Dolores Hope (Bob Hope's Wife) Dies at 102

Legendary Bob Hope's wife died Monday, September 19, 2011, at the age of 102. The met in 1933 and were married on Feb. 19, 1934. She soon retired from her singing career and stayed home to raise their four children.

Friend Nancy Reagan summed it up best, "She was an extraordinary partner to Bob throughout his entire life, supporting both their family at home and Bob's selfless cause to entertain U.S. troops abroad. Together, they brought countless hours of laughter and cheer to Americans everywhere."

James Arness Dies - Farewell to Marshal Dillon

James Arness, better known as Marshal Dillon in the classic TV show "Gunsmoke", died on Friday at his home. He was 88 years old.

After graduating high school in 1942, he joined the Army as a rifleman. He had wanted to be a Navy flier, but his 6 foot 6inch height barred him from being a pilot. He took part in the landings at Anzio and was severely wounded, resulting in operations, honorable discharge, and leg trouble that would bother him the rest of his life. He had trouble walking for long periods and mounting a horse was difficult. During his service he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal and three Bronze Campaign Stars.

He played supporting roles in many films (including the John Wayne films, "Island in the Sky" and "Big Jim McLain", and "The Farmer's Daughter") before playing the lead role as Marshall Matt Dillon on the long-running TV show, "Gunsmoke". He was made an honorary US Marshal for "in recognition of his unique contribution to the image and traditions of the U.S. Marshal's Service".

Dana Wynter Dies; 79

Actress Dana Wynter died on Thursday, May 5, at the age of 79. Dark haired, dark eyed, and strikingly pretty, she is best remembered for her role in the B-film, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". She also played the sympathetic and kind secretary to Kenneth Moore in "Sink the Bismark!". Born in Germany, she grew up in England and Southern Rhodesia before coming to America. She started in New York on the stage and television, before moving to California to try movies. In the 1960s, she appeared on many TV shows, and in 1970, she appeared as Burt Lancaster's wife in the movie, "Airport". She is survived by her son, Mark.

Here is a fantastic quote about her feeling of modern Hollywood stars versus the classic greats. "In my opinion, there aren't as many originals today. Everyone looks the same to me. Where are the Katharine Hepburns, Spencer Tracys, Clark Gables and Bette Davises of today? Those actors were instantly recognizable. Nowadays I have trouble separating one actor from another."

Jackie Cooper dies, 88 - Goodbye to "America's Boy"!

Famous child star, Jackie Cooper, died Tuesday in California. He was 88 years old. As a child in the 1930s, he reigned with Shirley Temple as the most famous child stars. He is remembered as the little blonde-haired boy with the winning smile. Nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in the 1931 film, "Skippy" (which was directed by his uncle, Norman Taurog). Some of his other screen credits include "The Little Rascals", "The Champ", "Treasure Island", and "That Certain Age".

After returning home from four years of Navy service during World War II, he had trouble finding worthwhile roles. Following the advise of actor friend John Garfield, he went to New York and worked on the stage, eventually starring in two hit comedies. He acted on Television and went on to become production head of Columbia Pictures' TV company. In the 1970s, he returned to acting and appeared as the Metropolis Daily Planet editor, Perry White, in Christopher Reeve's four "Superman" films.

A Special Tribute to Bing Crosby

Where the blue of the night, Meets the gold of the day, Someone waits for me.

Today would have been Bing Crosby's 108th birthday. His special friend and frequent costar, Bob Hope, wrote this touching tribute when Der Bingle died on October 14,1977. Bob Hope was in New York, scheduled to perform at a benefit in New Jersey that night. For the first time in his career, he cancelled, saying "I just can't get funny tonight"

"When Bing Crosby died at a golf course in Madrid, I lost a partner with whom I've had some of the most delightful moments of my life.

Yet it would be selfish to say that it was my personal loss. It was a great loss to his family and to the entire world.

The whole world loved Bing Crosby with a devotion that not only crossed international boundries, but erased them.

Bing made the world a single place, and through his music he spoke to it in a language everybody understands - the language of the heart.

We lost the most recognizable voice in the world. He called his singing "groaning". We called it magic.

No matter where you were in the world, because of Bing every Christmas was white. And because we had him with us, it will always somehow seem a little whiter.

Bing may have started out as a singer, but while he was here he did more than sell records. is music spread a kind of joy and happiness that had a label all its own.

Although he was courted by king and common man alike, Bing was a simple man who never cared much about himself. Which made him a minority of one.

The world put Bing Crosby on a pedestal. But somehow I don't think he ever really knew it.

Bing asked the world, "Going My Way?" and we all were. He never said an unkind word about anyone, whether he was on life's fairway or in the rough. And that's one scorecard I'd be proud to sign.

Whether he was singing or joking, or just living, Bing always had fun. And somehow he made all of us say, "Hey, he's right!"

On Friday, October 14, 1977, a heart may have stopped, a voice stilled. But the real melody Bing Crosby sang will linger as long as there's a phonograph to be played . . . and a heart to be lifted."

Elizabeth Taylor (1932 - 2011)

ELIZABETH TAYLOR
27 February 1932 - 23 March 2011
"People who know me well, call me Elizabeth. I dislike Liz."

Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor died this morning, at age 79, after six weeks in Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital for congestive heart failure. She was surrounded by her four children.

Known for her dark beauty and violet eyes, she was the winner of two Oscars and made over 50 films in a career which started in 1942 and went all the way through 2001. She starred in such films as Lassie Come Home, National Velvet, A Date With Judy, and The Taming of the Shrew (with husband Richard Burton).

To read a full obituary, click here to read the LATimes obituary or here to read the NYTimes obituary.

Jane Russell 1921 - 2011

JANE RUSSELL
June 21, 1921 - February 28, 2011
You asked if I am a Christian. Yes, I am --- very much so!

Jane Russell; star of "The Outlaw" (1943), "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953), "Paleface" (1948), and "Son of Paleface" (1952); died yesterday at her home in Santa Maria, California. She was 89 years old.

A strong Christian, she joined with some friends to create the Hollywood Christian Group which held services and Bible Studies at different movie people's houses. In 1954, Jane, Connie Haines, Beryl Davis and Della Russell joined together for a Church benefit and sang a Gospel song. A representative of Coral Records heard them and asked if they would record the song, which ended up being a million-seller. The same year, Della Russell left the group and was replaced by Rhonda Fleming. (The video below is from a TV appearance that they made in 1954, singing their hit song, "Do, Lord".) The singing group, known as The Four Girls, spent three years performing together and touring the Country. They even recorded a hit album entitled Make a Joyful Noise. In 1957, Rhonda Fleming left the group to fulfill acting commitments and the others renamed the group Les Girls, continuing for the rest of the decade as a trio. During and after this time, Jane Russell also created and helped organizations that helped adopt children into the US and worked at getting the Bible put back into public school curriculum. Now she is with her Saviour in Heaven and truly happy.

"Without faith, I never would have made it. I don't know how people can survive all the disasters in their lives if they don't have any faith, if they don't know the Lord loves them and cares about them and has another plan."

Click here to read a bio from Pointing North.



(Top photo: Jane Russell in "Paleface"; Middle right photo: Jane Russell with Rhonda Fleming in 2006)

Dorothy Lamour: The Sarong Girl

Dorothy Lamour (1914 - 1996)

"She pulled out some beautiful cotton print material and began to drape it around me. Beginning to daydream of all the beautiful gowns, glamorous hairdos, and magnificent jewels that I would soon be wearing, I asked how many dresses I would wear in the film. 'Dresses?' she exclaimed. 'Young lady, this is going to be a sarong!' I had to admit to her that I didn't know what a sarong was. She laughed, and when she explained, all my hopes of a glamorous movie debut flew out the window."

(Dorothy Lamour on her film debut in "Jungle Princess".)

Although Dorothy Lamour only played about six roles where she was was clad in a sarong, it became her trademark throughout her career, even though she disliked the entire image. Her most memorable roles are those opposite Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the "Road to . . . " series. Together they created an ad-libbing comedy style that has never been equaled and they remained lifelong friends, often making guest appearances in each other's films. "I felt like a wonderful sandwich, a slice of white bread between two slices of ham." Even so, she always managed to hold her own with the two of them. During World War II, she was called the "Bond Bombshell" for her work selling War Bonds across the country. She was the first celebrity to use her fame for selling Bonds, selling over 300 million dollars of Bonds alone. By the 1950s her career was declining and she only made a handful of films. Some of her better known films ,other than the "Road To" films, are "Hurricane" (1937); "My Favorite Brunette" (1947); "Johnny Apollo" (1940); and "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952).

Click here to hear Miss Lamour sing her theme song "The Moon of Manakoora" (from the 1937 film, The Hurricane).

To see more photos of Dorothy Lamour, click one of the photos at the top to be directed to Dr. Macro's High Res Scans.

"I made 60 motion pictures and only wore the sarong in about six pictures, but it did become a kind of trademark."

Three Minutes of Melody

I found a very interesting article in one of my old Deanna Durbin scrapbooks. It appears to be from a music magazine, and describes everything that goes into making one three minute song in a film.

"In her newest starring vehicle, "IT'S A DATE" (Universal), Deanna Durbin sings Musetta's Song from "La Boheme"; Loch Lomand; Schubert's Ave Maria; and Love Is All, by P. Tomlin and H. Tobias. A scientifically minded film fan, holding a stop watch on the average Durbin song, would discover that he was getting three minutes of melody. What he could not discover is that he is also getting the benefit of several pieces of chalk, five hundred fifty feet of celluloid, and seven hundred seventy-six work hours of ninety-seven experts. The singing itself, which seems no more complicated than allowing Miss Durbin to send out her tones, is in reality a very involved piece of work.

Take, for instance, the rendition of Musetta's Song. The aria is first sung into a microphone in a sound room, to the accompaniment of a fifty piece orchestra, under the direction of Charles Previn. The chalk was used to write the words of the song in large letters on a blackboard high on the wall facing Miss Durbin, as is the custom in all screen singing. In the action of the picture, Miss Durbin sang the aria again, in a Hawaiian ballroom scene. This time it was photographed but not recorded, her silently filmed lip movements being later synchronized to the previously recorded song. For her gown in this scene, used once and then discarded, the services of one designer and six seamstresses were needed. Also, active in the "shooting" were one make-up man, one hairdresser, one script girl, two camera men, one assistant director, one dialogue director, and an orchestra of fifteen musicians, whose accompaniment, like the photographed song, were filmed but not recorded. An average eight hour work day was expended by each of these experts, either in filming or recording; and other specialists in the cutting room, the library, and various departments, complement the full count of ninety-seven experts needed to bring a single song to the public."

(Here are some photos of Deanna Durbin recording "I Love to Whistle" for her 1938 film, Mad About Music.)

Deanna Durbin: Happy 89th Birthday

Deanna Durbin, 1930s and '40s singing star, celebrates her 89th birthday today.

"Deanna's genius had to be unfolded, but it was hers and hers alone, always has been, always will be, and no one can take credit for discovering her. You can't hide that kind of light under a bushel. You just can't, no matter how hard you try!" (Producer Joe Pasternack)

Her real name is Edna Mae Durbin (she was actually always called "Edna" - not Deanna). Born in Winnipeg, Canada, her parents moved to California when she was little. When she was 14, she appeared in an MGM short, Every Sunday, with newcomer Judy Garland. However, MGM dropped her and her contract was picked up by the almost-bankrupt Universal. Together with producer Joe Pasternack and director Henry Koster, they launched what would go on to be a successful five year collaboration that saved Universal Studios from bankruptcy and cemented her as one of the great musical stars of the era. She became, literally, an overnight sensation with the release of her first film, Three Smart Girls. When she was 21 years old, she was the highest paid actress in the world!

Deanna's voice was classically trained and she specialized in classical songs, even performing operatic numbers with skill. She did sing some popular and folk selections, but usually with a classical style. However, in Something in the Wind, she performed pop songs with a remarkable effect (although the highlight of the film is when she sings a duet from the opera Il Trovetore with Metropolitan Opera star Jan Peerce). During her career she would costar with such movie greats as Bob Cummings, Herbert Marshall, Robert Stack, Charles Laughton, Joseph Cotten, Pat O'Brien, Gene Kelly, and Donald O'Connor. She also was a frequent performer on Eddie Cantor's radio show, often performing with child singer Bobby Breen.

She was one of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's favorite stars, and he had her movies privately screened before release in Britain. Italian dictator Mussolini published an open letter asking her to persuade President Franklin Roosevelt not to get involved in WWII. Anne Frank had photos of her tacked up on her picture wall in the Annex, which are still there today. During her career, her fan club was the largest in the world. (In the late 1930s, she made a personal appearance in her hometown of Winnipeg, where the crowd went wild at her arrival.Her mother, who was travelling with her, suffered several broken ribs, and the police had to lock Deanna in a jail cell overnight for her own protection!) Her first screen kiss, in her 1939 film First Love, actually pushed the war news of of the front pages of newspapers around the world.

(Click thumbnails for larger photo.)

Always unhappy with life in Hollywood, she was constantly at odds with the studio. She always insisted that the persona created for her on the screen was nothing like her real self and that all she wanted was to be a normal person. When she was 27 years old, she simply walked away from Hollywood after her 1948 film, For the Love of Mary, turning her back on her career and fame. She moved to France where she married her third husband, Director Charles David (who directed her in Lady on a Train), in Paris and they lived in seclusion until his death in 1999. She has a daughter, Jessica (b. 2/7/46), and a son, Peter (b. 6/20/51). She continues to live privately in a farmhouse in a small town outside of Paris.



Deanna Durbin's Feature Films:
Three Smart Girls (1936); One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937); Mad About Music, That Certain Age (1938); Three Smart Girls, First Love (1939); It's a Date, Spring Parade (1940); Nice Girl?, It Started with Eve (1941); The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1942); Hers to Hold (1943); Christmas Holiday, Can't Help Singing (1944); Lady on a Train (1945); Because of Him (1946); I'll Be Yours, Something in the Wind (1947); Up in Central Park, For the Love of Mary (1948).

Teresa Wright and "The Pride of the Yankees"

The 1942 film, The Pride of the Yankees, portrayed the life of legendary first baseman Lou Gehrig (played in the film by Gary Cooper). Released less than two years after his death, this film made a fantastic impact on the public, in whose memory Gehrig's sad farewell at Yankee Stadium was still fresh. Many of Gehrig's Yankee teammates, including Babe Ruth and Bill Dickey, appeared as themselves.

Cast as Eleanor Gehrig was 24-year-old ingenue Teresa Wright, who was nominated for the best-actress Academy Award for her performance. For the film, she got to wear the actual bracelet that Lou had given his wife for their fourth anniversary. The real Mrs. Gehrig brought the bracelet to the set to be used in the film, letting it be stored in the Studio vault at night. It is made from the medals commemorating the World Championships and All-Star Games that Lou Gehrig appeared in. The bracelet is now on display in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

Here is a clip from the film showing the real bracelet.

In 1998, at the age of 80, Teresa Wright was invited to throw the first ceremonial ball at the Fourth of July celebration of Gehrig's farewell speech in 1939. Confessing that she had never thrown a ball or been to a ballgame in her life, she accepted the invitation (although she did practice throwing a ball in her garage with her grandson before leaving for the stadium). She was given a World Series jacket and hat, and when she went to the mound the crowd applauded her pitching. From that day on, she was hooked on baseball, now fully appreciating what Lou Gehrig meant to the Yankees.

In honor of her performance in The Pride of the Yankees, when she died in 2005, her name was included with the ballplayers when the roll call of Yankees who had passed away was read.

(Click thumbnails to see larger photos.)
For more high quality photos of Teresa Wright and The Pride of the Yankees, click here to go to Dr. Macro's High Res Scans.

"Fasten Your Seatbelts" . . . All About "All About Eve"

"We're a breed apart from the rest of humanity, we theatre folk."

Director Joseph Mankiewicz had always been interested in the theatre. He had an idea about writing and directing a film that told the story of an actress' rise to stardom. However, he needed an element that would be unique. It wasn't until 1949 when a studio story editor found a short story called "The Wisdom of Eve" that Mankiewicz turned his dream into reality. After six weeks of writing, Mankiewicz submitted the story to Fox studio head Darryl Zanuck, who was so enthusiastic that he decided to personally produce the film. Zanuck's feedback mainly consisted of two concerns. First, that the audience should not realize that Eve was the heavy too soon in the film, and second, that a series of scenes between Eve and Lloyd Richards be cut. Zanuck thought that they slowed and dirtied the picture, preferring the power of suggestion. The main goal was to keep the film moving and not let it get bogged down by unnecessary scenes. After the first draft was completed, there were not many revisions and the production moved forward.

"Fasten your seatbelts . . . it's going to be a bumpy night"

Few could imagine anyone better than screen legend Bette Davis as Margo Channing, the aging star whose career is put in jeopardy when she befriends a young "fan". However, when Fox Studio head Darryl Zanuck and Director Joseph Mankiewicz began casting, Bette Davis was not their first choice. Actually, not even the second! They originally planned the role for Susan Hayward. However, as they continued to work on the script, it was decided that, as the plot revolves around Margo turning 40, Miss Hayward was too young, being only 31 at the time. Marlene Dietrich was suggested, but decided against. Finally, Claudette Colbert was cast. However, while filming another movie, she sustained a serious back injury, and as filming was beginning in a little more than a month, they had to replace her. Their second choice was Gertrude Lawrence, but a suitable arrangement could not be reached. Finally, Zanuck and Mankiewicz agreed that Bette Davis had what they were looking for in the actress to play Margo. Miss Davis was in a career slump, having left Warner Bros. after eighteen years and had several flop films. However, Bette Davis and Zanuck had not spoken to each other since a disagreement in the early 1940s, so Zanuck sat on his pride and personally called her, explaining the problem. After reading the script, she accepted the part and her current film production was hurried so that she could make the starting shoot date for "All About Eve".

"No brighter light has ever dazzled the eye than Eve Harrington. Eve . . . but more of Eve later. All about Eve, in fact."

Zanuck's choice for the role of Eve Harrington was Jeanne Crain. However, Mankiewicz was not impressed with her previous film performance. Contract player Anne Baxter was finally settled on when Miss Craine backed out after finding out that she was expecting. The only other large change in casting was that the original choice for Addison Dewitt was Jose Ferrer. However, George Sanders was ultimately signed and went on to win an Oscar for his performance as the cynical critic.

Before filming with the principal players began, Mankiewicz and a camerman flew to New York and New Haven to film the exterior opening shots of the theatre, 21, and the apartments. Back in California, they decided on filming inside a real theatre, eventually renting the Curran Theatre in Los Angeles for ten days at the beginning of the shoot. Bette Davis lost her voice, before filming, due to stress and traffic noises were heard inside the theatre, requiring most of the dialogue to be rerecorded in the sound studio after filming.

The scene between Margo and Karen Richards (Celeste Holm) in the car (after it has run out of gas on the way to the station), where they are really cold, was actually filmed in early Summer and between the weather and the lights it was over 100 degrees while they had to film this scene! Also, Celeste Holm could laugh on command, a skill that Bette Davis admired when filming the scene in the Cub Room, stating that she herself could not even try to do that.

"For those of you who do not read, attend the theatre, listen to unsponsored radio programs, or know anything of the world in which you live, it is perhaps necessary to introduce myself. My name is Addison Dewitt. My native habitat is the theatre. In it, I toil not. Neither do I spin. I am a critic and commentator. I am essential to the theatre."

"He was a brilliant actor, but he wasn't much fun." That was costar Celeste Holm's opinion of character actor George Sanders. He was accustomed to napping in his dressing room between every take. Anne Baxter, who shared many scenes with Mr. Sanders in the film, didn't mind this until it came time for the climax where Addison tells the true story of Eve's past. In her autobiography, she tells the story. The scene "required a gamut of emotion, building to and culminating in hysteria and ending in acrid defeat. I am a starting gate actress. From the moment I climb into the makeup chair my mind is prancing . . . George yawned his way through rehearsals. I was spiraling through them. That first take was an opening night." Director Mankiewicz took her aside, encouraging her to take it easy. She continues, "I tried, but by take five I was a rag. Understanding Joe called a short break and took George aside. I walked around, taking deep breaths and trying to relax and yet maintain my emotional juices. Take six. Take seven - and George went off like a rocket."

"And this is my dear friend and companion, Miss Birdie Coonan"

The incomparable Thelma Ritter was cast as Margo Channing's companion, Birdie. A rather thankless role. Birdie is more of a plot device than a character. She is the one who sees through Eve from the very beginning, while the principle characters are wrapped up in her sentimental story. One of my favorite scenes in the film is after Bill's birthday phone call, when Margo is talking to Birdie and suddenly realizes that Birdie was right about Eve. Margo stares as Eve leaves the room, turning to Birdie after the door is closed. Birdie meets the gaze and slowly exits, still looking directly at Margo, who remains in bed looking at the closed door. Fabulous acting! Thelma Ritter has NO trouble keeping up with Bette Davis in any of the scenes where she appears. Sadly, after Margo has realized the extent of Eve's infiltration, Birdie is dropped from the film, making her very understated exit holding a sable coat after talking to Karen at the end of the party.



Shooting for "All About Eve" finished in June 1950, and in October the film premiered in New York. The film was nominated for 14 Academy Awards, a record that it still holds as a tie with "Titanic". Both Bette Davis and Anne Baxter were nominated for Best Actress. Anne Baxter had insisted on being nominated for Best Actress instead of Supporting. Voters, therefore, the Academy had to choose between "Eve" actresses and the votes were divided between Bette Davis and Anne Baxter with the result that Judy Holliday garnered enough votes to win for her performance in "Born Yesterday". However, in the end, the film won six Oscars including Best Picture of the Year, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for George Sanders.

Beloved Enemy (1936)

Beloved Enemy is a love story set in 1921 during the Irish Revolution, starring Merle Oberon and Brian Aherne.

Dennis Riordan (Brian Aherne) is the leader of the Irish Rebels. He is still at large because the British do not know what he looks like. Lord Athleigh and his daughter, Lady Helen (Merle Oberon), arrive in Dublin to try to find a peaceful solution to the Irish uprising. Dennis meets Lady Helen under a false identity and they end up falling in love. When she accidently learns his true name, she discloses his whereabouts to the British authorities who arrange an ambush for the next day. Riordan escapes and refuses to believe that Lady Helen was the one who betrayed him. They arrange a secret meeting and she admits that she betrayed him, saying that her action proves they can never be close. Each is unwilling to leave though, and they both declare their love.

Unknown to Lady Helen, the Colonel in charge of the British Occupation had her followed to their secret place. The military surrounds Riordan's flat and prepares to move in. Riordan and his friend, O'Rourke, escape over the rooftops and evade capture. That night Riordan swears that he will never see Lady Helen again. Lord Athleigh takes Helen back to London that night and also makes her promise never to see Riordan alone again.

Lady Helen pursuades her father to fight for a peaceful solution to the Irish problem. He succeeds in getting a temporary truce and safe conduct for an Irish delegation to come to London in order to discuss a treaty. Dennis and five of his men come, but the two countries are unable to come to an agreement. One night, Riordan takes a walk alone, and Lady Helen finds him, trying to convince him that peace would be better than war. He signs the treaty the next day and bids Lady Helen a sad farewell as he returns to Dublin with the treaty.

Minutes after Riordan has bid her goodbye, Lady Helen learns that He is going home to great danger. Members of his party who wanted war more than peace would most likely kill him the next day. Lady Helen takes the first boat to Dublin the next morning. She finds out that Riordan is going to be assassinated that night at a rally. She hurries away and arrives in time to see him shot as he stepped into his car. She manages to get into the car and they rush to Riordan's flat. Once the doctor has seen him she is allowed to go to him. He tells her not to worry, that he isn't going to die. After all, "a good Irishman never does what's expected of him". Happy music and a beautiful close-up of the two stars brings the film to a very satisfying ending!

This is one of my favorite films. Originally titled "Love Under Fire", the first ending of this film had Dennis shot and killed. However, after the film didn't do well in the box office, they replaced it with the happier end that is played today. Only 87 minutes, the story never bogs down. There are enough light moments to keep this from being too dark of a film. Miss Oberon and Mr. Aherne are perfectly matched and the supporting cast is just as good. David Niven is definitely a stand-out as Lord Athleigh aide. Although it is set in 1921, the costumes are obviously 1936 styles. But authenticity can be forgotten when Miss Oberon looks so grand in the current styles. When this film came out in '36, 1921 styles would have looked simply outdated!

Click here to watch a scene from Beloved Enemy.

Read the 1936 NYTimes movie review.

Lena Horne 1917-2010

Yesterday, May 9, singer Lena Horne died at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She was 92 years old.

Lena Horne was a jazz and popular singer who appeared with popular bands, in films, nightclubs and on Broadway. She did many cameo appearances in well-known musicals such as "Ziegfeld Follies", "Till the Clouds Roll By" and "Thousands Cheer". She also had starring roles in the two most famous all-black musicals - "Cabin in the Sky" and "Stormy Weather" (the title song also became her signature song!).

Click here to read an in-depth bio and obituary from The Guardian.

The Heart of a Flower

Here is a very funny story that Grace Kelly (then Princess of Monaco) told about Clark Gable in her book "My Book of Flowers" .

"I remember the story of Clark Gable, who was in Cornwallin the Autumn of 1952, making a picture that was directed by the late Delmer Daves [the picture was "Never Let Me Go" with Gene Tierney] . They were on location in a little village. The sets were being changed and the work was taking longer than had been anticipated. Ever conscious of his stars well-being, the assistant director said to Clark Gable, 'Why don't you and Delmer take a little drive in the country, and by the time you're back we'll be ready for you?' Once they left the villiage in the car, they were in virgin country. Delmer Daves was a remarkable man. He was fascinated by every aspect of nature - botany, biology, geology - all the natural sciences that explain the wonders of the earth. He always carried a jeweler's magnifying glass to look at specimens that interested him, whether they were rocks, flowers, or insects.

When something went wrongwith the automobile, Delmer was not the least concerned and suggested that they take a walk. They were in the middle of nowhere when he suddenly said, 'Look! Look at that field of anemones over there,' and, turning to Gable, asked, 'Have you ever looked into the heart of a flower?' Gable, that down-to-earth gentle giant, replied, 'You're kidding!' With that, Delmer brought out his little glass and invited Gable to look for himself.

They were standing there deep in concentration when some people drove by and stopped to ask directions. They drove off, but, soon realizing who was standing among the anemones, turned the car back and pulled up again. The man said, 'I've been having a discussion with my wife as to why Clark Gable would be in a field in Cornwall. You are Clark Gable, aren't you?' Gable leaned all those six feet over and answered, 'My good man, have you never looked into the heart of a flower?'"