Picture of the Day | Hollywood Yesterday

The Cincinnati Kid Lobby Cards: Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret and Karl Malden

July 30, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann-Margret and Steve McQueen

The Cincinnati Kid (1965) was directed by Norman Jewison and has a ridiculously STRONG cast… Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, Karl Malden, Tuesday Weld, Edward G. Robinson, Joan Blondell, Rip Torn, Cab Calloway.. I mean, really? What a lineup of stars!

I like this one a lot. It’s one of those movies that, as you’re caught up in the moment, you wonder why it isn’t better-known.

You can find The Cincinnati Kid on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video. Either way, this cast is waiting to blow you away.

Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, and Karl Malden

Clara Bow was Born on this Day in 1905 in Brooklyn

July 29, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Clara Bow, True to the Navy

“We had individuality. We did as we pleased. We stayed up late. We dressed the way we wanted. I used to whiz down Sunset Boulevard in my open Kissel, with several red Chow dogs to match my hair. Today, they’re sensible and end up with better health. But we had more fun.” ~ Clara Bow

The lovely Clara Bow was born on this day in 1905 in Brooklyn, New York. She’s best remembered for the movie It, movie (1927) and even became known as the “It girl.”

Clara was married to actor Rex Bell from 1931 to his death in 1962. They had two sons. She refused to write her memoirs for a beautiful reason: she was afraid there were things that might embarrass her two sons and their families. Protecting them meant more to her than any money an autobiography would have brought to her.

That makes her even more fabulous in my world.

Clara Bow

BOTD in 1892, the Extraordinary William Powell

July 29, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Myrna Loy and William Powell, Double Wedding

William Powell was born on this day in 1892 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Hollywood is all the better for it.

“Even my best friends never fail to tell me that the smartest thing I ever did was to marry Myrna Loy on the screen.” ~ William Powell

While William Powell and Myrna Loy had tremendous success in Hollywood apart from one another, they are remembered most as a team. A fact that I’m certain wouldn’t bother either of them in the least.

They starred in 13 wonderful movies together in the 1930s and ’40s.

My favorite William Powell movie that doesn’t co-star Myrna Loy is The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) with Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery. It also happens to be one of my favorite Joan Crawford movies. It’s outstanding from the first line to the last. You can find The Last of Mrs. Cheyney on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney Starring Robert Montgomery, Joan Crawford, and William Powell

Another William Powell quote about Myrna Loy that I love: “When we did a scene together, we forgot about technique, camera angels, and microphones. We weren’t acting. We were just two people in perfect harmony. Many times I’ve played with an actress who seemed to be separated from me by a plate-glass window; there was no contact at all. But Myrna, unlike some actresses who think only of themselves, has the happy faculty of being able to listen while the other fellow says his lines. She has the give and take of acting that brings out the best.” ~ William Powell

Myrna Loy and William Powell, After The Thin Man

Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, and Humphrey Bogart Behind the Scenes of Key Largo

July 28, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lionel Barrymore, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart

One of my favorite Bogie and Bacall movies is also one of my favorite movies, period – Key Largo (1948). Directed by John Huston, the EXCELLENT movie also stars Lionel Barrymore, Edward G. Robinson, and Claire Trevor.

Excellent cast, excellent director, excellent movie.

You can find all of the excellence on dvd (Amazon link) or watch Key Largo on Prime Video.

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart

Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, and Billy Wilder Behind the Scenes of Double Indemnity

July 27, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, Behind the Scenes of Double Indemnity

I love these behind the scenes pictures from Double Indemnity (one of the best and most popular film-noirs ever filmed). The 1944 movie was directed by the wonderful Billy Wilder (pictured below with Barbara Stanwyck) and stars, among others, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson.

You can find Double Indemnity on dvd (Amazon Link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Barbara Stanwyck and Billy Wilder

Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum in the Wonderful 1947 Film-Noir Out of the Past

July 24, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jane Greer, Out of the Past

The beautiful and talented Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum star in the outstanding film-noir Out of the Past (1947). Directed by Jacques Tourneur, the movie also stars Kirk Douglas and Rhonda Fleming.

You can watch the classic (and VERY good) Out of the Past on Prime Video or buy the dvd (Amazon link).

Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer, Out of the Past

Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson, Promotional Picture for Cabin in the Sky (1943)

July 23, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson

Cabin in the Sky (1943) is, unquestionably, one of my favorite musicals. It’s a fun, delightful, musically perfect, very entertaining film, directed to perfection by Vincente Minnelli. I used to hate that it wasn’t shown more on television, where new audiences could fall in love with it but (fortunately!) it’s being shown more often on TCM.

Thank goodness, because this one is extra, extra special.

The outstanding cast includes Eddie Anderson, Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, Rex Ingram, Louis Armstrong, Mantan Moreland (love him!), and Oscar Polk. Tragically Oscar Polk was killed six years later (at the age of 49) when he was hit by an automobile, making this his last role.

You can buy Cabin in the Sky on dvd (Amazon link) on watch it on Prime Video.

Barbara Stanwyck: Double Indemnity Promotional Photos

July 22, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barbara Stanwyck: Double Indemnity

One of my favorite actresses, Barbara Stanwyck, also happened to be one of the best actresses (or actors in general, thank you very much) of all time. She was simply phenomenal in each and every role – but it goes beyond that. She had a gift of making everyone around her better or even better. I’ve seen some stars who I never thought were terribly good get in scenes with her and suddenly look like they have a world of talent!

I once had a debate with a woman who said she didn’t think Barbara Stanwyck was one of the all-time greats because she didn’t win a lead actress Emmy. Okay, get out of here with that weak tea argument! Seriously, if you don’t like an actor or actress (whether it’s their overall acting style, their look, their voice, their films… whatever), just say so and stick with that. Don’t venture into ridiculous territory.

For one thing, to a GREAT extent, the committee gives awards to who they WANT to give awards to. They select the actor or actress they want to win – a small committee, not the overall general public who has seen the performance or film.

If this was not the case, why in the world was Halle Berry the first African American to win a lead actress Emmy? If you think she was the first to deserve it, hold still while I call you a doctor because you’re obviously ill. Many things go into selecting the individuals who win the awards each year. And, yes, very often the right one wins – but even then it’s very subjective. There have even been stars who have won who have, themselves, said they didn’t deserve it.

On the flip side, a life-time achievement Oscar (Honorary Award) is one of the greatest awards you can be given. It awards an exemplary career and outstanding body of work. It’s a way of rewarding a star who has greatly contributed to the industry. Barbara Stanwyck was an Honorary Award Winner in 1982 – this was in addition to being nominated for lead actress four separate times for..

Sorry, Wrong Number
Double Indemnity
Ball of Fire
Stella Davis

(Continued Below…)

Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck

As you can see, getting me started defending Barbara Stanwyck can take you out into deep, treacherous waters! The story actually had a happy ending, however! When the woman admitted that she had only seen Barbara Stanwyck in three things (a couple of episodes of The Big Valley, Clash of Night, and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers), I told her that these didn’t give her a good overall picture of how wonderful she was. For one thing, in the two films she’d seen, Barbara portrayed such unlikable women who WOULD love her?!? Okay, besides me. Also, like most tv series, The Big Valley needed to have been seen regularly to understand the characters. If you just catch a few, the strength of her character might be off-putting for some – however, more episodes allow you to see her other side AND the fact that she was so strong because she HAD to be.

Life presented the character with no alternative.

I recommended these films and did all but beg her to see at least one, two if possible:

The Lady Eve (I all but offered to pay her to see this one lmao)
The Woman in Red
Christmas in Connecticut
Ball of Fire

One month and a half later, she had seen all four (ALL FOUR!) and said she had been wrong about Barbara Stanwyck and was now eager to see all of her films. She said she wondered if she’d been wrong about Bette Davis as well…. and, yes, I recommended some of her films to see. I’ve got your back, too, Bette!

The beautiful pictures in this “If you don’t like Barbara Stanwyck, you are crazy” diatribe are publicity photos for her wonderful 1944 Film-Noir (one of the best and most popular ever made) Double Indemnity. Double Indemnity was directed by the wonderful Billy Wilder and co-stars Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson. You can find Double Indemnity on dvd (Amazon Link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Barbara Stanwyck

Lena Horne and Eddie Anderson: Great Behind the Scenes Photo from Cabin in the Sky

July 19, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne and Eddie Anderson

Cabin in the Sky is a wonderfully fun 1943 musical, directed by Vincente Minnelli. It’s excellent cast includes Eddie Anderson, Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, Rex Ingram, Louis Armstrong, Mantan Moreland, and Oscar Polk.

That’s what I call one heckuva cast. SO much talent.

This behind the scenes picture is spectacular – look how unbelievably beautiful Lena was! She positively glows and has such a regal posture. Truly one of the most beautiful stars we’ve ever had. She’s wonderful as the beautiful Georgia Brown in Cabin in the Sky and Eddie Anderson gives one of my favorite performances of all time as Little Joe. The man’s gift for humor was immense.

You can buy Cabin in the Sky on dvd (Amazon link) on watch it on Prime Video!

Also See: Effortlessly Cool: Behind the Scenes Picture of Eddie Anderson

The Secret of Convict Lake: Wonderful Western with a Spell-Binding Cast

July 18, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gene Tierney and Glenn Ford: The Secret of Convict Lake

Gene Tierney, Glenn Ford, and Ethel Barrymore lead an outstanding cast in the 1951 Western The Secret of Convict Lake. Directed by Michael Gordon, it’s one of the first Westerns I’d recommend to someone who is either new to Westerns or doesn’t think they like the genre.

As a Westerns fanatic, I’m convinced there is no way under the sun to NOT like a Western… one only thinks they don’t like them until they see the right ones.

Ann Dvorak, Ruth Donnelly, Barbara Bates, Gene Tierney, and Ethel Barrymore

This is one to start with. The acting is flawless, the cast outstanding, and the story holds your interest from start to finish. The excellent cast includes Gene Tierney, Glenn Ford, Ann Dvorak, Ruth Donnelly, Ethel Barrymore, Zachary Scott, and Barbara Bates.

You can watch The Secret of Convict Lake on STARZ on Amazon Prime. Finding the dvd can be a bit of a challenge.. trust me, I’m looking! There’s one on Amazon that’s a “Spanish Release” but it doesn’t play on most American dvd players.