Cary Grant | Hollywood Yesterday

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

Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant, and Nigel Bruce in Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion (1941)

August 21, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant, and Nigel Bruce

Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant, and Nigel Bruce star in one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock films, Suspicion (1941).

Joan Fontaine (deservedly, in my opinion) won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in this movie. Many feel that Cary Grant was snubbed and deserved a nomination. I, however… in spite of loving the movie AND Cary Grant… don’t think Cary Grant gave his best performance in this film. Each time I watch the movie, I find myself thinking pretty much the same thing – while one of the greatest actors of our time (or any time), in this particular role he often seems confused as to whether to approach it as a comedy or drama.

Take the photo below, for example. He’s making the same type of expression we love to see him make in Arsenic and Old Lace and Bringing Up Baby (his extraordinary comedies… both of which, I feel he should have been nominated for an Oscar).

For this particular role? Not in my personal opinion. I’ve seen the movie multiple times, because, as I said… I love the movie and consider Joan Fontaine and Nigel Bruce to be perfection. If I were grading the stars, I’d give these two an A+ and Cary Grant a B minus.

I’ve always felt that he was a better comedic actor than he was a dramatic actor and this is one of the films that, while watching, I feel my case is strengthened. Was he a good dramatic actor? Absolutely! But he was an extraordinary comedic actor.

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

Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant, and Nigel Bruce

Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant, Suspicion

July 6, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant, Suspicion

Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant teamed to make one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock films, Suspicion (1941). It isn’t surprising that each legendary star was outstanding and it won’t come as a shock that Alfred Hitchcock made an exceptional movie. What is surprising is the fact the two stars had a lovely chemistry in spite of not being the least bit fond of one another!

Joan Fontaine (deservedly, in my opinion) won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in this movie. Many feel that Cary Grant was snubbed and deserved a nomination.

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

Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant, Suspicion

North by Northwest Lobby Cards

April 27, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cary Grant, North by Northwest

Next time you’re in the mood to watch an adventure/thriller/mystery film, I hope you will turn North… more specifically North by Northwest. North by Northwest is the iconic 1959 film starring (among others) Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Martin Landau. It was directed by one of the most popular, beloved, and wickedly talented directors of all time, Alfred Hitchcock.

On Twitter (link to my Twitter Page), a frequent question is, “What’s your favorite Hitchcock movie?” While my answer is “Dial M for Murder,” North by Northwest always gets A LOT of representation. In fact, more than my beloved Dial M for Murder (whatever… Grace Kelly, Ray Milland and I know it’s the best!).

North by Northwest is a wonderful, wonderful movie that I know you’ll love. You can find North by Northwest on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video (Amazon link).

Eva Marie Saint and Cary Grant, North by Northwest

Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis In Name Only

February 24, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis

One of my favorite movies is In Name Only (1939, directed by John Cromwell), starring Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, Kay Francis, and Charles Coburn. It’s everything I associate with a great movie:

an excellent cast
a compelling story
wonderful direction
a script that pulls you in
moves your emotions!

Carole Lombard gives one of her finest performances in this one and Cary Grant and Kay Francis turn in wonderful performances in their own right. The only drawback of this one for me is the fact that Kay Francis DOES do such a phenomenal job. She is so deviously believable as the vile, selfish Maida that it makes you hate her with a cruel, cold hatred. After watching this film, I always have to remind myself that there’s a big difference between Kay Francis and the witch she played!

If you’ve never seen In Name Only, I hope you’ll catch it as soon as possible. It’s one of my favorite Cary Grant films and probably my absolute favorite Carole Lombard movie. She truly is breathtaking in this one.

You can watch In Name Only on Prime Video (Amazon link) or buy the dvd on Amazon.

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard

Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, and Franchot Tone in Suzy

February 19, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cary Grant and Jean Harlow

Have you seen Suzy (1936) with Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, and Franchot Tone? I’m not sure if it’d be best to call it a war film or a dramatic romance. It fits either description. While I prefer Cary Grant in comedic roles (simply because I think he was one of the most gifted comedic actors ever), he is very good in this role. He plays a World War I pilot and turns in a very good performance, as does the always wonderful Franchot Tone.

With all due respect to both actors, however, this is Jean Harlow’s film and she gives one of her greatest performances. She’s breathtaking in each and every scene and you cannot help but feel very sentimental when you realize what an extraordinary actress was taken from us FAR too soon.

Suzy is one of the beautiful legend’s last films. She made Suzy in 1936 and died in 1937 (uremic poisoning) at the age of 26.

Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, and Franchot Tone

There is something magical about each role Jean Harlow played and this one was no exception. Her charisma and charm jump right off the screen. I knew that her acting style and natural gift for comedy would mesh well with that of Cary Grant but, before watching Suzy, I wondered how she would interact with Franchot Tone, who had a different style from the other two stars. In true Jean Harlow fashion, she worked as flawlessly with Tone as anyone.

While I will always prefer him with Joan Crawford (talk about magic), I enjoyed his scenes with Jean Harlow a great deal.

The movie is very much worth seeing but, when you watch it, be sure to understand that the best thing about it is and will always be Jean Harlow and simply enjoy and cherish every last drop.

Franchot Tone and Jean Harlow

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard, In Name Only… Love this Movie!

July 22, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Cary Grant and Carole Lombard, In Name Only

With many actors and actresses, I can’t remember exactly when I fell under their spell. However, with a few, I remember precisely the film and performance that made me vow my undying love to them forevermore.

With Carole Lombard, it was her beautiful, perfect portrayal of Julie Eden in the wonderful 1939 film In Name Only. An amazing cast includes Cary Grant, Charles Coburn, Kay Francis (oh, how detestable she is in this role!!!), Katharine Alexander, and Helen Vinson.

You can find In Name Only (Amazon linnk) on dvd or watch it right away on Prime. I highly recommend this movie… just be sure to fall and fall hard for Carole Lombard.

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, The Awful Truth Publicity Photos

June 27, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, The Awful Truth

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant are just as adorable and fun in these publicity photos as they are in the film! They had great chemistry and seem to have enjoyed working together.

Usually… not always but usually… when you get two charismatic stars together for one film, magic happens. This is certainly the case with The Awful Truth. It’s extra special – just like its stars.

You can find The Awful Truth (link to the dvd on Amazon) or watch it on Prime.

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, The Awful Truth

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House: Melvyn Douglas, Cary Grant & Myrna Loy (Picture of the Day)

November 28, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House stars Melvyn Douglas, Cary Grant & Myrna Loy

Cary Grant and Myrna Loy star as married couple Jim and Muriel Blandings who decide to build their dream house in the country. What they assume will be a pretty run-of-the-mill task turns into anything but!

It’s a really cute, especially fun film that also stars Melvyn Douglas (you had to know I’d be on board if he’s in the cast).

Find Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House on Amazon.

Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant: Notorious

November 6, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant, Notorious

There’s something extra fun about two powerhouse stars teaming up for a film – seeing them interacting onscreen together is a special kind of magic, isn’t it?

Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant are outstanding in the 1946 film Notorious. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this is one memorable movie.

Find Notorious on Amazon.