Old Hollywood: Movies, Actresses, and Actors
Ann Sheridan and George Raft
They Drive by Night (1940 film-noir, directed by Raoul Walsh) has the type of cast directors dream of. Lead by Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Ann Sheridan, and George Raft, the cast also includes George Tobias, Alan Hale, Roscoe Karns, and Gale Page.
Ann Sheridan and George Raft
You can find They Drive by Night on Amazon on DVD or Prime Video.
Ann Sheridan Print, 8 x 10″ (Amazon Link)
Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl was, whiteout a single doubt, one of the most beautiful stars from old Hollywood (or any Hollywood for that matter). The camera loved her and it seems to have been a mutual attraction.
These beautiful photos are promotional images for her 1953 adventure Desert Legion. Directed by Joseph Pevney, the movie also stars Alan Ladd and Richard Conte.
Arlene Dahl
Redd Foxx, Lena Horne, and Demond Wilson
While I love all of them (to the point of blissful addiction), one of my favorite episodes of Sanford and Son is “A Visit from Lena Horne.” The hilarious episode first aired on January 12, 1963 and it’s as funny today as ever.
In the episode, Fred Sanford (in an effort to get his son Lamont to have the chance to meet Lena Horne) leads her to believe that Lamont is a little boy. As they always are, Fred’s “fib” goes up in smoke.
LENA HORNE: (Asking about “little” Lamont): “Oh, is he asleep?”
FRED: “Just went to sleep.”
LENA HORNE: “Oh, I’m so sorry. I could’ve helped put him into his ‘jammies.”
FRED: “Yeah, he would have liked that.”
You can find Sanford and Son (Amazon link) on dvd and on Prime Video. I LOVE that seasons are available on Prime. It’s without a doubt one of the best series of all time – and no one (I mean NO ONE) is any funnier than Redd Foxx.
Lena Horne, Redd Foxx, and Demond Wilson
Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable, The Misfits
The Misfits (1961) was directed by one of my personal favorite directors, John Huston, and features an equally wonderful cast that includes Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, Thelma Ritter, and Eli Wallach.
The compelling film is iconic for several reasons:
The movie is outstanding and their performances, as well as those of Montgomery Clift and Thelma Ritter, are impeccable.
If you’ve never seen this great movie, you can buy The Misfits on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Marilyn Monroe Poster (Amazon):
Marilyn Monroe Vintage Poster (Amazon link)
Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable
The popular romantic comedy How to Marry a Millionaire was directed Jean Negulesco features the type of cast any director would LOVE to have. The stars include Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, Cameron Mitchell, Alexander D’Arcy, Fred Clark, and William Powell.
Talk about an all-star cast!
While the entire cast is exceptional, I think Marilyn Monroe is the stand-out performance in the entire film…. which, given this cast, really says A LOT about the iconic actress.
You can find How to Marry a Millionaire (Amazon link) on dvd for your collection or watch the movie on Prime Video.
How to Marry a Millionaire Movie Poster (Amazon link)
Susan Hayward
Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) was directed by Delmer Daves and boasts a full on wonderful cast – Victor Mature, Susan Hayward, Michael Rennie, Debra Paget, Ernest Borgnine, and Anne Bancroft to name a few.
This is one of those deliciously entertaining films that makes you fall in love with old movies all over again. While it isn’t an iconic, household name like Casablanca or The Adventures of Robin Hood, it is wonderfully colorful, vivid, and incredibly fun. Outstanding cast, beautiful costumes, and larger than life sets.
Sign me up!
You can find Demetrius and the Gladiators (Amazon link) on Prime Video, DVD, or Blu-ray.
Kay Francis and William Powell
One Way Passage (1932) was beautifully directed by Tay Garnett and is a film I couldn’t possibly recommend strongly enough. The drama’s cast includes Kay Francis, William Powell, Frank McHugh, Aline MacMahon, Warren Hymer, and Frederick Burton.
One Way Passage deservedly won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story, and I’m absolutely shocked it wasn’t nominated for more Oscars. The leads are beyond wonderful – compelling in every scene. Apart, Kay Francis and William Powell were always extraordinary… but, together, they’re downright movie magic.
You can find One Way Passage on DVD or Blu-ray (Amazon link). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video and isn’t shown very often on television. It’s worthy of a LOT more attention!
Jane Greer, Out of the Past
The 1947 movie Out of the Past (directed by Jacques Tourneur) is, in my estimation, one of the best film-noirs ever made. The perfect cast was put in place to tell the dramatic story.. and did they ever do it with style. In addition to the stunningly beautiful Jane Greer, pictured here, the cast also includes Robert Mitchum, Rhonda Fleming, Kirk Douglas, Richard Webb, Steve Brodie, and Virginia Huston.
Out of the Past is (understandably) one of the first films recommended to people who are new to the world of film-noir. It’s just so deliciously perfect in every way and is, quite honestly, the picture perfect image of what a film-noir should look like.
You can watch Out of the Past on Prime Video or buy the dvd (Amazon link) for your collection.
Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed, and Frank Sinatra
The 1953 film From Here to Eternity is a literal feast for those of us who love outstanding performances – seriously, they just throw one after another at you. Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed, and Deborah Kerr were each nominated for Oscars.
Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra won their Supporting Role Oscars for their exceptional performances.
Donna Reed and Montgomery Clift
You can find From Here to Eternity on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, Christmas in Connecticut
While I am completely and joyfully obsessed with all Christmas movies and specials – heck, if we’re being honest, I’m even obsessed with Christmas commercials! – is Christmas in Connecticut. Directed by Peter Godfrey, the wonderful film features an amazing cast that includes Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, and one of the all-time most lovable stars ever, S.Z. “Cuddles” Sakall. Hilarious, compelling, and delightful in every way, Christmas in Connecticut deserves to be mentioned alongside other greats like It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas.
I believe that if it were shown on television as frequently as the others, it’d soon become a household name as well…. which it absolutely deserves
You can find Christmas in Connecticut (link to the dvd) on Amazon or watch it on Prime Video.
Christmas In Connecticut Barbara Stanwyck SZ Sakall Movie Poster (Amazon link)
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…
