The Warren William experiment was deemed a success, although the new name was not without its own problems. The inevitable consequence fo the last name “William” is that everyone unconsciously adds an “s” to it. […] The mistake was so prevalent during his career that it would be no exaggeration Read more
Of all the books I’ve read about Stanwyck (and this is #3), Starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck is the one I imagine most likely to show up on the actress’ own bookshelf. While not unremittingly fawning, the book is an upbeat look at her life, a careful curation of her filmography Read more
When [Robert Taylor’s] agents committed him to the 1965 film The Night Walker costarring his ex-wife [Barbara Stanwyck], he exploded, but could do nothing about the commitment. He told reporters, “Who could pass up the opportunity of working with such a wonderful talented woman?” He could. The only truthful word Read more
When I mentioned I was writing a book about Barbara Stanwyck to people around my age (mid-twenties to mid-thirties), they usually didn’t quite know who she was, unfortunately. If they asked me what movies she had been in, I always rushed right to Double Indemnity first, thinking they might have Read more
This minor clash between old and new would have been one of many, as traditional ways of showmanship gave way to modern, more impersonal exhibition of filmed entertainment. What we come to celebrate, then, are the long-gone years when movies we now call classic were sold at both nationwide and Read more
So why go back to the movies of the pre-Code era? What’s the point of discovering and watching these films all these years later? The questions are valid. After all, we’re talking about a brief period that ended almost seventy years ago and counting. Most of the films are unknown Read more
Any fan of the comedies of the early 1930s is certain to get an eyeful of Thelma Todd at one point or another. Tall, blonde and with a striking smile and a stunning set of comedic chops, she started in silent films before making waves for Hal Roach in the Read more
As I’ve been reading more biographies as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate how not just the way that the writing style affects the portrayal of the subjects, but how the attitude that the author brings to the proceedings is paramount as well. For example, Christina Rice’s unbridled enthusiasm Read more
I treasure obscurity. You may have already guessed this since I run a site that tirelessly mines many of the dustiest corners of Hollywood’s history, but I love discovering odd gems, hidden disasters, and near misses. It’s of that last category that star Ann Dvorak falls into. Playing the leading Read more
We take color for granted nowadays. That was my main takeaway of The Dawn of Technicolor, a look a the growing pains of the Technicolor company as they begin the drive to put color into motion pictures. The ability to get feasible, realistic color to be produced consistently and delivered Read more