Paulette Goddard | Hollywood Yesterday

BOTD in 1910, Paulette Goddard

June 3, 2021 By Joi

Paulette Goddard

Beautiful actress Paulette Goddard was BOTD in 1910 in New York. She’s best remembered for Modern Times, The Ghost Breakers, The Women, The Great Dictator, Unconquered, So Proudly We Hail, Kitty, and Hold Back the Dawn.

Paulette was one of the 20 original Goldwyn Girls (as were Lucille Ball, Virginia Bruce, Ann Dvorak and Betty Grable). She was married to Charlie Chaplin from 1936-1942 and Burgess Meredith from 1944-1949. Her fourth and final marriage was the one that lasted. She and the German writer/actor Erich Maria Remarque were married from 1958 to his death in 1970.

Paulette Goddard

Paulette Goddard Picture of the Day from the 1947 Film Unconquered

October 6, 2020 By Joi

Paulette Goddard

The 1947 film Unconquered was directed by the legendary Cecil B. DeMille and stars Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard, Howard Da Silva, Ward Bond, and Boris Karloff.

Now that’s what I call a CAST.

You can find Unconquered (link to the dvd) on Amazon. I don’t believe it’s on Prime Video, unfortunately. I’ll be glad when they add more old movies to their lineup. They have A LOT, mind you, I’m just greedy!

Paulette Goddard

Paulette Goddard and Gary Cooper, Unconquered Lobby Card

October 1, 2020 By Joi

Paulette Goddard and Gary Cooper

Paulette Goddard and Gary Cooper light up the screen in the 1947 film Unconquered. I wish they had made many, many more movies together.

The movie was directed by Cecil B. DeMille and also starred Boris Karloff, Howard Da Silva, Ward Bond, Cecil Kellaway, Virginia Campbell, and Katharine DeMille.

You can find Unconquered (link to the dvd) on Amazon.

Paulette Goddard and Gary Cooper

Paulette Goddard and Gary Cooper: Unconquered

September 9, 2020 By Joi

Paulette Goddard and Gary Cooper: Unconquered

A movie you don’t hear nearly enough about and an actor and actress I don’t talk nearly enough about are Unconquered and its stars Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard! I recently saw a Gary Cooper movie and two Paulette Goddard movies and, each time, asked myself why I didn’t talk more about them.

I had no answer then and I have no answer now!

I love these two in everything I’ve ever seen them in – I guess they’re two I just take for granted. Well.. no more! You have my vow, whether it’s here on the blog, in person, or on my Old Hollywood Twitter, you’ll hear a lot more from me about these two great talents.

May as well start someplace, right? So here they are as today’s picture of the day.

These are from the 1947 film Unconquered, directed by the wonderful Cecil B. DeMille. Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard are outstanding in this underrated film – as are Howard Da Silva, Ward Bond, and Boris Karloff.

You can find Unconquered (link to the dvd) on Amazon. I don’t believe it’s on Prime Video.

Paulette Goddard, Unconquered

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin: The Closing Shot of Modern Times

September 9, 2020 By Joi

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times

Modern Times – written and directed by Charlie Chaplin – is one of the cutest, most entertaining silent films ever made, in my opinion. The film stars the great Charlie Chaplin and the equally wonderful Paulette Goddard.

This was actually meant to be Charles Chaplin’s first talkie. He even went as far as writing a script (with dialogue) and experimented with sound. However, because the film was going to feature Charlie Chaplin’s much-loved Little Tramp character, a silent film made much more sense – sound seemed inappropriate for the little guy!

I think they made the ABSOLUTE right decision – even though the film was made in 1936, it needed to be a silent.

You know a film is extra special when even an unplanned moment shows up in the final scene’s screenshot. The photo above is beautiful for many reasons – it’s, frankly, just a gorgeous shot. For those of us who watch and love Charlie Chaplin, we see it as “vintage Chaplin.” He had an eye for the grand scheme of things and the beauty of this shot and moment is just what one comes to expect from the genius.

I love the way they’re walking off – side by side into the wide open world, a world of possibilities, adventures, and hope. I love how he is there, in all of his adorable Tramp splendor, with a trusting and lovely lady by his side. I love the contrast of their hats and that his crazy shoes are pointing in opposite directions!

There’s something extra special if you look closely enough (something I excel at – I swear, I stare at and mentally dissect every old Hollywood photo in existence!). See the shadow on the ground of the Little Tramp’s bag?

The shape of a heart.

When loveliness happens by happenstance, you know you’re into something magical

If you’ve never seen Modern Times, I hope you’ll make a point of seeing it soon. These two stars are outstanding and downright delightful in every way – especially together. You can order the Modern Times (Amazon link) dvd on Amazon or watch it now on Prime Video.