Old Hollywood: Movies, Actresses, and Actors
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
Recently, after I tweeted out a few pictures of Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, someone commented that she was their favorite Cleopatra. I thought, “Oh, we’re going to get along famously!” She’s absolutely my favorite Cleopatra as well… second only to the original Cleopatra, herself.
Only she could beat Claudette Colbert in the role. More practice.
You can find Cleopatra (1934) on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert
Cleopatra (1934) was directed by the extraordinary Cecil B. DeMille and boasted a cast that was extraordinary in its own right: Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, Joseph Schildkraut as Herod, and Ian Keith as Octavian.
This is one of those special movies I personally rewatch every chance I get. Not only is it mesmerizing and entertaining each time but I also notice something I’d never noticed before – in spite of having seen this one well over 10 times! Each time I revisit these characters and story, I notice a new expression on someone’s face, a gesture they make I hadn’t noticed before, a gorgeous piece of furniture or jewelry… there’s just so much exquisiteness you can’t possibly enjoy it ALL at one sitting!
You can find Cleopatra (1934) on dvd (Amazon link). Trust me, buying the dvd is the way to go… this one begs to be watched and rewatched
Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
There’s just something so RIGHT about Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra (1934). Everything about her performance was magical as far as I’m concerned. The whole movie is an iconic work of art and I can never see it often enough.
The epic was directed by the wonderful Cecil B. DeMille and starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, and Claudette Colbert (of course) as the mesmerizing Cleopatra.
You can find the wonderful 1934 Cleopatra on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra
Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
Some Old Hollywood stars were so exquisite… so perfect… so breathtaking… in a particular role that it seems they were born to play it. Claudette Colbert, as Cleopatra, is one that comes to mind. Yes… I understand that Claudette was born in France and that it is COMPLETELY doubtful that she resembled Cleopatra in the least, but come on… it’s Hollywood – if someone can’t manage to “make believe” and leave reality behind long enough to enjoy a movie, I don’t know what to tell them. All I know is I’d never want to watch a movie with them!
Cleopatra (1934) was directed by one of the best to ever sit in a director’s chair, Cecil B. DeMille. The movie starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony.
Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
Cleopatra (1934) was beautifully directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The cast includes Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, Joseph Schildkraut as Herod, and Ian Keith as Octavian.
This is one of those larger than life movies that I love to rewatch as often as possible. I literally notice something new each time I watch this gorgeous movie.
You can find Cleopatra (1934) on dvd (Amazon link).
Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
One of the most extraordinary actresses of all time was born on this date in Saint Mandé, France in 1903. This is an actress with a filmography that’s so remarkable – not just in quantity but quality as well.
Below are my… as of now… personal favorite Claudette Colbert movies (each link leads to the film on Amazon Prime or dvd). I know, as I watch more of her films, I’ll pick up new favorites to add along the way.
Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra
There is beautiful, then there is BEAUTIFUL. Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra was the latter.
Boy, was she ever the latter!
Yes, one could (and should) make the case that Elizabeth Taylor as Elizabeth Taylor was always the latter as well… but let’s just keep with the theme here for now.
Cleopatra (1963) is what I always think of as a “jaw-dropping” movie. Simply because you find yourself having to pick your jaw up so many times during the movie! Whether it’s the sets, Elizabeth Taylor’s outrageous beauty, Elizabeth Taylor’s outrageous talent, Rex Harrison’s talent, or Richard Burton’s next level performance as Mark Antony. Burton was a phenomenal actor and honestly deserves more credit than he gets. Being remembered as Elizabeth Taylor’s soulmate is, in and of itself, monumental, of course – but this was one of the greatest actors of all time.
If you doubt a word of that, please see Cleopatra (whether it’s for the first time or 20th).
Buy Cleopatra (dvd) on Amazon or watch on Prime.
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…
