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It’s a Wonderful Life Behind the Scenes Pictures

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It's a Wonderful Life Behind the Scenes It’s a Wonderful Life Behind the Scenes

“I thought it was the greatest film I ever made. Better yet, I thought it was the greatest film anybody had ever made…. It was my kind of film for my kind of people.” ~ Frank Capra, director

One of my favorite movies in the world is It’s a Wonderful Life. The film is absolutely magical in every way and I honestly grow to love it more each time I see it. I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before but It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street are two of the reasons I became obsessed with classic movies in the first place.

It's a Wonderful Life Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes Photo from It’s A Wonderful Life

In fact, to this day, Maureen O’Hara, James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore are four of my VERY favorites.

I hope you enjoy these behind the scenes pictures from the movie. They bring about such wonderfully nostalgic memories!

It's a Wonderful Life Behind the Scenes

On the Set of It’s a Wonderful Life

You can buy It’s a Wonderful Life on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the magic on Prime Video.

It's a Wonderful Life Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes, It’s a Wonderful Life


Donna Reed and James Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life Publicity Still

James Stewart and Donna Reed

Vivien Leigh Behind the Scenes Picture from Gone with the Wind (1939)

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Vivien Leigh Behind the Scenes of Gone with the Wind

Vivien Leigh

I have, like, 10 minutes (oops, more like 8) to post this before I have to hit the ground running, but I wanted to share the photo of the day first thing. And my philosophy is “If you’re going to hit them with a photo and run, make it a memorable one!”

In that vein, I knew I had to share a picture of the beautiful Vivien Leigh behind the scenes of Gone With the Wind. You simply CANNOT have a conversation about the most beautiful actresses of old Hollywood without naming Vivien. She was just ridiculously beautiful.

You can find Gone With the Wind on dvd (Amazon link). Her performance, along with the performances of Hattie McDaniel, Olivia de Havilland, and Clark Gable make this a movie extra, extra special.


Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Robert Mitchum, and Otto Preminger On the Set of Carmen Jones

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Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Robert Mitchum, and Otto Preminger

Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Robert Mitchum, and director Otto Preminger 

There are certain movies that EVEN I know I talk an incessant amount about and Carmen Jones is one of them. I think there are actually five distinct reasons for this…

  1. I love, love, love Dorothy Dandridge. She was one of the most beautiful and talented stars of all time and it physically hurts me when someone doesn’t know who she was. She was phenomenal and should be a household name.
  2. I feel the same way about Harry Belafonte. Granted, he is a household name, and practically everyone has heard of this National treasure BUT they probably don’t realize just what a wonderful actor he is. Extremely talented, versatile, and charismatic… if the world were fair, he’d have as many films to his credit as James Stewart.  Yes. He is that good.
  3. The movie is outstanding. I simply love everything about this incredibly entertaining and spellbinding musical. It’s deliciously unique, fast-paced, entertaining, and completely unforgettable. Again, it hurts my psyche when people say they haven’t seen it.
  4. Olga James and her character, Cindy Lou, have my heart! I’d run through a brick wall for Olga OR Cindy and they  wouldn’t even have to ask. I have NO idea how Hollywood kept from seeing the bright and beautiful star they had right in front of them, but they somehow dropped the ball. Olga James should have been given as many movies to make as she chose to. She had an extra something special and it radiated in each scene.
  5. Pearl Bailey, Brock Peters, and Diahann Carrol round out a phenomenal cast. I adore these three stars and seeing them in the same film with Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, and Olga James is almost more than my heart can take. Seriously, this cast is out of this world.

If you’ve never seen Carmen Jones, please just set aside some time and watch it. I promise to stop hounding you if you do!

You can buy Carmen Jones on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, and Jean Hersholt Behind the Scenes of Grand Hotel (1932)

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Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, and John Barrymore on the Set of Grand Hotel

Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, and Jean Hersholt Behind the Scenes 

Edmund Goulding was given a cast most directors only dream of with the iconic 1932 drama Grand Hotel… Greta Garbo, Lewis Stone, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery,  Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore.

While Greta Garbo is considered by many to be the star of the film, as far as I’m concerned the stars of the movie are Joan Crawford,  Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore and Lewis Stone. They simply stand out and, IMO, make the movie what it is.

Grand Hotel (1932) is both a must see and must have for any serious movie lovers and collectors.

You can find Grand Hotel on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Great Behind the Scenes Pictures from Godzilla (1954): Haruo Nakajima in His Infamous Role

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Behind the Scenes Picture from Godzilla 1954

Haruo Nakajima, Behind the Scenes of Godzilla (1954)

I’m pretty obsessed with these behind the scenes photos from Godzilla (1954, directed by Ishirô Honda). How could I not be? My love for behind the scenes photos is legendary and my love for all things Godzilla is EVEN greater. Combine the two and it’s a wonder I can even concentrate long enough to type these words.

Godzilla (1954) was originally titled Gojira and was released in Japan on November 3, 1954.

Haruo Nakajima, the actor who wore the Godzilla suit, would frequently pass out because the temperature inside the costume was so intensely hot. According to him (and he’d know!), temperatures inside the Godzilla suit reached up to 60 degrees Celsius (or 140 Fahrenheit) due to the hot studio lights.

Special effects director Teruyoshi Nakano had this to say about Haruo Nakajima, “Inside the Godzilla suit, it was very dark, lonely, and isolated. Usually the person who wears the suit becomes nervous and anxious. During summertime it’s very hot, it can become hell in there. But Mr. Nakajima always persevered. He acted in the suit underwater, he was buried underground, he withstood pyrotechnic explosions… and through it all he was always Godzilla.”

I’m in love with that quote: “… through it all he was always Godzilla.”

He brought Godzilla to life in a total of 12 films and this Godzilla fan loves him for his devotion!

Behind the Scenes Picture from Godzilla 1954

Behind the Scenes Picture from Godzilla 1954

Director Tod Browning, Carroll Borland, and Bela Lugosi behind the scenes of Mark of the Vampire

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Director Tod Browning, Carroll Borland, and Bela Lugosi behind the scenes of Mark of the Vampire

Director Tod Browning, Carroll Borland, and Bela Lugosi behind the scenes of Mark of the Vampire

One of the best classic horror films, in my “in love with the genre” opinion is 1935’s Mark of the Vampire. Directed by Tod Browning, the phenomenal cast includes  Lionel Barrymore, Donald Meek, Ivan F. Simpson, Carroll Borland, Holmes Herbert, James Bradbury Jr., Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Jean Hersholt, Elizabeth Allan, Henry Wadsworth, Leila Bennett, June Gittelson, and Jessie Ralph.

If you haven’t seen this one in a while (and certainly if you’ve never had the pleasure), I hope you’ll find it this Halloween season and enjoy every deliciously entertaining moment.

You can watch Mark of the Vampire on Prime Video (Amazon link).


Christopher Lee and Vincent Price Behind the Scenes of The Oblong Box

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Christopher Lee and Vincent Price Behind the Scenes of The Oblong Box

Christopher Lee and Vincent Price Behind the Scenes of The Oblong Box

Two names synonymous with classic horror films are pictured here – the wonderful Christopher Lee and the equally wonderful Vincent Price. They co-starred in the horror film The Oblong Box in 1969. Directed by Gordon Hessler, the film was based on the Edgar Allan Poe short story.

Edgar Allan Poe… Vincent Price… Christopher Lee… if that doesn’t spell out MUST SEE classic horror film I don’t know what does!

You can find The Oblong Box on dvd and blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the madness on Prime Video!


Vincent Price behind the Scenes of House on Haunted Hill

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Vincent Price behind the Scenes of House on Haunted Hill

Vincent Price and an Unidentified Co-Star on the Set of House on Haunted Hill

One of my favorite Vincent Price movies (though I can’t think of even one I don’t love) is House on Haunted Hill. The 1959 horror film was directed by William Castle and also stars Carol Ohmart, Elisha Cook Jr., and Richard Long.

As always, Vincent Price is mesmerizing to watch and reminds the viewer, once again, that he was truly cut from a different cloth altogether.

You can find House on Haunted Hill on dvd  (Amazon link) or watch the classic horror unfold on Prime Video.


Boris Karloff: Behind the Scenes of The Bride of Frankenstein

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Boris Karloff, Behind the Scenes of The Bride of Frankenstein

Boris Karloff, Behind the Scenes of The Bride of Frankenstein

As I’ve often confessed, my love for behind the scenes pictures knows no limits. I am completely and joyfully obsessed with them and, let me tell you, Boris Karloff NEVER disappoints. There’s just something extraordinary about his behind the scenes presence.

This “on set” photo from The Bride of Frankenstein is one of my favorites. What a mood!

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd or Blu-ray or watch the classic horror on Prime Video.


Beautiful Anita Ekberg Photo from The Man Inside

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Anita Ekberg

Anita Ekberg

The beautiful picture of Anita Ekberg (is there any other kind of picture of her??) above is from behind the scenes of her 1958 movie The Man Inside (directed by John Gilling) the crime drama also stars Jack Palance, Nigel Patrick, and Anthony Newley.


Olivia de Havilland

Olivia de Havilland, The Adventures of Robin Hood

My main goal with Hollywood Yesterday is to keep the names, faces, and films of the stars that mean so much to me shining brightly. When I’m guilty of focusing more time on my personal favorites (such as Olivia de Havilland) than other stars, I hope you’ll forgive me. I am, by all indications, very human!

Also, please know that I try to keep my posts (except for book reviews) short and to the point, so you can enjoy the pictures, grab the information, and get back to your life. I don’t appreciate anything that’s overly wordy, so I don’t want to do that to others. For better or worse, I write as I talk, so if you ever feel like you’re reading the words of someone who’s a cross between Lucy Ricardo, Daisy Duck, and a Jerry Lewis character, that’s just because you are!

Wait. What did I just admit to?? 

Barbara Stanwyck Quotes

Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!

Old Hollywood Movies

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Top Hat Cheek to Cheek

There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.

Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)

We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)

The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)

The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)

The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)

Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)

El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)

Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)

The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)

Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)

To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)

Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)

Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)

The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)

More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

Classic Hollywood Books & Biographies (Reviews)

Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn

 

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

 

Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

Ginger by Ginger Rogers
Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball
Vitagraph by Andrew A. Erish
Vitagraph by Andrew A. Erish
More Old Hollywood Book Reviews!

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

Getting to Know the Gorgeous and Talented Dorothy Dandridge

My Lucy Obsession

Lucille Ball

Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…

Legalities…

Aside from pictures of books I review, I do not claim to have taken any of the pictures on this website, nor do I own the pictures – the ones of the stars or the affiliate (product) pictures.  Other, far more talented photographers than me have the credit for the beautiful photos you see. If you would like credit for a photograph or would like one removed, please e-mail me (joitsigers@gmail.com).

Movie posters and promotional photos are used in the belief that they qualify for the Fair Use law. Fair use is a doctrine in the law of the United States that permits limited use of copyrighted material without having to first acquire permission from the copyright holder. Fair use is one of the limitations to copyright intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest in the wider distribution and use of creative works by allowing as a defense to copyright infringement claims certain limited uses that might otherwise be considered infringement.

When you click through an affiliate (product, book, dvds..) link, I earn a small portion of the money you spend IF you purchase anything. This does not cost you any extra money, of course. This is how I am able to work from home and support my cats! – Joi (“Joy”)