Learning about Earle Williams from original newspaper articles between 1908-1931. Once the most popular movie star, Earle Williams faded in the 1920s. His story ends tragically in 1931, four years after his death.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Charles Coburn – Long Time Stage Vet Becomes Movie Star at 60
A biography of character actor Charles Coburn traces his Georgia roots to Broadway and the Coburn Players before a late start put him in nearly 70 movies and nets him an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor. Plus Coburn on taxes, the 14th Amendment and his monocle.
Suzanne Kaaren – Brief Bio of Bela Lugosi, Three Stooges Co-Star
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.
Helen Hayes Achieves Much More Than a Rose Garden
Later in life Helen Hayes said all that was left for her to achieve was a good rose garden. The First Lady of American Theater managed much more than that over her 80 year career on stage and screen.
Bonita Granville Bullet Bio
Biographical information about Bonita Granville, Oscar nominated child star of These Three and later Nancy Drew on screen. Also personal observations of Granville’s appearances opposite Mickey Rooney in two Hardy series entries.
Chester Morris – Biography of the Boston Blackie Star
A biography of Chester Morris, Academy Award nominated actor for Alibi (1929), who starred in several pre-Code classics before going on to greatest fame in the Boston Blackie series of movies.
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.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #7 – Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939)
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939) presents a less carefree Andy when he falls in love with his dramatics teacher played by former cellist Helen Gilbert. Starring Mickey Rooney and directed by W.S. “Woody” Van Dyke rather than series regular George B. Seitz.
My Name Is Julia Ross (1945) starring Nina Foch and George Macready
My Name Is Julia Ross is an incredible find for the first time viewer. This review walks through my first viewing with special notice given to George Macready’s frightening portrayal of Ralph.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #4 – Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
The fourth entry of the Hardy Family series, Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), introduces Judy Garland as Betsy Booth. Andy dates Lana Turner as a favor to friend Beezy in this Christmastime set entry in series.
Lady and Gent (1932) Starring George Bancroft and Wynne Gibson
A washed-up fighter and a Prohibition-era nightclub hostess form an unlikely foster family for a 12-year-old orphan. Strong performances by George Bancroft and Wynne Gibson in Lady and Gent. Directed by Stephen Roberts. Academy Award nominated screenplay.
Piccadilly Jim (1936) Starring Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans
Looking at MGM’s 1936 adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s Piccadilly Jim starring Robert Montgomery and directed by Robert Z. Leonard. With Madge Evans, Frank Morgan and Eric Blore.