Five thousand words about the life of Richard Dix including a look at his most important movies: The Vanishing American (1925), Cimarron (1931) and The Ghost Ship (1943) plus, author’s choice, Ace of Aces (1933).
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Freddie Bartholomew Complete Biography of the 1930’s MGM Child Star
The most complete Freddie Bartholomew biography in existence. Now a single entry, over 10,000 words with bibliography about MGM’s popular child star of the 1930’s. What happened to the star of David Copperfield, Little Lord Fauntleroy and Captains Courageous after he grew up? It’s all here.
Viola Dana – A Biography in Clippings
A collection of 26 clippings spanning 1905-1987 that cover the life and career of silent screen actress Viola Dana. Illustrated with vintage movie collectibles. Also includes screen captures of her 1963 appearance on My Three Sons.
Walter Pidgeon’s Long Road from Singer to Stardom
Biography of Walter Pidgeon, best remembered as Greer Garson’s co-star in eight films including Mrs. Miniver and Madame Curie. It was a long road to stardom for Pidgeon, who began as a singer in the early 1920s before breaking out once and for all in 1941. A beloved Hollywood star since that time.
Joe Donahue, “World’s Greatest Dancer” and Sunny Co-Star
Digging into Joe Donahue, talented vaudevillian dancer who replaced his late brother, Jack, opposite Marilyn Miller in the film version of Sunny. He also appeared in Expensive Women and two Dorothy Mackaill titles during his stay with First National, 1930-31. Piecing together some of the mysterious Donahue’s life and discovering, once and for all, the date he died.
Stanley Fields Biography — Blustery Thirties Character Actor
Unraveling truth and myth in the life of character actor Stanley Fields. Born Walter L. Agnew, you’ll know him from Cimarron, Little Caesar (1931), Island of Lost Souls (1932), Algiers (1938), and several other major 1930s Hollywood releases.
Movie Reviews & Articles
Majestic’s The Sin of Nora Moran (1933) Starring Zita Johann
The Sin of Nora Moran may have come from Poverty Row but it is years ahead of its time. The 1933 film makes heavy use of flashback to enhance several twists in this life and death story of a female prisoner on Death Row. Starring Zita Johann of The Mummy and directed by Phil Goldstone. Don’t be put off by the lack of big names or major studio logo, The Sin of Nora Moran lives up to the high standards set by its acclaimed promotional poster.
Brief Impressions, 1934 Edition: A Wicked Woman – Housewife – Success at Any Price
Brief impressions of A WICKED WOMAN starring Mady Christians, George Brent, Ann Dvorak and Bette Davis in HOUSEWIFE, Brent and Davis again in FRONT PAGE WOMAN, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Genevieve Tobin in SUCCESS AT ANY PRICE.
Laughing Sinners (1931) With Joan Crawford, Neil Hamilton, Clark Gable
Laughing Sinners (1931) allows Joan Crawford to dance twice, stars her with Neil Hamilton, tries to give Clark Gable a break,and sees Guy Kibbee reprise his breakthrough Broadway role on screen.
Paramount’s The Night of June 13th (1932), Street Scene of the Suburbs
The Night of June 13th (1932) was Paramount’s answer to Street Scene in which they set an ensemble cast loose on each other in the suburbs. With Clive Brook, the first pairing of Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland, plus Lila Lee, Gene Raymond, Frances Dee, Charley Grapewin and many others.
Don’t Bet on Blondes (1935) Starring Warren William and Claire Dodd
Warner Brothers Don’t Bet on Blondes (1935) features solid work by Warren William as bookmaker turned freak insurance man, Claire Dodd cast against type as his love interest and Guy Kibbee giving the strongest performance of the bunch as Dodd’s father, who takes out a policy against his daughter’s marriage. It is also Errol Flynn’s second Hollywood movie and Flynn’s early career is detailed within the post.
The Criminal Code (1931) Starring Walter Huston with Boris Karloff
A spoiler-free look at Howard Hawks’ The Criminal Code starring Walter Huston and providing Boris Karloff with his most important role to date. With a special focus on Phillips Holmes.