Back to Golden Days

In 2016 I kept a list of all the films I saw throughout the year, so I thought I would do it again for 2017. It includes both classic and «modern» films, which make up a total of 81 titles. It is not nearly as many films as I have seen in previous years (not by a long mile), but I think it is still a fairly decent amount. Films marked with a heart ( ❤ ) are my favorites.   Anna Christie (1930) | Starring Greta Garbo, George F. Marion and Charles Bickford It's Tough to Be Famous (1932) | Starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Mary Brian The Whole Town's Talking (1935) | Starring Edward G. Robinson and Jean Arthur His Brother's Wife (1936) | Starring Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) | Starring Robert Donat, Greer Garson and Lyn Harding Jesse James (1939) | Starring Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda and Nancy Kelly ❤ Rebecca (1940) | Starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson Went the Day Well? (1942) | Starring Leslie Ba

I saw Call Me By Your Name yesterday and I cannot stop thinking about it. It is quite possibly the single most heartbreakingly beautiful film I have ever seen in my life. Hence why I felt compelled to write this mini-review, to express my undying love for this incredible story. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name tells the story of Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old American boy who lives in the Italian countryside with his family. His father is a professor of archeology and he invites one of his American graduate students, Oliver, to live with them for six weeks and help with his academic paperwork. Soon, Elio and Oliver begin to spend a lot of time together, flirtatious seduction ensues and they end up falling hopelessly in love with each other. The film takes place in the summer of 1983 in Northern Italy, which is the most perfect setting for swimming, dancing, bike riding and, of course, a sensual summer romance.   OLIVER: So what does one do around here? ELIO: Wa

Esther Pressman, Kay Gordon, Bonita Parker, Dorothy Thompson and Dene Myles (Paramount press release, 1935) Sandra Dee Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum (publicity still for Holiday Affair , 1949) Shirley Jones Buster Keaton and his sons Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard at Christmas time (1953)   >> If you happen to be looking for some Christmas films to watch over the holiday season, here are some I think you might like: The Thin Man (1934) | Starring William Powell and Myrna Loy Bachelor Mother (1939) | Starring David Niven and Ginger Rogers Remember the Night (1940) | Starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray The Shop Around the Corner (1940) | Starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan Holiday Inn (1942) | Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire I'll Be Seeing You (1944) | Starring Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) | Starring Judy Garland, Mary Astor and Margaret O'Brien Chri

Since today is World Photography Day (yes, I bothered to check), I thought it would be fun to put together a collection of colour photos of Classic Hollywood stars. As far as I can tell, these pictures were captured in actual natural colour, rather than being digitally colourised. Enjoy!   Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck at their ranch in San Fernando Valley (1939) Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet (1940) Errol Flynn skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho (December 1940) Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford on their wedding day (1943) Myrna Loy and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. dancing (ca. 1944) Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney before reprising their roles in Laura (1944) for Lux Radio Theatre (February 1945) Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner on a break from filming The Killers (1946) Gregory Peck in a publicity for Duel in the Sun (1946) James Stewart and Donna Reed in a portrait for It's a Wonderf

Last year I discovered by chance that Olivia de Havilland , Joan Fontaine and Humphrey Bogart are all direct descendants of King Edward I of England. I was so fascinated by that fact that I decided to delve further into the world of genealogy and try to find out what other classic Hollywood actors might be descendants of the kings of England. During this process, I learned that Sir Laurence Olivier — or Larry, as I always call him — is also a direct descendant, albeit through a different (and more royal) blood line, of Edward I. If you are interested to know the particulars of this intricate connection, you are welcome to keep on reading. Sir Laurence Olivier is a direct descendant of King Edward I of England. Let us begin our story with Edward I (1239-1307). He was the first of five children of King Henry III of England (1207-1272) and his wife, Eleanor of Provence (c. 1223-1291), a probable distant relative of Charlemagne. Via his paternal grandfather, John, King of England, Edward