A brief appraisal of Helen Lowell’s brief 1930s movie career followed by a collection of clippings highlighting her stage work from 1882 through the 1920s.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Ann Sheridan – Search for Beauty Contest Winner Before the Oomph
Ann Sheridan’s beginnings in Hollywood. A look at the International Search for Beauty contest that Clara Lou Sheridan rode to a Paramount contract.
Humphrey Bogart Seeks Hollywood Party, Rises to Stardom
TCM examines Humphrey Bogart as major film star during their August 1 Summer Under the Stars presentation. Here we trace his stardom backwards from High Sierra down to a 1930 newspaper interview which finds Bogie on the hunt for a Hollywood party.
Loretta Young TCM Star of the Month January 2013 Centennial
A biography of Loretta Young, the January 2013 TCM Star of the Month on the centennial of her birth. Rare Loretta Young quotes and the entire TCM schedule along with images of vintage collectibles.
Norman Kerry, Chaney’s co-star in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera
A brief biography of Norman Kerry, a silent film star you probably remember better than you think. Co-starred with Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera and The Unknown.
Charles Coburn – Long Time Stage Vet Becomes Movie Star at 60
A biography of character actor Charles Coburn traces his Georgia roots to Broadway and the Coburn Players before a late start put him in nearly 70 movies and nets him an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor. Plus Coburn on taxes, the 14th Amendment and his monocle.
Movie Reviews & Articles
Vivacious Lady (1938) Starring Ginger Rogers and James Stewart
RKO’s Vivacious Lady doesn’t have much of a story, but Ginger Rogers and James Stewart are in love, so who cares? A look at the comedy classic directed by George Stevens for the James Stewart Blogathon.
Red-Headed Woman (1932) Reveals New Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow lobbies for Red-Headed Woman and emerges as one of MGM’s top stars. Background notes on the film accompany a look at this pre-Code classic adapted from a Katharine Brush novel. The movie also stars Chester Morris, Una Merkel, and Leila Hyams. Directed by Jack Conway.
First Impressions: Little Men (1940) Starring Kay Francis
The RKO released Little Men (1940) starring Kay Francis as Jo is inferior sequel to Little Women (1933) but enjoyable tale of swindlers George Bancroft and Jack Oakie.
The Murder Man (1935) Starring Spencer Tracy
Reviewing Spencer Tracy’s first film on his MGM contract, The Murder Man, underrated by virtue of Tracy’s starring performance. Also starring Virginia Bruce, with Lionel Atwill and James Stewart in his feature film debut.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #6 – The Hardys Ride High (1939)
In The Hardys Ride High (1939), the sixth movie of MGM’s Hardy Family series, Judge Hardy and family fly to Detroit to claim a two million dollar inheritance. Andy Hardy sets his sights on a showgirl and Aunt Milly may have found love at last.
Snowed Under (1936) Chemistry Highlights Hilarious Warner Farce
Looking at Snowed Under, a 1936 Warner Bros. farce directed by Ray Enright and starring George Brent, Genevieve Tobin, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh, Patricia Ellis and John Eldredge. With a focus on “Lawrence Saunders,” who wrote the original story that was serialized in Liberty magazine.