Biography of 1930s and 1940s character actor Guy Kibbee, who starred in over one hundred Hollywood films. Lovable Kibbee could play lecherous sugar daddies and folksy patriarchs with equal skill.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Paul Muni’s 1932 – Multiple Projects Converge to Make Paul Muni a Huge Star
In 1932 I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang followed Scarface at the Strand Theater in New York while Paul Muni was then starring live on Broadway in Counsellor-at-Law. A major star is realized out of a huge year of work.
Celeste Holm, 1917-2012
Remembering Celeste Holm, Oscar winner and three time nominee who rose to prominence as the original Ado Annie in Oklahoma! on Broadway. Reviewing Holm’s career from Broadway to Hollywood and all stops in between.
Helen Lowell, 1880s Gilbert & Sullivan to 1930s Cranky Character Parts
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.
Glenda Farrell Biography and 1930s Hollywood Heyday
An appreciation of Glenda Farrell’s 1930s Hollywood characterizations, especially Torchy Blane, combined with a complete biography of Farrell.
Charles Laughton – A Biography of His Career on Film and Stage
An extensive look at the career of Charles Laughton on film and stage, illustrated with vintage movie cards and collectibles. Star of The Private Life of Henry VIII …
Movie Reviews & Articles
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) starring Errol Flynn
Far from being simply the greatest swashbuckler since Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and with all apologies to Tyrone Power fans, none to top him since, Flynn played in variety of roles, and played them well.
Good Dame (1934) Starring Sylvia Sidney and Fredric March
Lots of Depression-era slang tossed about in Paramount’s Good Dame (1934). Carny hustler Fredric March falls for chorine nice girl Sylvia Sidney in this rarely seen pre-Code.
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).
City Streets (1931) Starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney
A look at the most stylized of the 1931 gangster movies, Rouben Mamoulian’s City Streets (1931) from Paramount, starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney.
Show Them No Mercy (1935) Starring Rochelle Hudson and Cesar Romero
A band of kidnappers return to their hideout with $200,000 in ransom money in Show Them No Mercy. They find a stranded family at the house and have no choice but to hold them captive until they make sure the ransom money is good.
The Cat and the Canary (1927) – Old Dark House Classic Starring Laura La Plante
Settling in for silent old dark house classic The Cat and the Canary (1927) starring Laura La Plante. Same story as the 1939 movie with Bob Hope, though the earlier movie is more thriller than comedy.