#film stars
Barbara Stanwyck legitimately came up with like a dozen different facial expressions to convey “learns and processes disturbing information” for The Two Mrs. Carrolls(1947).
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Lana Turner’s Summer Under the Stars takeover is upon us! Here’s my recreation of the September 1941 cover of Movie Stars Parade magazine. Lana’s on the cover in promotion for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), which was released that month. Yes, that is really the photo they chose to run with a promo for a period horror film.
This promotional photo was obviously not taken for the movie, but the choice of the photo given the subject of the article illustrates a disappointing aspect of her stardom. Even today, when people talk about Lana Turner, they zero in on her glamorous-yet-approachable image or her dramatic personal life over her actual work. Frankly I disagree with the assertion that she wasn’t that good at acting. Of course, early on Lana was learning on the job. Though roles that challenged her range were sporadic, looking at her work from the mid-1940s on, she was always on point, she always matched the energy of each film. That’s why I’m glad TCM is mostly playing post-1945 Lana films. Hopefully, some people will take the day to reconsider their flippancy toward Lana and realize she was more than someone who looked good in a sweater!
What is Cosplay Under the Stars?
If you’re new here, every August, Turner Classic Movies celebrates Summer Under the Stars. Each day of the month, a different film star gets a full 24 hours of programming. In 2017, on a whim, I decided to put together closet cosplays of every woman featured that month. And so, Cosplay Under the Stars was born.
No. Wait. THIS photo of Myrna Loy! (This time from the September 1928 issue of Photoplay.)
Caption text: “In the light that lies in a woman’s eyes is the principal charm of the face, according to Preston Duncan. In this futuristic portrait of Myrna Loy, the photographer has subordinated her other features by lines and shadows to bring out the beauty of her eyes. And, incidentally, if Myrna were the wage-slave of a company which would give her better stories, she’d be recognized as one of the most seductive actresses on the screen”
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This photo of Myrna Loy from the October 1928 issue of Motion Picture Magazine!
Caption text: “Real estate values in Chicago–particularly in the downtown districts–are expected soon to rise as suddenly as indiscreet politicians. For Myrna Loy is schedules next to appear in the title role of ‘State Street Sadie’”
from Motion Picture Magazine, January 1922
Photo Caption: “The winner of the contest is Miss Clara Bow, of 875 Seventy-third Street, Brooklyn, New York. She is very young, only sixteen. But she is full of confidence, determination and ambition. She screens perfectly, Above, a new portrait of Miss Bow.”
The New Star
“The great Contest is closed. The winner is chosen. These two short sentences might tell it all, representing as they do, nearly a year of hopes and disappointments for the thousands of contestants.
The winner is Miss Clara Bow, 857 73rd Street, Brooklyn, New York. She is very young, only sixteen. But she is full of confidence, determination and ambition. She is endowed with a mentality far beyond her years. She has a genuine spark of the divine fire. The five different screen tests she had, showed this very plainly, her emotional range of expression provoking a fine enthusiasm from every contest judge who saw the tests. She screens perfectly.
Her personal appearance is almost enough to carry her to success without the aid of the brains she indubitably possesses. She has short blonde curly hair, very thick. Her eyes are big and brown and set far apart in compliance with a law of beauty. Her features are delicate, the mouth particularly lovely. Her teeth are even and white, and her suite is as gay and unforced as youth itself. She is slenderly built, with an easy and graceful carriage, that proclaims perfect health and a freedom and zest, denied those of more mature years.
The distinguished contest judges are well satisfied with their decision.”
FULL TRANSCRIPTION BELOW:
“MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE is glad also, to publish the Final Honor Roll. It consists of those who were considered for the final winner. Several of them were very strong contenders, but individually they lacked the various good points that made Miss Bow the final choice. We are sorry to note that only one male entry is included. The Final Honor Roll is as follows:
Miss Clara Bow, 857 73rd Street, Brooklyn, New York.
Miss Eilleen Eliott, 1707 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Miss Laura Lyle, 56 W. 47th Street, New York City.
Miss Ella Lee Jeannette Ruby, 838 N. Church Street, Rockford, Ill.
Miss Margaret Porter, 1078 Madison Avenue, New York City.
Miss Helene Bristow, 105 Thomas Street, Newark, N.J.
Miss Bojan Claussen, 129 W. 87th Street, New York City.
Mr. Maurice Kaines, 11 Abingdon Sq. New York City.
(Continued on page 99)
The New Star
(Continued from page 55)
“Miss Virginia Eastman, 104 West Seventieth Street, New York City.
Miss Lula M. Hubbard, 223 Fourth Street, San Antonio, Texas.
Other Awards in the contest were three very beautiful pieces of lace, which Ensign Tyburc, of the United States Navy, brought from abroad for the express purpose of giving them to the Fame and Fortune Contest. The lace was made by the nuns on the islands of Malta, famous the world over for their exquisite laces.
Miss Bow was given a little bolero jacket. Miss Eastman was presented with a filmy scarf. Miss Ursula Mengoni, a little girl just five years old, had a pair of unusual lace socks for her baby feet, given to her, as her share of the contest glory.
MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE is glad to present Miss Bow’s sincere and grateful letter in full:
‘Gentlemen: I want to thank all those in the Brewster Publications, Inc., who have been responsible for the kind treatment and many efforts on my behalf, from the day of my entrance into the Fame and Fortune Contest of 1921 up until the present time, and also for the beautiful outfit, which they so kindly presented me with. Everyone thinks the outfit beautiful, and is so very becoming, thanks to the taste of Mrs. Gleason and Miss Palmer.
‘Now, about my future. I hope that everything you credit me with will prove true, and that all your hopes and expectations will also do the same. I hope that with the proper training I will grow into a good actress, worthy of the Brewster Publications’ help, and hope that some day Mr. Brewster and the rest will be proud of me and my work. I intend to work very hard and try and perform the smallest role that is given to me to the best of my ability.
‘I thought that writing to you would be better than trying to get an interview. In any business matters, I hope to rely upon your judgment, as I am inexperienced in that direction.
‘Feeling that I have said all I wish to say, I will close, with much appreciation and thanks to the Brewster Publications, Inc. I am, Yours sincerely,
‘Clara G. Bow.’”
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#Marilynettes ~ Ya think this frisky fella is trying to give Marilyn Monroe a hickey? ;)
[1953How To Marry A Millionaire publicity shot]
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Geraldine Fitzgerald, 1955.
“Let’s just try to have a marvelous time this weekend. I mean not try to analyze everything to death for once, if possible.”
J.D. Salinger
“Every time I stop to think about it, I’m really amazed. I think I’ve had an extraordinary life. And lots of times, I can hardly believe it’s me.”
Jennifer Jones, one of the most beguiling and unforgettable stars of Hollywood’s golden age, was born on this day in 1919.
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