A biography of Milton Sills, stage and silent film actor with a philosophy background. Poised to make a hit in talkies when he died in 1930. Article also includes a synopsis of Sills’ most famous film, The Sea Hawk.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
Edward Arnold: Before Hollywood
A brief look at the life and career of Edward Arnold before he arrived in Hollywood and became the beloved character actor we remember him as today. Illustrated by period stills.
Gladys George Is Madame X (1937), Plus Brief Biography
A history of Madame X concentrates on the 1937 film version starring Gladys George. Includes a biography of Gladys George with comparison to Ruth Chatterton’s 1929 performance.
Alan Mowbray by Alan Mowbray, Jr.
A biographical look at the stage, film and television career of popular character actor Alan Mowbray written by the actor’s son, Alan Mowbray, Jr.
Suzanne Kaaren – Brief Bio of Bela Lugosi, Three Stooges Co-Star
A brief biography of original Rockette Suzanne Kaaren Blackmer, who played opposite Bela Lugosi and The Three Stooges and later battled Donald Trump in the courts.
Nancy Carroll – Rediscovering a Major Paramount Star
After falling in love with Nancy Carroll in Child of Manhattan I wanted to see more of her movies. Problem was her best work was done at Paramount and most of it is hard to find. This post points to a few of Carroll’s better known titles and includes a biography of this major early talkie talent.
Movie Reviews & Articles
The Voice of Bugle Ann (1936) Starring Lionel Barrymore with Maureen O’Sullivan
MGM’s The Voice of Bugle Ann (1936) with Lionel Barrymore provides a look at Missouri foxhunting. Post includes some background on American foxhunting and a bit about the quote Barrymore’s Spring Davis attributes to Senator Vest during his murder trial.
City Streets (1931) Starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney
A look at the most stylized of the 1931 gangster movies, Rouben Mamoulian’s City Streets (1931) from Paramount, starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney.
Charles Laughton stars in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)
Charles Laughton earns his Oscar for Best Actor in Alexander Korda’s The Private Life of Henry VIII, a comedic costume piece focusing on Henry’s relationships with his various wives.
Captain Blood (1935) Action Energized by Errol Flynn and Korngold’s Score
A look at my own favorite action adventure movie of all time, Captain Blood starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, both in breakout roles. A tale of piracy, slavery, patriotism and romance, Korngold’s score keeps you cheering for Blood throughout.
Devil and the Deep (1932) Starring Charles Laughton and Tallulah Bankhead
A detailed look at Paramount’s Devil and the Deep (1932) starring Tallulah Bankhead and Gary Cooper, with Cary Grant and introducing Charles Laughton to American audiences as the paranoid submarine commander.
The Criminal Code (1931) Starring Walter Huston with Boris Karloff
A spoiler-free look at Howard Hawks’ The Criminal Code starring Walter Huston and providing Boris Karloff with his most important role to date. With a special focus on Phillips Holmes.