Classic Couple

Clara Bow ruled the box-office in the 1920s, with 1925 the year she appeared in the most films—15 in all. Almost half of her 1925 films are lost, but My Lady of Whims survives. Originally seven reels, the surviving shortened version offers a powerful glimpse of Bow’s star power at the age of 20. My […]

Generations of Americans know the comedy of The Three Stooges from the regular airing of their escapades on television since 1958. A slapstick team, they were beloved for their physicality and the distinct characters of the three active stooges appearing in the skit. A  working comedy team from 1922 until 1970, six stooges performed over […]

In the history of entertainment there are some who are the one and only. Today we lost America’s Sweetheart Doris Day. Labeled the girl next door well into her forties, she appeared in nearly 40 films and recorded over 600 songs. At the height of her legendary career she topped both the billboard and the […]

130 years ago today on April 16, 1889 Charlie Chaplin was born in Walworth, London. In a 75-year career he showed us what it means to be a comic genius and a true storyteller. My favorite quote attributed to him is, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” I could not agree more.

Indiscreet (1931) is described as a comedy, a drama and a musical. Indeed, it is all those things. A pre-Code morality tale, Indiscreet stars Gloria Swanson giving one of her most captivating performances of the 1930s. Available in April from The Film Detective, Indiscreet is a must-watch for those whose knowledge of Swanson is limited […]

John Wayne is a favorite actor of mine, especially in Westerns. Until I watched The Desert Trail (1935), available in March from The Film Detective, my knowledge of Wayne in Westerns began with his appearance in Stagecoach (1939). Working with director John Ford, Wayne got his big break portraying the Ringo Kid in the film, […]

When TCM features the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz (1939) later this month, Frank Morgan will take the spotlight as the title character of the beloved movie. Indeed he will always be remembered as Professor Marvel/The Wizard in one of the most famous films ever made. But my favorite performance of Frank Morgan’s, […]

His Girl Friday (1940) starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell has long held a place on my list of favorite films. For many years I was a slightly obsessed Cary Grant fan, so I watched the movie for his portrayal of newspaper editor Walter Burns. I focused on the His in the movie as a Cary […]

Leave it to two Hollywood legends to provide inspiration for 2019! “Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, and a little more loving, have a little more empathy, and maybe next year at this time […]