Picture of the Day | Hollywood Yesterday

The Nicholas Brothers Story: Get to Know Fayard and Harold Nicholas Better!

February 22, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Harold and Fayard Nicholas

Being a HUGE fan of Dorothy Dandridge, my path was destined to cross with the phenomenal Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold. Not only did the three work together, Dorothy was married to Harold (the younger brother) from 1942 to 1950. They had one child together, a daughter named Harolynn.

The Nicholas Brothers were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

I told someone just this week that I almost wish a movie were made about the brothers. What a fascinating one it would be! There’s only two problems with this wish:

I don’t know if I trust Hollywood to do a story on them with the respect they deserve. Past attempts by Hollywood to tell the stories of the great men and women from Old Hollywood have made me very skeptical. The sensationalism and “shock” approach kind of make me hope they never attempt to tell another story of my favorites!
They could never find one actor to dance like Fayard or Harold… let alone two!

I would honestly settle for a great biography written about the brothers. I’d love it for my personal library – plus, I want the world to know these men.

They should be household names!

If you’re an author who happens to be reading these words… do us all a favor and give us the biography we need and The Nicholas Brothers deserve!

Picture of the Day: Lena Horne and Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

February 20, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne, Cabin in the Sky Behind the scenes photo with Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson

My love for Lena Horne is no secret – ADORE the woman! Whether it’s as an actress or singer… or human being, in general… she was one in a couple of billion. This photo of her with Eddie Anderson is one of my favorites. The fact that she’s smiling that megawatt smile and dressed to the nines is only part of the reason. I’m also obsessed with “behind the scenes” photos. I love that she and Rochester were hanging out and that she was so genuinely happy.

Sigh. Love her so.

If you’ve never seen the much underrated and underappreciated Cabin in the Sky (Amazon link), I hope you’ll do so asap. It is as remarkable as Lena, herself…. well… close.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly – An American in Paris (Picture of the Day!)

February 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my newest favorite Old Hollywood actresses is Leslie Caron. If I’d ever seen her films before, she’d have already been a favorite! As it is, I saw my first Leslie Caron movie within the past three months and have been watching them (one after the next) since.

So… yes… expect to see much more of her on Hollywood Yesterday.

The photo above is a publicity photo from the 1951 film, An American in Paris (Amazon link). The wonderfully fun and colorful film (directed by Vincente Minnelli) costarred Gene Kelly, Oscar Levant, and Nina Foch. If you’ve never seen it, I hope you’ll catch it soon. It’s outstanding.

Katharine Hepburn, Picture of the Day and a Confession…

February 18, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Katharine Hepburn, The Philadelphia Story

If you spend much time discussing Old Hollywood with other fans, you know that some stars are more loved than others. Some (like James Stewart, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Rita Hayworth, and Lucille Ball) seem to be universally loved… you seldom hear anyone say unkind things about these stars.

Others (like Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Jerry Lewis, Elvis…), on the other hand, can start debates, discussions, and sometimes even arguments when you simply mention their names. Unfortunately for me, I happen to love each one of these “divisive” stars! Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich are also often divisive.

For whatever reasons, the one I take the biggest exception to is Katharine Hepburn. I, admittedly, can be overly defensive when it comes to this particular actress. I will defend the others, mind you, but there’s just something different when it comes to her.

I’ve even blocked people on Twitter who said she wasn’t a talented actress. No time in my life for people who have zero common sense!

Kidding… kidding. Okay, not really.

So there you have it, my confession of the day. I am ridiculously over-protective and defensive of Miss Hepburn. In my personal opinion, she could do no wrong when it came to acting. She was so incredibly talented and versatile – just as wonderful in comedies as she was in dramas.

She was also a generous actor – when it was a co-star’s “moment,” she allowed them to shine. Some (even some of my favorites, mind you!) never wanted anyone to shine but themselves.

Her generosity in this regard stands out.

Who does Joi tend to get insanely defensive of??? THIS LADY!!!

Man’s Favorite Sport: Paula Prentiss, Rock Hudson, Maria Perschy, and Charlene Holt

February 15, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Paula Prentiss, Man’s Favorite Sport (1964)

Paula Prentiss has become one of my favorite actresses. I have to say “has become” because, until recently I wasn’t familiar with her films. Once I saw her in Man’s Favorite Sport (Amazon link), however, I’ve been on a mission to see every film she ever made.

Man’s Favorite Sport (1964) stars Rock Hudson, Paula Prentiss, Charlene Holt (best known as the wonderful Maudie in El Dorado), John McGiver, and Maria Perschy. It was directed by the outstanding Howard Hawks (Bringing Up Baby, Rio Bravo, Only Angels Have Wings, El Dorado, The Big Sleep, Ball of Fire…).

(Continued Below….)

Paula Prentiss, Rock Hudson, and Maria Perschy

Man’s Favorite Sport was actually a “loving nod” of sorts to Hawks’ Bringing Up Baby (1938). In fact, the great director even wanted Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant to star in this movie. Personally, I’m glad Rock Hudson and Paula Prentiss got the roles because this gives us two distinct and fun movies instead of just a continuation (more or less) of one.

You can find Man’s Favorite Sport (Amazon link) on Amazon. It’s very much worth watching – especially for Rock Hudson. He just doesn’t get enough credit for his comedic roles. He was perfectly wonderful!

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times (1936)

February 15, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin

I love this picture almost as much as I love the film Modern Times (1936). Makes an adorable Picture of the Day! If you’ve never seen this film, I hope you’ll find it soon and have a look.

I think you’ll fall in love with both Paulette and Charlie. It’s darn near impossible not to.

Leslie Caron, Beautiful “Gigi” Promotional Photo

February 11, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Leslie Caron, Gigi

As I mentioned on Twitter earlier, I have a great number of favorite actresses (and actors and movies, for that matter). When you watch every single genre and every single decade from the 20s through the 70s, you rack up a lot of favorites!

I’ve just had a stunning addition to my list of favorite actresses and, yes, I’ve already added her to my favorite Old Hollywood Actresses list on the About page. It may be the fastest any actress has ever landed in a top spot for me. I just love everything about her.

Suffice to say, you’ll be seeing a lot more of this beautiful face on Hollywood Yesterday from now on. Lucky you!

The Nicholas Brothers: Down Argentine Way (1940)

February 10, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Nicholas Brothers, Down Argentine Way

The Nicholas Brothers are (in my opinion) the best part of the 1940 Musical Down Argentine Way. They’re always so much fun to watch and bring so much energy and passion to everything they touch. It’s a wonder more movies didn’t pick up on this and inject their goodness into more films!

Picture of the Day: Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball, and Louis Hayward

February 9, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Maureen O’Hara, Louis Hayward, and Lucille Ball

Anyone who knows me at all knows that two of my greatest obsessions are Lucille Ball and Maureen O’Hara (along with Ann-Margret, Rita Hayworth, and Katharine Hepburn… yes, more redheads!). How could I not be all about Dance, Girl, Dance (Amazon dvd link) – the 1940 film starring BOTH of these beautiful and incredibly talented ladies. The movie is fun, spirited, entertaining, and packed with personality and charisma – just like its lovely stars.

Another cool thing about Dance, Girl, Dance is that it was directed by Dorothy Arzner, one of the bold ground-breakers for females in film-making. She didn’t just open the door for other female directors, she flung it open. The lady was absolutely wonderful.

The film makes for a very entertaining afternoon or evening and the photo makes for my kind of picture of the day!

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

February 8, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

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.”