Back to Golden Days

One of my favourite things to do is look at pictures of Old Hollywood stars, and I am always amazed by the charm and glamour of the actors and actresses of that time. So, as a complement to this blog, I have finally done something that I have been wanting to do for a while: I have created an Instagram page to continue sharing the love for an era that has fascinated me since my university days. If you feel that this is a page you would like to follow, please feel free to do so. You will find it at @backtogoldendaysblog .  

Clara Bow and Lawrence Gray in a promotional photo, circa 1925.    Marie Wilson in a promotional photo, circa 1948.      Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr at a New Year's Eve party in Hollywood in 1939.   Debbie Reynolds in a promotional portrait (1952).    Bette Davis in a promotional photo, circa 1935.    James Cagney and his wife, Billie, at a New Year's Eve party in New York City, in 1939.   Cyd Charisse in a promotional photo (1949).      Mae West in a promotional photo for Paramount Pictures (1936).

Christmas has always been a source of inspiration to many artists, including those in the film industry. Over the years, filmmakers have created an array of Christmas movies and television specials, many of which have become beloved staples during the holiday season all over the world.    One of the earliest examples of Christmas-themed films is Santa Claus (1898), a British short directed by George Albert Smith, featuring Santa visiting a house on Christmas Eve. As a trick film, it was groundbreaking at the time for showcasing the use of parallel action. In the United States, A Christmas Carol (1910), produced by Edison Studios based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella of the same name, further highlighted the sentimental value of Christmas themes. It was not until the 1940s, however, that Christmas movies truly cemented their place in cinematic history. With the horrors of World War II, audiences needed to be reminded that there was still good in the world, and ...