Old Movies, Actors and Actresses | Hollywood Yesterday

Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall, and Patricia Neal in Bright Leaf (1950)

September 10, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gary Cooper and Lauren Bacall

Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal star in Bright Leaf (1950, directed by Michael Curtiz). The three make a very believable love triangle… almost TOO believable! Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper were involved for several years and she, in fact wanted Lauren Bacall’s role. For whatever reasons, the powers that be decided that she couldn’t have that particular role.

Personally I think they were right – each lady was PERFECT in the role assigned to her and Gary Cooper was absolutely perfect as the man in the middle.

You can find Bright Leaf on DVD (Amazon Link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal

Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine, Suspicion

September 9, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine

When people talk about their favorite Hitchcock movies, I’m always surprised that one of my personal favorites, Suspicion (1941) isn’t often mentioned. Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant make this such an extraordinary and suspenseful movie to watch, I’m shocked it isn’t on everyone’s list of favorites!

Joan Fontaine (very deservedly) won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in this movie.

You can watch Suspicion on Prime Video or buy the dvd on Amazon. It’s a very underrated Hitchcock and, in my opinion, outstanding.

Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine

Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, and Marilyn Monroe: Behind the Scenes of Clash by Night

September 8, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Barbara Stanwyck and Paul Douglas

I’ve seen nearly all of Barbara Stanwyck’s films at least once and one that always grabs me by the lapels is Clash by Night (1952, directed by Fritz Lang). The storyline is gritty and spellbinding and the performances are just as gritty and spellbinding. Then again, when an outstanding director meets an outstanding cast, this is pretty much what you’d expect.

The cast includes Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan, Marilyn Monroe, and J Carrol Naish. Each gives a “filmography highlight” type of performance and, while I’d be hesitant to single any of them out – I do have to mention Paul Douglas’ phenomenal performance and Marilyn Monroe’s ability to hang with the more seasoned stars SO early in her career. The beautiful actress was haunted by insecurities when it came to acting, so knowing all she had to personally overcome to step in front of a camera always impresses the daylights out of me (so, how Kentuckian… on a scale of one to bless their hearts was that saying?!?!).

Another performance that also impresses me (but in no way surprises me) is Barbara Stanwyck’s. I’m used to greatness by the legendary actress, but she filmed this role under a great of stress – she was going through a divorce at this time, yet remained completely focused on her work and, as always, highly professional.

Director Fritz Lane would say of her: “She’s fantastic, unbelievable, and I liked her tremendously. When Marilyn missed her lines—which she did constantly—Barbara never said a word.” (I hasten to add that this was extremely early in Marilyn’s career AND she was, again, greatly incombered by insecurities.)

You can find the wonderful Clash By Night on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Amazon Prime.

Marilyn Monroe, Clash By Night

Gregory Peck: Mackenna’s Gold (1969)

September 7, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck leads a ridiculously talented cast in the 1969 film Mackenna’s Gold, directed by J. Lee Thompson. The cast also includes Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas, Camilla Sparv, Keenan Wynn, Julie Newmar, Edward G. Robinson, Raymond Massey, Lee J. Cobb, Burgess Meredith, and Eli Wallach.

Clint Eastwood was one of the first actors considered for Gregory Peck’s role but he had a commitment to make another western, Hang ’em High.

Apparently Gregory Peck enjoyed making the film with Edward G. Robinson and enjoyed his company on the set. The two talked about religion, politics, acting, and the fine arts.

You can find Mackenna’s Gold on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn: My Fair Lady (1964)

September 6, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison

I don’t just love My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison… I ADORE My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. Every word spoken, every note hit, every thread of every costume, every… oh, you get the idea. I’m completely infatuated with it and with the performance of each star.

The wonderful George Cukor directed this iconic musical. The cast also includes Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Jeremy Brett, and Gladys Cooper.

If it’s been a while since you’ve watched this absolute masterpiece, I hope you’ll revisit it soon. It’s even better than you remember.

You can find My Fair Lady on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Gail Patrick, and Eve Arden: Stage Door

September 6, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ginger Rogers and Gail Patrick

Stage Door (1937, directed by Gregory La Cava) is one of the all-time great films. The cast is BEYOND perfection and includes Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden (practically steals the whole movie!), Adolphe Menjou, and Gail Patrick.

If you’ve never seen this outstanding movie, I hope you’ll see it as soon as possible – every single minute is fast-paced, flawless, and mesmerizing. While there is a great deal of humor (the dialogue is fast, furious, and fantastic), it will also break your heart at one point. Phenomenal movie.

You can find Stage Door on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Kathrine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Eve Arden, Pamela Blake, and Andrea Leeds

LOVE These Pictures of James Dean on the Set of Giant (1956)

September 5, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

James Dean

The talented and charismatic James Dean was only 24 when he died in 1955. TWENTY FOUR! Anytime I think of how young he was, it feels like a kick in the gut. No one should die that young, with their entire life ahead of them.

While I love that he left us the films he did, I can’t help but think about the films he would have made and the performances he would have given if he had not been taken from us.

His last film was Giant, which came out in 1956. These photos were taken behind the scenes while he was making Giant and, I think, they show his love for life and for living it on his own terms.

Twenty-Four.

You can buy Giant on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

James Dean and Adorable Friends

Jimmy Stewart and His Poems: A MUST HAVE for James Stewart Fans!

September 4, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Jimmy Stewart and His Poems

If you’re even remotely familiar with me, you know all about my HUGE obsession with old Hollywood books (biographies, memoirs, cookbooks, autobiographies, poems..). I spend some of my happiest moments curled up with one of these prized possessions.

The one pictured here is one of my favorites. Not just because it was written by one of my absolute favorite actors but also because the poetry is breathtakingly wonderful.

From Amazon:

“I’m sure I never said to myself: ‘Now, Jim–why don’t you sit down and write a poem.’ It’s still a mystery to me, but I think probably it’s something that happened by accident–like a lot of things have happened in my life.”

So begins this delightful collection of poetry by America’s best-loved actor, Jimmy Stewart. Interspersed with vivid recollections and charming illustrations, the poems document a life that isn’t too different from yours or mine.

Jimmy Stewart won the hearts of generations of movie viewers with a confused innocence and stammering delivery that made his acting seem genuine and effortless. Somehow he managed to make the boy next door into a national hero. Now, in Jimmy Stewart and His Poems, the consummate Everyman shares tales from his everyday life.

From fishing trips and dog stories to a hilarious account of a photo safari where the camera was lost to a hungry hyena, the poems are related in Jimmy Stewart’s inimitable voice and are enlivened with charming illustrations.

The book confirms what we all expected–that the real Jimmy Stewart is every bit as endearing as the film characters he’s portrayed. Jimmy Stewart and His Poems is a perfect gift, one that fans will treasure as much as Jimmy Stewart’s timeless performances.

I love to read and reread his wonderful poetry – it’s an insight into just how special this legend truly was.

You can find Jimmy Stewart and His Poems on Amazon. It’d make a great gift idea for any James Stewart fan in your life… just be sure to grab a copy for yourself!

Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra: A Stunning Promotional Picture

September 3, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

While I love Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, my personal favorite actress to play the role is Claudette Colbert. There was just something extra special about her performance – as much in the way she carried herself as anything.

Cleopatra (1934) was directed by the extraordinary Cecil B. DeMille and starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, and Claudette Colbert (of course) as an especially regal and radiant Cleopatra.

You can find the wonderful 1934 Cleopatra on dvd (Amazon link).

Susan and God: I LOVE This Fredric March Quote About Joan Crawford!

September 2, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, John Carroll

Not only do I absolutely ADORE Joan Crawford movies (the movies are almost always extraordinary and she always is), I’m also infatuated with the star quality this lady had. She didn’t just accept being a star, she embraced it. She, for me, defines being a star, so I really love when I read things (like the quote below) that reaffirm my suspicions:

“She was a nice person, but a real movie star. She even brought her own music to the set [of Susan and God (1940)]–a whole entourage, a violinist and a pianist to play her favorite songs, to get her into the proper mood for the scenes.” ~ Fredric March

Some people read things like this and decide they like an actor or actress a “little less” because of it. Not me! I read that Joan Crawford brought in live musicians to set her mood and I fall even further under her spell.

Fredric March co-starred with Joan Crawford in the 1940 comedy-drama Susan and God. The movie also starred Rita Hayworth, Ruth Hussey, Nigel Bruce, John Carroll, Bruce Cabot, Rita Quigley, and Rose Hobart. After reading Fredric March’s quote, I’m eager to watch the movie all over again!

You can find Susan and God on dvd (Amazon link).