Vintage Hollywood Stars – Page 2

Somehow Hollywood in the 1930s managed to out glamour glamorous. We all wanted to be just like them. They had style and gave us class. That’s why we went to the movies. To get away from the depression, from the drudgeries of every day life and from failed romances. There was the gorgeous Jean Harlow who died at just 24 but made so many beautiful romantic films during her short time at the top.

There was the beautiful Carol Lombard who died young also in a plane crash whilst selling war bonds and was at the time married to Clark Gable.

There was Joan Crawford who didn’t die young but went on and on and on forever finally winding up as a parody of her former self.

Of course we must also include her arch rival and my personal favourite ‘Bette Davis ‘ who also went on and on to parody herself .

Also there were the handsome leading men promising romance and honour amongst thieves. They were good sorts who wanted nothing more than to look after their ladies of choice. Showering them with all the good things of life. In the movies that is.

Cary Grant shown here contemplating what to do with the pressies under the tree looke extremely dapper indeed.

Clark Gable seen here with Joan Crawford dressed up in his best tuxedo.

George Brent put up with a bit of Christmas cheer fromBette Davis whilst relaxing in front of the fireplace.

And James Stewart gave Donna Reed a smooch under the mistletoe.

Ah those were the days my friend

Gabby Du Gaffe

c/o

Renee Dallow ( Hybiscus Bloom ) 10/12/2014

Born in England and educated in France Virginia Field began her Hollywood film career during the 1930s and her very first big budget film was for David O.Selznick the man who would later go on to produce ‘Gone With The Wind’. The film was ‘Little Lord Fontleroy ” Although she only really had a minor role in the film as the beautiful actress’ Miss Herbert’ she was certainly noticed. She was signed to play various roles in the ‘Mr Moto’ detective series and her versatility put her firmly in the role of character actress. For most of her work in Hollywood Field played supporting roles and was mostly cast as the other woman or friend of the leading actress. Films included ‘ Captain Fury,’The Perfect Marriage’ and ‘Dream Girl’ to name a few. She was rarely given top billing even though her talents deserved it. As an actress she had a loyal trust worthy quality which showed in the quiet inner strength portrayed by her characters. This quality was most notable in ‘Waterloo Bridge’ with Vivienne Leigh and Robert Taylor in which she is both friend and confidante to Leigh’s fragile young ingenue. Probably one of her most memorable film roles other than ‘Waterloo Bridge’ was one with a very ambitious plot line involving time travel and the chance to go back and fix mistakes. The film ‘Repeat Performance ‘starring Louis Hayward and Joan Leslie centres on a woman who kills her husband on New Years Eve wishing she could turn back the clock so that the murder never took place. Her wish is granted and she is able to go back in time and repeat the events leading up to the shooting. The film stops short at the exact moment and the audience are left with the question of …. Will she or won’t she do it again? Field married three times and went on to play support characters for many years to come including pppearing in the Perry Mason series during the 1960s. Apparently Virginia Filed was someone who liked to tell it like it is and dished the dirt on some of her co – stars. Maybe this is the reason she was never able to make it to the top. No room for truth in Hollywood eh!