Brief look at RKO’s The Life of Vergie Winters (1934) starring Ann Harding, John Boles, and Helen Vinson, directed by Alfred Santell.
H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941) – King Vidor Brings John P. Marquand Bestseller to Life
Comparing King Vidor’s adaptation of H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941) to the novel by John P. Marquand, and why both tellings are wonderful. Excellent performances from Robert Young and Hedy Lamarr trickle down throughout the entire cast, most of who are perfect representations of the characters Marquand created on the page. It’s a quiet story that tells a lot in the end.
Black Fury (1935) – Paul Muni Stars in Another Ripped from the Headlines Story
Paul Muni stars as a mine worker who is duped into breaking the union in 1935’s Black Fury from Warner Bros. Post includes background about real-life John Barcoski murder from 1929 and other notes about the origins of the film.
Sara Haden, Age 5, Grows Up to Make Misery for Shirley Temple
A 1904 photo of actress Sara Haden as a little girl sparks a look at Haden all grown up and causing trouble for Shirley Temple in Captain January.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #8 – Judge Hardy and Son (1939)
The eighth entry in the Hardy family series, Judge Hardy and Son, sees one family member struck down with illness, three Universal horror actors in supporting roles and Andy’s hunt for a girl whose middle name begins with the letter “V.”
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.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #6 – The Hardys Ride High (1939)
In The Hardys Ride High (1939), the sixth movie of MGM’s Hardy Family series, Judge Hardy and family fly to Detroit to claim a two million dollar inheritance. Andy Hardy sets his sights on a showgirl and Aunt Milly may have found love at last.
Sara Haden – Charlotte Walker’s Daughter and Andy Hardy’s Aunt Milly
Character actress Sara Haden was stage and screen star Charlotte Walker’s daughter. Originally famed for playing cranks became Andy Hardy’s Aunt Milly in 14 of the Hardy Family movies.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #5 – Out West with the Hardys (1938)
The fifth entry of the Hardy Family series, Out West with the Hardys (1938), puts focus on each of the core family members in a Western setting. Virginia Weidler is Mickey Rooney’s sidekick in this one. Sara Haden returns as Aunt Milly.
MGM’s Hardy Family Series #2 – You’re Only Young Once (1937)
The second entry of the Hardy Family series, You’re Only Young Once (1937), sees the family vacation at Santa Catalina Island and features the first appearances of Lewis Stone, Fay Holden and Ann Rutherford in the parts they will reprise throughout the lifetime of the series.