Trudy Kockenlocker (Betty Hutton) has a slight problem. Our unlikely-named heroine is a young, pretty, slightly empty-headed girl, and all the handsome young men are headed off to war. They invite her to a dance; she accepts. But her stern father, the town constable (William Demarest), forbids her to go. Undeterred, Trudy calls up her…
Last week, we raved about the new biography on Mary Wickes, I Know I’ve Seen That Face Before (University Press of Mississippi, 2013). And now’s your chance to win a copy of this wonderful book! Author Steve Taravella has graciously contributed a copy of I Know I’ve Seen That Face Before for this contest, to be given to one…
“Not only is a woman as well-fitted to stage a photo-drama as a man, but in many ways she has a distinct advantage over him because of her very nature and because much of the knowledge called for in the telling of the story and the creation of the stage setting is absolutely within her…
Mary Wickes: I Know I’ve Seen That Face Before Steve Taravella Release Date: June 1, 2013 University of Mississippi Press Hardcover, 370 pages Throughout a seven-decade career in show business, Mary Wickes was a welcome and hilarious presence in hundreds of movies, television series and films, stage productions, and radio broadcasts. Much like contemporaries such…
Irene Manning is perhaps best remembered for a single, small supporting role in one of the greatest musicals of all time, but she had a long career as a glamorous singer and actress that spanned multiple genres in Hollywood and on Broadway. Born in Cincinnati in either 1912 or 1916 (both dates have been reported…
“One of the best actresses I ever worked with.” –Joel McCrea Over the course of twenty-three years–from 1934’s Gambling Lady through 1957’s Trooper Hook–Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea starred in six films together. By all accounts, the two of them formed a supportive and friendly relationship; each spoke highly of the other in interviews, and on…
One of my priorities upon my recent move to Atlanta has been to immerse myself in the classic film fan-friendly culture ’round these parts. There’s an abundance of things for the devoted classic fan to do about town–including, first and foremost, a frequent number of movie screenings at several fabulous venues. On Sunday afternoon, I…
Though his popularity lasted less than a decade, Felix the Cat remains one of the seminal figures in pre-sound animation. The mischievous, clever cat appeared in over 150 animated shorts throughout the 1920s, many of which served to influence an entire generation of animators to come. The origins of the character have long been questioned,…
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