musicals | Hollywood Yesterday

Shirley Jones: Beautiful and Talented Star of Film, Musicals, and Television

March 7, 2023 By Joi

Shirley Jones and Robert Preston

If you’ve read previous posts, you know what a big fan I am of Shirley Jones. I consider her one of the most beautiful, versatile and genuinely talented stars I’ve ever had the joy of watching. Whether it’s film or television, she positively lights up the entire house when she’s on the screen.

The thing I don’t quite understand is this: How did her name become so synonymous with The Partridge Family that her wonderful filmography is often taken for granted? Don’t get me wrong, as someone who loves classic television as much as she does old Hollywood, there’s nothing in the world wrong with being a television legend.

I mean… Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Red Foxx, Andy Griffith, Jackie Gleason, Angie Dickinson, Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Young, Donna Reed, and a HOST of others wear it beautifully… and many, like Shirley, also had phenomenal film careers.

Being a legend in television and bringing joy to generations is just as special as being a legend in film and bringing joy to generations. In fact, when it comes to television, you’re actually…

seen by more people
seen more often, thanks to syndication
in many ways become part of millions of families.. hard to beat that!

Donna Reed (another favorite) is rather similar to Shirley Jones, in my opinion. Both starred in iconic films (several for each lady, in fact) and gave brilliant performances time after time… yet both would go on to portray such strong, wonderful women on television that they’re (more times than not) associated primarily with the roles they played.

Same can be said of Lucille Ball – though she never had a film quite as iconic as It’s a Wonderful Life, The Music Man, or Oklahoma!.

I guess really the only thing that sticks in my craw (is that a great old saying or what?) is the fact that, when people are associating a star with one medium, they short-change the other. Not long ago, I read someone online refer to Lucille Ball as “… a television actress, no more than that.”

Excuse yourself, sir… she was much more than that. WHY do people want to limit or categorize individuals so habitually? What’s perhaps more irritating is this… and please hear me out.. I don’t see it happen as often with actors as I do actresses. I have never read someone say that Jackie Gleason was a “television star, nothing more.” In fact, he is (rightfully so) heralded as a star of BOTH.

Lucille Ball, Shirley Jones, and Donna Reed deserve the same consideration.

Okay, I got that out of my system, time to get on with it!

One of my favorite Shirley Jones movies is The Music Man and she gives one of my favorite Shirley Jones performances. The entire film is simply breathtaking, from the musical numbers to the storytelling and from the hairstyles to the AMAZING costumes.

Side note: Are you familiar with the wonderful animated Christmas movie Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)? The character of Miss Jessica seems to be completely inspired by Shirley Jones’ character in The Music Man. Hair, face, figure, clothes, personality…

Every time I watch this extraordinary Christmas classic (every single year, usually more than once!), I see Shirley Jones in the role and it makes me love Miss Jessica even more.

You can find The Music Man on dvd (Amazon Link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan on the Set of Gigi (1958)

March 3, 2023 By Joi

Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan

Some days I have time to linger and chat on the old Hollywood blog… or even get a rant in about a film that doesn’t get enough attention or a sinfully overlooked actress!… other days, I just have to drop a great picture and make a hasty exit (grandbabies, cats, and husbands wait for no one after all!).

Today is the latter, so I will atone for my hastiness with two great pictures instead of just one. These are adorable behind the scenes photos of Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan on the set of Gigi (1958). Directed by Vincente Minnelli, Gigi is one of the most joyful, fun, colorful, and thoroughly enjoyable films ever made. The cast also includes Maurice Chevalier, Hermione Gingold, Eva Gabor, and Isabel Jeans.

You can find the extraordinary Gigi on dvd and blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan

Esther Williams and Friends Tom & Jerry… Dangerous When Wet!

February 24, 2023 By Joi

Esther Williams

The adorable promotional art above was created for the wonderful 1953 musical comedy Dangerous When Wet. It was directed by Charles Walters and Joseph Barbera & William Hanna in the animated sequences. The cast includes Esther Williams, Fernando Lamas, Jack Carson, William Demarest, Charlotte Greenwood, Denise Darcel, Donna Corcoran, Barbara Whiting, Bunny Waters, and (of course) Tom and Jerry & friends.

You can watch Dangerous When Wet on Prime Video (Amazon link)… which you should absolutely do – it’s such a complete joy!

Beautiful Shirley Jones, Oklahoma! (1955)

December 5, 2022 By Joi

Shirley Jones, Oklahoma!

One of my favorite actresses, Shirley Jones, is one of the rare stars who contributed to old Hollywood films as well as classic television. I’ll never forget the first time I saw her in a movie (Oklahoma!). I had been VERY familiar with her from The Partridge Family – a show I watched like it was my job for many, many years. I walked into our living room once because I heard a beautiful voice singing and wanted to know where it was coming from.

When I saw a ridiculously beautiful actress on television (like a Disney princess come to life), I froze for a minute because she seemed so familiar to me. As soon as she looked at the camera, it hit me, just as my mom was asking, “Do you know who that is??”

I remember being glued to the television for the remainder of the wonderful musical and promptly asking my mom what other movies she had been in. It wasn’t long before I was well on my way to seeing them all.

Fast forward to today and I am head over heels in love with musicals and have been for over half my life – and one of the main reasons I ever searched them out in the first place is pictured here. Shirley Jones, with her great beauty, talent, and palpable onscreen energy and spark drew me to a genre that has never let me down.

Shirley Jones, Oklahoma!

You can buy Oklahoma! on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Lovely Quote About Julie Andrews from the Director of The Sound of Music

December 2, 2022 By Joi

Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music

“There is a genuineness about her; an unphoniness. She goes right through the camera, on to the film and out to the audience. Julie seems to have been born with the magic gene that comes through on the screen.” ~ Robert Wise (director, The Sound of Music), about Julie Andrews

Anyone who has seen the magic of Julie Andrews is now nodding in agreement!

You can find The Sound of Music on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the iconic and beautiful movie on Prime Video.

Julie Andrews

Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, and Jules Munshin: On the Town (Wonderful Musical, Perfect Cast)

September 24, 2022 By Joi

Vera-Ellen and Gene Kelly, On the Town

On the Town (1949, directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly) is such a wonderful musical – each time I see it, the same thoughts swirl around my head….

We simply do NOT talk enough about Vera-Ellen. She was an absolute treasure and treasures should be loudly celebrated.
Frank Sinatra, while (deservedly) celebrated for his music, voice, entertainment skills, and charisma, does not get enough credit for his acting. He had so much talent as an actor and was VERY versatile. Drama, musicals, comedy – there wasn’t a role out of his reach.
Betty Garrett was the very definition of a flawless performer. She was mesmerizing in every role, every scene… so much energy and always so fun to watch. Whatever film this actress made, she made you fall in love with her character AND her!
Jules Munshin was an absolute GENIUS… he managed (with aplomb!) not to get lost in scenes with not one but TWO iconic legends in Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Seriously.. how does one even think about pulling that off? What’s more, he even manages to steal a few scenes. This wonderful performer should have been given more roles. He was truly something else!
Speaking of “should have been given more,” one of the first names that always comes to mind with these words is the stunningly beautiful and talented Ann Miller. She was never anything less than a knock-out and, like Jules, a complete scene-stealer… yet, Hollywood consistently relegated her to supporting roles or the “second female.” She was capable and deserving of so much more.

Frank Sinatra

On the Town was the third (and final) movie Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra made together. Frank Sinatra would go on to say in an interview, “I could never dance, but Gene Kelly made me look like I could.”

Could have fooled me!

Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra

Ironically, when I first saw the movie (as a teenager), my initial response to the pairing of Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra was negative…. okay, hugely negative. Why? I have no idea. But I distinctly remember the characters all showing up on my tv screen and my mentally pairing them up differently… Frank Sinatra with Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly with Ann Miller, and Betty Garrett with Jules Munshin.

Yes… pairing them completely different than they were in actuality! When it became apparent how each couple was to be paired, I was okay with two of the three but completely not buying into Betty and Frank.

Long story short, they won me over before the movie was even half over. What’s more, guess which pair is my favorite each and every time I revisit this movie. You guessed it, Frank and Betty.

Having said that, I love each couple with all my heart, but… well… feel a little something extra for the one I took a few minutes to warm up to.

Ann Miller and Jules Munshin

You can find On the Town on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the magic on Prime Video.

Alice Faye and Tyrone Power, Alexander’s Ragtime Band

July 19, 2022 By Joi

Alice Faye and Tyrone Power

Alexander’s Ragtime Band is an underrated (and underSEEN!) musical directed by the wonderful Henry King. The drama-musical stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Ethel Merman, Don Ameche, Jack Haley, and John Carradine.

You can find Alexander’s Ragtime Band on DVD (Amazon link). You can also watch the movie on Prime Video (I’m always so happy to find one of my beloved old Hollywood movies available on Prime!)

Alice Faye and Tyrone Power

Judy Garland: Beautiful Promo Photo for Summer Stock

March 30, 2022 By Joi

Judy Garland

Summer Stock (1950) was directed by Charles Walters and is one of my very favorite musicals. How could it not be… it stars the extraordinary Judy Garland and the equally extraordinary Gene Kelly?!

The excellent musical also includes Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Marjorie Main, Hans Conried, and Phil Silvers.

You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Marjorie Main, Gloria DeHaven, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of the Wonderful Summer Stock

February 4, 2022 By Joi

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.

Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae in Carousel (1956)

October 16, 2021 By Joi

Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae

When you spend as much time with old movies and classic television as I do (and have for a lifetime!), you find yourself with quite a few favorite stars – a look at the Hollywood Yesterday About Page will show you just how many! – but we all have what I like to call our “absolute favorites.” Our “ride or dies,” if you will. One of my own personal “absolutes” is Shirley Jones. I just love everything about her. Her movies, work on television, class… every bit of it.

I often find myself wondering why we (all of us who are immersed in old Hollywood – whether it’s from Silents through the 70s or only certain eras) don’t talk as much about the more recent stars as we do the older ones. I mean, Shirley Jones, Angela Lansbury, Ann-Margret, James Garner, Lee Marvin, Sally Field, Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, James Caan, for example are every bit as wonderful and well-loved as, say, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, James Stewart, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, and James Dean.

I believe part of it may be that when stars have been taken from us, we tend to try harder to keep their memory alive, whereas the wonderful stars who are still VERY much with us or who have only recently left us don’t cause us to feel quite as much of a pull to keep their face and name alive.

While that’s understandable to an extent, it’s also frustrating because I’d rather see all of us celebrate these stars while they’re still on this side of eternity to truly enjoy it. We have so many extraordinary stars who are still very much with us and I’m making it a mission to celebrate them just as much as anyone.

The only problem we run into at times has to do with photographs. Many of the stars of the early years of Hollywood have more photos available to us than the more recent stars. When it comes to photos that are in the public domain or images that are okay to use because they were promotional photos, the older may not necessarily be the better but the older is definitely the easier!

At any rate, I’m making it a personal mission to celebrate ALL of the stars of Hollywood Yesterday, regardless of just how “yesterday” it was!

The photos in this post are of the beautiful and talented Shirley Jones and her outstanding co-star Gordon MacRae from Carousel (1956, directed by Henry King). The movie also stars Cameron Mitchell and Barbara Ruick.

You can find the joyous musical Carousel on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.