Barbara Stanwyck | Hollywood Yesterday

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray in Remember the Night: Perfect Chemistry, Perfect Film

December 7, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray lit the screen up in the 1940 classic Christmas film Remember the Night. They’d go on to create magic three more times: Double Indemnity (1944), The Moonlighter (1953), and There’s Always Tomorrow (1956). While Double Indemnity is their most popular film… and it’s popular for a reason, it’s extraordinary… Remember the Night is my favorite of their four movies.

There’s just something magical about it and I fall a little more in love with it each time I see it.

You can buy the dvd (Amazon link) online. Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video (maybe someday!).

Remember the Night: One of the Best Christmas Films (Deserves So Much More Love!)

December 1, 2021 By Joi

Remember the Night, One of the BEST Christmas Films

Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi, & Elizabeth Patterson star in the WONDERFUL 1940 film Remember the Night (directed by Mitchell Leisen).

A shoplifter (played deliciously by Barbara Stanwyck) goes home with the assistant DA (the always lovable Fred MacMurray) to spend Christmas with his family. Few stars consistently captured the “lovability” level Fred MacMurray hit with his good guy characters. There’s just something about him that makes you feel like he’s a friend.

Barbara Stanwyck, Beulah Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, and Sterling Holloway are absolutely wonderful as well. This is one of the absolute best Christmas movies – in fact, I put it right up there with It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and Christmas in Connecticut (three films I’m admittedly completely in love with). I have no idea why this one isn’t shown often on television – it isn’t even on Prime Video (hopefully that’ll change one day). Until then… I’d suggest doing what I did – buy the dvd (Amazon link)!

Remember the Night

Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, and Robert Ryan in Clash by Night

October 4, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, and Robert Ryan

Clash by Night (1952) was directed by an outstanding director, Fritz Lang, and boasts a stellar cast which includes Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan, J. Carrol Naish, Keith Andes, and Marilyn Monroe. Inevitably, with that kind of talent and star power, you get a great movie and this film noir is truly that.

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

Paul Douglas, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Ryan

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

September 8, 2021 By Joi

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

Barbara Stanwyck: Gorgeous Promotional Pictures from The Gay Sisters (1942)

August 30, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck leads a great cast in the 1942 film The Gay Sisters, directed by Irving Rapper. The rest of the cast includes Geraldine Fitzgerald, George Brent, Donald Crisp, Gig Young, Nancy Coleman, and Gene Lockhart.

As you’d expect, Barbara Stanwyck is outstanding in this movie and… as you can see!… she is stunning!

Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck, Baby Face (1933)

August 26, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck, Baby Face

In the wonderful 1933 pre-code movie Baby Face, Barbara Stanwyck portrays Lily Powers, a woman who had been sexually exploited all of her life. When she decides to take her rightful place in the proverbial driver’s seat, she climbs the ladder to success, using the men’s sins against them.

It’s a very good movie and a MUST see for fans of Barbara Stanwyck – she’s absolutely wonderful in the role. The film also stars George Brent, Theresa Harris, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Cook, and a very young John Wayne.

Barbara Stanwyck, John Wayne, and George Brent in Baby Face (1933)

August 15, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck and John Wayne, Baby Face

Baby Face (1933) isn’t just worth seeing because it’s a good movie, it’s also worth seeing for the cast, alone. Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Theresa Harris, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Cook, and a very young John Wayne are all outstanding in this one. When I first watched Baby Face (many, many years ago), I had no idea John Wayne (one of my personal favorite stars) was in the movie. When a man shows up in the workplace making eyes at Barbara Stanwyck’s character Lily, I froze and thought, “No way! Can’t be!” – but the camera went in closer and, sure enough, there he was in all his glory… just without a hat and not a horse in sight!

I hate to admit it now, because I’ve grown to like him a great deal, but this is actually the movie that made me a George Brent fan. Before Baby Face, I had only seen him in a few Bette Davis movies and I came away unimpressed each time. Due to the fact that I loved him so much in this movie (and in each one I’ve seen since), I suspect it had more to do with the boring characters he had played than it did with him. He was outstanding in this movie.

George Brent and Barbara Stanwyck

Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Preston Sturges: Behind the Scenes of The Lady Eve

August 9, 2021 By Joi

Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Preston Sturges Behind the Scenes of The Lady Eve (1941)

I’m fairly certain I’ve mentioned this before (and I’m equally certain I’m about to do it again)…. Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck are two of my absolute favorites. Top tier, never say a negative thing about them in my presence favorites. Which is why I am head over heels in love with the fact that they not only made several movies together, but one of them in particular is one of my all time favorite films. Nothing against The Mad Miss Manton (their adorable first film), but The Lady Eve is an absolute work of perfection.

As in every single minute.

I also love the fact that it’s apparent they enjoyed working together. It comes through every scene and it’s just delicious.

Speaking of delicious – I will never (and I mean never) get over the fact that they were holding hands in this adorable behind the scenes picture. I’m also never getting over how cute she is in her hat, but that’s for another day.

Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck

You can find The Lady Eve: The Criterion Collection on Amazon or watch it on Prime Video.

Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, and Billy Wilder Behind the Scenes of Double Indemnity

July 27, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, Behind the Scenes of Double Indemnity

I love these behind the scenes pictures from Double Indemnity (one of the best and most popular film-noirs ever filmed). The 1944 movie was directed by the wonderful Billy Wilder (pictured below with Barbara Stanwyck) and stars, among others, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson.

You can find Double Indemnity on dvd (Amazon Link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Barbara Stanwyck and Billy Wilder

Barbara Stanwyck: Double Indemnity Promotional Photos

July 22, 2021 By Joi

Barbara Stanwyck: Double Indemnity

One of my favorite actresses, Barbara Stanwyck, also happened to be one of the best actresses (or actors in general, thank you very much) of all time. She was simply phenomenal in each and every role – but it goes beyond that. She had a gift of making everyone around her better or even better. I’ve seen some stars who I never thought were terribly good get in scenes with her and suddenly look like they have a world of talent!

I once had a debate with a woman who said she didn’t think Barbara Stanwyck was one of the all-time greats because she didn’t win a lead actress Emmy. Okay, get out of here with that weak tea argument! Seriously, if you don’t like an actor or actress (whether it’s their overall acting style, their look, their voice, their films… whatever), just say so and stick with that. Don’t venture into ridiculous territory.

For one thing, to a GREAT extent, the committee gives awards to who they WANT to give awards to. They select the actor or actress they want to win – a small committee, not the overall general public who has seen the performance or film.

If this was not the case, why in the world was Halle Berry the first African American to win a lead actress Emmy? If you think she was the first to deserve it, hold still while I call you a doctor because you’re obviously ill. Many things go into selecting the individuals who win the awards each year. And, yes, very often the right one wins – but even then it’s very subjective. There have even been stars who have won who have, themselves, said they didn’t deserve it.

On the flip side, a life-time achievement Oscar (Honorary Award) is one of the greatest awards you can be given. It awards an exemplary career and outstanding body of work. It’s a way of rewarding a star who has greatly contributed to the industry. Barbara Stanwyck was an Honorary Award Winner in 1982 – this was in addition to being nominated for lead actress four separate times for..

Sorry, Wrong Number
Double Indemnity
Ball of Fire
Stella Davis

(Continued Below…)

Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck

As you can see, getting me started defending Barbara Stanwyck can take you out into deep, treacherous waters! The story actually had a happy ending, however! When the woman admitted that she had only seen Barbara Stanwyck in three things (a couple of episodes of The Big Valley, Clash of Night, and The Strange Love of Martha Ivers), I told her that these didn’t give her a good overall picture of how wonderful she was. For one thing, in the two films she’d seen, Barbara portrayed such unlikable women who WOULD love her?!? Okay, besides me. Also, like most tv series, The Big Valley needed to have been seen regularly to understand the characters. If you just catch a few, the strength of her character might be off-putting for some – however, more episodes allow you to see her other side AND the fact that she was so strong because she HAD to be.

Life presented the character with no alternative.

I recommended these films and did all but beg her to see at least one, two if possible:

The Lady Eve (I all but offered to pay her to see this one lmao)
The Woman in Red
Christmas in Connecticut
Ball of Fire

One month and a half later, she had seen all four (ALL FOUR!) and said she had been wrong about Barbara Stanwyck and was now eager to see all of her films. She said she wondered if she’d been wrong about Bette Davis as well…. and, yes, I recommended some of her films to see. I’ve got your back, too, Bette!

The beautiful pictures in this “If you don’t like Barbara Stanwyck, you are crazy” diatribe are publicity photos for her wonderful 1944 Film-Noir (one of the best and most popular ever made) Double Indemnity. Double Indemnity was directed by the wonderful Billy Wilder and co-stars Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson. You can find Double Indemnity on dvd (Amazon Link) or watch it on Prime Video.