A brief biography of original Rockette Suzanne Kaaren Blackmer, who played opposite Bela Lugosi and The Three Stooges and later battled Donald Trump in the courts.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Gladys George Is Madame X (1937), Plus Brief Biography
A history of Madame X concentrates on the 1937 film version starring Gladys George. Includes a biography of Gladys George with comparison to Ruth Chatterton’s 1929 performance.
Helen Twelvetrees – Biography of a Tragic Pre-Code Beauty & Talent
A biography of movie star Helen Twelvetrees, 1907-1958. Star of films such as Her Man (1930), Millie (1931), Young Bride, State’s Attorney (both 1932), and Unmarried (1939). Settle in for a 5,000-word biography before clicking over to the separate “Films of Helen Twelvetrees” post.
Thomas Mitchell – His Varied Career
A brief biography of the popular supporting actor Thomas Mitchell including original quotes taken from a 1939 autobiographical piece in Screen & Radio Weekly.
Sara Haden – Charlotte Walker’s Daughter and Andy Hardy’s Aunt Milly
Character actress Sara Haden was stage and screen star Charlotte Walker’s daughter. Originally famed for playing cranks became Andy Hardy’s Aunt Milly in 14 of the Hardy Family movies.
Carole Lombard, Part 1: From Jane Peters to Mrs. William Powell
Part 1 of a Carole Lombard biography covers her turbulent early screen career of the 1920s through her rise to stardom and marriage to William Powell in 1931.
Movie Reviews & Articles
The Richest Girl in the World (1934) Starring Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea
Miriam Hopkins plays “The Richest Girl in the World” (1934) with hopes of landing a husband on her own merits and despite her money. Joel McCrea is her prospect. With a look at then currently celebrated heiresses Barbara Hutton and Doris Duke.
Brief Impressions: No Other Woman – Side Streets – Evelyn Prentice – Millionaires in Prison
A quick peek at four movies I’ve watched recently: No Other Woman (1933); Side Streets and Evelyn Prentice (both 1934); and Millionaires in Prison (1940).
Man Wanted (1932) – Charles Kenyon Updates The Office Wife (1930)
A look at the similarities between Man Wanted (1932) and The Office Wife (1930) with a brief focus on Charles Kenyon who wrote each screenplay. Man Wanted stars Kay Francis and David Manners.
One Night at Susie’s (1930) – Movie Compared to Short Story, Plus Helen Ware Biography
A look at First National’s One Night at Susie’s, a 1930 crime film starring Billie Dove and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., but really showing off Helen Ware to advantage. Frederick Hazlitt Brennan’s 1929 short story from Liberty magazine is discussed and a biography of Miss Ware is also included. Plus, just exactly how long is this movie?
H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941) – King Vidor Brings John P. Marquand Bestseller to Life
Comparing King Vidor’s adaptation of H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941) to the novel by John P. Marquand, and why both tellings are wonderful. Excellent performances from Robert Young and Hedy Lamarr trickle down throughout the entire cast, most of who are perfect representations of the characters Marquand created on the page. It’s a quiet story that tells a lot in the end.
The Widow from Chicago (1930) Starring Alice White
Edward G. Robinson in an early gangster role that’s supposed to take a backseat to early talkie attraction Alice White. Film works for fans of both.