Baby Peggy Turns 100 Years Old!
Happy Birthday, Baby Peggy! Baby Peggy, the last of the silent film stars, turns 100 years old today! She was born Peggy-Jean Montgomery on October 29, 1918. She became one of the biggest child stars of the silent movie era. Peggy was a millionaire by the time she was six. Soon her career crashed and the Depression hit. She was broke and working as an extra by the time she was a teenager. One Of The First Child Stars in Films As Refinery 29 reported: At the age of 5, Diana Serra Cary, better known as child superstar Baby Peggy, was a self-made multimillionaire, the star of nearly 150 shorts…
When You Grow Up (1973) | Film
When You Grow Up This short film is an interesting time capsule from 1973. Fascinating educational short film from 1973, discussing possible future careers for its youthful audience. Set to a mildly rocking score, this film shows the intended middle-school audience some of the jobs available for them in the future. I like the fact that the film shows diversity with people of color and women represented in the film. I also like that it shows people doing all kinds of blue-collar and white-collar work. They can all take pride in a job well done. Analysis We still had a manufacturing economy back then! Those jobs hadn’t been sent overseas…
Every Sunday (1936) | Film
Every Sunday This 1936 short film is fascinating because MGM was showcasing their two incredible young singers, Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin. Judy and Deanna both had amazing voices, but very different styles, as can be seen in this film. Deanna Durbin MGM let pretty Deanna’s contract lapse, and she was snapped up by Universal Studios. She had talent and great charm, and success came quickly. Deanna had a huge success with Three Smart Girls (1936), a sequel to that film, and several other films musical films. Deanna Durbin was credited with saving Universal Studios from bankruptcy as it was struggling during the Depression. Most of her films are delightful.…
Ann Harding: Cinema’s Gallant Lady by Scott O’Brien | Book Review
Ann Harding - Cinema's Gallant Lady by Scott O'Brien Genres: Biography Original Publication Date: 2010 Source: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Goodreads Find the Author: Website, Goodreads, Amazon Laurence Oliver referred to her as an “angel.” Director Henry Hathaway claimed she was a “bitch.” Critics hailed Ann Harding as the finest actress to venture from Broadway to Hollywood. Her unique, natural screen presence in Holiday (1930) earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. From 1929 to 1936, Harding reigned as cinema’s “Gallant Lady.” Several years ago I read Scott O’Brien’s excellent biography of Kay Francis, so I couldn’t wait to read…
Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen by Michael G. Ankerich | Book Review
Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen by Michael G. Ankerich Genres: Biography Original Publication Date: 2010 Source: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Goodreads Find the Author: Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Tumblr In Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels, author Michael G. Ankerich examines the lives, careers, and disappointments of 14 silent film actresses, who, despite the odds against them and warnings to stay in their hometowns, came to Hollywood to make names for themselves in the movies. Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of…
