Judy Lewis was the biological daughter of actress Loretta Young and actor Clark Gable, who had a brief affair while working on the film, Call of the Wild. Young concealed her pregnancy to protect their film careers.
Judy looked a lot like Gable, including having his large ears. When Judy was fifteen, Gable came to her mother's house and asked about her. It was the only time that Judy ever spoke to Gable. When Judy met her future husband, it was he that told her that Gable was her biological father. Judy wrote a book about her life titled Uncommon Knowledge. Loretta Young died on August 12, 2000 at the age of 87, and confirmed in her autobiography, published after her death, that Gable was her father.
Lewis performed on TV serials: General Hospital, Kitty Foyle, The Brighter Day, The Doctors. Ms. Lewis had her longest running serial role on The Secret Storm as Susan Ames from 1964 - 1971. She also produced the short-lived Another World spin-off, Texas and was a script writer for NBC Daytime's Search for Tomorrow.
The "Battle of the Blondes" final match is between, two wonderful actresses Grace Kelly and Kim Novak aka, “Hitchcock blondes”. I hope you enjoyed my "Blond Bombsells" tribute as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you.
Without a doubt, the favorite of all the Hitchcock blondes was Grace Kelly, who had the perfect combination of polish and poise with the hidden passion, that Hitchcock was so attracted to.
Kim Novak, was selected as the next Grace Kelly and landed a part in one of my favorite Hitchcock films, the psychological thriller, Vertigo(1958). Which is believed by many to be the film which reveals the most about the director's blonde obsessions. It is also believed by some film critics that Stewart was playing Hitchcock who loved transforming women into his vision, which is exactly what the director did with his "Hitchcock blondes".
One of Grace Kelly's best known performances was in the film, To Catch a Thief(1955). Romantic/Thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Cast: Gary Grant, Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly, was absolutely elegant and at the height of her beauty in this film. Kelly, was dressed by the very talented Edith Head. The movie is set on the French Riviera. On 14 September 1982, Grace Kelly was killed in an automobile accident in Monaco, supposedly on the very same road as her famous chase scene in this film and not far from where she had a picnic scene with Cary Grant. She was 52 years old and lost control of her car after suffering a stroke while at the wheel.
Dial M for Murder (1954). A thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings. Kelly plays Margot, a wealthy socialite who is cheating on her retired tennis player husband. As the plot has many twists and turns, Margot's husband becomes involved in a plan to murder her and collect her fortune, Kelly's character manages to save herself.. or does she?
Pushover (1954). Film noir best known for being the first film to feature Kim Novak in a starring role, along with Fred MacMurray. It was adapted from two novels, The Night Watch by Thomas Walsh and Rafferty by William S. Ballinger. Please click here to view Pushover (1954) movie review.
Robert Osborne (born May 3, 1932), actor and film historian best known as host for Turner Classic Movies is coming back from a 5 month break, looking like he is feeling much better .. Osborne graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism. He began his career working as a contract actor for Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball's Desilu Studios. One of Osborne's early television appearances was in 1959 on an episode of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse called "Chain of Command". He was also featured on the special Christmas Day Desilu Playhouse show "The Desilu Revue". He had small roles in TV shows: The Californians and in the pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies.
Ball suggested that Osborne combine his love of film and journalism. Osborne took her advice, while continuing acting in small parts.
Osborne was a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter from 1982 to 2009. Osborne wrote the book, 80 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards. Between 1986 and 1993, Osborne was the host for, The Movie Channel. In 1994, he moved to TCM, where he hosted prime time movies, "Private Screenings" and "The Essentials".
Osborne, has also participated in the Paley Center for Media in New York City celebrating the television careers of Lucille Ball and Cloris Leachman. He recently was moderator at Paley, celebrating the 100th birthday of Academy Award-winning songwriter Johnny Mercer.
Osborne also hosts the annual Robert Osborne's Classic Film Festival in Athens, Georgia. It began in 2005. The non-profit event is held by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2010 he hosted the very first TCM Classic Film Festival. The 2011 Film Festival takes place April 28 to May 1 in Hollywood.
"We can't hold on to our youth, but what you can hang on to is all the things we've been told a zillion times: you have to find the light in your life that you had when you were a little girl or little guy that made you happy".
Julie Christie and Diana Dors, were both pop icons, from the "swinging London" era of the 1960s.
Julie Christie (born 14 April 1941), first major film role was in, The Fast Lady(1962). She first gained notice as Liz, the friend and would-be lover of, Billy Liar (1963).
Close friends with actress Goldie Hawn. The two women were introduced Warren Beatty in the late 1960s. Julie, also was best friends with actress Sharon Tate.
It was 1965 when Christie became known internationally in the film, Darling. Christie, next performed in the film, Doctor Zhivago (1965) and as Daisy Battles in, Young Cassidy. In 1966, the 25-year-old Christie was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role when she played a double role in, Fahrenheit 451 and won the Academy Award for Best Actress and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Darling Later, she played Thomas Hardy's heroine Bathsheba Everdene in, Far from the Madding Crowd (1967) and the lead character, Petulia Danner in the film, Petulia (1968).
In the 1970s, Christie starred in smaller films such as, McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971), where her role as a 'madam' gained her a second Best Actress Oscar nomination, The Go-Between, Don't Look Now (1973), Shampoo (1975), Nashville, Demon Seed (1977), and Heaven Can Wait (1978). She moved to Hollywood and between 1967 and 1974 she had a on and off again relationship with Warren Beatty, who described her as "the most beautiful and at the same time the most nervous person I had ever known."
Doctor Zhivago(1965). Is a 20th century novel by Boris Pasternak, first published in 1957.
Billy Liar (1963). A film based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse. It was directed by John Schlesinger and stars Tom Courtenay as Billy and Julie Christie, played one of his three girlfriends. Mona Washbourne plays Mrs. Fisher and Wilfred Pickles played Mr. Fisher.
Diana Dors (23 October 1931 – 4 May 1984) was considered the English version of the blonde bombshells of Hollywood. She was trained at The Royal Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. She performed in her first film at the age of 15.
Following the success of British noir film, The Last Page(1952), producer Robert L. Lippert offered her a one-picture deal on one condition: that she divorce Dennis Hamilton Gittins, Dors refused. She landed a second Hollywood offer from Burt Lancaster for a lead role in, His Majesty O'Keefe(1954), but this time Hamilton turned down the part before she knew about it. She is best known by her fans for her performances in the films: Yield to the Night, The Amazing Mr. Blunden, The Unholy Wife and Timon of Athens.
An Alligator Named Daisy(1955). British comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Donald Sinden, Jeannie Carson, James Robertson Justice, Diana Dors, Roland Culver and Stanley Holloway.
The Unholy Wife (1957). A color film noir drama film produced and directed by John Farrow at RKO Radio Pictures and released by Universal Pictures as RKO was in its final stages of closing down. The screenplay was written by William Durkee and Jonathan Latimer.
The object of the game is to connect Mabel Normand with Walter Matthau. Dave the Movie Guy chose: Mabel Normand, who was in the film Head Over Heels (1922) with Adolphe Menjou.
Dave sent the game on to Becky, and she chose: Adolphe Menjou, who was in the film, Paths of Glory (1957) with Kirk Douglas.
Now it's my turn and I chose: Kirk Douglas, in the film, Lonely are the Brave (1962), with Gena Rowlands. (Walter plays the sheriff in the film, Lonely Are The Brave. But.. I wanted the game to continue). I'm passing the game onto Page from: My Love of Old Hollywood.
Page chose: Gena Rowlands and Rock Hudson in the film: The Spiral Road (1962). Page passed the game onto Priscilla of Reel Revival.
Priscilla chose: Rock Hudson and Burl Ives, also in the film, The Spiral Road (1962). Priscilla passed the game onto Vincent of Carole and Co.
Finishing the game, Vincent chose: Burl Ives and Matthau who were both in the film, "Ensign Pulver" (1964).
Finishing the game, Vincent gets to start a new one. As you might guess, he chose Carole Lombard to connect with Goldie Hawn. Vincent passed the game onto Caftan Woman.
ON TCM Nov. 28th. Doctor Zhivago(1965). Is a 20th century novel by Boris Pasternak, first published in 1957.
ON TCM Nov. 28th. Billy Liar (1963). A film based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse. It was directed by John Schlesinger and stars Tom Courtenay (who had understudied Albert Finney in the West End theatre adaptation of the novel) as Billy and Julie Christie as Liz, one of his three girlfriends. Mona Washbourne plays Mrs. Fisher, and Wilfred Pickles played Mr. Fisher. Rodney Bewes, Finlay Currie and Leonard Rossiter also feature. The Cinemascope photography is by Denys Coop, and Richard Rodney Bennett supplied the score.
ON TCM Nov. 28th. An Alligator Named Daisy(1955). British comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Donald Sinden, Jeannie Carson, James Robertson Justice, Diana Dors, Roland Culver and Stanley Holloway.
ON TCM Nov. 28th. The Unholy Wife (1957). A color film noir drama film produced and directed by John Farrow at RKO Radio Pictures and released by Universal Pictures as RKO was in its final stages of closing down. The screenplay was written by William Durkee and Jonathan Latimer.
On TCM Nov. 29. A 9 movie Busby Berkeley Tribute are listed below. Busby Berkeley, was a highly influential Hollywood movie director and musical choreographer. Berkeley was famous for his elaborate musical production numbers that often involved complex geometric patterns. Berkeley's works used large numbers of showgirls and props as fantasy elements in kaleidoscopic on-screen performances. Click picture onside bar to read past reviews.
She Had To Say Yes (1933). A secretary pads her salary by dating prospective buyers for her company.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Loretta Young , Winnie Lightner , Lyle Talbot .
Dames (1934). A reformer's daughter wins the lead in a scandalous Broadway show.Dir: Ray Enright Cast: Joan Blondell , Dick Powell , Ruby Keeler .
Gold Diggers Of 1935 (1935) . A socialite is bamboozled into producing a stage show in her home.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Dick Powell , Adolphe Menjou , Gloria Stuart .
Bright Lights (1935). Husband-and-wife vaudeville stars separate when success goes to his head.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Joe E. Brown , Ann Dvorak , Patricia Ellis .
I Live For Love (1935). A socialite tries to break into show business.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Everett Marshall , Dolores Del Rio , Guy Kibbee .
Stage Struck (1936). Broadway hopefuls put on a show. Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Dick Powell , Joan Blondell , Warren William .
Go-Getter, The (1937) A Navy veteran with one leg fights to make himself a success.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: George Brent , Anita Louise , Charles Winninger .
Men Are Such Fools (1938). An ambitious secretary uses the men in her life to turn herself into a radio star.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Wayne Morris , Priscilla Lane , Humphrey Bogart .
Garden Of The Moon (1938). A nightclub owner and a bandleader compete for the lead singer's heart.Dir: Busby Berkeley Cast: Pat O'Brien , Margaret Lindsay , John Payne .
ON TCM Nov. 30th. To Catch a Thief (1955). Romantic thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis and John Williams. The movie is set on the French Riviera, and was based on the 1952 novel of the same name by David Dodge.
ON TCM Nov. 30th. Dial M for Murder (1954). American thriller film adapted from a successful stage play by Frederick Knott, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings.
ON TCM Nov. 30th. Pushover(1954). Pushover (1954) is a film noir notable for being the first film to feature Kim Novak in a starring role. Directed by Richard Quine, the Columbia Pictures film also stars Fred MacMurray. It was adapted from two novels, The Night Watch by Thomas Walsh and Rafferty by William S. Ballinger
ON TCM Nov. 30th. Jeanne Eagels(1957). Jeanne Eagels (also title The Jeanne Eagels Story) is a 1957 fictionalized biographical film of the life of stage star Jeanne Eagels.
Article of the week is from: The Old Movie House. Tom did a wonderful review with lots of beautiful pictures for the film The Bishops Wife ( In Parts). Tom, said he stumbled on this Christmas classic by accident as a child. He pressed the wrong button on his remote.
Grace Kelly Smoothie.
2oz. beetroot
1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled
1 apple, quartered and cored
6 oz carrots, trimmed
JUICE all of the a INGREDIENTS together.
POUR into glass and SERVE CHILLED.
Swing High, Swing Low(1937). Romantic/musical starring Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray. This is the second film adaptation, after The Dance of Life (1929) and before When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948).
While traveling by cruise ship, Maggie King, masquerading as a hairdresser to pay her way to California, meets a soldier named, Skid Johnson. After they arrive, Skid offers to drive Maggie and her friend Ella into Panama City and introduces them to his roommate, Harry. Skid, gets into a fight defending Maggie, at a night club and they both land in jail.
After they go before a judge the next morning, Maggie's, ship has sailed on without her. Harry and Skid, invite her to move in with them. Skid, gambles away his trumpet and Maggie convinces Murphy, the owner of a cafe, to give her the money to buy back Skid's trumpet and then hire him to play at the club.
After Maggie, becomes angry with Skid, who spent the night with Anita, a girl who works at the club. Skid, decides to marry to Maggie.
A New York agent, tells Skid about a job in New York at the El Greco. Skid is a big hit, with Anita's help, but.. he keeps putting off sending money for Maggie's ticket to join him. Concerned Maggie, borrows money from Murphy and sends a telegram to Skid, but .. Anita, sees it first and tosses it out. When Maggie, arrives in New York, with no one to meet her, she calls Anita's room and Skid answers the phone. Heartbroken, Maggie files for divorce, will Maggie have a change of heart and get back together with Skid?
The lead was originally offered to Gary Cooper, who turned it down, then to Bing Crosby, who also turned it down, then to Fred Mac, who took it.
I loved the night club scene with Anthony Quinn. Wonderful little movie for all Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray fans.
Jean Dixon (July 14, 1896 – February 12, 1981). While living in France, she studied dramatics under Sarah Bernhardt.
She was on the Broadway stage a number of years before Hollywood called her in 1929.
She mostly played the streetwise, smart-mouthed friend of the leading lady.
Her most famous performance was in the film, My Man Godfrey (1936).
Filmography:
The Lady Lies (1929)
The Kiss Before the Mirror (1933)
Sadie McKee (1934)
I’ll Love You Always (1935)
She Married Her Boss (1935)
My Man Godfrey (1936)
You Only Live Once (1937)
Swing High, Swing Low (1937)
Holiday (1938)
Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943)
Betty Grable and Doris Day, were/are both talented singers and dancers. They were/are often called, "Sweethearts of the Silver Screen".
Betty Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973), was famous for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood and insured by her studio for $1,000,000 with Lloyds of London.
Grable, performed in many musical films of the 1940s such as: Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943). A musical film, which takes place in the 1880s, when American Madeleine Marlowe, is performing in the London musical comedy group while engaged to Charles, the Duke of Trippingham. Charles promises her, that they will be married in New York, where she is to star in a new show.
After boarding a ship, Madge's traveling companions Arthur Skinner and Edna Van Dyke, show her a copy of the, The Police Gazette, where the article reveals that her real name is, Rosie O'Grady and that she started out singing in, a beer garden named, Flugelman's. The article, also revels that the duke is only interested in Madge's money. Angry, Madge plans to confront, Sam the newspaper reporter who wrote the story.
When Madge's boat docks, she is met by reporters. Sam "rescues" her and tries to get more information about her engagement, but when Madge learns his true identity, she tells everyone that she and Sam are engaged.
Police Gazette's editor, Tom Morgan, fires Sam for making a laughingstock of the paper. Sam, begs Madge for a truce, but she continues playing up their "romance" to reporters.
Not liking being called a fortune hunter, Sam decides to get even with Madge and serenades her with a song he has written called, "Sweet Rosie O'Grady." Sam then insists that she join him at Flugelman's.
Sam and Madge, have called off their feud and have had to much to drink when they return to her hotel. Charles, has come to New York to surprise Madge and is not too happy to see them together. Madge, becomes angry and she breaks off their engagement.
Madge, decides to take advantage of the publicity and produce a new show around Sam's "Sweet Rosie O'Grady" song.
This is a Musical remake, "Love is News (1937)", which starred Loretta Young. Fox tried again with this story in 1948 titled, "That Wonderful Urge", starring Gene Tierney.
Down Argentine Way (1940). Made a star of Betty Grable in her first leading role and introduced the colorful Carmen Miranda. The film also starred Don Ameche, The Nicholas Brothers, Charlotte Greenwood, and J. Carrol Naish.
Doris Day (born April 3, 1924). Her entertainment career began, while performing as a big band singer in 1939, with her first hit song, "Sentimental Journey", in 1945. After leaving the Les Brown and His Band of Renown to try a solo career, she started her partnership with Columbia Records. In 1948, she auditioned for Michael Curtiz, which led to the lead in, Romance on the High Seas, her first film with her friend, Jack Carson.
With a legendary Hollywood "girl-next-door" image she performed in 39 films. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the film, Pillow Talk.
Another favorite Doris Day film, Tea for Two (1950). A Musical directed by David Butler. The screenplay by Harry Clork and William Jacobs was inspired by the 1925 stage musical No, No Nanette.
Another favorite Doris Day film, That Touch of Mink (1962). A Romantic/comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. The film co-stars Gig Young, John Astin, Audrey Meadows, and Dick Sargent. Baseball players: Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra make cameo appearances.
Madge Kennedy: Pioneer Actress.It is virtually unique to encounter an actress who had not only been a silent star, but an equally prominent performer on the Broadway stage, but Madge Kennedy was such an actress.
Although born in Chicago, on April 19, 1891, Madge and her family moved to California and then to New York, where the actress began her professional stage career in 1910. When Samuel Goldwyn formed his own production company in 1917, Madge was the third star he signed, following Mabel Normand and Mae Marsh. Between 1917 and 1920, Madge starred in 21 five-reel features for Goldwyn, beginning with “Baby Mine.” When Madge’s contract with Goldwyn expired in 1921 after her last films, “The Girl with a Jazz Heart,” “The Highest Bidder,” and “Oh Mary Be Careful,” she decided to return to the stage. Madge’s return to stage was in “Cornered” (1920), and although she was to make six independent feature films between 1923 and 1926, she primarily devoted her energy to theatrical work. “Poppy” with W.C. Fields, which opened at New York’s Apollo Theatre on September 3, 1923, is the most famous of those stage productions.
With her first husband Harold Bolster, a former Goldwyn executive who died in 1927, Madge formed an independent film production company, Kenma Corporation. Madge produced and starred in “The Purple Highway” (1923) and “Three Miles Out” (1924), both relatively unsuccessful.
In the 1930’s, Madge’s career began to falter. She made her last Broadway appearance in “Bridal Wise” (1932). That might have been the end of Madge’s career had it not been for three fans, Ruth Gordon, Garson Kanin, and George Cukor. In the summer of 1951, the trio was involved in pre-production of “The Marrying Kind,” which the Kanins had scripted and George Cukor was to direct. Judy Holliday and Aldo Ray had been cast in the starring roles, but the three were looking for someone to play Judge Carroll, in whose divorce court Holliday and Ray would air their marital differences. “The Marrying Kind” was followed by fourteen film roles including “Lust for Life” (1956), “North by Northwest” (1959) and “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” (1969).
Madge’s later years weren’t easy and she relied upon a pension from the Actor’s Fund to pay the bills. Madge died on June 9, 1987. She was 96 years old.
