Ann Sheridan and George Raft, They Drive by Night
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: Beautiful Desert Legion (1953) Promotional Pictures
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
Lena Horne, Redd Foxx, and Demond Wilson: One of Sanford and Son’s Best Episodes…
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 (1961)
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:
- Clark Gable gives one of his greatest performances.
- Marilyn Monroe also gives one of her finest performances.
- This was Clark Gable’s last completed film. He died of a heart attack shortly after filming ended.
- This was also Marilyn Monroe’s last completed film. She died a year and a year and a half later
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: On the Set of How to Marry a Millionaire
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 and Debra Paget, Demetrius and the Gladiators
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: Absolutely Magical in One Way Passage (1932)
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 (1947): Perfectly Stunning Picture and a Perfectly Stunning Film-Noir
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: From Here to Eternity
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.