picture of the day | Hollywood Yesterday

Picture of the Day: Maureen O’Hara, The Parent Trap

July 3, 2020 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara, The Parent Trap

Maureen O’Hara was every bit as gorgeous in The Parent Trap (1961) as she was in her earliest films. The Irish beauty aged as beautifully as any star I’ve seen.

While I love all of her films (okay, love may be a bit strong for “Father was a Fullback”), The Parent Trap has always been one of my favorites. It’s just an especially feel-good movie and all of the performances are wonderful. I also LOVE (this time love isn’t quite strong enough) the chemistry between Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith. They were outstanding together.

You can buy The Parent Trap on Amazon (link to the dvd) or watch it on Prime.

Leslie Caron and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of An American in Paris

June 7, 2020 By Joi

Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, An American in Paris (Behind the Scenes)

I think I have stated my unpopular opinion on the blog before but, if not, look out – I’m about to let it fly again. An American in Paris (1951) isn’t just one of my favorite musicals of all-time… it is my favorite Gene Kelly musical.

Yes, above Singin’ in the Rain.

In fact… considerably above it. I am the rare, rare, rare bird who thought Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly were mismatched. Love him. Love her. Together… not so much. Ironically, I love the chemistry and dynamic she and Donald O’Connor had. In fact, I love the dynamic between Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.

At any rate, An American in Paris is simply breathtakingly perfect. The chemistry between Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron is perfection – textbook chemistry and compatibility. Add in the always, always, always entertaining Oscar Levant and you have a can’t miss movie. I am actually in esteemed company by preferring An American in Paris – it was Gene Kelly’s favorite of his musicals.

You can buy An American in Paris (link to the dvd on Amazon) or watch on Prime.

P.S. Sincerest apologies to anyone who loves Singin’ in the Rain! I am totally and completely in the minority here meaning that I am the odd one out. I love the movie and love the cast… I simply do not buy into the pairing of the great Gene Kelly and the great Debbie Reynolds.

Shirley Temple, The Little Colonel

April 17, 2020 By Joi

Shirley Temple, The Little Colonel

The thing I love most about watching Shirley Temple movies? Shirley Temple!

However, I also love seeing the wide variety of co-stars she had. Take The Little Colonel (1935), for example. How’s this for a cast? Shirley Temple, Lionel Barrymore, Hattie McDaniel, Evelyn Venable, and Bill Robinson. While Shirley is more than worth watching these films for, you never quite know who will show up!

There is just something relaxing, peaceful, fun, comforting, and just so right about watching a Shirley Temple movie. I’ll tell you something that makes it even sweeter – watching it with someone else. Whether it’s with an adult you love or a child who hangs the moon and stars in your world – the best things in life are those shared. Watching Shirley Temple films with children is especially wonderful.

For another photo – as well as the plot of The Little Colonel – check out an earlier post on Hollywood Yesterday, Evelyn Venable, Shirley Temple, and Hattie McDaniel.

If you are, like me, a collector, you can find the Ultimate Shirley Temple DVD Collection on Amazon. If you simply want to “rent” her movies to watch, you can find the adorable little ray of sunshine on Amazon Prime!

Debra Paget, Prince Valiant: The Gorgeous Picture of the Day We Deserve…

April 16, 2020 By Joi

Debra Paget, Prince Valiant

Stunningly beautiful Debra Paget is an actress most movie fans aren’t too familiar with, and that drives me nuts. Those of us who pretty much, mentally anyway, live in old Hollywood know her very well but the average person hasn’t seen many of her wonderful films. The reason for this? They aren’t shown on television nearly enough. If they were, more would be familiar with this extraordinary actress.

She should be a household name!

So many of our wonderful actors and actresses from classic movies and television have gotten lost in the shuffle over time, which is another reason many aren’t as well-known today as they deserve to be. Many stars who lived more dramatic lives or, tragically, died far too young, are more remembered than others (like Debra Paget) who are just as deserving of remembrance.

Often, the films the stars appeared in have a say in how well-remembered they are, too. If you were fortunate enough to be in a film that is shown frequently on television, you have a much better chance at becoming a household name for future generations.

For wonderfully talented stars such as Debra Paget, sometimes the factors above just don’t work in your favor. Beauty, talent, charisma, and class…. and yet, it is only those of us who truly cherish the classic age of Hollywood who know and appreciate her.

Not to worry, though, you and I are going to do something about that, aren’t we?! That’s why we’re here online sharing pictures, information, facts, movies, and names… we will MAKE them household names or overdose on caffeine trying!

Oh, just me? Okay… I’ll drink enough coffee and raspberry tea for all of us.

If you aren’t familiar with Debra Paget films, I hope you’ll search them out. She was truly something special.

You can find the Prince Valiant dvd online (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Ginger Rogers: Gold Diggers of 1933 (Picture of the Day and Ravings for One Heckuva Lady)

March 29, 2020 By Joi

Ginger Rogers

As I’ve said, often, on the Old Hollywood blog, one of the things I love most about my obsession with classic movies and television is the fact that I’m always accumulating new favorites. Naturally, my love for my old favorites never diminishes… new favorites simply join the ranks.

A case in point: I have always loved Ginger Rogers (how could you possibly not?). My first Ginger Rogers film was The Major and the Minor (link to the dvd on Amazon) and I loved her, Ray Milland, and the film. Still do. However, she didn’t jump into the upper list of favorites quite yet.

Next up, I saw the WONDERFUL musical Top Hat (link to the dvd on Amazon). She danced her way up my list of favorites, but didn’t quite crack the top 12.

Then, as someone as obsessed with collecting and reading old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies as she is with watching the movies, I ordered her autobiography, Ginger: My Story (link to the book on Amazon). After reading this fascinating book, I realized that this wasn’t just a remarkable actress and star… this was a remarkable woman.

She has been one of my favorites since. Truth be told, I come to love her more with each passing film.

Versatility? Are you kidding me?!?! The woman was as funny as anyone in comedies (seriously… she hangs with Lucille Ball!), was phenomenal in dramas, and worked magic in musicals like few ever hoped to.

In fact, when I think of the word “versatile,” as it relates to the entertainment industry, Ginger Rogers and Judy Garland are the first names to come to mind.

If you tend to only think of musicals when you think of Ginger Rogers, I hope you’ll branch out into her other films. There is nothing WHATSOEVER wrong with being a musical star – in fact, it’s one of my favorite genres, so I think it’s outstanding! However, to only think of this wonderful actress as a dancer or as “Fred Astaire’s partner” is almost criminal. There was so much more to this lovely actress.

So. Much. More!

Thelma Todd and Buster Keaton: Speak Easily

January 24, 2020 By Joi

Thelma Todd and Buster Keaton, Speak Easily (1932)

This makes a pretty darn good picture of the day, I’d say! The always brilliant and hilarious Buster Keaton and the beautiful and surprisingly hilarious Thelma Todd are wonderful in this comedy. Add in Jimmy Durante and you have quite the romp!

Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte Light Up the Screen in Carmen Jones

January 20, 2020 By Joi

Do Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte make a beautiful couple or what?! They had so much chemistry in their films – as much chemistry as any film couple I’ve ever seen.

If you’ve never watched Carmen Jones, I hope you’ll make a point of doing that ASAP. These stars are outstanding in this fantastic film. Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for an Oscar for her performance but she didn’t win.

She should have. That’s a hill I will die on. She was robbed.

Harry Belafonte should also have gotten an Oscar. They were both mesmerizing in this film. Olga James and Pearl Bailey are also excellent. I wish Olga had been onscreen more. She was adorable and so very, very talented.

Please see the movie soon!

Rita Hayworth, Down to Earth (1947)

January 1, 2020 By Joi

Rita Hayworth

It’d be tough to beat a picture of Rita Hayworth for the first Picture of the Day of 2020… especially this picture of Rita!

This is a promotional picture for the 1947 film Down to Earth (Amazon Link to dvd or Prime Video). Rita portrays Greek goddess Terpsichore in this creative film. Unhappy with the way a Broadway musical treats Greek mythology, she comes down to earth, joins the cast and tries to set things right.

The plot description may sound kind of “out there” (okay… very out there) but this movie is much better than you’d expect. Just go into it with an open mind and readiness to watch the uncommonly talented Rita Hayworth headline a movie.

Always a great thing. She was as talented as she was beautiful and, wow, is that ever saying something.

Rita Hayworth: Promo Photo from Music in My Heart

November 2, 2019 By Joi

Rita Hayworth, Music in My Heart (1940)

Rita Hayworth and musicals waltz beautifully together. While she is known (let’s face it, for obvious reasons) as an icon of great beauty, she was also an uncommonly talented actress as well as dancer.

In fact, Fred Astaire once said she was his favorite dancing partner and he danced with the best dancers in the business.

Including himself!

If you only know Rita Hayworth from the wonderful film-noir Gilda, I hope you’ll venture out and see her musicals (You Were Never Lovelier, Cover Girl, Music in My Heart…). She really was extraordinary.

Rita Hayworth, Salome (Beautiful Picture of the Day!)

March 2, 2019 By Joi

Rita Hayworth, Salome (1953)

Salome was the last film produced by Rita Hayworth’s production company (The Beckworth Company). She later said that her dance “Dance of the Seven Veils” in this film was “… the most demanding of my entire career,” and that it required “endless takes and retakes.”

Having seen the magnificent results, it was time well spent and effort that certainly paid off. While Rita is celebrated as one of the great beauties and as a wonderful actress (and she certainly was both of these things), she deserves just as much attention for her dancing talent – it was extraordinary.