Golden Age of Hollywood
Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock
If you’re going to post a Tuesday picture of the day… might as well make it a great one!
This was a promotional picture for his wonderful 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock (Amazon link to the dvd).
I love this photo of Elvis – it has as much personality as he did. Well, almost.
Do Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte make a beautiful couple or what?! They had so much chemistry in their films – as much chemistry as any film couple I’ve ever seen.
If you’ve never watched Carmen Jones, I hope you’ll make a point of doing that ASAP. These stars are outstanding in this fantastic film. Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for an Oscar for her performance but she didn’t win.
She should have. That’s a hill I will die on. She was robbed.
Harry Belafonte should also have gotten an Oscar. They were both mesmerizing in this film. Olga James and Pearl Bailey are also excellent. I wish Olga had been onscreen more. She was adorable and so very, very talented.
Please see the movie soon!
One of my all-time favorite actresses and musical stars is Judy Garland. One of my all-time favorite actors and musical stars is Gene Kelly. So, can you imagine the perfect excitement that fills my den when I’m watching a musical with both of these magical stars?
My cats can barely stand me, I’m so giddy. They truly were magical, weren’t they?
Below is the wonderful duo performing “For Me and My Gal” from the musical of the same name (1942). One of my favorite musicals of all time, it’s pretty underrated, for whatever reasons.
Maybe we can do something about that right now!
Six years later, they would team up again for another one of my favorite musicals, The Pirate. While it’s deliciously over-the-top and not remotely like this particular musical, I love it with all my heart and soul.
How could I not? It stars these two?!
Joanna Barnes, “Lola” from The War Wagon, 1967
An actress who deserves more attention and appreciation is Joanna Barnes. She could play a likable character (one you cheer for) as well as an unlikable character (one you want desperately to see brought down!) and be uncommonly believable in each.
However, didn’t see seem to especially relish those bad girl roles?!?!
Her Vicky Robinson in The Parent Trap is one of my all-time favorite “love to hate” movie characters. She was so nasty!
The beautiful photo above is from The War Wagon (1967). Loved her in this role just as much.
I’m trying to find/buy more photos of Joanna Barnes for Hollywood Yesterday – she’s one of those stars who is proving to be a little difficult to find many photos of. When I do get my hands on more, you’ll surely see more of her beautiful face on this blog!
June Allyson and Ray McDonald, Till the Clouds Roll By
As I’ve often said, June Allyson is my Doris Day, as in the actress I most associate with sunshine. Whereas most people feel that Doris Day was the human equivalent of sunshine, June is that for me.
Nothing in the world against Doris Day, mind you! It’s simply that I’ve seen all but a few June Allyson films (I watch, re-watch, and collect them like my life depends on it) and I have seen…. are you ready for this?…. only one Doris Day film.
One!
I’m not sure how she has missed my radar, but she has almost completely. I need to watch more of her films this year, don’t I?
Today’s picture of the day is the wonderful June Allyson and the wonderful Ray McDonald in the musical Till The Clouds Roll By (1946). I will always wonder what might have been with Ray McDonald. He was only 38 years old when he died. Could the man ever dance?!?!
If you’ve never seen this musical (or if you have and it’s time for a re-watch), I hope you’ll check it out soon. Judy Garland, June Allyson, Lena Horne, Angela Lansbury, Robert Walker, Van Johnson, Kathryn Grayson, Van Heflin, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore…. what a cast!
Love, Love, Love, Love Her!
Ann-Margret, The Pleasure Seekers Promotional Pic
I would point out that this picture of Ann-Margret is one of my favorites except for one thing… they’re all my favorites! She is, undoubtedly, one of the most photogenic ladies to ever exist.
I love how, in this picture, she proves that redheads can MOST CERTAINLY wear red. Or any darn color they’re in the mood for!
Ava Gardner, The Barefoot Contessa
Ava Gardner’s The Barefoot Contessa (Amazon Link) is one of her more popular movies and roles. She’s breathtaking in the film and, itself, is a beautiful masterpiece. While it isn’t one of my favorite of her movies (simply because of the ending – I will fall out of love with a movie in a heartbeat if it doesn’t give me a happy ending!), it is one I highly recommend watching. I also, of course, recommend owning the dvd if you (like me) collect all of Ava and/or Humphrey Bogart’s films.
Obviously, given the fact that the movie begins at a funeral, I knew the unhappy ending was coming, but ever-the-optimist, I was hoping for a big reveal. Had that been the case, this would be among my favorites movies.
The story and the acting are truly enjoyable and, as I said earlier, it’s a visual stunner.
With both of these stars (Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart) being favorites of mine, it may seem unusual for me to say this, but (in my opinion anyway), yet another actor steals this film. Edmond O’Brien (as Oscar Muldoon) gives a wonderful, often hilarious performance and literally steals scenes left and right.
Plot: Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner) was a beautiful star who touched many people’s lives. At her funeral, several of these people remember her and the impact she left on their life. Humphrey Bogart plays Harry Dawes, a fairly washed up writer/director ho was hired by rich producer Kirk Edwards to use Maria Vargas in a film and make it a hit.
Oscar Muldoon (played to perfection by Edmond O’Brein) is a stereotypical PR man who adds so much more to this film than I can convey.
The fast-paced, larger than life world that Maria finds herself in… in the end… destroys her.
Again, this isn’t a “feel good” movie but it is a “FEEL” movie as it will move many of your emotions, often simultaneously.
Audrey Hepburn: Too Beautiful for Words!
How can you manage to be both lovely and adorable at the same time – while pretending to yawn no less!? I’m halfway positive it’s a feat only Audrey Hepburn could pull off.
I have always loved this particular photo of Audrey. In fact, I think I love it MORE each time I see it. It’s a promotional pic for her wonderful film with Gregory Peck, Roman Holiday (Amazon DVD link).
Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell: There’s Always a Woman (1938)
First of all, my apologies for the quality of these screencaps! If you spend a lot of time with Old Hollywood blogs and photos, you know that some films are easier than others to grab screencaps from. Screencap quality can be affected by the age of the movie, the quality of the film, and (quite honestly) the amount of time the actor/actress spends in movement!
While the photos aren’t as clear as I’d hope for (I’m going to have another go at this film soon and try again), I had to go ahead and publish these because I love these two and There’s Always a Woman so much.
Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell played off of one another spectacularly and I have NO idea why their pairing and this film aren’t better known.
Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas
In this very lively and fun film, Melvyn Douglas plays William, an investigator for the district attorney, and beautiful Joan Blondell is his wife who thinks she’s something of a detective! They compete with one another to solve a murder mystery and the results make for a very entertaining ride.
There’s Always a Woman was the first of three films from that Columbia paired Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell. The others being Good Girls Go to Paris (1939) and The Amazing Mr. Williams (1939).
They would not work together again until MGM’s Advance to the Rear (1964).
Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas: There’s Always a Woman
Love this photo of Ann-Margret, Carol Lynley, and Pamela Tiffin! The three beautiful actresses starred together in The Pleasure Seekers (1964) and, for whatever reasons, the film didn’t do as well as it, honestly should have.
It’s a lot of fun and, in many ways, is kind of the 60’s version of How to Marry a Millionaire. I really love it.
Ann-Margret believed that the lack of success was due to the fact that audiences weren’t ready to see her in an adult, lady of the world type of role because they knew her mainly from Bye, Bye Birdie. I truly think she makes a great case.
Hopefully audiences, today, will discover the film and give it the attention it deserves.
An Ann-Margret, Carol Lynley, and Pamela Tiffin fan can certainly hope, can’t she?!
The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name.
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
I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn, A Personal Biography
Steps in Time (Fred Astaire)
Enchantment (Audrey Hepburn)
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…
Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!
