Monday Serenade: Bette Davis Sings--Again

Oh Bette Davis, even from beyond the grave, you keep giving and giving. Here she shares her golden throat with a performance of Single on The Hollwood Palace (1965).

Quote of the Week

My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.

-Errol Flynn

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Saturday Newsreel: The Stars Arrive

Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy chat with reporters as the Queen Elizabeth approaches the shores of Southampton. (I can't believe Taylor has to maintain that teeny little mustache while on vacation; what a drag.)

TV Tuesday: Kim Novak in 1956 and 1985

I found a pair of interesting Kim Novak interviews--filmed decades apart from each other. The first is on a British television program, filmed in 1956. Novak attempts to be soft-spoken and gracious, but some of the questions seem to raise her ire. She especially seems to struggle to find something kind to say about Tyronne Power. This woman was obviously too strong to be destroyed by the sex symbol label, as so many actresses were.

 

In this 1985 clip from Entertainment Tonight, the interviewer visits her at her Carmel, California property. It's striking how much more secure she seems here. It appears that her self-imposed exile from Hollywood had exactly the effect she had hoped for.

 

Novak would go on to a guest run on Falcon Crest and supporting roles a couple of independent features, but I don't think she found the plum role she was hoping for. However, I hear she is still living a lovely life in rural Oregon.

Quote of the Week

The real actor has a direct line to the collective heart.

-Bette Davis

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Saturday Newsreel: Stars Among Stars

A gaggle of stars gather for the 1942 Academy Award Ceremonies. Can you imagine what it would have been like to sit in a room with this glamorous crowd? What a thrill it would be to look across the room and see Cary Grant or Norma Shearer. The thought gives me chills!

TV Tuesday: John Wayne for Great Western Bank

The steadfast, honest and easygoing persona that John Wayne had on the screen transcended not only genre, but fiction. That's why he was the perfect pitchman, people trusted him. And shucks, I almost got emotional when he started talking about his kids!

Monday Serenade: Lena Horne on Sesame Street

I found these Sesame Street clips as I was trotting down memory lane with Lena Horne (via YouTube). This is my favorite version of Bein' Green. (When I played the clip, an ad for True Blood popped up. Hmmm, I know this is vintage Sesame Street, but I still think they're a bit off target with their demographic.)

 

I remember this one! Yes, I was lucky enough to be a child of the seventies and learn my ABCs from Ms. Lena. (I was also serenaded by Morgan "Easy Reader" Freeman on The Electric Company. Ah, what a great time for kiddy TV.)

 

That clip also had the True Blood ad. What the heck?

Quote of the Week

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

-Charlie Chaplin

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Saturday Newsreel: The 1966 Academy Awards

This is actually a backstage interview with Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and James Garner. Aren't they glamorous? I love the ladies' big '60s hairdos and fancy jewelry. At the end, there's brief silent portion with other winners from the night, including Julie Christie in that amazing gold dress she wore to accept her statue for Darling (1965). Also making an appearance: Shelley Winters, Lee Marvin, Martin Balsam--and I think George Sanders? Am I missing anyone?

Interviews with Lynn Redgrave and Hayley Mills

I just found the link to this clip in my bookmarks. It's an excerpt from the 2008 British television documentary Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: The 60s Revealed. I'm not sure when or how I found it, but it seemed an appropriate time to share it, as it has a nice interview with Lynn Redgrave. There's also a bit from a 1967 interview with Hayley Mills where she struggles with her Disney past.

Quote of the Week

All creative people should be required to leave California for three months every year.

-Gloria Swanson

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TV Tuesday: Betty Grable in 1969

Here's Betty Grable on British television in 1969, handling silly questions with her trademark ease and warmth. I'd love to see the full interview (without that mark over her face!)

Monday Serenade: Flying High (1931)

Kathryn Crawford charmingly introduces We'll Dance Until the Dawn while trotting around the dance floor with Pat O'Brien. The lively production number that follows bears the unmistakable mark of Busby Berkeley. Crawford and O'Brien were actually supporting players; Bert Lahr (AKA The Cowardly Lion) and long-legged Charlotte Greenwood are the headliners of this comedy-musical. Flying High (1931) is available from the Warner Archives collection.

Quote of the Week

It's not whether you really cry. It's whether the audience thinks you are crying.

-Ingrid Bergman

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Saturday Newsreel: Stars Meet the Queen

I love the elegance and grace of the glamorous crowd assembled here to meet Queen Elizabeth. Gary Cooper looks particularly distinguished.