Time for a new Shamedown, people, and this one was definitely not what I expected. Before we get into that, though, if anyone would like to know what a Shamedown is, the details can be found at the CinemaShame website, and past Shamedowns can be found here. All righty, here we go... As I said … Continue reading Shamedown #3: The North Star
Service With A Smile
Well, hello, Mr. Kaye... It's no secret that during the Second World War the public were to never quite forget the current situation, and movies that promoted everyone getting in on the fight were especially welcome by the Office of War Information, but I have to wonder how prepared they were for 1944's Up In … Continue reading Service With A Smile
During World War Two: George Stevens
For the next five months, we're going to do a series within a series, because one big aspect of Hollywood's response to the Second World War is all the major and not so major industry professionals who went into uniform. Four of Hollywood's top directors served in the Army and one in the Navy, and … Continue reading During World War Two: George Stevens
What We Carry With Us
John Garfield was a method actor before method acting was cool in Hollywood, and like James Cagney he was often pigeonholed as a tough guy and rogueish anti-hero, only in Garfield's case his persona had more of a jailbird or prisoner-of-war slant. The 1943 film, The Fallen Sparrow neatly falls into that trope with a … Continue reading What We Carry With Us
Shamedown #1: Susan and God
Our first Shamedown of the new year! I think 2023 is going to be fun, at least movie-wise if nothing else. And if anyone would like to know what a Shamedown is, our instigators at CinemaShame have all the information here. Off we go... Who's made New Year's resolutions? I have, sort of--I've been trying … Continue reading Shamedown #1: Susan and God
During World War Two: It’s An Expat Thing
Hollywood was rife with actors, directors, writers, and others who had fled Europe when Hitler came to power and who still had relatives living under Hitler's thumb. Those who stayed behind, especially if they were Jewish, were subjected to the same treatment as anyone else, often dying by execution, in prison or in death camps … Continue reading During World War Two: It’s An Expat Thing
The House of Improv
After the last three years we can all relate to wanting change, right? Big change. Quiet quitting. Quiet hiring. Packing up and moving out of the city for greener pastures. Some of the guys in my life, including my husband, have felt the need to grow facial hair this year. Or sometimes we find ourselves … Continue reading The House of Improv
Meet Dorothy Morris
Gotta watch those characters... Dorothy Morris's career was relatively short compared to other character actors of her day, but she always made a big impression in her own quiet, pretty way. The daughter of a Methodist stockbroker, Morris was born on February 23, 1922 in Hollywood and despite being a shy person, became interested in … Continue reading Meet Dorothy Morris
During World War Two: Five Wartime Holiday Songs
There's no doubt the war felt harder around the holidays. Not only were people missing their loved ones, but there were shortages of many materials so everyone had to get creative. Handmade gifts were big, and children's toys were often made out of paper and wood instead of plastic and metal. However, stuff wasn't always … Continue reading During World War Two: Five Wartime Holiday Songs
Anywhere I Hang My Hat
Us Americans have always been famous for adapting to our surroundings but some things are a little beyond the pale. Like squatting. Obviously, it's usually not nice. Obviously, it's illegal depending on where the squatting happens. In California and other states, for instance, it's what's called a wobbler, which means a squatter can be charged … Continue reading Anywhere I Hang My Hat
The (Fake) Teen Agers
I don't know about anyone else, but I used to look through my parents' high school yearbooks and think how old everyone looked. Not like teenagers exactly but full-fledged adults. Must have been the clothes. At least they were actual teenagers in high school, unlike the cast of the 1946 film, High School Hero. This movie...well, it's … Continue reading The (Fake) Teen Agers
Andy Hardy Grows Up (Again)
Here we go... There were sixteen Andy Hardy movies made between 1936 and 1958. They were relatively cheap and quick to shoot, audiences loved them, and they were a lot of fun. They were also a way to showcase up-and-coming young actresses such as Judy Garland, Donna Reed and Esther Williams. One of 1941's Hardy … Continue reading Andy Hardy Grows Up (Again)
During World War Two: Dueling Canteens
It can't be denied that Hollywood, and for that matter, Broadway, were in an unique position to help the troops during the war. Support for the war effort was overwhelming in these industries, especially once the last holdouts stopped tiptoeing around the Nazis and the other Axis powers. Not to mention, seventy-nine percent of Americans … Continue reading During World War Two: Dueling Canteens
During World War Two: The Pacific Theater (Part Two)
When we last left off, America had temporarily pulled out of the Philippines as the last holdouts, Bataan and Corregidor fell to the Japanese, putting thousands of American and Filipino troops and civilians in the hands of enemy forces. Those who weren't murdered were herded into camps, where they faced extremely harsh conditions, and even … Continue reading During World War Two: The Pacific Theater (Part Two)
Hep To the Jive
The teen years are awkward enough, but for Shirley Temple they must have been downright painful, because after her 1940 film, The Blue Bird flopped she was at loose ends as an actress, ending her contract with Fox and trying to figure out what to do next. She made one movie at MGM, Kathleen, which didn't grab people, and … Continue reading Hep To the Jive
Shamedown #8: Underworld Scandal
We're back with another Shamedown, people, and the titles just keep getting more generic (Heh. Just wait until next month.). If anyone is coming in late and is therefore fuzzy on what a Shamedown is, the details can be found here. Juvenile delinquency rose hugely all over the world both during and after the Second … Continue reading Shamedown #8: Underworld Scandal
During World War Two: The Pacific Theater (Part One)
The war in the Pacific and the events leading up to it are very seldom taught, if ever, in schools today. In my case, and it's probably the same for a lot of film buffs and history lovers, movies made about that part of World War Two sparked interest in learning more. It's a complicated … Continue reading During World War Two: The Pacific Theater (Part One)
Taking Up Room 