Biography of Miriam Hopkins (1902-1972), whose legacy should be her racy and sophisticated Paramount pre-Code output—not her feud with Bette Davis, or missing out on Gone With the Wind despite being Margaret Mitchell’s favorite for Scarlett O’Hara.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Mary Carlisle, Former Wampas Baby Star, Bing Crosby Co-Star Turns 100 Today
A brief biography of 1930s Hollywood beauty Mary Carlisle with several rare images including early Promotional Photos and trading cards. Wampas Baby Star of 1932 who appeared in three films with Bing Crosby, the long-lived Miss Carlisle-Blakely turns 100 in 2014.
Merna Kennedy – Chaplin Leading Lady; Also Star of Broadway
Merna Kennedy was an unknown dancer and actress when she emerged alongside Charlie Chaplin in The Circus (1928), the peak to a short movie career. This biography covers Merna Kennedy’s background, a few of her films, and her tragically premature death.
Cecilia Parker Biography: From B-Westerns to A-Support to Marian Hardy
The most complete Cecilia Parker biography you’re going to find. Corrects her marriage record and follows her career from B-westerns to Marian Hardy.
Norman Kerry, Chaney’s co-star in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera
A brief biography of Norman Kerry, a silent film star you probably remember better than you think. Co-starred with Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera and The Unknown.
Mary Dees – Piecing Together Life of Jean Harlow’s Saratoga Stand-In
A complete biography of Mary Dees, the extra and stand-in who filled in for Jean Harlow after Harlow’s tragic death during the filming of Saratoga. Culled from numerous American and Australian sources with a few published inaccuracies contradicted and corrected.
Movie Reviews & Articles
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?
The Lost Squadron (1932) Starring Richard Dix, With Erich von Stroheim
RKO’s The Lost Squadron (1932) is a war movie that isn’t a war movie. Veterans return home to find work as Hollywood stunt fliers under Erich von Stoheim’s command. Starring Richard Dix, Robert Armstrong, Joel McCrea, Hugh Herbert, Mary Astor and Dorothy Jordan. Directed by George Archainbaud.
A Dispatch from Reuters (1940) – Plus the Real Reuter vs. Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson stars as the entrepreneur behind A Dispatch from Reuters (1940), a Warner Brothers’ biopic whose message is progress and knowledge through a smaller world. Plus a look at the real Reuter compared to the Edward G. Robinson character of the movie.
The Story of Temple Drake (1933) – Paramount Adapts Faulkner’s Sanctuary
A review plus background information about Paramount pre-Code The Story of Temple Drake (1933), adapted from Sanctuary by William Faulkner. Book and adaptation are compared and contrasted. Casting and path to screen are covered, including George Raft’s refusal to appear in the film. Biographical information about stars Miriam Hopkins and Jack La Rue. Lengthy article, over 5,500 words, first appeared in Classic Movie Monthly #5.
More Jessie Matthews – There Goes the Bride (1932), The Good Companions (1933), First A Girl (1935) and Gangway (1937)
After covering Evergreen (1934) last year I craved more Jessie Matthews. VCI Entertainment has complied with several DVD releases. This post takes a look at four of them: There Goes the Bride (1932), The Good Companions (1933), First a Girl (1935) and Gangway (1937).
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).