• Home
    • About Hollywood Yesterday
    • Privacy
  • Old Hollywood Actresses
  • Old Hollywood Actors
  • Biography & Book Reviews

Hollywood Yesterday

Old Hollywood: Movies, Actresses, and Actors

You are here: Home / Archives for Old Movies

Censoring Old Movies: In My Opinion, it’s a Conversation That Should Take Place

April 17, 2018 By Joi

Babes in Arms Movie Poster

 

Babes in Arms Movie Poster

This is kind of a controversial subject (and a diversion from the way I normally write on Hollywood Yesterday). Worst of all, it’s a horribly unfortunate look at an ugly part of history – insensitivity, intolerance, and the always hideous and heartbreaking racism.

When, like me, you are obsessed with both history and old Hollywood, there are days when you find yourself surrounded with beauty and there are days when you find yourself surrounded by ugly.  One day, about a month ago, I was chin-deep in ugliness and it has left me (to this day) feeling uneasy and unsettled.

I began the day reading from a biography about a personal heroine, Harriet Tubman. The way this VERY brave and noble woman was treated isn’t, of course, surprising to me – I’ve read every book written about her… I know what happened, so it no longer surprises me. However, it continues to shock me.. and, I’m certain it always will.

After finishing the book and telling each of my cats that a braver non-Biblical human may not have ever lived, I decided that the sadness and darkness of the morning called for a little escapism with an old movie (one of my favorite ways to escape!).

I chose a movie from the DVR, Babes in Arms (1939), that I hadn’t seen in two… maybe three… forevers. I love Judy Garland like a sunflower loves sunshine, so the choice seemed like a no-brainer. I was enjoying the movie immensely until it came to a part I didn’t remember – a performance a few of the “babes” did in blackface. It was cringe-worthy, so cringe is exactly what I did.

I also hit “stop” on the movie and called it a day.

The next day, I was still thinking about it. Not about the fact that it happened, mind you. Like I said, as a history buff and old movie fanatic, I am fully aware of how much ignorance existed in the past. People seemingly just did not know how insensitive, ridiculous, and cruel they were.  How could they NOT have known?  I have absolutely no idea… then again, I don’t know how people could’ve ever enslaved other human beings either.

I just do not know.

It wasn’t “THEN” that troubled these particular thoughts… it was “NOW.” NOW we know better. NOW most of us are sickened by intolerance and racism. NOW many of us had rather endure an offense to US than to witness someone else being offended. I know I had.

Even more than history and old movies, I love children. I love everything about them… even dirty elbows, endless questions, and temper tantrums! After seeing this scene (well, a minute of it before I jumped on the stop button), I imagined what it’d be like to sit with a little girl or boy during this movie. How would you (how could you possibly?) explain to a precious child “WHY” something like this happened?

My primary concern for scenes like this are for  children. Can we shelter them from every ugliness that has ever happened, will happen, or is happening? Of course not. But… when it’s entertainment, I think we can and should remove scenes like this whenever possible.

At the VERY least, identify scenes like this clearly in the movie’s description to avoid problems.

As old movie fans, we want more people to see and treasure these movies. After all, one of our primary goals is to keep these beloved stars shining bright. If we want more people to love these movies, we should do our part to make them move lovable!

While the feelings of children (as well as adults) is my primary concern, I have to admit it – I don’t want to see my favorite actors and actresses doing things so insensitive! Again, their actions are a sign of the times in which they lived. I’m not excusing it or even understanding it, to be sure, but it’s a fact.

The fact that I am FOR censoring these precious old movies may seem surprising… given my great love for them. I guess my only response to that is that there are far more important things than movies – like humans.

One of my favorite old movies is a wonderful Western, El Dorado. There is actually a scene in the movie (where James Caan’s character impersonates a Chinese man). Due to the scene being considered greatly insensitive, the scene is often cut from television telecasts. We recently watched El Dorado on television and the cut scene does nothing to harm the movie. In fact, the lack of a cringe-worthy moment makes it better, in my opinion.

Again, imagine sitting with a little Chinese boy or girl and trying to explain to them why this heroic character did what he did.

I can almost hear people, now, arguing, “But what about the way females were treated… if we start censoring for racist moments, we’ll have to start censoring for sexist moments…”

While my response would be, “Okay,” I do have to say this – many times the “sexist” moments happen in context of the plot. Fortunately, in fact, the woman proves the sexist person wrong and they come around to the startling fact that women are equal to men. Startling! On the other hand, racist moments are, more times than not, NOT pivotal… in any way… to the plot.

As I said above, at the very, very least, I’d love to see “Warnings” come on movies (dvd and televised broadcasts). Parents would then be able to decide whether or not they wanted to watch a movie with their child… or if they even wanted to watch it, themselves.

I will begin including blurbs in my old movie reviews on Hollywood Yesterday for this reason. It’ll take a while to go back and add them to old reviews, but I’ll get it done – though, to be honest, I haven’t reviewed many movies in which this would be applicable. I fall into that “…if they even wanted to watch it, themselves” category. There’s enough ugliness in the “real” world, I don’t want to invite any more than is necessary into the “reel” world.

I admit there would be a few slippery slopes – such as WHERE do you draw the line and WHEN is “far” actually “too far.”  However, blackface, the N-word, and insensitive impersonations aren’t slipper slopes, they’re vile volcanoes!

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments – and, do NOT worry, I am not the type who is hurt when people disagree with her… I look at such moments as opportunities for me to broaden my own horizons and possibly even learn something!


Filed Under: Hollywood Yesterday, Old Movies Tagged With: censoring old movies, Old Movie Reviews, Old Movies

Gilda Review: One of My All-Time Favorite Movies (With Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford – How Could it NOT Be?)

December 18, 2017 By Joi

Gilda - Publicity still, Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford

Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth, Gilda

Like Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe, a lot of people tend to think of Rita Hayworth as simply beautiful and iconic. While she’s both (to be sure), there’s more to her than “greets the eye.” Rita Hayworth was an great actress and an exceptional performer. The same is, of course true of the aforementioned ladies as well.

Rita Hayworth could more than hold her own on the dance floor and she brought life, charisma, and depth to every role she ever stepped into. She could convey more with a facial expression than a lot of actors/actresses get across with a five minute dialogue purge.

Can you tell she’s one of my all-time favorite actresses?

It seems that every actor and actress has a “defining role.” While this may not seem terribly fair, it is what it is. Many stars have several roles that can, and should, serve as sort of a defining compilation, but it’s generally one specific role that comes to mind when you see their name.  When it comes to Rita Hayworth, her defining role is a knock out – Gilda.

Gilda is a cinematic dream come true for me, personally, as it has not only one of my top three favorite actresses but also one of my top three favorite actors, Glenn Ford.

Don’t you just love it when your favorites team up for a movie? Feels kind of like a kiss on the cheek from God, Himself.

Make no mistake about it, though, even 10 favorite stars in a movie won’t save it if the movie doesn’t live up to the moment. Fortunately, Gilda does. In fact, it’d be one of my favorite movies even if the lead characters didn’t score so much as a blip on my radar.  The movie is simply a lot of fun to watch and provides a few unexpected twists and turns to keep you completely and utterly hooked.

The clothes, the lighting, the music, the dancing, the redhead… they all go together to create cinematic magic.

While the entire cast is outstanding,  the casting of the movie’s leads was a stroke of genius. The chemistry between Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford is absolutely palpable. Each time I watch Gilda, I mentally give a standing ovation to the individual responsible for bringing these two together. It’s that special, magical kind of chemistry that is almost impossible to define – yet, when it happens, it lights up the screen and you feel the fire deep in your soul.

The chemistry between Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford in Gilda (along with the chemistry between James Stewart and Lana Turner in Ziegfeld Girl – two more of my personal favorites) is one of the most magical pairings of all time as far as I’m concerned.

Rita Hayworth, Gilda Promo Shot

Rita Hayworth, Gilda

You can direct scenes, you can choreograph dances, and you can create moments with lighting and music…. however you cannot manufacture (or even account for) chemistry. It’s either there or it isn’t.  While a great movie can overcome lukewarm chemistry between its leads, red hot chemistry can take a great movie and make it… well… a legend.

I believe this chemistry is partly (perhaps even largely) to credit for Gilda achieving the legendary status it has.

If you aren’t as immersed in old movies as some of us are or if you’re just getting into them, I wholeheartedly recommend Gilda. If you are new to the greatest genre of entertainment in the world (can you tell I’m not just immersed but buried?), I want to warn you about one brief little scene in particular. You’ll know it when you see it. The last thing I want to do is give anything away, so I’ll just say one code word: BOAT. Something happens in a particular scene involving a BOAT that serves to remind the viewer of the period of time in which this wonderful movie was made. Effects departments now, upon watching this scene, probably wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Do me a favor, when you see this scene, simply say “1946” – the year in which the movie was made.

This will remind you not to hold the moment against the movie, Glenn, or Rita. Especially not Rita.

When you watch old movies like it’s your job, you just kind of shrug off these moments and accept them for what they are – signs of the times.

Rita Hayworth made Gilda the iconic legend it is and in many ways you can say the movie returned the favor.

Rita Hayworth, Gilda

Rita Hayworth, Gilda

 

Filed Under: Glenn Ford, Movie Reviews, Old Movies, Rita Hayworth Tagged With: classic movie reviews, Gilda, Glenn Ford, Old Movies, Rita Hayworth

Review: The Major and the Minor

September 22, 2017 By Joi

Ginger Rogers Publicity Photo for The Major and the Minor

Few things are as sweet as a movie that stars one of your all-time favorite actresses and one of your all-time favorite actors. It’s the very definition of movie magic. When it happens, I watch the magical movie so often I can say the lines right along with the stars. The Major and the Minor combines two of my absolute favorites, Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland and is (understandably) one of my favorite movies.

Is it a little far-fetched that any of the movie’s characters could actually believe beautiful Ginger Rogers’ character is a 12-year old girl? Yes, indeed. It’s far-fetched to the tune of an alien riding the Loch Ness Monster while a mermaid films the event.

And, yet… somehow they pull it off. While you can credit the director, the writers, and the outstanding costume department, you’d be far safer simply giving Ginger Rogers all the credit.

She makes the farce work beautifully and I marvel at this fact each and every time I watch this ridiculously fun movie.

I harp on it so often in my Old Hollywood Movie Reviews that I annoy my cats, but it is a fact that must be hammered home when talking about old movies from the delicious Golden Age of Hollywood – you have to throw nit-picking, reality-seeking, and fault-finding out the window and simply enjoy the film for the energetic fun and wonderful entertainment that it offers. I’ve actually told critics before, “If you want realism, watch the news. Then come back and tell me how that’s working for you!”

Sometimes you just have to be a wiseguy. Or in this case, wise gal.

The Major and the Minor is what they’d have called a “hoot” back in the day. It’s simply a lot of fun and those of us with a strong love for romance in movies can embrace the chemistry and special dynamic that Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland share.

Could a movie such as this be made in our politically correct and overly-offended world today? Absolutely not. Not a chance. No way. But things were a lot simpler in 1942 – a lot more innocent and uncomplicated.

Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland The Major and the Minor

The Major and the Minor Plot:

Susan Applegate (Ginger Rogers) needs train fare for a trip from New York to her home in Iowa. Lacking the necessary money, sh disguises herself as a 12-year old child so she can ride “half price.” She meets Major Philip Kirby (Ray Milland), who teaches at a military school. Major Kirby is oblivious to her farce AND age. When she accompanies him to the military school, she is an instant (and HUGE) success with all of the young men. This is one of the most entertaining things about the movie – the kids are a lot of fun to watch.

Susan falls head over heels in love with the Major but can’t do a thing about it. After all, she’s only a minor. Besides, he is spoken for and the one doing the speaking (Pamela) is a force to be reckoned with, herself.

While Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers are, understandably the main attractions in this movie, Diana Lynn (Lucy) steals more than her fair share of scenes. She plays Pamela’s somewhat nerdy teenage sister. She dives into this role so beautifully that she leaves you desperately wishing she had more screen time. She was absolutely adorable.

This wonderful movie is a must-watch for anyone who loves old movies, romantic films, Ginger Rogers, or Ray Milland. If, like me, you love all four… what are you waiting for?! You can find The Major and the Minor on Amazon.

The Major and the Minor Trailer:

Filed Under: Ginger Rogers, Ray Milland Tagged With: GInger Rogers, Golden Age of Hollywood, Old Movie Reviews, Old Movies, Ray Milland

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

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • Ann Sheridan and George Raft, They Drive by Night
  • Stunning Ann Sheridan Canvas Poster on Amazon… Perfect Gift Idea (for Them or YOU!)
  • The Wonderful Ethel Barrymore was BOTD in 1879
  • Arlene Dahl: Beautiful Desert Legion (1953) Promotional Pictures
  • Arlene Dahl and Red Skelton, A Southern Yankee (1948)
  • Lena Horne, Redd Foxx, and Demond Wilson: One of Sanford and Son’s Best Episodes…
  • Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable, The Misfits (1961)
  • Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable: On the Set of How to Marry a Millionaire

Movie Night, ANY Night…

John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Arthur Hunnicutt in El Dorado
Have movie night ANY night with Prime Video on Amazon:  Prime Video (Amazon link)

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”)

Copyright © 2023 | Audrey Hepburn Posters | Ava Gardner Posters