Yesterday, Classic Hollywood actor Kirk Douglas passed away at the age of 103. Kirk was one of the last surviving movie stars from Hollywood’s golden age and is most known for his role in the classic feature Spartacus. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anne, three sons, seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. …
They were the ultimate show business power-couple, conquering both the stage and film together. Although their relationship did not last, their love for each other always did. Classic Hollywood Central takes a look at some of Classic Hollywood’s real-life love stories and continues this journey with the story of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier.
Genre: Drama Description: From Here to Eternity focuses on the Schofield Army Barracks in Honolulu, in the languid days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Read facts you never knew about Joan Crawford: She never liked the name Joan Crawford. Her childhood nickname was ‘Billie’ and she preferred to be called that in private. Joan was a major germaphobe, who washed her hands every ten minutes and immediately wiped off everything guests in her home had touched. Whenever she stayed …
They were at the height of their fame when they became the ultimate celebrity couple: Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. He was known as ‘the King of Hollywood’ and she was America’s Sweetheart. They were in it for the long haul, but fate got in between. Classic Hollywood Central takes a look at some of …
‘Tis the season to make some hot chocolate, crawl under a blanket and watch It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas and A Miracle on 34th Street. Classic Hollywood excelled at Christmas and always made a big deal out of it. Christmas themed photo shoots were done, Christmas parties were thrown and articles were written about …
The Hays Code may sound like a vague technical rule, it was incredibly important to the style of Classic Hollywood. It’s the reason why this era is known for its class, old-fashioned morals and etiquette. This industry code of moral guidelines forced Hollywood to not just portray men and women, but gentlemen and ladies. As …
Genre: Film Noir Description: When two hit men kill the unresisting Ole Andserson (Burt Lancaster), life insurance investigator Jim Reardon (Edmond O’Brien) is assigned to find his beneficiary. He soon realizes that ‘the Swede’ was involved with a bad crowd and the even more dangerous Kitty Collins (Ava Gardner). Cast: Burt Lancaster – Ole ‘Swede’ …
Beloved Hollywood icon Doris Day passed away on May 19, 2019. Almost a year later, her estate will be up for auction at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online. The lot consists of no less than 800 items, including her Golden Globes. The 800 items being sold at auction include her furniture, clothes and …
Birth: March 23, 1904 (depending on source)Texas, USA Death: May 10, 1977New York, USA Childhood Joan Crawford was born as Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas on March 23, 1904 (depending on the source). Around the time she was born, her father left the already struggling family. Alone with two children, Lucille and her …
Read facts you never knew about Rock Hudson: Rock took 5 screen tests at different studios before signing with Universal. His screen test for Twentieth Century Fox was so bad, that the studio showed it to young actors for decades as an example of how bad you can start out and still become a star …
Genre: Romantic comedy Description: In Woman of the Year Tess Harding (Katharine Hepburn) and Sam Craig (Spencer Tracy) are two journalists who carry out their feud in their respective columns. Until they meet face to face.
In Classic Hollywood Myths we take a look at all the myths about the Golden Age of Hollywood. What really happened? Are these ‘urban legends’ true or false? Classic Hollywood Central looks into it! Myth: James Dean’s car was cursed Legendary Classic Hollywood actor James Dean was a big fan of car racing. For insurance reasons, …
A biographical film on the life of Classic Hollywood icon Judy Garland will be released this month. Filming a big budget feature about Judy has been a project that’s been talked about for years. With films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocket Man charting the box-office, the time seems right for the audience to see a …
Genre: Comedy Description: In Some Like it Hot musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) witness a mob hit and they fear that they will be next. To flee the state, the two broke men create a disguise: as Josephine and Daphne they sign up to perform in Sweet Sue’s all girl orchestra.
Rita Hayworth was the glamorous movie star and Orson Welles the brilliant director. For awhile, they were the perfect match. Although their relationship didn’t last, they never stopped loving each other. Classic Hollywood Central takes a look at some of Classic Hollywood’s real-life love stories and continues this journey with the story of Rita Hayworth …
Birth: November 17, 1925Illinois, USA Death: October 2, 1985California, USA Childhood Rock Hudson was born as Roy Harold Sherer Jr. on November 17, 1925 in Illinois. He was the only child of Kay and Roy Sr. His father left the family when Rock was little and he and his mother moved in with his grandmother. …
Genre: Comedy Description: In Pillow Talk career woman Jan Morrow (Doris Day) and womanizer Brad Allen (Rock Hudson) share a telephone party line together but have never met.
Genre: Film noir drama Description: Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) convinces bored insurance agent Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) to murder her husband so they can collect his insurance policy. Everything goes as planned, until Walter’s boss Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) takes over the investigation and the pair become suspicious of each other’s motives. Cast: Fred …
