An extensive look at the career of Charles Laughton on film and stage, illustrated with vintage movie cards and collectibles. Star of The Private Life of Henry VIII …
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Movie Star Biographies
Dwight Frye’s Last Laugh – Before and Beyond Dracula and Frankenstein
Dwight Frye is legendary for his roles in the Universal horror classics Dracula and Frankenstein. The 1997 biography Dwight Frye’s Last Laugh chronicles the actor’s fast rise to surprising heights and even quicker fall.
Dolores Costello – Her Career plus Can You Help Identify This Painting?
A biography in brief of child star and later screen beauty Dolores Costello, who would later marry John Barrymore. Also a reader contributes an image of a painting of Costello and asks for some help in identifying it.
Hal Roach and Three Well-Known Employees, All Born January 14
Hal Roach employees Bebe Daniels, Mary Ann Jackson and William Bendix were all born on January 14 just like their boss. Each spent significant time working for Roach at different points in the career of the famed producer.
Kathleen Burke Wins Nationwide Contest! The Road to Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls
A look at Paramount’s Summer 1932 nationwide contest to cast Lota, the Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. Focus on the eventual Panther Woman winner, Kathleen Burke. Lots of old news clippings.
Edward Everett Horton – Biography of the Beloved Character Actor
A brief biography of character actor Edward Everett Horton, star of stage, screen and television. Famed as Fred Astaire’s sidekick in several Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals and later the voice of Fractured Fairy Tales on the Rocky & Bullwinkle Show.
Movie Reviews & Articles
The Whole Town’s Talking (1935) starring Edward G. Robinson and Jean Arthur
There’s a lot to like here for Edward G. Robinson fans who get to see their hero play both the milquetoast “Jonesy” and gangster “Killer” Mannion—sometimes in the same scene!
The Mole People (1956) starring John Agar and Hugh Beaumont
Sci-fi stalwart John Agar stars in Universal-International’s The Mole People (1956). An underrated fifites science fiction movie with some good, and bad, visuals.
Adam Had Four Sons (1941) Starring Warner Baxter and Ingrid Bergman
A quiet little period piece until Susan Hayward arrives to fill it with sex, sin and hate, Adam Had Four Sons stars Warner Baxter with Ingrid Bergman in her second Hollywood role.
The Young in Heart (1938) starring Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
A brief review after I sat down and watched The Young in Heart starring Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. A charming look at a potentially ghoulish family of con artists.
Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) Starring Sylvia Sidney with Melvyn Douglas
Sylvia Sidney stars in Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) her first film under contract to Walter Wanger for Paramount. Introduces Alan Baxter as gangster Babe Wilson. Also featuring Melvyn Douglas, Wallace Ford, Brian Donlevy and Pert Kelton.
Big Cast in MGM’s 1951 anthology It’s a Big Country
8 uneven vignettes makes up the disappointing 1951 American Anthology, It’s a Big Country. Big stars-Gary Cooper, Fredric March, William Powell-little ideas.