Golden Age of Hollywood
Rosalind Russell and Janet Blair
The talented and beautiful Rosalind Russell and Janet Blair star in the ridiculously fun 1942 comedy My Sister Eileen. The movie was directed by Ford Beebe and also stars Brian Aherne, George Tobias, Allyn Joslyn, Elizabeth Patterson, June Havoc, Grant Mitchell, and (briefly) the Three Stooges!
This film is a challenge to find on dvd and can be equally challenging to find on television – but the payoff is worth the wait… it’s a lot of fun!
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich (one of the greatest actresses ever) stars in the 1932 drama Shanghai Express. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, the movie also stars Anna May Wong, Clive Brook, and Warner Oland.
Marlene Dietrich
In her autobiography, Marlene Dietrich writes that the director, Josef von Sternberg directed most of the cinematography, instead of Lee Garmes (who won the Oscar for his work on the film). The film is very, very good and visually stunning. It isn’t shown on television nearly often enough. You CAN find it on dvd, however: Shanghai Express on DVD (Amazon link)
Shanghai Express on DVD (Amazon link)
Rita Hayworth
“After all, a girl is . . . well, a girl. It’s nice to be told you’re successful at it.” ~ Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth has been one of my favorite actresses since I saw her in You Were Never Lovelier on tv as a teenager. She’s one of the first stars (along with other top tier favorites Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne) that caused me to fall so completely under old Hollywood’s spell.
Over the years since my teens (I’m in my fabulous 50s, so it’s been a hot minute!), Maureen, Lucille, James, the Duke, Henry, and Rita have remained at the top of my favorites. None of them have, in any way, fallen off. Other favorites have joined them, mind you, as I’ve seen more films – but, whereas many people refer to stars who “used to be” favorites but no longer are, these first favorites are still among my dearest favorites.
Maria Montez, Arabian Nights
The stunningly beautiful actress Maria Montez was born in the Dominican Republic in 1912. She made 28 films in her young career including Arabian Nights, Sudan, Gypsy Wildcat, Cobra Woman, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Pirates of Monterey. Her charisma, self-confidence, poise, and talent show up in abundance in each film.
I have to tell you, I love this colorful actress to complete distraction. One of my favorite Maria Montez quotes was one she made about seeing herself on the screen in Arabian Nights (1942): “When I look at myself, I am so beautiful I scream with joy!” It didn’t make her smile… didn’t make her giddy… didn’t make her proud. It made her SCREAM with joy, y’all!
Another favorite Maria Montez quote came after she met Orson Welles, “He is as spectacular as I am!”
Have I mentioned how much I love this lady??
Maria Montez was married to actor/writer Jean-Pierre Aumont from 1943 to her tragic death from drowning in 1951. She was only 39 when she died and, indeed, very, very spectacular.
Maria and Jean-Pierre had one child.
You can find the 1942 film Arabian Nights on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Maria Montez, Arabian Nights
I would LOVE to see Maria Montez become better known – she deserves the notoriety… as she would have told you so, herself!
Greta Garbo and John Barrymore
The 1932 film Grand Hotel is absolutely FILLED with legends, including the two pictured here, Greta Garbo and John Barrymore.
The cast also includes Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, and Lewis Stone. While there are many wonderful performances, I think the true stars of this film are Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, and John Barrymore.
You can find Grand Hotel on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Joan Crawford, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, and Lewis Stone
Grand Hotel (1932, directed by Edmund Goulding) is known for being an extraordinary film and known for having an unbelievably strong cast. Greta Garbo, Lewis Stone, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, and not one but TWO Barrymores… Lionel and John.
My favorite scenes in the film are those with either Joan Crawford or Lionel Barrymore or… even better… both of them. I also love the performances of John Barrymore and Lewis Stone.
It’s a very good movie and a must see and must have for any serious movie collector.
You can find Grand Hotel on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Loretta Young
The beautiful photo of Loretta Young, above, is a publicity picture for the 1934 film Caravan, directed by Erik Charell. The musical also stars Charles Boyer, Phillips Holmes, and Jean Parker.
Bette Davis, The Little Foxes
1941 Drama-Romance The Little Foxes was directed by the wonderful William Wyler and stars the equally wonderful Bette Davis. The cast also includes Teresa Wright, Herbert Marshall, Dan Duryea, and Richard Carlson.
While Bette Davis was spectacular in every single role she ever stepped into, there’s something extra, extra special about her performance here, as Regina Giddens. It’s one of those delicious performances where you come away saying, “She was born to play this role!”
Only thing is, when it comes to Bette Davis, I find myself saying these words VERY often!
You can find The Little Foxes on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Bette Davis
Greta Garbo
Queen Christina (1933) was directed by Rouben Mamoulian and stars Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith, Lewis Stone and Elizabeth Young. Greta Garbo and John Gilbert are especially wonderful in this outstanding film.
This is one of those films that’s so timeless and has such great dialogue that it’s stunning when you realize just how long ago it was made.
It’s truly an extraordinary film.
You can find Queen Christina on dvd for your collection (Amazon link) or watch the film on Prime Video.
Gene Tierney
The Western Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen (1941) was directed by Irving Cummings. The cast includes Gene Tierney, Randolph Scott, Dana Andrews, Louise Beavers, Chill Wills, Elizabeth Patterson, and Shepperd Strudwick.
Gene Tierney and Randolph Scott
You can find Belle Starr: The Bandit Queen on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
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??
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!
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
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…
