Ziegfeld Girl | Hollywood Yesterday

Hedy Lamarr: Beautiful Promotional Pictures from Ziegfeld Girl

November 29, 2021 By Joi

Hedy Lamarr

When I think of Hedy Lamarr, I always pictures these promotional pictures from the wonderful 1941 film Ziegfeld Girl, directed by Robert Z. Leonard and Busby Berkeley (musical numbers).

I often get frustrated when I read negative things about Hedy Lamarr’s acting (whether it’s from directors, other actresses, or fans). She was not, obviously, on par with say Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, or Katharine Hepburn but, come on… so few were!

She gave each role precisely what it needed and added to each film with her lovely, warm presence. She was a brilliant, beautiful woman and old Hollywood was lucky to have her!

You can find Ziegfeld Girl (Amazon link) on dvd or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Hedy Lamarr, Ziegfeld Girl

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner

April 22, 2021 By Joi

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner are three of the stars who made 1941’s Ziegfeld Girl such a joy to watch. The movie also stars James Stewart as Lana Turner’s love interest (and talk about chemistry… these two certainly had it!).

The photo below is a “behind the scenes photo” – I love these types of photos. I always love to imagine if certain stars are “in character” or showing their own genuine expressions and emotions. Hedy Lamarr and Judy Garland are either in character, here, or greatly concentrating on their next scene.

While positivity runs throughout my dna (seriously, I have been called Mary Poppins more times than I could count.. unless, of course, I put down my umbrella and really focus), I have one bone to pick about this film. Why wasn’t Judy Garland given dresses as beautiful as the ones given to Lana and Hedy?! She had a lovely figure and was absolutely beautiful. I just wish more effort had been put into her costumes – especially in the one pictured here.

I understand that her character was different from the other actresses characters, but still. I wish she had been given a prettier dress, period.

Okay, that’s out of my system. Back to my umbrella….

You can find Ziegfeld Girl (Amazon link) on dvd or watch the movie on Prime Video. Just be warned… James Stewart and Lana Turner will leave you speechless and wishing SO HARD that they’d made many more movies together.

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner, Behind the Scenes

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner: Ziegfeld Girl

April 16, 2021 By Joi

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner

Talk about three beautiful faces! Hedy, Judy, and Lana were as beautiful as it gets. Sadly, Judy never seemed to realize just how beautiful she was. From what I’ve read, she considered Lana Turner to possess the ultimate beauty but, each time I see Judy’s angelic face, I think, “Girl, you should have paid more attention to the mirror… you were a beauty in your own right!”

Ziegfeld Girl (1941) is a colorful, enjoyable extravaganza with an a great cast. In addition to the three talented ladies pictured here, the movie also starred James Stewart, Jackie Cooper, Edward Everett Horton, Eve Arden, Ian Hunter, and Tony Martin.

Lana Turner and James Stewart

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before – once or a million times, I forget which – but James Stewart and Lana Turner’s storyline is my favorite part of this movie. They had an extra special chemistry together that rivaled any other film couple… including Maureen O’Hara/John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy, and Lauren Bacall/Humphrey Bogart.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Hedy and Judy Garland too… James and Lana just brought a little extra magic.

Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr, and Lana Turner

Lana Turner and James Stewart, Ziegfeld Girl

March 31, 2020 By Joi

Lana Turner and James Stewart, Ziegfeld Girl

Is there a movie that, overall, you feel kind of meeeeeh about except for one performance (or storyline) that blows you away? Maybe you even rewatch the so-so movie for this storyline (or performance) alone?? Ziegfeld Girl (1941) is such a movie for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Judy Garland and… when I rewatch Ziefgeld Girl (Amazon DVD link)… I pause the FF button long enough to watch most of her scenes. BUT the only reason I ever do or ever will rewatch the movie is for Lana Turner and James Stewart. I think they were outstanding in this film and I am mesmerized by their chemistry.

Straight up fire!

Did You Know?

This was James Stewart’s last film role before serving in World War II. He would only come back 5 years later with one of his most popular roles of all time… George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).
Ziegfeld Girl was, reportedly, Esther Williams’ favorite movie.

A Favorite Onscreen Couple: Lana Turner and James Stewart (Ziegfeld Girl)

October 3, 2019 By Joi

There are so many wonderful Old Hollywood onscreen couples to love that I often have trouble naming my favorites. Truth be told, it often changes – depending on which ones have lit up my screen most recently!

However, the following are almost always at the top:

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne
June Allyson and Dick Powell
June Allyson and Van Johnson
Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy
Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery
Lana Turner and James Stewart
Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire
Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford
Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda

I see several of these named as other Old Hollywood fan favorites, as well, but I really don’t see Lana and James named very often.

Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone else name them as one of their favorite couples!

Maybe it’s partly because Ziegfeld Girl had so much going on that their storyline tends to get lost in the glitz and the glamour. I’m not sure…. but I am sure that the chemistry is there in spades!

If you haven’t seen Ziegfeld Girl in a while (or, especially, if you’ve never seen it), watch it soon… paying special attention to Lana and James’ scenes. I have a feeling that, like me, you’ll find yourself wishing they had made more films together!