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In This Our Life: Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Billie Burke, and Frank Craven…

April 25, 2023 By Joi

George Brent, Bette Davis, Olivia De Havilland, Frank Craven, and Billie Burke - In This Our Life

George Brent, Bette Davis, Olivia De Havilland, Frank Craven, and Billie Burke 

One of my favorite Bette Davis performances and one of my favorite Frank Craven performances happen in the same film, the wonderful drama In This Our Life (1942, directed by John Huston).

While Olivia de Havilland, George Brent, Billie Burke, Charles Coburn, Dennis Morgan, and Hattie McDaniel are all wonderful (as always), Bette Davis and Frank Craven are the movie’s driving force. Truth be told, Bette Davis is positively mesmerizing in this film – you cannot take your eyes off of her. Every movement, expression, and gesture scream film-noir siren and she is delicious in the classification.

Bette Davis, Billie Burke, and Frank Craven - In This Our Life

Bette Davis, Billie Burke, and Frank Craven – In This Our Life

While this film isn’t considered a film-noir, I’ve always wished it were for the mere reason that it would have put her up there in the ranks of the great film-noir actresses Lauren Bacall, Gloria Grahame, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, and Claire Trevor. Not that the iconic Bette needs to be at the top of yet another list – she has an insane number of them as it is!

If you’ve never seen In This Our Life, I hope you’ll find it soon and enjoy one of the iconic Bette Davis’ best performances. You can find In This Our Life (Amazon link) on dvd or watch the drama on Prime Video.

Dennis Morgan, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland - In This Our Life

Dennis Morgan, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland – In This Our Life

Filed Under: Bette Davis, Billie Burke Tagged With: Bette Davis, Billie Burke, Frank Craven, George Brent, Olivia de Havilland

Bette Davis, Stunning Publicity Pictures for The Little Foxes

May 10, 2022 By Joi

Bette Davis, The Little Foxes

Bette Davis, The Little Foxes

1941 Drama-Romance The Little Foxes was directed by the wonderful William Wyler and stars the equally wonderful Bette Davis. The cast also includes Teresa Wright, Herbert Marshall, Dan Duryea, and Richard Carlson.

While Bette Davis was spectacular in every single role she ever stepped into, there’s something extra, extra special about her performance here, as Regina Giddens. It’s one of those delicious performances where you come away saying, “She was born to play this role!”

Only thing is, when it comes to Bette Davis, I find myself saying these words VERY often!

You can find The Little Foxes on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Bette Davis, The Little Foxes

Bette Davis

Filed Under: Bette Davis, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis, The Little Foxes

Bette Davis, Dark Victory…. One of the All-Time Great Performances

April 8, 2022 By Joi

Bette Davis, Dark Victory

Bette Davis, Dark Victory (1939)

Whenever I think of extraordinary performances, the name Bette Davis comes up… like, A LOT. I’d never be able to name my one favorite Bette Davis performance (or movie), but Dark Victory would absolutely near the top of both lists. She is breathtakingly wonderful in this film and should have been awarded an Oscar for each hand!

Dark Victory was directed by Edmund Goulding and also stars George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, and Henry Travers. It’s far from being a “feel good” film but if you ever want to see one of the truly great performances by one of old Hollywood’s greatest stars, this is absolutely a movie to consider.

Bette Davis, Dark Victory

Bette Davis

You can find Dark Victory on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.


Bette Davis 100th Anniversary Collection

Filed Under: Bette Davis, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis, Bette Davis movies, Bette Davis pictures

Bette Davis, George Brent, and Humphrey Bogart in Dark Victory

February 9, 2022 By Joi

Bette Davis and George Brent, Dark Victory

Bette Davis and George Brent, Dark Victory

Dark Victory was directed by Edmund Goulding, stars the phenomenal Bette Davis, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, and Henry Travers (Clarence the Angel in Miracle on 34th Street). If you’ve never seen this one – I highly recommend it. Mind you it isn’t a “feel good” movie by any stretch but it is out of this world good and seeing one of the greatest actresses ever doing some of her best work is Heaven on earth for a film lover.

Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis, Dark Victory

Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis, Dark Victory

You can find Dark Victory on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Filed Under: Bette Davis, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Picture of the Week Tagged With: Bette Davis, Dark Victory, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart

Bette Davis in a Stunning Promotional Photo for Dark Victory

January 27, 2022 By Joi

Bette Davis, Dark Victory

Bette Davis was extraordinary in every film and every role but one of the best has to be her portrayal of Judith Traherne in the 1939 emotionally-moving (to say the least!) Dark Victory. Directed by Edmund Goulding, the drama also stars George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, and Henry Travers (Clarence the Angel in Miracle on 34th Street).

This film is a workshop in acting from all cast members, but especially the lady, herself… Bette Davis.

You can find Dark Victory on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.


Bette Davis 100th Anniversary Collection

Filed Under: Bette Davis, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis, Bette Davis movies, Bette Davis picture

Bette Davis in One of Her Most Memorable Films, Dark Victory

January 19, 2022 By Joi

Bette Davis, Dark Victory

Bette Davis, Dark Victory

Bette Davis was extraordinary in every film and every role but one of the best has to be her portrayal of Judith Traherne in the 1939 emotionally-moving (to say the least!) Dark Victory. Directed by Edmund Goulding, the drama also stars George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, and Henry Travers (Clarence the Angel in Miracle on 34th Street).

This film is a workshop in acting from all cast members, but especially the lady, herself… Bette Davis.

You can find Dark Victory on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Bette Davis and George Brent, Dark Victory

Bette Davis and George Brent

Filed Under: Bette Davis, George Brent, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis, Dark Victory, George Brent

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

October 10, 2021 By Joi

Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler, Dracula

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

Bette Davis, Jezebel

Filed Under: Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Horror Movies, Perfect Movies, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, classic horror movies, Dracula 1931, Helen Chandler

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford on the Set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

September 25, 2021 By Joi

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford on the set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford 

One of the most controversial movies among fans of old Hollywood is Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Some like it, some dislike it, some love it, some loathe it! I, personally, fall somewhere between disliking and loathing it! The fact that Joan Crawford and Victor Buono are outstanding in it keeps me from loathing it entirely. Joan Crawford always, always, always gave a flawless performance, no matter what film she was in and this one is no exception. Not once did she go “too far” or fail to go “far enough.” She was flawless in every scene.

I (personally) believe the same could be and should be said of Bette Davis – until the very last of the movie. I am not sure what was up with the last scenes but (for me, anyway) they sort of got the entire movie derailed.

Again… that is only my opinion, and it’s a rare one from what I’ve seen and heard. Most old movie fans love every minute of this one.

You can find Whatever Happened to Baby Jane on dvd or watch the movie on Prime Video. I’d love to hear your opinions on the movie!

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford on the set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford 

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes Pictures, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

Bette Davis, Jezebel (1938) Publicity Still

August 23, 2021 By Joi

Bette Davis, Jezebel

Bette Davis, Jezebel

I have, literally, more things to get done today than I have time in which to do them. What is it with summer anyway? The weather makes you want to sit in the shade, drinking raspberry tea all day but the vegetables and flowers see you sitting there and scream, “Get to work!”

First things first, though, and that means posting this stunningly beautiful picture of Bette Davis from one of my personal favorite movies, Jezebel. She was so deliciously perfect for this role and this film.

You can find Jezebel on dvd (Amazon link) or you can watch it (and mesmerizing Bette Davis) on Prime Video (link to the movie).

And, now I’m off to weed flower beds, water plants, pick tomatoes and cucumbers, and… finally…. sit in the shade with a tall glass of iced raspberry tea!

Bette Davis, Jezebel

Bette Davis

Filed Under: Bette Davis, Perfect Movies, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis

Bette Davis, Jezebel (1938)

August 7, 2021 By Joi

Bette Davis, Jezebel
Bette Davis, Jezebel

Bette Davis gives one of the all time GREAT performances as Julie Marsden in Jezebel (1938). She’s mesmerizing in every single scene and even a few she isn’t. The extraordinary movie was directed by the wonderful William Wyler and also stars (among others) Henry Fonda, Bette Davis, Theresa Harris, Spring Byington, Fay Bainter, Richard Cromwell, and Margaret Lindsay.

Superb director, superb cast, superb movie.

This film is one of the ones I often recommend when someone either says they’ve never seen a Bette Davis movie or (even more difficult to comprehend) when someone tells me they don’t like Bette Davis.

Whether someone is new to the great Bette Davis or simply hasn’t seen her in roles they will appreciate, these are the films I automatically recommend:

  • Jezebel
  • In This Our Life
  • Dark Victory
  • The Bride Came C.O.D.

Now, Voyager, All About Eve, and Dark Victory are also (of course) excellent but the four above often draw people to Bette faster. I can only assume it has to do with the characters she plays in the ones above?

Bette Davis Jezebel

Bette Davis, Jezebel

If you’ve never seen Jezebel, I hope you’ll find it really soon. You can find Jezebel on dvd (Amazon link) or you can watch Jezebel on Prime Video (link to the movie).

Filed Under: Bette Davis, Perfect Movies, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Bette Davis, Jezebel

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Ann Sheridan, It All Came True

Ann Sheridan
My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was positively magical and I see no reason for the magic to ever die.

Be warned, I am (by nature) overtly positive, I never take anything too seriously, I say extraordinary so often you’d think I invented the word, and I overuse exclamation points to distraction. I’m perpetually over-caffeinated.. we’ll blame that.

Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my personal favorites) here!

Old Hollywood Actresses

Lena Horne, Meet Me in Las Vegas

See the Old Hollywood Actresses page for the index of Classic Hollywood Actresses and Classic TV Actresses.

Old Hollywood Actors

Henry Fonda, Behind the Scenes The Grapes of Wrath

See the Old Hollywood Actors page for the index of Old Hollywood and Classic TV actors.

Old Hollywood Book Reviews

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice

I love reading old Hollywood biographies and memoirs as much as I love watching classic movies, and that’s truly saying something!

To see my Old Hollywood book reviews, please see the index listed here: Book Reviews.

Pictures of the Day

Maureen O'Hara, The Parent Trap

Maureen O’Hara

The Old Hollywood & Classic TV Pictures of the Day are published as regularly as possible. If I miss a few days, please just know that the husband, daughters, sons-in-law, grandbabies, and/or my cats were demanding my attention. I’ll be honest, nothing comes before any of them! Not even Maureen O’Hara or Henry Fonda.

Priorities, y’all.

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Thank You for Visiting!

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Thank you so much for visiting Hollywood Yesterday! You truly HONOR me with your presence. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Olivia de Havilland

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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!

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Barbara Stanwyck Quotes

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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)

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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).

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