Relevant to my Interests Ep. 24

Any major dude will tell you that looks aren't everything, and they'd be right. Glenda Farrell definitely wasn't a knockout by most standards, but one would be hard pressed to find an actress who encapsulated the hard-boiled dame of the 1930s as well as she did. Glenda's output while under contract at Warner Bros. can best be described as workmanlike --  between 1932 and 1934, she appeared in over two dozen pictures. To put that figure in perspective, Joan Crawford appeared in only eight pictures in the same time frame, while Norma Shearer and Greta Garbo appeared in only four. That's dedication to the craft, my friends. Glenda may not have had the prestige or the glamor of some of her contemporaries, but her parts are usually pretty memorable, and she rarely fails to entertain. That, combined with the fact that she seems like she could beat you in foosball while drinking you under the table, makes Glenda Farrell a pretty cool gal.

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 23

Here's a fun fact about Jeanette MacDonald: apparently, my grandfather had a thing for her, too! My father also admits that she is -- as the kids say these days -- hot, which means Jeanette has three consecutive generations of approval. If that isn't evidence of transcendental beauty, I don't know what is.

P.S. It also helps that she looks like this girl I had a major crush on in college.

Edward Steichen at the Nelson-Atkins

So the Nelson-Atkins Museum is running an exhibition of Edward Steichen's photography? You bet your ass I'm going. Picture related: it's a shot of Joan Crawford by Steichen.

[Image Sauce]

Relevant to My Interests, Ep. 22

Although she began her Hollywood career as a dance instructor and extra at MGM, Ann Dvorak -- born Anna McKim in New York City -- is perhaps best remembered today for her roles at Warner Bros. between 1932 and 1935, including such pre-code pictures as Scarface (1932) and Three on a Match (1932). Despite a series of successful films, squabbles with the studio execs and an almost year-long hiatus dampened Ann's career prospects, and the quality and number of her roles tapered off.

In every role I've seen her play, Ann demonstrates a great talent for making her characters believable -- from the cocaine addled mother in Three on a Match to the restless younger sister in Heat Lightning (1934) to the titular role in Housewife (1934), Ann's character is always sympathetic and and always feels genuine (she makes a particularly great onscreen drunk, as well!). She's a greatly under-appreciated member of the Warner Bros. roster.

A nifty tribute site to Ann exists, and is worth a visit for old movie aficionados.

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 21

Owing to the mysterious circumstances under which she died at the relatively young age of thirty, Thelma Todd is perhaps more famous today as a victim of the supposed depravity of Hollywood. This interpretation, however, truly misses the point. The former Ms. Massachusetts was in fact a rather lively comedienne who appeared in an impressively high number of pictures in her short career -- IMDb puts the number at 119 -- most of these under the aegis of Hal Roach. She appeared opposite big name comedians such as the Marx brothers and Laurel and Hardy, more often than playing some variation of a vampy sexpot (and doing that quite well, I might add).

Sadly, Thelma was found dead in her car in the garage of another actress, leading to all manner of speculation regarding the circumstances of her untimely demise (for all the juicy details, see wikipedia).

As an aside, I've actually seen a few photos from after Thelma's autopsy. How was it? Mortifying, to say the least. She looked much better alive, as most people tend to do. Why bring this up? Well, it does remind one of the fragility and mutability of youth and beauty, and indeed of life itself. Let us not mourn that such a beauty died; rather, let us thank the stars that such a beauty lived.

Relevant to My Interests, Ep. 20

Born Ethel Hilda Keeler in Nova Scotia, the former Mrs. Al Jolson is best known today for appearing in several Busby Berkeley musicals, beginning with 1933's 42nd Street, which made her an overnight success. Like many starlets, Ruby Keeler got her start under the aegis of Florenz Ziegfeld before migrating to Hollywood.

I'll be honest with you--it took me a little bit to warm up to Ruby Keeler. She didn't seem like much of an actress at first, but she's so face-meltingly cute that I couldn't help but like her more and more each time I saw hew in a picture (it's easy to see why Al Jolson was so smitten with her). Her aura of charming naivete makes her a perfect fit for the role of the ingenue.

The above photo comes from Shadow Waltz, a nifty little tribute site dedicated to Ruby.

There is Only One Acceptable Way to Spend a Friday Night....

... And this is it.

Relevant to My Interests, Ep. 19

I know what you're thinking. "Just what's going on here?" you say to yourself. "Sarah Blasko isn't dead! And she's not pushing a hundred, either! What gives?" I guess it just goes to show you that I'm perfectly capable of being smitten by modern women, too. So you see, I'm not totally hopeless. Just mostly hopeless.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sarah Blasko, allow me to enlighten you. Sarah Blasko is a singer/songwriter from Australia. And she is fabulous in so many ways. Do yourself a favor and give a listen to some of her songs-you're certain to like what you hear.

[Image Sauce]

I Feel Like Posting a Picture of Jean Arthur...

...so here it is. I'd like to raid her piggy bank. If you know what I mean.

...That made no sense. I'm sorry.

[Sauce]

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 18

If the name Ruth Harriet Louise is familiar to aficionados of old movies, it is most likely because hers is the name attached to so many of the great portraits of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's stable of stars during the late 1920s. Roth's photographs displayed (and, indeed in many cases, enhanced) the beauty and glamor of Hollywood's elite. Yet, as a quick glance at the striking self-portrait above will attest, Ruth Harriet Louise (née Ruth Goldstein) was not lacking in the looks department, either, so much so that she was occasionally mistaken for Joan Crawford (Joan, it may be said, owed much of her new found popularity to Ruth, who photographed her more than any other MGM player).

In spite of Ruth's talent for portraiture, however, her career at MGM came to an abrupt and unceremonious end at the end of 1929. Louis B. Mayer and the other studio magnates had taken quite a fancy to Clarence Sinclair Bull, while at the same time Norma Shearer (the undisputed queen of the MGM lot) began to favor George Hurrell. Ruth was ousted, and Hurrell was proclaimed the new head of MGM's department of portrait photography. Thereafter Ruth settled down, exchanging the working life for the family life, having two children with her husband (director Leigh Jason). In one of those great injustices of which the spirits of Hollywood seem to be so fond, Ruth died of complications from childbirth in 1940, not yet even forty years old.

Fortunately, Ruth's kleos lives on, and her portraits are renowned among Hollywood historians and classic film fans alike. The book Ruth Harriet Louise and Hollywood Glamour Photography is an excellent source for both Louise's photography and the details of her tragically short career as Hollywood's first female photographer (the above photo was scanned from my personal copy of the book, in fact).

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 17

Way back when I was a wee lad, Fay Wray was probably the first girl I ever had a crush on. This was no doubt a result of repeated viewings of King Kong, the film for which she is best known. True stardom eluded her, however, and poor Fay spent the rest of her days haunted by the specter of that damned mechanical ape (in much the same way that Jason Biggs will spend the rest of his days haunted by the specter of that infamous pie). To her credit, she was at least a good sport about the whole thing, even accepting a cameo in the 2005 remake of King Kong (a part which, sadly, she never did get to play, as she died before filming began). Giant monkey notwithstanding, Fay Wray will always have a place in my heart.

[Image Sauce]

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 16

"I can has cheezburger, mommy?"
"Not yet, my little one, but soon. Yes, soon..."

Not content to merely possess the looks of an angel, Jeanette MacDonald also had to have the voice of an angel, as well. Jeanette MacDonald is today remembered best for the several films she made with Nelson Eddy (one hell of a singer in his own right!), although she also appeared opposite Maurice Chevalier in her earlier pictures. And if it may be hyperbole to say Jeanette had the voice of an angel, it isn't hyperbole by much--this woman could sing like nobody's business. Even through the somewhat primitive, monaural sound recording technology of the day, Jeanette's voice rings through as clearly as a church bell through the autumnal fog. Nelson Eddy was frequently Jeanette's beau on the screen, but he carried a torch for her just as much off the screen. Personally, I can't blame him.

The above photo dates from the early days of Jeanette MacDonald's career, as the Paramount logo suggests. The identity of the cat remains unknown.

[Image Sauce]

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 15

Ruth Etting got her start in the Ziegfeld Follies (Like many great talents from back in the day), and later appeared in several short films between 1929 and 1936, and only three full-length pictures--most notably Roman Scandals with Eddie Cantor and Hips, Hips, Hooray! with Wheeler and Woolsey. Ruth Etting was one of the most popular singers of the 1930s, and with good reason--she had an absolutely wonderful singing voice (here's some proof, if you don't believe me). In fact, I like her for her vocal talents even more so than for her looks (which weren't too bad, either, by the way). I'm not completely shallow, you may be surprised to find.

Bringing Sexy Back

Because contemporary fashions are excessively boring, slutty or some combination of both, here's a glimpse of some respectable sexiness from 1927. In color, no less! Laura La Plante wins the "Hat of the Year" award.

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 14

For no real reason, here's a picture of Louise Brooks. Although it's not as if one needs a reason, is it?

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 13

Look at that mirror! And look at the headboard on that bed! Oh, and Joan Blondell is fairly appealing, as well.

[Sauce]

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 12

Myrna Loy was one of the most successful stars of the 1930s, being crowned the Queen of Hollywood in 1938 (opposite Clark Gable, who received the miter and scepter of the King of Hollywood). Her amicable on-screen persona (which earned her honors as the "perfect wife") was matched by the all-around awesomeness of her actual self--she made only one movie during World War II, as she was working full-time for the Red Cross (she had previously been blacklisted by Adolf Hitler for denouncing him). She was also a proponent of the civil rights movements of the 1960s, and opposed the anti-Communist witch hunt of McCarthy and the House Unamerican Activities Committee in the 1950s.

Also, she was hot. Let's not forget that ever-so-important detail, shall we?

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 11

Bebe Daniels was one of the biggest names in Hollywood during the 1920s, and if the accounts are to be believed, one of the most dedicated actresses in the business. I found one of my favorite anecdotes about Bebe on the Silent Movie Blog, the details of which are as follows:

She's a hardy perennial. I can recall but one picture in which Bebe was not ill or injured. Her most serious accidents occurred when, on location, the protruding branch of a big tree swept her from a truck, and during the sword play of Senorita, when she was accidentally stabbed in the corner of one eye. Her bravery is no publicity myth around our first-aid hospital. Regardless of suffering, she is always ready with a joke.

Bebe now has a website dedicated to her, which claims to be "bringing Bebe back." Because those other girls don't know how to act! A noble cause, to be sure; I'm always in favor of a little idolatry, myself.

Credit given where credit it due: the above photo comes to you through the courtesy of flickr user Catchpenny.

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 10

Dorothy Sebastian, Joan Crawford and Anita Page show off the goods in a promotional shot from 1928's Our Dancing Daughters. I need to see this film before I die. Not necessarily because it is a masterpiece of cinema, mind you, but because I am a terrible fanboy. If I have to buy a VCR just so I can watch it on VHS, then so be it. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, dammit.

At this juncture I am so very tempted to analyze the significance of Joan's character being named Diana, after the Roman goddess of the hunt (who was also a virgin, by the way). I am equally tempted to engage in an unnecessary exegesis of Dorothy's playing a character named Beatrice (the name of the woman with whom Dante Alighieri, the greatest poet in all of western literature, was smitten throughout his life). Despite those temptations, I will refrain. I needn't give the reader any further evidence that I am truly crazy.

Relevant to my Interests, Ep. 9

Billie Dove was one of the more popular actresses of the silent era, as well one of the lucky few who managed the transition to the talkies relatively unscathed. She is also far more interesting than the essay I'm supposed to be writing right now.

Despite her popularity, Billie decided she'd had enough of show business in 1932 and retired at the age of 29 to spend time with her family. A peculiar decision, to be sure, but as Tiki Barber will tell you, it's better to go out at the top of your game rather than to stick around well past your prime. After all, if you don't know when to call it a career you might end up signing with the Arizona Cardinals. Or starring in Trog. And we all know what that leads to.