Golden Age of Hollywood
Greta Garbo and John Barrymore
The 1932 film Grand Hotel is absolutely FILLED with legends, including the two pictured here, Greta Garbo and John Barrymore.
The cast also includes Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, and Lewis Stone. While there are many wonderful performances, I think the true stars of this film are Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, and John Barrymore.
You can find Grand Hotel on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford
Some days I only have enough time to throw a picture in your direction and hope you love it. This is one of those days, so I’ve chosen a photo with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford.
No way you can’t love it! That’s what we call hedging our bets, y’all.
This is a photo of the two fan-favorites behind the scenes of their 1946 film-noir Gilda, directed by Charles Vidor.
You can find Gilda (link to the dvd or blu-ray on Amazon) on dvd on Amazon or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Vivien Leigh, Behind the Scenes of Gone with the Wind
Some stars were so strongly associated with a particular character they gloriously brought to life that the two names are forever interwoven. Vivien Leigh, with her iconic portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara is a beautifully perfect example. While she had many wonderful roles (each played to perfection), she will always be associated with this deliciously spoiled character.
I really don’t think she’d mind – it was one of Hollywood’s all-time most most coveted and most popular roles and I am convinced no actress could have done it more service than the wonderful Vivien Leigh did.
You can find Gone with the Wind on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Olivia de Havilland, Behind the Scenes of Gone With the Wind
The beautiful and incredibly talented Olivia de Havilland gave such a remarkable performance in Gone With the Wind that many people seem to have the impression that she was much like the character she played (Melanie). Truth be told, she had many of her wonderful, charming qualities but she actually seems to have had more Scarlett in her than Melanie!
Obviously she wasn’t conniving or mean, like Scarlett, but she was very much a strong woman who never backed down from anything or anyone.
Absolutely love the amount of spirit and strength this woman had coursing through her!
These photos of Olivia were taken behind the scenes of Gone With the Wind. She was such a beautiful actress, it’s always amazing to me when viewers are expected to accept her as the “lesser” attractive female in any scenario. Nonsense! They could try to dress her down or make her appear commonplace, but her beauty always came shining through.
You can find Gone with the Wind on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Olivia de Havilland, On the Set of GWTW
Marilyn Monroe
The 1961 romantic western The Misfits was directed by the wonderful John Huston and features an equally wonderful cast that included Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, Thelma Ritter, and Eli Wallach.
While the movie is memorable as one of Clark Gable’s greatest performances, as well as one of Marilyn Monroe’s, it is probably best remembered as the last completed film for either star.
Clark Gable died of a heart attack shortly after filming for the movie ended, and Monroe died a year and a half later.
The movie is outstanding and their performances are PERFECT gifts to leave the world before leaving us.
These stars shined so brightly while they were alive that they will shine forever more!
If you’ve never seen this great movie, you can buy The Misfits on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link). Surprisingly it isn’t on Prime Video, given the historical importance of the film (and how good it is), you’d think it would be.
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly
There’s just something about a musical to make the world seem blissfully perfect, isn’t there?! For me, it’s even more so if Judy Garland or Gene Kelly is involved… so when they’re in the SAME musical, look out! I will be smiling for days.
One of the musicals I watch and rewatch is Summer Stock (1950, directed by Charles Walters). In addition to Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, the musical stars (among others) Gloria DeHaven, Marjorie Main, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and the always entertaining Hans Conried.
You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Robert Wagner and Debra Paget, Behind the Scenes of Prince Valiant
My love for behind the scenes photos has been well-established on the old Hollywood blog, so you already know how much I adore this photo. The costumes, the birds, the hairstyle, makeup…. and even the wig on Robert Wagner!
Prince Valiant is a very entertaining 1954 film, directed by the wonderful Henry Hathaway. If you haven’t seen it in a while – or have never seen it – I hope you check it out soon. The cast is outstanding and also includes James Mason, Janet Leigh, Victor McLaglen, Sterling Hayden, Donald Crisp, and Mary Philips.
Told you it was outstanding!
You can find the Prince Valiant dvd online (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Natalie Wood and John Payne, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street
These behind the scenes pictures of one of my absolute favorite movies (Miracle on 34th Street) kind of take my breath away. The adorable Natalie Wood and the wonderful John Payne (entertaining her!) give me so much happiness.
The photo below is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen!
Natalie Wood, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street
You can find the wonderful 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on Amazon.
Howard Hawks, Cary Grant, and Rita Hayworth
Love everything about he photo above of Howard Hawks, Cary Grant, and Rita Hayworth behind the scenes of Only Angels Have Wings (1936, directed by Howard Hawks). If you’ve never seen this film, I hope you check it out really soon. The STELLAR cast includes Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, and Thomas Mitchell and was directed by one of the best in the business, Howard Hawks.
You can buy Only Angels Have Wings on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
James Stewart and Kim Novak Behind the Scenes
I love the shot above of James Stewart and Kim Novak on the set of Vertigo (1958). Something I’m always amazed about with Kim Novak is how much younger (and even prettier) she was without extra makeup, glamour and glitz. She was strikingly beautiful and always looked even younger when she was out of character.
She and James Stewart worked flawlessly together in this film – in roles that weren’t even remotely simple. I honestly don’t feel that either (particularly Kim Novak) gets enough credit for what they did in this wonderful Hitchcock film.
You can fin Vertigo (Amazon link) on dvd, I’m really surprised it isn’t on Prime Video yet.
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??
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!
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
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…
