A Feud to Inspire

Joan Crawford in a publicity photo for Letty Lynton (1932).

Bette Davis in a publicity photo for Jezebel (1938).

If you watched the television miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan (2017), I hope it has inspired you to delve into the careers of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. I personally have been fans of both of them for years (especially Crawford) so, I have already seen many of their films, but if you have not, you're in for a treat! Even if the miniseries did not always seem to be accurate in it's portrayal of the events that took place, it has brought the awareness of these two incredibly talented actresses to today's public. Both Crawford and Davis made many contributions to acting and the film industry. And I must note that the film industry is and has always been brutal and I mean BRUTAL. They were not perfect ladies (well no one is quite frankly), but I admire them greatly for their perseverance, talent, beauty, and dedication to their craft.

Joan Crawford with her Oscar for Best Actress in 1946 for Mildred Pierce (1945).

Bette Davis with her second Oscar for Best Actress in 1939 for Jezebel (1938).

I usually have preferred Crawford to Davis in their acting styles, but I enjoy watching both of their movies. My favorite Crawford movies are Mildred Pierce (1945), which she won an Oscar for Best Actress, Grand Hotel (1932), Our Dancing Daughters (1928), and Our Blushing Brides (1930). My favorite Bette Davis movies are Jezebel (1938), which she won her second Oscar for Best Actress, Now, Voyager (1942), Dark Victory (1939), and All About Eve (1950). Watch their movies! Read biographies about them! Remember them!

Joan Crawford photographed by George Hurrell.

Bette Davis photographed by George Hurrell.

Joan Crawford photographed by George Hurrell.

Bette Davis photographed by George Hurrell.

Joan Crawford photographed by George Hurrell.

Bette Davis photographed by George Hurrell.

Side note: the reason why I choose all Hurrell photographs of Crawford and Davis is because I believe he took the best pictures to show the beauty and intensity of these two ladies. Especially with their eyes.

Two Robert Montgomery Films are Airing this Thursday (4/20)!

Robert Montgomery.

It's no secret that Robert Montgomery is my favorite actor. Two of his films are going to air on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) this Thursday (4/20). I would most certainly recommend both movies!

Poster for Blondie of the Follies (1932).

Blondie of the Follies is a 1932 film starring Marion Davies and Robert Montgomery. It's about a girl named Blondie (played by Davies) who lives in a tenement house with her family and eventually finds it big in The Follies. During this she also meets handsome and wealthy Larry (played by Montgomery). It's a fun one to watch and if you're fans of Montgomery and Davies like I am, it's a must watch! It airs at 5:45 AM Central time on TCM this Thursday.

Robert Montgomery and Marion Davies in Blondie of the Follies (1932).

Robert Montgomery and Marion Davies in a publicity photo for Blondie of the Follies (1932).

Poster for The Big House (1930).

The Big House is a 1930 Oscar winning film depicting the horrible conditions of prison life and some of the people who inhabit this overcrowded prison. It was pretty ahead of it's time and stars Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Robert Montgomery, and Leila Hyams. Morris, Beery, and Montgomery have been sent to prison for different reasons and their outcomes in the end of the film are quite different. The ending is violent for the time this movie was made, but this was made before the enforcement of the dreaded Production Code (or known as a pre-Code film). I would highly recommend this one! It airs at 3:00 PM Central time on TCM this Thursday.

Robert Montgomery in a publicity photo for The Big House (1930).

Robert Montgomery in another  publicity photo for The Big House (1930).

Chester Morris, Robert Montgomery, and Wallace Beery in The Big House (1930).

Happy Belated Birthday Elizabeth Allan!

Elizabeth Allan.

British actress Elizabeth Allan's Birthday was on April 9th. Elizabeth was born on April 9th, 1910 in Lincolnshire England. She starred in around 50 films during her acting career in America and in her homeland of England. Frustrated with the studio that she worked at, MGM, Allan decided to go back to England in 1938. I really liked her in the films Men in White (1934) and The Mystery of Mr. X (1934). She was a beautiful British Leading Lady (who also played many supporting roles as well).

Elizabeth Allan and Clark Gable in a publicity photo for Men in White (1934).

Apparently, Allan and Gable had an affair during the making of this movie.

Elizabeth Allan and Robert Montgomery in a publicity photo for The Mystery of Mr. X (1934).

Robert Montgomery and Elizabeth Allan were actually married in real life. I'm kidding! This is a misconception because Robert Montgomery's wife at the time was also named Elizabeth Allen with her last name spelled differently. But none the less, they made an attractive on screen couple!

Elizabeth Allan and Ronald Colman in a publicity photo for A Tale of Two Cities (1935).

On set with Robert Montgomery and some of his Leading Ladies

Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy on the set of Petticoat Fever (1936).

Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans on the set of Piccadilly Jim (1936).

Robert Montgomery and Helen Hayes on the set of Another Language (1933).

Robert Montgomery and Anita Page on the set of Free and Easy (1930).

Robert Montgomery and Norma Shearer (with Douglas Fairbanks Sr.) on the set of Private Lives (1931).

Robert Montgomery and Maureen O'Sullivan on the set of Hide-Out (1934).

Robert Montgomery and Rita Johnson on the set of Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941).

Robert Montgomery and Elizabeth Allan on the set of The Mystery of Mr. X (1934).

Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell on the set of Night Must Fall (1937)

Robert Montgomery and Marion Davies on the set of Blondie of the Follies (1932).

Robert Montgomery and Irene Dunne on the set of Unfinished Business (1941).

Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941).

Robert Montgomery and Greta Garbo on the set of Inspiration (1931).