A critique of the 2012 TCM Una Merkel birthday schedule along with highlights of her biography and several quotes attributed to her throughout her career.
Popular Posts
Movie Star Biographies
William Frawley Before I Love Lucy
A look at William Frawley in the years before he achieved his greatest fame as Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy. Special attention is paid to his baseball movies and his early days on the vaudeville circuit and Broadway. The article is illustrated with seven promotional photos from the 1939 film St. Louis Blues.
Norman Kerry, Chaney’s co-star in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera
A brief biography of Norman Kerry, a silent film star you probably remember better than you think. Co-starred with Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera and The Unknown.
Mary Boland Biography – TCM’s Summer Under the Stars
A complete and illustrated biography of stage actress and later film star Mary Boland prepared to coincide with TCM’s Summer Under the Stars presentation of Boland movies, August 4, 2013.
Ann Sheridan – Search for Beauty Contest Winner Before the Oomph
Ann Sheridan’s beginnings in Hollywood. A look at the International Search for Beauty contest that Clara Lou Sheridan rode to a Paramount contract.
Barbara Kent, 103, of Flesh and the Devil (1926); Welcome Danger (1929)
One of our last stars of the silent screen, Barbara Kent, has died at age 103. A brief biography and remembrance including a Barbara Kent gallery of collectibles.
Movie Reviews & Articles
King Vidor’s Our Daily Bread (1934) more than just a big finish
King Vidor’s self-produced “Our Daily Bread” (1934) is a Depression-era tale of collectivism starring Tom Keene and Karen Morley. We follow the city-dwelling couple …
How Green Was My Valley (1941) and the Black Slag of Time
Like Roddy McDowall I find myself focused on Donald Crisp throughout the Academy Award winning How Green Was My Valley (1941). Labor unrest invades the valley and Crisp’s once stable world changes.
Ace of Aces (1933) Starring Richard Dix and Elizabeth Allan
Richard Dix stars as a pacifist sculptor turned bloodthirsty World War I Ace of Aces. Morality story with good action, complicated character. With Elizabeth Allan.
6 Hours to Live (1932) for Warner Baxter in Rare Fox Film
Warner Baxter stars as a love-struck politician who is assassinated just before a key international vote. Science gives him another 6 Hours to Live after a powerful ray brings him back to life. Also starring Miriam Jordan and John Boles. Directed by William Dieterle. A 1932 Fox Films release.
Young Bride (1932) Starring Helen Twelvetrees and Eric Linden
RKO-Pathe pre-Code Young Bride (1932), aka Love Starved, features great period slang throughout a lower middle-class slice of life in the city. Stars Helen Twelvetrees with excellent work from leading man Eric Linden, and Arline Judge in support.
First Impressions: Mrs. Parkington (1944) with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon
Brief first impressions of Mrs. Parkington (1944) written soon after my first viewing. Starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon.