Old Movies, Actors and Actresses | Hollywood Yesterday

Valerie Hobson from The Bride of Frankenstein

October 13, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Valerie Hobson

Lovely Valerie Hobson’s luck would be MY luck… she appears in a movie, did an outstanding job, and looked like a billion bucks… but remains in the vast shadows cast by the film’s lead characters and stars! The same can pretty much be said of every actor and actress who appeared in any of the old Hollywood Horror films. The monsters always steal the show!

However, when you’ve seen a film as many times as I’ve seen this one, you come to truly appreciate all that the supporting cast brings to the party. Without them, the party wouldn’t be such a smashing success. You can take it one step further, even. If they didn’t have the delicious team-player mentality that made them perfectly comfortable with dwelling in the shadows, the monsters would not have become the iconic stars they STILL are today.

I, for one, LOVE the ones who live in the shadows as much as those in the spotlight. It takes all of them to make the magic work.

Lovely Valerie Hobson was born in Northern Ireland in 1917. The Bride of Frankenstein, Werewolf of London, and Great Expectations are three of her best-known films.

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler, Dracula (1931)

October 12, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler, Dracula (1931)

One of my favorite old horror movies is undoubtedly Dracula (1931). Everything about this movie is just deliciously old horror school greatness. Many today wouldn’t even categorize this one as horror compared to the ones they’ve grown up on but can you imagine how scary this was when it was released?! There’s no doubt in my mind Bela’s Dracula starred in a LOT of nightmares. Of all the old Hollywood monsters, Dracula is easily the scariest in my opinion.

You simply CANNOT trust him OR his dentally magnificent smile!

This was actually the first film I ever saw Helen Chandler in (when watching this in the 70s as a child) and I have loved her since. Beautiful face and loads of talent and onscreen charm.

You can buy the iconic 1931 film Dracula on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler, Dracula

Boris Karloff and Makeup ARTIST Jack Pierce: Behind the Scenes of The Bride of Frankenstein

October 11, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Boris Karloff and Jack Pierce

When watching my BELOVED old Hollywood movies or reading about them, I often come across men and women who I desperately wish had written a book. Makeup artist extraordinaire Jack Pierce is one of them. This man worked on some of the most legendary movies of all time and with some of their most extraordinary stars.

He had some stories to tell and I want to know every one of them!

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Helen Chandler and Bela Lugosi, Dracula (Girl.. RUN!)

October 10, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler, Dracula

I remember the first time I saw Dracula (1931)… even as a child I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how anyone didn’t know Bela Lugosi was bad news the minute they saw him! Seriously… how could they not run as far and as fast as they could in the opposite direction the minute they laid eyes on him.

I’m pretty sure I would have outrun a cheetah to get away from his creepy vibes.

Then again, it wouldn’t have made much of a movie, would it?

I read something unusual a little while back. Apparently Bette Davis was considered for the role of Mina but someone “up the line” didn’t think she had enough sex appeal. Really? When the role dictated, she oozed it! Think “In This Our Life,” “Jezebel,” and “The Star” just to name a few.

I mean, her career did okay without this role but I thought the reasoning was preposterous.

You can buy the iconic 1931 film Dracula on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Sorry but the Bette Davis fan in me feels compelled to add a particular photo to the post… It’s like she’s telling Mr. Up the Line, “Boy, please.”

Bette Davis, Jezebel

Collin Clive, Elsa Lanchester, Boris Karloff, and Ernest Thesiger: The Bride of Frankenstein

October 9, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Collin Clive, Elsa Lanchester, Boris Karloff, and Ernest Thesiger

Okay, admittedly, I have been obsessed with posting The Bride of Frankenstein pictures of the day this month but I simply cannot help myself. Elsa Lanchester’s Bride is my favorite movie monster of all time and I want everyone else to appreciate her and her iconic film as much as I do!

I know I’ve gone on record as saying I am (overall) somewhat disappointed in this film but I want to clear something up while I have the chance. The disappointment comes only from the fact that she wasn’t given more scenes. I SO wish her character had been introduced earlier in the film and that she and her intended had wreaked havoc together.

Having said all of that, I do love many things about this film. The makeup, acting, and directing are all perfection… right to their core. Perhaps that’s why I get a bit disappointed when I watch it – it’s the realization of how MAGNIFICENT it would have been with more of the wonderful Elsa Lanchester.

It’s an iconic film to be sure and it is absolutely one of my favorite horror films.

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Elsa Lanchester and Colin Clive: The Bride of Frankenstein

October 8, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Elsa Lanchester and Colin Clive

I am so obsessed with Elsa Lanchester as The Bride of Frankenstein that I collect LITERALLY anything associated with the movie. It’s such a phenomenal character and the only female monster from the wonderful old Hollywood horror films.

The movie also stars Boris Karloff as the monster, Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein, and Valerie Hobson as Elizabeth.

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Elsa Lanchester

Bela Lugosi, Behind the Scenes of Dracula (1931)

October 7, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bela Lugosi

I apologize that the photo of the great Bela Lugosi behind the scenes of Dracula isn’t a better quality. It’s something we run into a lot when dealing with old Hollywood, though, isn’t it?! You can certainly still appreciate the picture and actor.

The thing that comes across most (for me) about this picture is how you can tell that Bela truly embraced this role and opportunity. Sadly, it would later serve to limit the roles he got, but I honestly believe he was very excited about the role before and during filming. There was just something in his approach and photos of him (promotional and behind the scenes).

Bela Lugosi, Dracula 1931

You can buy the iconic 1931 film Dracula on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Boris Karloff: Behind the Scenes of The Bride of Frankenstein

October 6, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Boris Karloff

As I’ve stated often, I am obsessed with “on set” and “behind the scenes” pictures. I’m not sure WHY exactly, but they make my world spin.

This great photo of Boris Karloff kicked back enjoying a sandwich while filming The Bride of Frankenstein makes my day. Hopefully, serving as picture of the day, it’ll make your day as well.

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Glenn Strange and Bela Lugosi in a Great Behind the Scenes Photo

October 5, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Bela Lugosi and Glenn Strange

Granted, I love all “on set” and “behind the scenes” pictures but there’s something extra special about this Bela Lugosi and Glenn Strange behind the scenes of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Come on… Dracula smoking? You don’t see that everyday!

The 6’4″ Glenn Strange is best known by many as Frankenstein’s monster in this and other movies and television appearances but he also had a VERY fine career in movies. I, personally, associate him most with his role on Gunsmoke. He played the lovable bartender Sam Doonan for many years.

Cast of Gunsmoke

Pictured above, Glenn Strange, Ken Curtis, Roger Ewing, Milburn Stone, James Arness, and Amanda Blake.

You can buy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the hilarity on Prime Video.

Fay Wray: Beautiful King Kong (1933) Promotional Picture

October 4, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Fay Wray, King Kong

For my money, the 1933 King Kong was the BEST King Kong and it isn’t even close. I also think Fay Wray was the best Ann Darrow and, again, I don’t think it’s even close!

She is so associated with this iconic character that actresses who came after her are more often referred to as, “the one in the Fay Wray role” than they are “Ann Darrow.”

Now that’s when you know you’ve put your fingerprints all over a role!

You can find King Kong on dvd (Amazon link).