von Geigern. He finds himself attracted to both a prima ballerina Grusinskaya (Greta Garbo) and the beautiful Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford).

Along with Joan Crawford, I’d give the “star of the movie” to Lionel Barrymore who plays terminally ill Otto Kringelein. He’s also simply wonderful in this movie. John Barrymore is also perfect in the movie – I think I just always held his character against him. I mean, come on now… how can you even look at the prima ballerina or anyone else once you’ve had Flaemmchen in your sights?! When his character tells Garbo’s that he’s never seen anything in his life as beautiful as her… I all but yell at the screen, “You darn sure have!!!”

Have I mentioned how mesmerizing Crawford is in Grand Hotel?

“Grand Hotel… always the same. People come, people go. Nothing ever happens.” – Dr. Otternschlag (Lewis Stone)

Grand Hotel Fast Facts:

Grand Hotel won Oscar for Best Picture.
Garbo purrs her now famous line, “I want to be alone.” in this film.
John Barrymore was so excited about appearing in this film with Greta Garbo that he accepted a three picture deal with MGM.
Oscar winner Wallace Beery stormed out of rehearsals at one point, saying he would only come back “when Joan Crawford learns to act”. You’ll notice I’ve all but left him out of my review. So there.
Joan Crawford was actually nervous about accepting the role of Flaemmchen. She was afraid of backlash because of the overtly sexiness of her character. Though director Edmund Goulding and producer Irving Thalberg assured her that everything would be tastefully done and that her misgivings weren’t founded, her instinct was (in the end) warranted. Many conservative censor boards cut the majority of her scenes for indecency.
Greta Garbo was nervous about playing a prima ballerina – she was afraid she wasn’t young enough for the role.
John Barrymore (Felix von Geigern) and Lionel Barrymore (Otto Kringelein) were, of course, brothers. Lionel was the older brother.
Lionel Barrymore would become most famous for his role as Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). It was actually Barrymore who convinced James Stewart to take the role of George Bailey. Apparently Stewart felt that he was not up to the role so soon after World War II. Thank goodness Barrymore convinced him – I cannot imagine the movie OR Stewart’s career without him bringing George Bailey to life.
Garbo was also unhappy about appearing in a film with so many additional stars. Producer Irving Thalberg was able to set her diva mind at ease when he told her she would be billed her by her last name only in the credits. This was a huge honor which was reserved for only largest stars.
Though rumors circulated that Joan Crawford was irked by Greta Garbo’s top billing, this is completely false. In 1932 (when the movie was released), Garbo was by far the more established and famous star. Joan Crawford would have certainly been aware of this.

I don’t want to give away anything in regard to the various storylines or the characters, so I will simply say that if you love old movies, you have to see this legendary film. If you’re a huge Greta Garbo fan (my apologies to you for my sentiments, if you are, and I promise to see more of her films!), this is as MUST SEE a movie as you’ll ever encounter. She’s full steam Garbo, here, and you’ll devour every second.

Amazon

Joan Crawford fan? See. The. Movie. Buy. The. Movie. You’ll revel in our girl’s playfulness and sexiness. I may apologize for my lack of love for some stars, but I certainly don’t apologize for this opinion – Joan Crawford and Lionel Barrymore make this movie the masterpiece it is.

Side Note: Watching the Barrymore brothers again in Grand Hotel caused me to read more about their fascinating family. When you get a chance, Google John’s beautiful daughter Diana Barrymore. Drew Barrymore’s resemblance to her is STRIKING.