I never realised that Katherine Hepburn had written an autobiography -I knew others had written biographies though unless I'm confused and what I read from my local library was an autobiography? I think it was simply called Kate?

Yes I was pleased when I researched April 17th and Joan Lorring came up! There was no way I couldn't mention it! 😁

PS Did you manage to speak with William Holden?

I thought the big job was better then some carry on's.....

Her autobiography, published in 1991 was called simply, "Me" (Stories of My Life).

I have so many books that I forgot that I had it, obviously time to read it again.

No, I never spoke to Bill Holden, although he was standing protectively just behind Barbara when she posed for me at the reception.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=jo...&bih=512&dpr=3

Some pictures of actress Joan Lorring who was the prompt and cause of this popular thread and who would have celebrated her 90th birthday today.

Lovely pictures of Joan, although number 12 is Maria Palmer, they probably confused them as they were both in The Other Love, Maria played Barbara's nurse.

Number 18 is Kate O'Mara, I don't know number 19, but number 20 is Virginia Grey. Further down the page there is everyone from Jane Fonda to Joan Fontaine, but look at number 48. Joan in flanked by Farley Granger and Lorenzo Lamas. they were all in The Love Boat. This was her last TV performance, it was 1980, and she still looked stunning at 54.

Thanks Walter! Google image search can sometimes end up catching other people's pics in their trawl search if they ever appeared in the same article or film as the person your looking for!
But the many pics of Joan Lorring that did show up were of a pretty lady in my opinion.


On this day in 1926 Hollywood golden era actor Hugh O'Brian was born -he's still with us! So he turned 90 today -whilst never a big star or a household name he is a survivor of that unique era and some films in which he appeared were quite well known.

These include "The battle of Apache Pass" which had Jeff Chandler as it's leading man.
"White Feather" a 1950s film that starred Robert Wagner.

And "There's no business like showbusiness" which starred Ethel Merman and Marilyn Monroe.

Happy 90th Birthday Hugh! 🎂

PS Farley Granger is rather handsome

I love Hugh, although in fact he is 91 today, he was born April 19th 1925.

You caught me out on something though. I have had the DVD of There's No Business Like Showbusiness for years, yet I can't remember him in it. I was already to say that you were wrong until I looked at the cast list, and he had eighth billing, definitely time for me to watch it again.

I never understood why someone like Hugh never became a bigger star, and yet Rock Hudson did. (Hudson's magic has always escaped me).

When he enlisted in the army in 1942, he was the youngest ever Marine drill instructor , at just 17 years old. You can see him being interviewed on YouTube shortly before he turned 90, and talking about his autobiography which he wittily entitled "Hugh O'Brien or What's Left of Him"

Look out for one of Lana Turner's less memorable films, Love Has Many Faces. The only highlight is when Hugh makes an appearance wearing a pair of very revealing white swimming trunks. Google his image and you will see what I mean.

Yes, Farley was quite a looker, and a good actor too, I love him in Hitchcock's Rope, and Strangers on a Train. He also played Joan Collins abusive husband in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, one of Joan's better films.

I have his excellent autobiography, "Include Me Out: My Life from Goldwyn to Broadway"

Hello everyone

Just wanted to say "hello" really.

I am a long time lurker on this thread. I love all the Golden Age movie stars - thank you all so much for all the entertaining details.

It is great fun and very informative

Hi David, great to have you with us, and I am so pleased that you find our thread so entertaining.

If you have any questions to ask about Golden Age Movie Stars, I will do my best to answer them. Or please feel free to give us your opinions, likes and dislikes about Classic Movies.

Meanwhile, keep lurking!

Thank you Walter, for the kind welcome.

I will post about some of my favourite stars in future.

I have just ordered Tab Hunter's book after reading about him on here.

I also recorded The Other Love after reading your post - unfortunately I deleted it by accident I am another huge fan of Talking Pictures, love the old 50's B Movies they show. The Other Love will be shown again, I am sure, so will look out for it.

Can I be cheeky and ask a question, right away? Lol. I am a fan of Barbara Stanwyck but don't know a great deal about her - need to look for a good biography - the question is, how unusual was her career and success? By that I mean, she was never under contract was she? That must have been very rare and very brave, at that time, in Hollywood. Despite this, the range of films she made, that are now considered classics, is vast. I can't think of any other "star" who was not under contract who achieved what she did.

I appreciate any comments and apologise if this has been covered and I have missed a post

Thanks

David, it isn't cheeky asking about Barbara Stanwyck, it shows that you have great taste.

I have covered the subject of her being a freelancer, but it is an excellent question, and I am only too happy to explain again because I am sure that others may have missed it.

Barbara was only 22 when she went to Hollywood in 1929, she didn't want to go, because she had been very successful on Broadway with two hit shows by the time she was 20. She was very much under the influence of her dominating first husband Frank Fay, a very successful Vaudeville comedian, known as "Broadway's Favourite Son", who was 16 years her senior.

He had been offered a contract by Warner Brothers, and was anxious to make it in Hollywood, so Barbara had no choice but to go with him, leaving behind a promising Broadway career as a dramatic actress.

Barbara had made her film debut in a silent movie Broadway Nights, filmed in New York. She had a small role as a fan dancer, and it had Sylvia Sidney and Ann Sothern also making their film debut's. Sadly, this is a lost film, and the only one of Barbara's that I don't have, but as it was filmed 89 years ago I doubt if there is anyone alive who has seen it.

Barbara was offered a couple of films when she arrived in Hollywood, probably because she was the wife of Frank Fay, as her Broadway fame had not reached tinsel town. She made her debut in United Artists The Locked Door, which is not nearly as bad as she always said, and it is fascinating to see this young girl without any idea how to make the most of herself. You can see the complete film on YouTube, and it is a much better copy than the edited print that I have. She followed that with an hilarious melodrama Mexicali Rose, in which she played a vamp who slinks around with her hands permanently on her hips. Barbara called this one "an abortion"
This can also be seen on YouTube.

She had lost all confidence after these two flops, and when she was called into Frank Capra's office to test for his new production, she was an emotional wreck. Her attitude was sullen, and she made no attempt to hide the almighty chip on her shoulder. She also had made no effort with her hair or make up since she felt that she had no chance of ever working in a film again. Capra asked her a few questions about her previous work, and after a few sullen answers she lashed out at him, "Oh hell, you don't want any part of me", and ran out of his office in tears. Capra couldn't have cared less, he decided that she wasn't an actress, she was a porcupine.

Surprisingly, it was her dominant husband who came to the rescue, when she arrived home in tears, he phoned Capra and begged him to look at a colour film test that Barbara had done of her Broadway hit The Noose. Capra was determined to hate it, but within a few minutes he had tears in his eyes, and he was soon on the phone to his boss Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia saying, "Sign her up, she'll be terrific, sign her up, don't let her go."

Capra told this story when he was one of the guest speakers at Barbara's Lincoln Centre Tribute, which I was lucky enough to attend. They made five films together, and he admitted that he fell in love with her, and would have asked her to marry him if she hadn't already been married to Fay. This was how he ended his speech:

"And so Barbara, beloved pal, beloved actress, that was half a century ago. When we struggled up that mighty tough hill, I an inexperienced Jack, leading you, a budding Jill. Tonight you are 'star light, star bright.' Only star we cheer tonight is our beloved Barbara Stanwyck. There were dozens of young actresses who could have been convincing as the tramp in Ladies of Leisure, but it took a Stanwyck to make you care about the girl. It's that gift of hers to communicate the truth of a role that has made Barbara the great actress that she is."

Barbara became a star with her great success in Ladies of Leisure, and she was persuaded by her husband not to sign a long term contract with Columbia as he wanted the freedom to return to Broadway. So she signed limited non option contracts with both Columbia and Warner's. Over the years she worked at every major studio, and became very rich, so much so that the U.S Treasury announced that she was the highest paid woman in the United States in 1943, earning $323.333.

Ironically, as Barbara's star rose, Fay's faded, but she tried everything to help him, even financing and appearing with him back on Broadway in a revue, Tattle Tales.
This time it was Barbara's name that brought in the customers, but it wasn't a success, and Fay's career continued to slide. He became violent when he had been drinking, and eventually she walked out on him, they divorced in 1935, and a year later she met the love of her life, Robert Taylor who would become her second husband in 1939.

It is said that the story of Barbara and Fay's marriage was the inspiration for A Star is Born.

The downside of being a freelancer was that she often lost roles that she wanted, like Dark Victory and Mildred Pierce at Warner's, who preferred to give these role to their contract stars, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

She also missed the studio backing at Oscar time, and consequently lost out on all four Nominations, even though she was presented with an Honorary Oscar in 1982.

Cary Grant was another freelancer who was also snubbed by the Acadamy, but as I often point out, Luise Rainer won the Best Actress Oscar two years in succession, and much good they did her. Her Hollywood career lasted a couple of years, and then it was all over.

Incidentally, if you can't wait for The Other Love to be shown again, it is available on Amazon for under £10.

Ooh sounds like we both got ourselves mixed up! Me giving the wrong age for Hugh and yourself for forgetting if he starred in a particular film -I guess our mistakes kinda make us even

I'm intrigued that Hugh has done an interview that's now on YouTube. Sounds like he's pretty active and sprightly for his age. I will try and remember to try and check it out.

It is intriguing why his career never took him to big stardom. Could it perhaps have been that he didn't play the fame game as well? By this I mean he didn't marry for the first time until he was a pensioner and thus unlike Rock Hudson he didn't promote maybe the dreamy married desirable heartthrob game that studios were keen on them playing in public?

Then again I have no idea if Hugh dated any of the actresses or stars of his era so I could have that wrong?
Some very good actors I'm sure we're reluctant to play the Hollywood game and thus were stifled career wise.

As for the white swimming trunks pictures I will be on it asap!!

I wasn't aware that Joan Collins starred alongside Farley Granger -Who would you say we're Joan Collins best leading men?

Joan was most proud of working with Paul Newman in the comedy Rally Round the Flag Boys, and as he was my favourite I can only agree with her. I haven't seen it since it was first released in 1958, I can't ever recall it being shown on TV, but it is available on DVD.

She also worked with Jack Hawkins in Land of the Pharoahs, Richard Burton in The Sea Wife, Ray Milland in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, Leslie Neilson in The Opposite Sex, James Mason and Harry Belafonte in Island in the Sun, Gregory Peck and Stephen Boyd in The Bravado's, Robert Wagner in Stopover Tokyo, Edward G Robinson and Rod Steiger in Seven Thieves, and Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in Road to Hong Kong.

Not forgetting her husband at the time, Anthony Newley in his own production of Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? in which she played a character called Polyester Poontang

Polyester Poontang??!!

Thank you for the names of actors that Joan Collins starred in films with, I was aware that she's good friends with Robert Wagner so if she starred in a film with him early on that helps explain the origin of that friendship.
She's worked with more legends than I'd realised -James Mason, Gregory Peck Edward G Robinson, Rod Steiger. Do you know if she's ever worked with Kirk Douglas?
It's interesting how just working on one or perhaps two films together as actors can often result in close lifelong friendships. I seem to recall that Lauren Bacall remained very good friends with Gregory Peck and Kirk Douglas throughout her life /their lives after working on a film together. In the case of Gregory Peck "Designing Women" I think it was.

I have now googled that picture of Hugh O'Brian and yes I see what you mean -very dishy .Definitely had some key ingredients to be a big screen heartthrob so I can only guess again that maybe the reason at least in part that he didn't was because he wouldn't play the studios game in the way that say Rock Hudson did.

Joan never worked with Kirk Douglas, but Bacall had known him from when they were both class mates at drama school in New York. She got to Hollywood first, and in 1946 recommended him to Paramount producer Hal Wallis who gave him his first role as Barbara's weakling, alcoholic husband in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.

They later worked together in Warner's Young Man With a Horn.

Yes, she worked with Gregory Peck in Designing Woman, and he was a supportive friend at that time because while they were filming that frothy comedy, Bogart was dying of lung cancer.

Walter

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide such a detailed response. Much appreciated. It is amazing you have every film she made but one!!

I will definitely be checking out The Locked Door and Mexicali Rose on YouTube - It really is great that films are available on there that may not be available to see otherwise.

I have never seen Ladies of Leisure - I have seen many of Barbara's films and own several, so will probably purchase The Other Love.

As much as I love Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, how amazing would Barbara have been in either Dark Victory or Mildred Pierce.

Anyway, thank you again for explaining the "freelance" aspect of Barbara's career. I look forward to reading more posts.

x

Katherine Hepburn's 'summertime' is on talking pictures 6:50 tonight.....

Take a look at @ClassicalCinema's Tweet: https://twitter.com/ClassicalCinema/...923880961?s=09

77 years ago today one of Bette Davis best film performances in "Dark Victory" premiered.

A firm favourite in my DVD collection.

Arr that's interesting I wasn't aware that Lauren Bacall and Kirk Douglas knew each other pre Hollywood. I do know their both from Jewish families and I'd assumed that likely played some part in them having something in common and gelling so well. Indeed Kirk Douglas gave a very touching rare interview paying tribute to Lauren Bacall after her passing in 2014.

Do we know of any other big stars who knew each other pre Hollywood?

PS Whilst I did some Internet research of Hugh O'Brien I discovered two things which pleased me -that he is close friends with Debbie Reynolds and that the rather gorgeous Clint Walker is still alive aged 88-sonething that you probably indicated in your post of who is still alive but it hadn't clicked into my brain!

Many Thanks ⏫ It's appreciated!

Your very welcome!
Thank you for lurking, for plucking up the courage and initiative to post and please continue to do so! Pleased you enjoy this thread!

Do you have particular favourite actors or actresses from this magical era?
Olivia De Havilland? Greta Garbo? Rita Hayworth? Doris Day? Betty Hutton? Joan Fontaine?

Or James Mason? John Wayne? Cary Grant? John Garfield? Robert Mitchum? Errol Flynn?

Thank you Hildaonpluto

I will probably lurk, more than post lol.

My favourite actors and actresses from the era are probably all the usual ones – mostly actresses. I like all 6 you mention and if they are in a film on TV, I will watch.

I first got into old b&w movies by watching Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Crawford when they would be shown on TV (BBC2 or Channel 4, mostly). I guess if I was to chose a favourite it would be Claudette Colbert – “Midnight” is possibly my favourite film of all time. I also love Irene Dunne – I know I will think of a lot more later lol.

Again the actors you mention I would watch but I don’t know if I have a favourite from that era, maybe Gary Cooper or Joel McCrea.

Fairyprincess0 – thank you for the info, I have seen Summertime, many times, great movie.

I am fortunate enough to have Barbara's Lux Radio Broadcast of Dark Victory, and I think that she far better than Bette, who I felt was too mannered. Barbara brought it to the attention of Warner's in the hope that they would give her the role, and when she did the radio broadcast she thought that she was guaranteed to get it, but sadly not.

I don't like the film at all, and much preferred the 1963 remake, Stolen Hours, with Susan Hayward.

Barbara was the first choice for Mildred Pierce after her great success in Double Indemnity. Director Mike Curtiz wanted her too, and definitely didn't want Joan, ("her and those damn shoulder pads") who was box office poison when she left MGM. Somehow she persuaded producer Jerry Wald to let her test, and as she had just signed a short term contract with Warner's, she got the role. This led to some marvellous roles over the next three years, including Humoresque, Possessed, and The Damned Don't Cry, roles that would have fitted Barbara perfectly. Once again, this was the downside of being a freelancer.

I can only think of Susan Hayward and Jeff Chandler who were classmates in Brooklyn when they were Edythe Marrener and Ira Grossell.

Hello all,

I hope it is OK to ask : I like an actress called Frances Farmer.

I especially remember her in a film called 'Come and get it' set in a logging community in Canada (?), and also in a swashbuckling adventure called 'Son of fury' which I thought was very entertaining ! A kind of Count of Monte Cristo set in the South Seas !

Unfortunately she apparently had a hard time adapting to Hollywood film schedules and she became very ill at a young age and never really recovered.

Anyway I am sure you know a lot more than I do, please tell me all

Thank you for a great thread !

Hi, and welcome!

Although I am pretty old, I don't really know much about Frances Farmer, and I have never seen one of her films. Her career was practically over by the time I started going to the cinema

From what I have read, she was somewhat of a rebel, and resented the restrictions of Paramount studios, and was contemptuous of their determination to glamourize her.
As early as 1939 her increasing alcoholism and temperament was damaging her career.

In 1942 she was stopped by the Santa Monica police for driving her car with the headlights on in a blackout zone. She was eventually diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia, and ended up in a Sanatorium. I know that Jessica Lange filmed her story, but I really know very little about her. You would be better off googling her name where you will find out all you need to know.