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Hollywood Yesterday

Old Hollywood: Movies, Actresses, and Actors

You are here: Home / Archives for Charles Laughton

Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, and Fredric March: The Sign of the Cross

August 30, 2022 By Joi

Charles Laughton, Claudette Colbert, and Fredric March in The Sign of the Cross

Charles Laughton, Claudette Colbert, and Fredric March 

The wonderfully grand film The Sign of the Cross (1932) was directed by the one director who could have done it the most justice, Cecil B. DeMille. The extraordinary cast includes Claudette Colbert, Frederic March, Charles Laughton, Elissa Landi, and Ian Keith.

If you haven’t seen this one in a while, revisit it soon. It is truly one of the most remarkable films made and the cast is absolutely mesmerizing.

You can buy The Sign of the Cross on dvd (Amazon link). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video… hopefully one day!

Filed Under: Charles Laughton, Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Charles Laughton, Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, The Sign of the Cross

Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution

November 10, 2021 By Joi

Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution

Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution

See the picture above? You’re looking at a little too much talent for one photograph to contain. The great Elsa Lanchester and the great Charles Laughton were as talented as talented comes. Every single performance, every single scene each ever gifted us with was mesmerizing perfection.

Witness for the Prosecution is just one of the gifts they left us and is it ever a masterpiece?! The 1957 Crime/Mystery/Drama was directed by Billy Wilder and also stars Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, John Williams, Una O’Connor, Norma Varden, Ian Wolfe, and Henry Daniell.

If you’ve never seen this outstanding movie, I hope you’ll find it SOON, it’s absolutely wonderful.

You can find the excellent Witness for the Prosecution on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the film on Prime Video.

Filed Under: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Witness for the Prosecution

Mutiny on the Bounty: Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, and Franchot Tone

August 20, 2021 By Joi

Mutiny on the Bounty: Clark Gable and Charles Laughton

Movita, Clark Gable, and Charles Laughton, Mutiny on the Bounty

In Mutiny on the Bounty, Clark Gable plays first mate Fletcher Christian who leads a revolt against his cruel commander, Captain Bligh (played to perfection by the wonderful Charles Laughton).

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) was based on the real-life 1788 mutiny.

Directed by Frank Lloyd, the drama also stars (among others) Franchot Tone, Movita, Spring Byington, Herbert Mundin, and Donald Crisp.

Clark Gable (who had to shave his notorious mustache for historical accuracy) was less than thrilled when Franchot Tone was added to the cast. The two had fought famously for the affections of Joan Crawford while making Dancing Lady (Tone won and was, at this time, married to the beautiful actress). However, as shooting progressed, the two became good friends!

(Continued Below….)

Mutiny on the Bounty: Movita and Clark Gable

Mutiny on the Bounty: Movita and Clark Gable

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935… I keep giving the date in an effort to make sure it is never confused with the latter film starring Marlon Brando) was the only film to receive THREE nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor: Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, and Franchot Tone.

It was due to this that the Academy introduced a Best Supporting Actor Oscar shortly afterward to ensure this situation would not be repeated.

Each of these three actors lost to Victor McLaglen (The Informer, 1935). I honestly am, to this day, amazed that Charles Laughton didn’t win.

MGM wanted Cary Grant to play Byam (Franchot Tone’s role), and, what’s more, he wanted the role. Problem was, he was under contract to Paramount Pictures and they refused to release him.
If you’ve never seen Mutiny on the Bounty, I hope you’ll either watch it on Prime Video or buy Mutiny on the Bounty on dvd (Amazon link). It’s  wonderful classic and Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, and Charles Laughton give extraordinary performances.
Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty: Movita, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, and Mamo Clark

Filed Under: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone Tagged With: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, Movita

The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Maureen O’Hara and the MAGNIFICENT Charles Laughton

April 10, 2021 By Joi

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Lobby Card

The Hunchback of Notre Dame 

One of the all-time great cinematic masterpieces, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939, wonderfully directed by William Dieterle), airs on TCM tonight (please check your local listings for time). Charles Laughton simply does NOT get enough credit today. The man was an absolute powerhouse of an actor and blows me away each time I see this film.

As a VERY emphatic person (meaning I literally FEEL what others are going through… fictional or not), this is a difficult movie for me to watch. However, as someone who loves old movies, Maureen O’Hara, and great acting, it’s a difficult movie for me not to watch.

Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton

Maureen O’Hara and Charles Laughton

Be sure to watch the movie on TCM tonight or, at the very least, record it on dvr. While I have a huge dvd collection, I love watching films live on TCM – not only does it feel as though I’m supporting a very important channel (let’s make that vital and essential channel!), I love the commentary their wonderful hosts give before and after a movie. It feels as though I’m watching it with them and that’s pretty darn cool.

And I don’t even have to share my popcorn! Also cool.

You can find The Hunchback of Notre Dame on dvd  (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton as Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Filed Under: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Maureen O’Hara and Charles Laughton: The Hunchback of Notre Dame Publicity Photos

March 16, 2021 By Joi

Maureen O'Hara, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Maureen O’Hara

I have many favorite actresses and actors (one glance at my About page certainly backs up this claim). However, if push came to shove and I was forced to name my number one ride-or-die favorite actress… well, you’re looking at her.

There’s just something about her talent, beauty, charisma, and extemporary character that resonates with me. It has since I was a little girl and saw my first Maureen O’Hara movie, Miracle on 34th Street and it does today, many years and many Maureen O’Hara movies later.

While I love Maureen and Charles Laughton’s performances in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), I don’t rewatch this one as often as I do her other films. As someone who is incredibly emphatic (meaning I STRONGLY feel other people’s emotions – whether they’re real or fictional), sad movies/books actually break my heart a little and cause a black cloud to follow me around for a bit.

Who has time for that?!

It is, however, an extraordinary movie and I do schedule “re-watches” every now and again because the performances are so very strong. I simply make sure I follow it up (quickly!) with a light comedy or musical. Elvis movies always hit the spot.

You can find The Hunchback of Notre Dame (link to the dvd on Amazon) on dvd or watch it on Prime Video. Be prepared for the great Charles Laughton to both amaze you and break your heart a little. The man was such a phenomenal actor.

Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton

Filed Under: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Maureen O'Hara picture, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Jamaica Inn Lobby Cards: Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara

August 13, 2020 By Joi

Jamaica Inn Lobby Card, Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton

Maureen O’Hara and Charles Laughton, Jamaica Inn

Maureen O’Hara’s only Alfred Hitchcock film was also her first “official” movie, Jamaica Inn (1939).  When Charles Laughton was signed for the role, he insisted that his protege, Maureen O’Hara be cast in the role of Mary. As possibly the biggest Maureen O’Hara fan of all time (I will make concessions for her family members, of course), I owe such a debt of gratitude to Charles Laughton. He saw the special talent, charisma, and potential in the (very) young and (very) inexperienced actress.

His influence on her cannot be stressed strongly enough. He mentored her and took her under his wing – any suggestion that there was anything more is complete and utter garbage. Unable to have children, Laughton even commented once that he wished he could adopt young Maureen. There was nothing unseemly about their friendship in the least.

This was Alfred Hitchcock’s last film in England before he took Hollywood by storm. Unfortunately, even though the film was a box office success, Hitchcock was not completely satisfied or happy with it. From all indications, he and Charles Laughton didn’t work too well together. Both had such strong opinions and had their own way of working. Surprisingly, however, the two worked together again in the 1947 film The Paradine Case.

Jamaica Inn Lobby Card, Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton

Jamaica Inn Lobby Card – Maureen O’Hara and Charles Laughton

 

Filed Under: Alfred Hitchcock, Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara Tagged With: Alfred Hitchcock, Charles Laughton, Jamaica Inn, Maureen O'Hara

Welcome to Hollywood Yesterday!

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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Recent Posts

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John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Arthur Hunnicutt in El Dorado
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Thank You for Visiting!

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times
Thank you so much for visiting Hollywood Yesterday! You truly HONOR me with your presence. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

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”)

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