Golden Age of Hollywood
Natalie Wood, West Side Story
Remembering the wonderful Natalie Wood on the date of her birth (1938) with two of my favorite photos of her. These colorful and stunning photos are from her 1961 drama musical West Side Story.
She was (as she was in everything) breathtakingly perfect in her role as Maria.
Natalie Wood, West Side Story
Natalie Wood
When people talk about celebrities who had a, “great smile,” Natalie Wood is always one of the first stars to come to mind. Her smile could light up an entire state – and a large one, at that.
The publicity photo above is for her 1965 film The Great Race, directed by Blake Edwards. The movie boasted an almost embarrassing wealth of talent – Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Keenan Wynn, Peter Falk, Vivian Vance, Ross Martin, Denver Pyle… no wonder it’s such a good time!
You can find The Great Race (Amazon link) on dvd or watch on Prime Video. The entire cast is outstanding but Natalie kind of steals the show for me.
Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street
Halloween has come and gone, so my heart and eyes are fully on Thanksgiving and Christmas! Actually, I’ll let you in on a little secret… my eyes and heart are on them year-round. I experiment with recipes I’ll use at Thanksgiving and Christmas throughout the year and buy gifts and decorations 12 months a year and keep them safely hidden in totes until it’s time to wrap them.
When you have a large family, it might just be the only way from having a mental breakdown when December 1st rolls around!
Since I can finally own up to my all-consuming love of Christmas now, without looking like a complete fruitcake, I decided to go with a scene from one of my absolute favorite movies ever – Miracle on 34th Street. I’ll soon be in my den… visiting Susan, Fred, Doris, and of course Kris Kringle for the first time in 2020.
For as long as I can remember, I kick off the “official” Christmas season with this film, followed by It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I’m so anal about it all that I also “end” the official season with the same three.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do know that I’m as mad as a hatter… but I see no reason to change at this stage of the game!
You can find the wonderful, black and white 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (link to the dvd on Amazon) on Amazon for less than $10. Much easier than waiting for it to show up on television.
Natalie Wood and James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause
Legendary actress Natalie Wood was BOTD in San Francisco, California in 1938. Born Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko, she would go on to become, not only one of the best actresses ever – but also one of the most beloved actresses.
Natalie starred in some of the most memorable movies from old Hollywood:
What a filmography. What an actress.
Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, Miracle on 34th Street
One of the greatest child actors of all time, Natalie defied the odds and went on to have an outstanding career as an adult. If you’ve never seen her in Gypsy, Love with the Proper Stranger, and Splendor in the Grass – be sure to search the movies out and watch them soon. She’s remarkable in each.
Natalie Wood died (presumably from drowning) on November 29, 1981 at the age of 43. Had she lived longer, her amazing filmography would have been even richer. As it is, she has given us many incredible performances to remember her by.
Most Natalie Wood fans CHOOSE to remember her smiling, full of personality and full of life. We choose to focus on her wonderful films and excellent performances. When you’re a fan of an actor or actress, you want desperately to have good things associated with their name… beauty, not ugliness… love, not hate. As a Natalie Wood fan, that’s certainly the choice I make
I’m pretty certain it’s how the beautiful lady would want it.
Natalie Wood, The Searchers
Natalie Wood, Gypsy
Natalie Wood, Gypsy
One of the most beautiful actresses of all time was the wonderfully talented Natalie Wood. She never ceases to amaze me when I watch her movies – whether she was a child or adult, you simply cannot look away when she’s on the screen.
Today’s Pictures of the Day are stunning promotional photos from the colorful film Gypsy (1962).
Gypsy Trivia:
Natalie Wood and Director Jerome Robbins Behind the Scenes, West Side Story (1961)
A while back, I watched four Natalie Wood movies within the span of two weeks. I was blown away, not only by her tremendous talent, but by the fact that she went from one of the most adorable child stars of all time to one of the most beautiful actresses of all time.
Many child stars retain a certain “child-like” look that stays with them – so much so that you tend to “see” them as children, even when they’re adults.
Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Not so with Natalie Wood! She magically and effortlessly transitioned from adorable to gorgeous. It’s obvious, simply by looking at her photos, but it’s downright jaw-dropping if you watch a films like Miracle on 34th Street, Father Was a Fullback, The Searchers, and West Side Story back to back to back to back.
Natalie Wood, The Searchers (1956)
Today’s Picture of the Day is one that almost always takes movie viewers back to the first time they saw this powerful scene. The stunning dress (such a gorgeous shade of blue), the mirror, the emotions… and, most of all the wonderful Natalie Wood, make for movie magic.
This scene is from the colorful film Gypsy (1962) and it makes me speechless every single time.
Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, Miracle on 34th Street
One of my greatest obsessions in this world is Christmas – so, naturally I love Christmas movies as much as one can possibly love anything! Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link to the Black and White version… the best version in my opinion), It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, and all classic animated Christmas films make the season EVEN sweeter. As a Christian, I certainty realize that there is only One who is worth celebrating (it’s His birthday we’re remembering after all!), but all of these films are very dear to my heart.
I want to wish you and your loved ones a beautiful, happy, peaceful, and joy-filled Christmas. Thank you for visiting Hollywood Yesterday – you absolutely honor me with your presence. ~ Joi (“Joy”)
Natalie Wood and James Dean Behind the Scenes of Rebel Without a Cause
I like to remind my reader friends every now and then of why I keep my posts and reviews as brief as possible. It’s not that I don’t have a lot to say – trust me, I’m very long winded and usually don’t even stop to take a breath!
The reasons I try to be brief the majority of the time are simple…
Finally….. Frankly, sometimes the pictures don’t just speak for themselves, they yell and do not need my help whatsoever. Today’s picture of the day is a perfect example.
Honestly, what could I say that could come anywhere near the emotion this photo carries. All I want to say is this – these two stars have brought more joy to people like me and you than they could have ever imagined. I wish life had been a lot kinder to James Dean and Natalie Wood and wish they could have felt the love THEN that they have from so many NOW.
Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne
Maureen O’Hara is one of my VERY favorite actresses, so you can bet I’ve seen Miracle on 34th Street more times than the average movie fan. Honestly… I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times, because I watch it multiple times each year.
John Payne and Maureen O’Hara
Heck, I’ve been known to watch in in the middle of July!
Each time I watch it, I love it even more. The cast was simply perfect – from Maureen, Natalie Wood, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn to William Frawley, Porter Hall, Jerome Cowan, and Gene Lockhart. Each was spectacular and (obviously) knew they were part of something extra EXTRA special.
Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne
A few things in particular strike me with each viewing:
Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne
The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name!
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…
