Gorgeous Rita Hayworth plays Terpsichore, glamour goddess of classic Greece in Columbia’s Technicolor musical “Down To Earth” photo: Ned Scott (Columbia Pictures)
To say Down To Earth (1947) has a bizarre plot-line is an understatement. The goddess Terpsichore comes down from the heavens to earth when she finds out there will be a Broadway play about Greek mythology. She then gets a part in the play and suggests changes to the producer. Continue reading
After appearing in an uncredited role in the 1934 Laurel and Hardy picture Hollywood Party, Louise Henry was signed by MGM to a long term contract. The Hollywood Reporter described Louise as a “New York society girl.”
Over the next five years Louise made 21 films. Despite her beauty, Continue reading
credit: Los Angeles Daily News 1953
Elephants in the streets?
It must be for the circus and they’re transporting their pachyderms to a show site.
But this is Los Angeles where movie magic can be the reason behind unusual happenings. Continue reading
ROMANTIC COUPLE SEPARATES
But not for long, perhaps. Here are Robert Preston and Dorothy Lamour, who met and fell in love during the making of the Paramount production, “Typhoon,” together at a farewell party for Dorothy before she left for a vacation in Honolulu. Friends gathered at the Cocoanut Grove to bid her bon voyage, Preston abandoning his work in the San Jacinto mountains on Northwest Mounted Police” to keep the date. Photo: Paramount, May 11, 1940
As many co-stars do, Preston and Lamour did have a love affair during the filming of Typhoon. Despite the intimation that this vacation break was temporary, the young and glamorous couple did soon permanently separate.
Dorothy Lamour was born Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton (December 10 1914) in New Orleans, LA.
Lamour was three years older than Robert Preston, so maybe age and life experience differences would hasten the end of the relationship.
Robert Preston & Dorothy Lamour, Cocoanut Grove nightclub Ambassador Hotel Los Angeles 1940. photo: Paramount
Soon after the love affair was over Preston married actress Kay Feltus (professionally known as Catherine Craig) on November 8, 1940 in Las Vegas. The two had met while studying acting together at the Pasadena School of the Theatre. Continue reading
With few exceptions there not many people that are as popular decades after their death as Marilyn Monroe.
The public which normally cannot remember yesterday’s headlines has not forgotten Marilyn. Over 200 books about Marilyn will attest to that. Her films are still enticing to old film buffs and new generations of movie fans. And her face is everywhere. Continue reading
While recently visiting my 14-year-old nephew who lives in Orange County, CA, I asked him when he travels what airport does he fly out of?
He replied,” John Wayne Airport.”
It then occurred to me, “do you know who John Wayne is?” I queried him.
The answer should not have surprised me. The answer of course was no. “A politician,” he guessed.
I mean fame is fleeting but for goodness sake, John Wayne? Continue reading
There are many children who are afraid of clowns. Not me. I just don’t like clowns. My bodyguard Klaatu, has even had to punch out a few when they have come too close to me.
But there are few adults that suffer a severe fear of clowns. The name for this rare condition is Coulrophobia, the excessive fear of clowns.
Paintings of clowns may not bring about fear so much as repulsion. How anyone could appreciate unfunny comedian Red Skelton or his art, often involving self portraits of him dressed as a clown has always been a mystery to me.
What is worse than a painting of one clown?
A bad painting of four clowns.
While recently in Maine, I stumbled across this monstrosity. If you wish to possibly induce a case of Coulrophobia in someone here is a prime candidate.
The artist’s name Continue reading
While today it might be considered very creepy, “Old Blue Eyes,” Frank Sinatra did marry Mia Farrow on July 19, 1966. Frank was 50-years-old and Mia was 21. Continue reading
Gloria Stuart (b. July 4, 1910) played “Old Rose” in James Cameron’s Titanic (1997) and was nominated for Best Actress in A Supporting Role. She did not win.
This is what Gloria Stuart looked like in the early 1930s.
Vivacious and pretty, Gloria Stuart was a movie star throughout the 1930s appearing in 43 films. Continue reading
Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957) is acknowledged by classic movie buffs as among the worst films ever made. Edward D. Wood Jr. the director-writer of Plan 9 has a body of work to make a moviegoer either cringe or provoke hysterical laughter. Continue reading
