Thursday, August 06, 2026

Having difficult time imagining Bob speaking Portuguese

 Cinefilo, meaning film enthusiast or lover, was a Portuguese magazine published in Brazil during the 1930s.  The issue below was published September 5, 1931.  Considering it was printed on inexpensive paper 95 years ago; it is in rather good condition.   


The photograph MGM sent the magazine of Mr. Montgomery was printed on an inexpensive newsprint rather than photographic paper.  It is the same as the photo used in picture frames for sale.  Shipping rates to Brazil from the U.S. must have been quite high in 1931 ... that's one long boat ride.  


It still amazes me how successful Paul Whiteman was during this period.  Not too many portly, balding and middle-aged men make the bigtime these days.  


Irene Purcell's photo is on the back of the magazine.  There are no associated articles inside featuring the stars on the front or back.  That's okay.  I'm not up to having to use google translate these days. Oh, yes, August 7th is Irene's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Ms. Purcell!


Tuesday, August 04, 2026

Battle of the Reginald's

 Everybody Sing (1938) starred Alan Jones and Judy Garland.  It may not have been a highly rated movie, but it did have some excellent supporting actors to attempt to save it from being too much of a bomb.  Reginald Owen, Reginald Gardiner and Billie Burke, each in their own unique way, were great actors.  Mr. Owen, whose birthday is August 5th, could seemingly play any type of role to perfection.   Mr. Gardiner was really good at playing the "upper-crust English twit."  And Ms. Burke was a master at portraying "Billie Burke", one of a kind for sure.  


Thumbs up to Mr. Gardiner for going face-to-face with Mr. Owen.  I'd say the eyes have it!  (Sorry, I'm working on this much too late in the day.)


A slightly late update of Bob on TCM ... June Bride (1948) is available until August 11th and The Big House (1930) ends a brief run on August 7th.  

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Such a Nifty Couple

Hide-Out:  the movie simply cries out for a follow-up episode.  Yes, will prison turn Lucky into a real bad guy?  Will Pauline be still waiting for him?  Will Lucky be able to "go straight"?  Will Willie (Mickey Rooney) still be a pest?  Can you just imagine how cute their kids could be?  

                      Bob and Maureen O'Sullivan in Hide-Out (1934)

  It's easy to tell Bob and Maureen enjoyed working together.  Cuteness Personified!



Tuesday, July 28, 2026

The Ever-Dapper Mr. Powell

It's a very Happy Birthday greeting to the delightful Mr. William Powell, born July 29th, 1892.  He's one of those rather rare celebrities one would like to meet, with little fear of disappointment.  

Ah, the suave, most elegant, etc., etc. younger Mr. Powell.  Takes me back to my smoking days when I could sit back with cigarette in hand and dream of Bill asking if I would like a light.  Rrff.



Then there is the 1947 version of Mr. Powell as Clarence Day in Life With Father.  It's two decades later, but he is still the suave gent dressed impeccably.  


And a delightful caricature of Bill found on a cigarette trade card from England.  Yes, quite the dapper gent.  



Thursday, July 23, 2026

Quite the Relief ... Turns out to be a good movie!!

Yes, Letty Lynton has FINALLY arrived in Bakersfield (all the way from LA?).  Hopefully everyone else has theirs as well.  Thoroughly enjoyed watching it without getting a mild headache squinting for a clearer image.  Beautiful print.  Bob just perfect in his first scene wearing that gorgeous white suit.  Had warned my husband we'd be watching it the same day it arrived.  He actually laughed out loud during the scene with Jerry and Letty in the boat's dining room.  Their exchange of one-liners is really quite good.  One of my favorite scenes is with Bob running up a flight of steps while carrying Joan.  He was in good shape, for sure.  Anyway, the nifty thing is that he stops his run with one step to go, one foot still in camera range.  You'd think there would've been a landing for him to step onto and put Joan down, but...or maybe he just ran out of gas!  

Anyway, it is a most enjoyable watch.  A beautiful print with beautiful stars and a decent enough storyline, especially for a 1932 movie.  That's only three years since the advent of the talkies.  Such a long time ago.  And we're just now getting to enjoy it.  For me it was worth the wait.  

Now, if someone would hunt down a copy of Three Live Ghosts(1929) ... Or a decent copy of Unfinished Business (1941).  Or Hell Below on DVD.  Or .... at least the list is one movie shorter!

                  Bob and Joan Crawford in Letty Lynton (1932)