Picture of the Day | Hollywood Yesterday

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the Extraordinary Donna Reed

January 27, 2023 By Joi

Donna Reed, Backlash

The wonderful Donna Reed was born on January 27, 1921 in Denison, Iowa. She’s one of my VERY first favorite actresses and remains in the top 8 to this day. I simply adore everything about her, every role she ever graced, and… quite frankly… everything she stood for as a human being. She was simply lovely in every way.

Like Elvis, Marilyn, Rita, Audrey, John Wayne, and Lucille Ball, Donna Reed has been collectively framed in a particular way – as the smiling, perfect wife and mother – both on her wonderful television series and in the extraordinary and larger than life It’s a Wonderful Life. While being framed, collectively or any other way, is pretty much unavoidable, it’s really – in many ways – a shame. After all, Marilyn and Rita were so much more than the sex symbols they’re “framed” as in most people’s minds.

Elvis and John Wayne were more than the images most people have of them

Audrey was a warm and wonderful person and talented actress – not simply a lovely little style icon!

Lucille Ball was more than simply one of the most hilarious people to ever draw breath.

Last but not least, Donna Reed was much more than the characters she created. In fact, while she’s remembered by most as Donna and Mary, she brought a great number of other colorful characters to life as well. Her filmography is alive with color and entertainment and she was extraordinary in each and every role.

I actually (literally 20 minutes ago) just ordered a great-sounding Donna Reed biography, In Search of Donna Reed (Amazon link) by Jay Fultz. I’ll tell you all about it as soon as I’ve devoured it cover to cover!

Happy Heavenly birthday to one of the best actresses of all time, and one I’m always so proud to call a favorite.

Donna Reed and Richard Widmark, Backlash (1956)

The photos in this post are from the 1956 Western Backlash starring Donna Reed and Richard Widmark. You can find Backlash on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon link).

Perfect Cast, Perfect Script, Perfect Director, Perfect Movie… The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

January 23, 2023 By Joi

Melville Cooper, Basil Rathbone, Olivia de Havilland, Claude Rains, and Errol Flynn

Can we talk about one of the best movies ever made for a minute? The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) wasn’t just directed by one of the best directors to ever wear the title – the wonderful Micahel Curtiz – it also features the type of stellar cast that most films would envy – a cast that includes Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Patric Knowles, Eugene Pallette, Alan Hale, Una O’Connor, Melville Cooper, and Ian Hunter.

(Continued Below…)

Errol Flynn and Eugene Pallette

This is one of those films that, somehow, seems to be even more enjoyable each time you watch it. I always notice a new expression on one of the star’s faces or a great line that had never quite registered, a piece of background furniture or something delicious that had escaped me the MANY times I’d visited the film before.

In fact, if I’m not mistaken… and in this case I am absolutely not mistaken… I’ll be revisiting this extraordinary film again this week.

You can buy the iconic The Adventures of Robin Hood on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Patric Knowles, Herbert Mundin, and Errol Flynn

Nat King Cole and Ruby Dee, St. Louis Blues (1958)

January 21, 2023 By Joi

Nat King Cole and Ruby Dee

Nat King Cole and Ruby Dee lead a phenomenal cast in the 1958 biography-musical St. Louis Blues. Directed by Allen Reisner, the film features a cast that includes Eartha Kitt, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, and Mahalia Jackson.

I can only imagine what it must have been like to have been in the company of that many iconic legends!

Nat King Cole brilliantly portrays W. C. Handy, the Father of the Blues. This was Cole’s only lead role in a Hollywood film and that’s a darn shame.

At the age of 85 W.C. Handy actually served as a consultant on this film, but SADLY he passed away before the film opened.

I can’t find a dvd to link to and the film doesn’t appear to be on Prime Video – but I’m looking regularly. I need the dvd for my Ruby Dee movie collection!

Nat King Cole and Ruby Dee, St. Louis Blues

Beautiful Rhonda Fleming in a Stunning Promotional Photo for The Golden Hawk (1952)

January 12, 2023 By Joi

Rhonda Fleming, The Golden Hawk

I’ve talked about it before on Hollywood Yesterday (as well as Twitter, Instagram, Kroger… anywhere I happen to be) but it always fascinates me how… even after YEARS of immersing yourself in old Hollywood… you can still pick up new favorites along the way.

I’ve been a FANATIC for old movies since I was a child and while some stars have been in my top tier of favorites from the start (Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, John Wayne), I’ve picked up many over the years. In fact, my top 1o favorite actress list as well as my top 10 favorite actor list frequently changes when I fall under a new star’s spell.

The most recent line jumpers are Paul Henreid and Rhonda Fleming. They’d have each been firmly in their top 10 spot if I had seen “enough” of their films earlier – but I’ve only recently seen enough of their work to realize.. “Hey! I’m pretty well obsessed with this star!”

I desperately wish Rhonda Fleming had been given more lead roles in blockbuster-style films. She’d easily be better-known today if this had been the case. Some of her films were and are pretty popular (The Spiral Staircase just to name one), but if she’d had a film along the lines of Casablanca, Key Largo, Or Singin’ in the Rain she’d certainly be better known today.

You can find the wonderfully entertaining and colorful action adventure The Golden Hawk (directed by Sidney Salkow) on dvd (Amazon link). Unfortunately it doesn’t appear to be on Prime Video yet.

Rhonda Fleming, The Golden Hawk

Judy Garland Behind the Scenes of Presenting Lily Mars

January 6, 2023 By Joi

Judy Garland Behind the Scenes of Presenting Lily Mars

Judy Garland gave so many phenomenal and memorable performances that it’s almost impossible to give them all equal attention. Having said that, her radiant performance in Presenting Lily Mars doesn’t get nearly enough attention. She was never more beautiful than she was during this time – she looked so healthy and happy, she all but glowed.

Presenting Lily Mars (1943) was directed by Norman Taurog and also stars Van Heflin, Fay Bainter, Spring Byington, and Richard Carlson. It’s such a wonderful movie and Judy (as always) gives a perfectly lovely performance. She was so incredibly talented and had one of the most charismatic screen presences of all time.

You can find Presenting Lily Mars on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Paul Lynde Quote + Under the Yum Yum Tree Pics with Imogene Coca and Jack Lemmon

January 5, 2023 By Joi

Paul Lynde and Jack Lemmon

Paul Lynde, Imogene Coca, and Jack Lemmon starred in the 1963 comedy Under the Yum Yum Tree (directed by David Swift). Three of the most gifted comedians in one film… talk about a can’t-miss. The cast also includes Carol Lynley, Edie Adams, and Dean Jones, Robert Lansing, and James Darren.

“My dad hit the roof and I hit the road, simultaneously.” ~ Paul Lynde on what happened when he told his parents he wanted to go into show business!

You can find Under the Yum Yum Tree on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Paul Lynde and Imogene Coca

Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan, King’s Row (VERY Under-Appreciated Movie!)

January 4, 2023 By Joi

Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan

If you know anything about me, you know that Ann Sheridan is one of my top 3 favorite actresses: Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball, and Ann Sheridan all tie for the top spot – and, no, I’m not sure what it is with me and redheads but, my top ten favorites also include Rita Hayworth and Ann-Margret, so there must be something about their style that draws me in!

While I literally love all of Ann Sheridan’s movies, King’s Row (1942, directed by Sam Wood) is one of my favorites. The chemistry between her and Ronald Reagan and the story, itself, are extraordinary. The cast is also pretty darn hard to beat – Robert Cummings, Claude Rains, Charles Coburn, Nancy Coleman, Betty Field, Judith Anderson, and Maria Ouspenskaya.

Not bad for a cast with only one redhead! Kidding, kidding…

You can find King’s Row on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Dorothy Malone, Written on the Wind (1956)

January 3, 2023 By Joi

Dorothy Malone

Dorothy Malone, Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack star in the 1956 film Written on the Wind, directed by Douglas Sirk. Dorothy Malone made a habit of standing out even among A-List stars and she does it again in this film.

She truly was something extraordinary.

You can find Written on the Wind on DVD (Amazon link) or (in some locations, apparently!) watch the movie on Prime Video.

Maureen O’Hara, Paul Hubschmid, and Vincent Price in Bagdad (1949)

January 2, 2023 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara and Paul Hubschmid

I have a very, very special place in my hearts for Swashbuckling movies. Absolutely love them! I tend to think of them as Westerns on the Sea and enjoy watching them almost as much as I do my beloved Westerns. Swashbucklers are fun, colorful, don’t take themselves (or life) too seriously, are never boring, and are more than happy to sweep you off to a little escapism.

What more could you ask for from a movie?! I mean, maybe a foot massage and mug of hot tea, but aside from that.

Bagdad (1949, directed by Charles Lamont) is a particularly good Swashbuckler- very colorful and lots of fun. The cast includes the stunningly beautiful and talented Maureen O’Hara, Paul Hubschmid, Vincent Price, and John Sutton.

Maureen O’Hara and Vincent Price, Bagdad

Angela Lansbury Behind the Scenes of The Harvey Girls

December 29, 2022 By Joi

Angela Lansbury, Behind the Scenes of The Harvey Girls (1946)

The extraordinary Angela Lansbury is one of those rare stars everyone seems to love.. and, come on, who can blame us?! She was so incredibly talented, charismatic, colorful, and genuinely lovable and such a gift to those of us who love movies AND those of us who love great classic television.

It’s really, really hard to believe she’s gone, isn’t it? She is and will be missed so much. She’s a great example of the adage, “Live your life so that you will be greatly missed when you’re gone.”

I rewatched The Harvey Girls recently and kept thinking, “I’d forgotten how beautiful she was!” She had a unique, sassy type of beauty that… as far as I’m concerned… is impossible to beat.

The 1946 musical-western was directed by George Sidney and also stars Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, John Hodiak, Preston Foster, Cyd Charisse, Marjorie Main, Chill Wills, and Virginia O’Brien.

You can find The Harvey Girls on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.