*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: Serious Days
Well, folks, we're happy to be back with you again, and on behalf of the Johnson Wax people and our cast, may we say that we're not unconscious of the fact that these are serious days. --Jim Jordan of the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show, September 5, 1939. On September first, Britain declared war … Continue reading During World War Two: Serious Days
During World War Two: Beginnings
Et voilá, that new series I hinted at last month: We're going to be talking about Hollywood's response to the war and how the war affected movies and radio shows produced during that time. As those of you who have been around Taking Up Room for any length of time have no doubt seen, the nineteen-forties … Continue reading During World War Two: Beginnings
The Rest of the Movie
Happy Silent Movie Day! Anyone who's ever watched a documentary about film history, especially of MGM, has probably seen a shot of John Gilbert lunching with a group of his fellow stars. That clip comes from 1928's Show People, a fantastic Marion Davies vehicle that's beloved by film buffs and geek bait for historians. Peggy Pepper … Continue reading The Rest of the Movie
Reading Rarities: Silent Echoes
Southern California and LA in particular are notoriously cavalier about architectural history. Everything's got to be new and fresh. With all the movies that have been made there over the past hundred-plus years, not to mention the periodic earthquakes, it's amazing anything stands longer than a few decades. Still, remnants of old Hollywood manage to … Continue reading Reading Rarities: Silent Echoes
Origins: Mary Poppins Returns
Full disclosure: I was all set to announce that this would be the last installment in the Origins series, because there are only so many ways to say today's Hollywood mostly stinks. However, that was before I peeked at what's lined up for next year. Put it this way: 2019 may reveal whole new levels … Continue reading Origins: Mary Poppins Returns
Being Fay Bainter
Gotta watch those character actors... Only ten actors to date have been nominated for Best and Supporting Actor or Actress in the same year. Fay Bainter is the first one. Fay Bainter was biz-ee. She was an able supporting player, and her work spans radio, film, television, and stage. Mostly stage, though. Born in Los … Continue reading Being Fay Bainter
Beneath the Beauty
And here's Miss Hedy... When it comes to Hedy Lamarr, it's easy to zero in on her beauty and go no further. However, this woman had plenty more going for her than just a gorgeous face, and we in the twenty-first century wouldn't be where we are today without her. 2017's Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story ably … Continue reading Beneath the Beauty
Rita Hayworth and World War Two
Well, hello, Miss Rita... As we've talked about on this blog before, Hollywood threw itself into doing its part during the Second World War. All efforts were vastly appreciated, but some stood out more than others, and one of those was Rita Hayworth. In the early nineteen forties, Rita's star was on a rapid ascent, … Continue reading Rita Hayworth and World War Two
Adjustments, All Sorts
Well, hello, Ms. Bacall... When life is in turmoil, people need release wherever they can find it, and the 1957 film, Designing Woman was one such break for Lauren Bacall. She called it "a nice, light comedy," and though she didn't think so initially, it was just what she needed during one of the toughest times … Continue reading Adjustments, All Sorts
Ingrid’s Casablanca
Welcome back, Ms. Bergman! What hasn't been said about Casablanca? What hasn't been asked about Casablanca? This is a film that's been parsed, analyzed, memorialized, quoted, parodied, and collected more homage than most films in history, with the exception of Citizen Kane and The Wizard of Oz, of course. What's left to be said? Plenty. It's a classic film that we … Continue reading Ingrid’s Casablanca
Dinner Is Served
The Barrymores have returned, y'all. MGM had a thing for ensemble films in the early thirties. Why have one box office draw when more just makes everything better? John and Lionel Barrymore got to be in on a few of these extravaganzas, and one of the most well-known is 1933's Dinner At Eight. Like their earlier hit, Grand … Continue reading Dinner Is Served
Origins: Sharks, Sharks Everywhere
We all know how sinister predators seem to be a real thing in summertime flicks. Maybe it's because summer is when people go camping or to the beach or something--it's an imagined feeling of impending doom. There's not much that compares to watching a roller-coaster of a disaster movie, armed with popcorn and Milk Duds, … Continue reading Origins: Sharks, Sharks Everywhere
Once More With Feeling
Fred and Ginger's RKO partnership ended after The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle in 1939. It wasn't that they hated each other, or had creative differences, or anything like that--they simply wanted to part ways. RKO's money problems were a determining factor as well. Ten years later, however, the two were reunited at MGM for a … Continue reading Once More With Feeling
I’ll Only Dance With You
Here come Fred and Ginger... What hasn't been said about these two? Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are the go-to's of both pairs dancing and Hollywood musicals. One of these was 1936's Swing Time, a light and airy film which was an escape for Depression-era audiences, as well as in the decades following. The movie opens at … Continue reading I’ll Only Dance With You
All the World’s A Stage
Happy birthday to Ms. de Havilland! I'll admit, while I'm very familiar with Olivia de Havilland in Gone With the Wind, I've never really had the opportunity to look at much of her other work. It's one of the reasons I love participating in blogathons--it's fun to explore new films and information. The 1937 film, It's Love … Continue reading All the World’s A Stage
Judy’s Voice
Right off the bat, I want to let it be known that I'm not an expert on the voice. I have played piano for many years, although I'm a little rusty now, and I did study voice for about fourteen years. So, while I'm not going to go all Sarah Brightman on anyone, I do … Continue reading Judy’s Voice
Taking Up Room 