Cash-ins, of course, are nothing new, and in 1945 Judy Garland was able to add another item to her resume. Well, sort of. In Judy Garland and the Hoodoo Costume, the former Dorothy Gale became an unwitting mystery sleuth. The author, Kathryn Heisenfelt, is more mysterious than her books and her books are all kinds of … Continue reading Judy Garland, Mystery Sleuth
During World War Two: Aftermath
As we talked about last month, Americans knew they had a big job ahead, even after the war ended. It wasn't just a matter of bringing our servicemembers home, but of rebuilding both their lives and helping to rebuild a world that had been devastated by the war. Instead of war bonds, Americans were now … Continue reading During World War Two: Aftermath
During World War Two: War Fatigue and Winding Down
It's pretty common knowledge that people on the home front during the war were fed almost constant reminders of what was at stake, told that the war was happening, that they needed to buy and keep war bonds, and so on. While it was understandable and in many cases necessary, it did get a bit … Continue reading During World War Two: War Fatigue and Winding Down
Judy Garland, Protagonist
It's Judy Garland's one-hundred second birthday today. This great artist has been extensively written about, speculated about, pitied, celebrated and misjudged for decades, both when she was alive and in the nearly sixty years that have passed since her death. She even starred in her own mystery novel in 1945, but that's another topic for … Continue reading Judy Garland, Protagonist
During World War Two: On the Air
The Second World War has been referred to as "a radio war," simply because radio was such an integral part of relaying information to the public about bond drives, rationing, the latest news, and other aspects of living on the home front, but radio was probably the most special for Americans on the frontlines. Imagine … Continue reading During World War Two: On the Air
Five Jane Powell Films
Time to run that marathon... Jane Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Burce on April 1, 1929 in Portland, Oregon, and her story echoes that of many of her contemporaries: Her parents wanted her to be the next Shirley Temple. As such, Suzanne was pressed into singing lessons starting at age five. At fourteen, Suzanne won … Continue reading Five Jane Powell Films
The Time My Dad Ate Chinese Food With Cary Grant
The stereotypes a lot of people have of Californians, even to this day, is that we all live next door to movie stars or that movie stars are everywhere we look, but the reality is that while our odds are definitely better in that regard, it's still a matter of being in the right place … Continue reading The Time My Dad Ate Chinese Food With Cary Grant
During World War Two: That’s Entertainment
As we all know, it's a tradition to send celebrities to entertain our troops. I can't speak to how it would feel to be deployed and suddenly see, say, Robin Williams or Gary Sinise, but I have a slight idea of how it feels to get an unexpected lift when one is exhausted, far from … Continue reading During World War Two: That’s Entertainment
During World War Two: Christmas Anytime
Due to wartime shortages, Christmas was leaner than it otherwise might have been. Kids were given toys made out of paper and wood instead of metal, and the public was encouraged to give war bonds as Christmas presents. Christmas movies, however, were not in short supply, only they could come out at any old time … Continue reading During World War Two: Christmas Anytime
Judy and Sid vs. Warner Bros.
What's up, Doc? As the cliche says, "Money makes the mare go." That metaphorical mare is often a picky eater, especially when art and money meet, and not even one of the greatest purveyors of the art we call film, Warner Bros., is immune. Judy Garland's 1954 movie, A Star Is Born is at once one … Continue reading Judy and Sid vs. Warner Bros.
Gowns By Adrian
Hollywood's Golden Era had no shortage of distinctive and wonderful costumers, such as Edith Head, Irene Sharaff, Kalloch, and Walter Plunkett, but for sheer prestige, we have to look to Gilbert Adrian, whose story is told in Rizzoli New York's Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art, and High Fashion. The book covers the three … Continue reading Gowns By Adrian
During World War Two: John Huston
We've come to the last of our five directors who went overseas during World War Two. John Huston was the youngest of the lot. Like his contemporaries, Huston distiguished himself during the war by making documentaries, and while they mostly did all right, one was too fake while another was too real. John Huston was … Continue reading During World War Two: John Huston
An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
The Pick My Movie Tag is back, guys, and it won't be the last time this year. This go-round, J-Dub of Dubsism nominated me (thank you, J-Dub!) because backsies are not only acceptable but encouraged. The challenge, should I choose to accept it, is to review a movie everyone likes but I can't stand. While … Continue reading An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
During World War Two: Any Bonds Today?
We all know that during the war bond sales were huge. Reminders to buy war bonds were literally everywhere from magazines to ads to the ending credits of movies to billboards. My hometown paper used the words, "Buy War Bonds" so often that it was practically a design element. Anything that could carry text was … Continue reading During World War Two: Any Bonds Today?
During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Between 1941 and 1942 America's military went from approximately 1.8 million to almost four million, and by the end of the war around twelve million Americans were in the Armed Forces. The popular myth about the United States in the period immediately following Pearl Harbor is that recruitment offices were jammed with volunteers, but according … Continue reading During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Sold: The 1970 MGM Auction
*Insert lion's roar here* There's no such thing as being too big to fail. MGM was always one of the biggest and most successful studios in Hollywood, but when they fell, they fell hard. Not that it was a surprise to anyone in the post-Production Code, post block-book era, seeing as MGM's fortunes had been … Continue reading Sold: The 1970 MGM Auction
During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
Hollywood had a little appeasement issue early in the Second World War; namely, they avoided a certain four-letter word starting with "N" and ending in "I." It was no secret what the Nazis and their friends were up to. Everyone knew they were committing atrocities against the Jewish people and anyone else who went against … Continue reading During World War Two: The “N” Word (No, Not THAT One)
Taking Up Room 