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.
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Movie Star Biographies
Loretta Young TCM Star of the Month January 2013 Centennial
A biography of Loretta Young, the January 2013 TCM Star of the Month on the centennial of her birth. Rare Loretta Young quotes and the entire TCM schedule along with images of vintage collectibles.
Robert McWade – Brief Biography of the Grouchy Character Actor
A brief look at the career of 1930s character actor Robert McWade including images of him in some of his more famous movies. Son of a stage legend, he managed to upstage his father at the very end.
Kathleen Burke Wins Nationwide Contest! The Road to Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls
A look at Paramount’s Summer 1932 nationwide contest to cast Lota, the Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. Focus on the eventual Panther Woman winner, Kathleen Burke. Lots of old news clippings.
Alan Mowbray Book Review: Up from Central Park: Scenes From an Actor’s Life
Over 40 years after his death the memoirs of character actor Alan Mowbray have been published by his son, Alan, Jr. A look at Mowbray’s life and the memories he left us.
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.
Movie Reviews & Articles
Ronald Colman is The Late George Apley (1947)
In “The Late George Apley” we join the title character, played by Ronald Colman, in the Boston of 1912 … Apley, member of a Bostonian family dating back …
Early Frank Capra on TCM today, we go earlier with The Matinee Idol (1928)
Frank Capra silent feature The Matinee Idol is a great way to introduce yourself to Bessie Love who gives a fantastic performance as a local hick actor brought to Broadway for laughs … and tears.
The Mouthpiece (1932) – Warren William Becomes a Star; 1932 William J. Fallon Cycle Begins
Warren William has his breakthrough role in The Mouthpiece, first and best of the 1932 cycle of William J. Fallon inspired lawyer films. Background on Fallon and his legacy included.
Men Against the Sky (1940) – Richard Dix’s Ace of Aces Goes Modern
The public was air-minded when RKO released Men Against the Sky (1940), an exciting “B” film starring former “Ace of Aces” Richard Dix, with Kent Taylor, Wendy Barrie, and Edmund Lowe. A look at why the public was so fascinated by flying at that time, and how the four stars and other elements of the film worked so well together.
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.
Her Man (1930) Starring Helen Twelvetrees and Phillips Holmes
Tay Garnett’s Her Man from Pathe is an overlooked pre-Code classic starring Helen Twelvetrees in the first screen adaptation of the Frankie and Johnny ballad. With Phillips Holmes, Ricardo Cortez and Marjorie Rambeau.