Our Oct. 17 blog about Erich von Stroheim brought to mind another film director of Austrian descent who occasionally acted before the cameras as well, the indomitable Otto Preminger. Fans of vintage movies will recall that he often portrayed a Nazi. His most famous role is probably that of the camp commandant opposite William Holden […]
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Month: October 2013
Star of the Week — VAN HEFLIN
Unlike most classic Hollywood stars, he looked “recognizably American.” He often portrayed the principled father-husband, but could turn it on convincingly when a movie called for a measure of nastiness. In his private life, he was a largely sedate presence in a second marriage (to the vivacious social whirlwind Frances Neal from 1962 to 1967) that, […]
JUDY GARLAND Quiz — The Answers
Ok, Judy Garland fans, it’s gut-check time. Time to reveal our much-anticipated answers to yesterday’s pop quiz. For the questions, just scroll down to The Monday Quiz — JUDY GARLAND to review our devilishly difficult queries designed to test the knowledge of even the most dedicated Garland aficionado. And, here are the answers: Answer: Babes […]
The Monday Quiz — JUDY GARLAND
Judging by the number of clicks registered by last week’s blogs about Judy Garland — Judy’s Peak Years published on Friday and Wednesday’s Star of the Week — Or Maybe Star of the Century — there is certainly a great deal of continued enthusiasm for and interest about this great star. And, today, to keep things going, we thought […]
Johnny Carson’s Brushes With Classic Hol
There’s a new book just out about America’s most famous late-night tv star, and it isn’t necessarily flattering. Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing) — the great man’s ex-lawyer, fixer and personal confidant — dishes the dirt with gusto and, given the 30-year longevity of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (running from […]
Judy’s Peak Years
After MGM decided what to do with Judy Garland’s immense talents there was no stopping her. They teamed her with Mickey Rooney and the two filmed a series of “let’s put on a show” musicals which are as wonderful today as they were 70 years ago. The second part of her film career began. And […]
Star of the Week — Or Maybe Star of The
She’s known by one name — either name — Garland, or just Judy. Last Friday we told a cute tale about Frances Gumm, and ran a picture of her when she was about three. Few people in show business started earlier than Judy Garland. And few stars burned so brightly. Judy literally grew up […]
TAB HUNTER Quiz — The Answers
We repeat the question posed in yesterday’s blog: just how much do you know about Tab Hunter, anyway? (We shall soon find out!) Hunter’s career comprised some 75 film and TV credits including 1955’s Battle Cry and 1958’s Damn Yankees. He is best remembered as a teen idol of the Fifties who actually recorded a No. 1 hit […]
The Monday Quiz — TAB HUNTER
Welcome to another week and another Monday Quiz. The subjects of our recent quizes comprise some of the very best Hollywood talent of the classic era — Orson Welles, Ingrid Bergman, Tyrone Power and the like. This Monday is different. Just how much do you know about Tab Hunter, anyway? (We shall soon find out!) Sure, […]
Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?
Our friend Pat Williamson (pictured above right with Marlene Dietrich) told us a cute story the other day. So we thought we’d share. When Pat was about 4 or 5 she was a child actress and musician. Her mother dragged her from studio to studio. It was the birth of sound in the movies […]