Sydney Greenstreet | Hollywood Yesterday

Olivia de Havilland and Sydney Greenstreet

The lobby cards in this post are all from the underrated (yet extraordinary) 1946 film Devotion. The movie was directed by Curtis Bernhardt and boasted a wonderful cast including Ida Lupino, Olivia de Havilland, Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, Nancy Coleman, and Arthur Kennedy.

The movie is loosely (and when I say loosely, please know this…. I mean LOOSELY!) based on the lives of the Bronte sisters Emily (Ida Lupino), Charlotte (Olivia de Havilland), and Anne (Nancy Coleman).

Olivia de Havilland and Paul Henreid

In the film, sisters Emily and Charlotte both fall for Rev. Arthur Nicholls (beautifully portrayed by Paul Henreid). On top of this drama, the sisters (along with younger sister Anne) try desperately to help their brother Branwell (an artist), who is ruining his future… and life… with alcohol.

Olivia de Havilland, Ida Lupino, Nancy Coleman, and Paul Henreid

The film is outstanding, in spite of the fact that the script pretty much tells the story it wants to tell. The acting is exceptional, which is exactly what you’d expect from this group of talent.

You can find Devotion (Amazon link) on dvd on Amazon.

Ida Lupino and Arthur Kennedy

Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan, Christmas in Connecticut

Old Hollywood enthusiasts certainly know (and LOVE) Christmas in Connecticut (Amazon Link). We joyfully list it with our other favorite Christmas films – It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas. However, for some reason (that’s beyond me), “mainstream” movie viewers aren’t familiar with it.

Maybe it’s time we start making more noise about this film!

(Continued Below….)

Creative Plot

Barbara Stanwyck stars as journalist Elizabeth Lane. She is a food writer with a popular column runs is one of the country’s most-read magazines. In these columns, she describes herself as a great cook, a hard-working mother… as a woman who runs her home, kitchen, AND farm!

Sounds impressive, right? Unfortunately it’s all lies! She lives (alone) in an apartment in New York and gets all of her recipes from her adorable best friend Felix (played by S.Z. Sakall, in the only way he knows how to play any role… to perfection and deliciously). Truth be told, Elizabeth would probably struggle with boiling water.

The owner of the magazine she works for has decided on a special holiday “angle” for the column: A heroic serviceman will spend his Christmas on Elizabeth’s farm. Obviously… first they’re going to need a farm!

Elizabeth fears that, if the truth comes out, she’ll lose the job she loves, so she gets desperate. Desperate to the tune of “creating” a family, cooking skills, and even the beautiful farm and home.

(Wrapped Up Below….)

Perfect Cast

Joining Barbara Stanwyck and S.Z. Sakall (who’d be plenty in and of themselves) is Sydney Greenstreet (another of my favorites), Dennis Morgan, Reginald Gardiner, and the always wonderful Una O’Connor.

Though he isn’t as well-known as most of the stars around him, Dennis Morgan is absolutely perfect in this role. He plays it to a tee and has noticeable chemistry with beautiful Barbara Stanwyck.

The film is filled with laughs, loves, and plenty of Christmas spirit and charm. If you’ve never seen Christmas in Connecticut (Amazon Link), check it out right away. If you have seen it…. you know what I’m fixing to say… see it again!