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Publicity Stills from Miracle on 34th Street (One of the Best Movies Ever Made)

December 12, 2022 By Joi

Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street

Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood

Ironically, two of the films that made me fall so deeply in love with old movies are both Christmas movies (Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life). Ironically, three of the stars involved – Maureen O’Hara, James Stewart, and Lionel Barrymore – are three of my top 10 favorite stars of all time. It’s as though they befriended me as a child and have been with me all these… let’s not count how many!… years.

Both movies are as magical and beautiful to me now as they were then.

My only regret is that, somehow, Miracle on 34th Street doesn’t get the same attention It’s a Wonderful Life does and, frankly, I have no idea why. It’s every bit as wonderful – in every possible way.

If you’ve never seen this beautiful “feel GREAT” movie, I hope you’ll find it this Christmas season and lose yourself in the magic. If you have seen it… well, who couldn’t just a little more Christmas magic??

I watch it every year and have since I was a little girl. In fact, I believe I’ll pour a big mug of hot chocolate and go watch it now!

You can find the iconic 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on dvd on Amazon or watch the iconic movie on Prime Video.

Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, and John Payne in Miracle on 34th Street

Filed Under: Edmund Gwenn, John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Edmund Gwenn, John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood, A Life by Gavin Lambert: A MUST Read for Fans of the Legendary Actress

June 27, 2022 By Joi

Natalie Wood, A Life Biography by Gavin Lambert

Natalie Wood, A Life

After reading Natalie Wood, A Life by Gavin Lambert, the first thing that came to my mind was this:

“The author has taken a larger than life legend who is remembered and discussed by FAR too many for her death rather than her life… and he has focused on what she SHOULD be remembered as… a woman. He has put her life, as she lived it, into the forefront and the way she lost her life into the background. As it should be.”

As a Natalie Wood fan, I will always feel a great deal of gratitude to Gavin Lambert for this. If you follow (or have seen) my shenanigans on Twitter, you know I tweet incessantly about the stars of old Hollywood – pictures, quotes, thoughts, film reviews, book reviews, etc. Inevitably, any time I post Natalie Wood pictures or quotes, at least one (usually more than one) comments about her death. When people hear the name, they instinctively want to talk about how she LOST her life rather than how she LIVED her life.

I hate that so much!!

I also hate that people want to blame Robert Wagner for her death – allow me to say, up front, I do not believe he had anything whatsoever to do with her death. He had so much to do with her life and with how much she enjoyed it and with the love they shared – this should be the focus and I can only hope that, one day, it will be.

This book has brought so much more information to me that I never had before. So much so that I found myself taking notes! Before beginning Natalie Wood, A Life (Amazon link), I had what I believed to be a pretty good idea who Natalie Wood was and a pretty good handle on who the woman behind the great beauty and talent was…. suffice to say, my bucket of knowledge wasn’t even half full!

She was, unquestionably, one of the most complex, mysterious (in many ways), and fascinating people I’ve ever read about. She was equal parts strong and vulnerable – a combination that leaves my head spinning. She had her share of fears and anxieties and yet fought them tooth and nail. The fact that she carved out a remarkable career as the battle raged on leaves me speechless.

In the age of social media and fast-paced living, I try to keep my book reviews brief. I’d rather my friends (that’s you!) completely read a few heart-felt words than to skim over a million of them and miss the important stuff. Some people tend to ramble (that’s me!), so they have to reign themselves in any way they can. A summarized bullet-point list helps me with my reigns!

What I Love, and More Importantly, What You’ll Love About This Biography:

  • The fact that Robert Wagner, one of the most important people in Natalie’s life, contributed greatly to the book. He knew her better than anyone and shared so much, so openly, with the wonderful author.
  • The behind-the-scenes and in depth look at Natalie’s films. You learn more about her co-stars, how she felt about many of them (I read and re-read the pages about her and James Dean!), and what the roles meant to her and her career.
  • Beautiful photographs – many of which I’ve never seen before. I absolutely love each one.
  • Gavin Lambert is an exceptional writer. He writes in a manner that feels like you’re sitting in Starbucks talking with him about a subject (old Hollywood) you’re both passionate about. He is informative, an impeccable researcher, clear, concise, and uncommonly entertaining.
  • Each chapter begins with one, two, or three quotes after the title that help set the tone for the chapter you’re entering. They’re brilliantly done and provide that little extra something that separates a good book from a great book.
  • Natalie Wood, in Gavin Lamberts’ hands, is treated with great respect and affection. The fact that she was human, like the rest of us, is clear and… quite frankly… makes me love her even more.
  • As I said at the start, the greatest accomplishment of this book is putting the focus on Natalie’s life rather than her death. And what a life it was!

Natalie Wood battled her personal demons but carved out a wonderful career and lasting legacy in spite of them. In the end, it may look like these demons won but look again – Natalie won. She remains in so many of our hearts and is remembered, loved, and celebrated to this day.

I hope you’ll grab a copy of Natalie Wood, A Life (Amazon link) and get to know her even better than you may know her now. She was extraordinary in every way.

The University Press of Kentucky sent me this wonderful book in exchange for telling you about it – all of the opinions and the photo are my own!

Filed Under: Natalie Wood, Old Hollywood Book Reviews Tagged With: book reviews, Natalie Wood, Old Hollywood Biographies

Upcoming Old Hollywood Book Reviews… So Many Wonderful Books to Tell You About!

June 15, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel

I am putting the “Pictures of the Day” on pause for a few weeks while I focus on a couple of extraordinary books I want to finish reading and review. As I often say on here as well as on Twitter, I actually enjoy reading old Hollywood and classic television biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs as much I love watching old movies (and that’s a LOT!).

I also love reviewing these wonderful books because, honestly, what better way to keep these wonderful stars’ names and faces alive and well than to introduce them to others?

I am currently reading three biographies that are among the best I’ve ever read and cannot wait to tell you all about them.

One of a biography of one of my top 10 favorite all-time actresses, Ann Dvorak. To make the deal even sweeter, it’s written by one of my favorite authors, Christina Rice. Needless to say, I’m enjoying every single word of this one and am anxious for the entire journey I’m taking with Ann and Christina.

I’m nearly finished with another fascinating biography, Natalie Wood: A Life by an author that is new to me, Gavin Lambert, but one that I will now seek out EVERY book written by him.

I also have a few others I have recently finished that I want to tell you all about in the coming days as well.

As for the Pictures of the Day, there will still be pictures and they will still be under the category “Pictures of the Day,” they just won’t be daily. This book fanatic wants to focus on the books. Summer is the perfect time to escape into the delicious, adventuresome, and fascinating world of old Hollywood and I have some extraordinary books to tell you about!

The Natalie Wood biography review should be published in a few days and Ann Dvorak will be right on her heels.

Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful, warm weather! ~ Joi

Natalie Wood Biography by Gavin Lambert

Natalie Wood Biography

Filed Under: Old Hollywood Book Reviews Tagged With: Ann Dvorak, Natalie Wood, Old Hollywood Book Reviews

Natalie Wood and Tab Hunter, Behind the Scenes of The Burning Hills

April 4, 2022 By Joi

Natalie Wood and Tab Hunter, Behind the Scenes of The Burning Hills

Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood

Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood star in the 1956 Western The Burning Hills. The cast also includes Claude Akins, Earl Holliman (love him in everything!), Skip Homeier, and Eduard Franz.

The Burning Hills can be found on dvd (Amazon link). You can also watch the movie on Prime Video (I was pleasantly surprised to see that it’s available on Prime).

Natalie Wood and Tab Hunter, Behind the Scenes of The Burning Hills

Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood

Filed Under: Natalie Wood, Picture of the Day, Tab Hunter, Westerns Tagged With: Natalie Wood, Tab Hunter, Westerns

Gorgeous Natalie Wood Promotional Pictures for The Burning Hills

March 14, 2022 By Joi

Natalie Wood, Promo Shot The Burning Hills

Natalie Wood

The Burning Hills is a 1956 Western that you, unfortunately, don’t hear much about these days. It’s rarely (ever??) shown on television – if it were, I have a feeling it’d be more popular.

Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood star in the 1956 Western The Burning Hills. The cast also includes Claude Akins, Earl Holliman (love him in everything!), Skip Homeier, and Eduard Franz.

The Burning Hills can be found on dvd (Amazon link). You can also watch the movie on Prime Video (I was pleasantly surprised to see that it’s available on Prime!).

Natalie Wood, Promo Shot The Burning Hills

Filed Under: Natalie Wood, Picture of the Day, Westerns Tagged With: Natalie Wood, Natalie Wood Pictures, Westerns

Adorable Natalie Wood Pictures, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

November 23, 2021 By Joi

Natalie Wood and John Payne, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

Natalie Wood and John Payne, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

These behind the scenes pictures of one of my absolute favorite movies (Miracle on 34th Street) kind of take my breath away. The adorable Natalie Wood and the wonderful John Payne (entertaining her!) give me so much happiness.

The photo below is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen!

Natalie Wood, Behind the Scenes Miracle on 34th Street

Natalie Wood, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

You can find the wonderful 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on Amazon.

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes Pictures, John Payne, Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Behind the Scenes pictures, John Payne, Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood

BOTD in 1938, the Beautiful Natalie Wood

July 20, 2021 By Joi

Natalie Wood, West Side Story

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, West Side Story


Filed Under: BOTD, Musicals, Natalie Wood, West Side Story Tagged With: BOTD, Natalie Wood, West Side Story

Picture of the Day: The Beautiful Natalie Wood

January 29, 2021 By Joi

Natalie Wood, The Great Race

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.

Filed Under: Natalie Wood, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Natalie Wood, The Great Race

Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood in the Wonderful Classic, Miracle on 34th Street

November 3, 2020 By Joi

Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street

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.

Filed Under: John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood, Picture of the Day Tagged With: Christmas movies, John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Miracle on 34th Street, Natalie Wood

BOTD in 1928, the Wonderful Natalie Wood

July 20, 2020 By Joi

Natalie Wood and James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause

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:

  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • Rebel Without a Cause
  • West Side Story
  • The Searchers
  • Splendor in the Grass
  • Gypsy
  • From Here to Eternity
  • Sex and the Single Girl
  • The Great Race (pure fun!)

What a filmography. What an actress.

Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood Miracle on 34th Street

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, The Searchers


Natalie Wood, Gypsy

Natalie Wood, Gypsy

Filed Under: BOTD, Natalie Wood Tagged With: Natalie Wood, Natalie Wood Pictures

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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.

Movie Collections on Amazon

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  • Jane Russell and Robert Mitchum, Macao (1952)
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  • Behind the Scenes Photos from Who’s Minding the Store (1963): Jerry Lewis, Agnes Moorehead, Carol Burnett…
  • Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan, Kitty Foyle
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Movie Night, ANY Night…

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

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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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