A biographical look at the stage, film and television career of popular character actor Alan Mowbray written by the actor’s son, Alan Mowbray, Jr.
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Movie Star Biographies
Marguerite Courtot – Biography of a Beauty of the Silent Screen
A long biography of silent film beauty Marguerite Courtot. She rose to fame as as teenager in the mid-1910’s and later married Down to the Sea in Ships co-star Raymond McKee. Mckee’s biographical details are covered as well.
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.
Ralf Harolde, Expert Portrayer of Lowlifes and Junkies
Appraisal of Ralf Harolde’s talents as ultimate pre-Code lowlife with biographical bits assembled where possible. Busy character actor of the 1930s-40s, who made his mark in films such as Night Nurse, Safe in Hell, and Picture Snatcher.
Rochelle Hudson’s Uneven Career Featuring Will Rogers and Way Down East
A biography of 1930’s screen ingenue Rochelle Hudson focusing on a career which saw her work with Will Rogers, W.C. Fields, and Shirley Temple, plus star in a remake of Way Down East and eventually come back to the big screen to play a small role in East of Eden.
Milton Sills, The Mighty Two-Fisted He-Man of the Silent Screen
A biography of Milton Sills, stage and silent film actor with a philosophy background. Poised to make a hit in talkies when he died in 1930. Article also includes a synopsis of Sills’ most famous film, The Sea Hawk.
Movie Reviews & Articles
Frank Capra’s Broadway Bill (1934) Starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy
A look at Frank Capra’s follow-up to It Happened One Night, the 1934 holiday release Broadway Bill starring Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy and a horse named Broadway Bill. With comparison to 1950 remake Riding High and explanation of why Bill wound up out of circulation until 1992.
G Men (1935) Starring James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, and Ann Dvorak
A look at Warner Brothers’ G MEN (1935) starring James Cagney, this time as the good guy. Based on several real incidents and infamous names, it’s the movie that began the G-Men cycle of films.
Merrily We Go to Hell starring Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney
“Merrily We Go to Hell,” a 1932 Paramount production starring Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney, is one of 6 movies featured in the Pre-Code Hollywood Collection released earlier this month by Universal.
Reflections after The Magic Box – What classic movies inspire you?
The Magic Box is time well spent throughout … In this biopic Robert Donat plays William Friese-Greene, professional photographer turned inventor, who …
The Roaring Twenties (1939) Starring James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart
One of James Cagney’s classic gangster movies, The Roaring Twenties (1939) also boasts an especially nasty Humphrey Bogart in its cast, plus strong work from Gladys George. Post includes background about writer Mark Hellinger, real-life roaring twenties personalities Larry Fay and Texas Guinan, plus a look at a pre-Code predecessor Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933).
Union Depot (1932) starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Joan Blondell
Douglas Fairbanks Jr is a hobo playing Gentleman for a Day in 1932’s Union Depot co-starring Joan Blondell and Guy Kibbee. A sweeping view of all classes during the Great Depression.