David - it was November 1936 that Barbara, Zeppo Marx, and William S Hart purchased 127 acres of the Porter Estate, Northridge, Los Angeles. Fifty of the finest Kentucky thoroughbred racers were moved in as soon as their quarters were ready. The ranch was designed to be a thoroughbred breeding, boarding and training ranch. A six furlong racing track allowed the young yearling's that they bred to be trained. Barbara and Zeppo were not directly involved with the training. That was the responsibility of their ranch manager Harry S Hart.

Bob Taylor owned an adjoining ranch, but after their May 1939 marriage he moved into Marwyck, and he helped run the ranch, and shared Barbara's love of riding horses.

Incidentally, she did all of her own riding in Forty Guns, including the drag when her foot was caught in the stirrup. Not surprising that she was made an Honorary Stuntwoman, as well as being adopted by the Blackfoot Indian tribe, and given the title, Princess Many Victories lll.

"Incidentally, she did all of her own riding in Forty Guns, including the drag when her foot was caught in the stirrup. Not surprising that she was made an Honorary Stuntwoman, as well as being adopted by the Blackfoot Indian tribe, and given the title, Princess Many Victories lll"

Thank you Walter - I love this story

You are very welcome David.

The wonderful thing about Barbara is that she would always insist that there was a stuntwoman on the set when she was working, so that they would be paid whether they were used or not. When she won her honorary Oscar she made a point of mentioning, "All the wonderful stunt men and women who helped to make my job so much easier." Is it any wonder that she was so beloved by all the many people behind the camera.

Another question for our very own Walter Neff.

Are there any modern day actresses that you think come anywhere close to Barbara and others from that era? I will just make one suggestion, Cate Blanchett. (prepares to be shot down in flames )

I honestly can't answer your question, I don't go to the cinema these days, and I really don't recall the last actress that impressed me.

On the subject of Barbara, I have created a new group for her on Facebook. For any of you who would like to see just some of my 20.000 photo collection, just go to this link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1109278632493201/

That's a shame Walter, my next question would have been who would you like to play Barbara if they ever filmed her life story. Maybe some of the other contributors to the thread will have an opinion.

Like you I don't go to the cinema anymore but do watch some films on TV.

Unfortunately I am not on Facebook and therefore not able to access your collection which is a shame.

I really hope that Barbara's life story is never filmed, I don't think that there is anyone alive who could capture the unique charisma and personality of the lady who has mesmerized me for as long as I can remember.

I do run another group for her which has been going for 12 years, just click on this link: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/MissBarbaraStanwyck

You are probably right Walter it would be a difficult or almost impossible task.

I can't access that link, not having much luck.

That is odd, I checked it after I posted the message and it took me straight there.

It is odd Walter, all I get is a page with Yahoo Groups as a heading but is otherwise blank.

It will be interesting to see whether other members have the same problem.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Galanos

James Galanos who designed clothes for some of the golden era's biggest stars has died aged 92.

Marilyn Monroe, Rosalind Russell, Marlene Dietrich, Dorothy Lamour and Elizabeth Taylor were amongst his clients as well as former American first ladies Nancy Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson and Jackie Kennedy.

Hilda - Nice timing. I notice he also dressed Ivana Trump

I've requested to join, can't wait to see the pictures ♥

That is great! hopefully you got in OK, do let me know what you think!

Indeed interesting timing! Ivana was also good friends with Joan Collins so there is a Hollywood link that way too!

Others are sceptical about Ms.Hedren's claims:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/201...dren-the-birds

Intriguing -many thanks! The plot thickens...

https://youtu.be/zG-OQBO1gnI

Both an early 100th birthday celebration and the 95th birthday /anniversary of a motion picture charity for retired film stars.

Thanks for that Hilda, just sad that it is difficult to understand what he is saying due to the stroke that he had some years ago.

For anyone who may not know, he may his film debut 70 years ago as Barbara's weakling husband in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.

30 years ago he presented her with the Cecil B de Mille Award at the Golden Globes ceremony.

Both can be seen on You Tube.

http://variety.com/2016/film/people-...la-1201917073/

Considered by some because of her longevity and link back to the old Hollywood era (after she made her name in Mexico) to be Hollywood royalty -Lupita Tovar has died aged 106 and would have been alive in the silent era as well as golden era of Hollywood.

Best known for the early dracula films she also starred in films with Henry Fonda and Gene Autry.

Likely to have been the oldest living star from Hollywood's early days and I think you included her Walter in your who's still alive list.

What a grand old age 106!

Gosh, I only watched the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula last week and was amazed that its female star was still with us and now she's gone.

RIP Lupita.

No Hilda, I didn't include her in my list because she was a name that I had only vaguely heard of.

It wasn't till I read her Obituary that I realised that she was the mother of Susan Kohner, who made such an impression in Imitation of Life.

This site never fails to amaze me. Hilda and Wlater with all their knowledge and now CLL Dodge, casually mentioning they watched the Spanish language version of Dracula at the weekend.

I so need to up my game

I'd known about the Spanish language Dracula for decades but only got a chance to see it as it is included in the Universal Monsters Blu Ray box set as an extra on the Dracula disc.