A biography of actress Ann Sheridan, best known from her days as Warner Brothers’ Oomph Girl from films such as They Drive by Night and Kings Row.
Movie Star Biographies
Fannie Ward – Biography of the Eternal Flapper and Star of The Cheat
A biography of The Eternal Flapper, Fannie Ward, who came to the stage in 1890. Later starred in Cecil B. DeMille’s The Cheat with Sessue Hayakawa. In between she married a South African diamond magnate.
Edward Ellis – A Biography of The Thin Man, an Actor to Remember
A biography of actor Edward Ellis, best remembered for playing the title role in 1934’s The Thin Man. But Ellis, an acting pro since the 1870s, became a full fledged movie star with 1938’s A Man to Remember.
Elizabeth Allan – Dickens Movie Star Sues MGM and Thrives Back Home
Biography of actress Elizabeth Allan from her youth to success on British stage and screen. Allan becomes a Hollywood star and then sues MGM before going back home and becoming a success all over again.
Melvyn Douglas – Biography of the Two-Time Oscar Winner
A biography of two-time Academy Award winning actor Melvyn Douglas enhanced by several Douglas quotes from the 1960s and ’70s. Also, Douglas in Golden Age Hollywood.
Helen Hayes Achieves Much More Than a Rose Garden
Later in life Helen Hayes said all that was left for her to achieve was a good rose garden. The First Lady of American Theater managed much more than that over her 80 year career on stage and screen.
Movie Reviews & Articles
Bright Leaf (1950), Gary Cooper Takes Over Big Tobacco
Gary Cooper shines in “Bright Leaf” a story of tobacco in the late 19th century. Not so brilliant is Cooper’s love triangle with Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal.
They Gave Him a Gun (1937) Starring Spencer Tracy, Gladys George, Franchot Tone
Story of romance and brotherhood spread across a movie neatly divided between the war and gangster genres. They Gave Him a Gun stars Spencer Tracy, Gladys George, and Franchot Tone. Released as MOD DVD-R by Warner Archive.
The Witching Hour (1934), Hypnotized by John Halliday
Paramount’s 1934 version of The Witching Hour is light on stars and, despite the title, isn’t even a horror movie. An early Henry Hathaway film based on the 1907 hit play by Augustus Thomas and featuring strong performances from John Halliday and Sir Guy Standing. It’s all covered here.
Three on a Match (1932), A Second Look: Bogart, Action, Warren William
A second look at pre-Code classic Three on a Match (1932) includes an appraisal of early Humphrey Bogart movies, contemporary reaction, and a checklist of stars. Plus Warren William.
Wild Boys of the Road (1933) Meets “Boy And Girl Tramps of America”
Contemporary reaction to William A. Wellman’s Wild Boys of the Road (1933), plus writer Danny Ahearn, and a peek at Thomas Minehan’s study “Boy and Girl Tramps of America.”
Blonde Crazy (1931) Starring James Cagney and Joan Blondell
A wild pre-Code con man romp directed by Roy Del Ruth for Warner Bros. and featuring the great chemistry of James Cagney and Joan Blondell. Blonde Crazy released in November 1931. Supporting cast highlighted by Louis Calhern, Noel Francis, Guy Kibbee, Polly Walters, and a very young Ray Milland.