Something slightly different this week. Covering an interesting and much mentioned piece of cinema history. We often talk about an actor or film being Box Office Poison, but what does this mean and where did this start? Watch below to find out. And while you're there, like and subscribe. https://youtu.be/fpCRqsiNCJw
Starring: Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland, Paulette Goddard, Joan Fontaine Director: George Cukor An unusual film, The Women was adapted for the screen from the Clare Luce Boothe play, and has 130 speaking roles, all of whom are women. In fact, almost all of the portraits on the sets show women and… Continue reading Classic Movie Of The Week: The Women (1939)
Starring: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid Director: Frank Perry Joan Crawford was a huge star, starting in the 1930's and managing to have a respected career for decades, garnering Oscars and huge salaries. She was the queen of Hollywood. But in 1978, her adopted daughter Christina published a book called Mommie Dearest, which exposed the horror… Continue reading Classic Movie Of The Week: Mommie Dearest (1981)
The story of Louise B Mayer is the story of Old Hollywood and it’s Golden Age. He and the other players of his era shaped the industry from it’s inception and used the studio system to control and create stars. It was a very different time both socially and culturally. Under Mayer’s days as head… Continue reading Biography Of The Month: Louis B Mayer
Starring: Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge Director: Nicholas Ray Vienna (Crawford) is a saloon owner in the Old West, whose business sits on land where the railroad will come. She stands to make a lot of money in the future, but the local farmers think she's a bad seed, along with the rough and… Continue reading Classic Film Of The Week: Johnny Guitar (1954)
Starring: Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott Director: Michael Curtiz As the film opens, we witness a murder. Mildred (Crawford) wanders around partly in a daze, and muddies the waters of the investigation, before being picked up by the police. Her first husband is accused of the murder, and she starts to explain… Continue reading Classic Movie Of The Week: Mildred Pierce (1945)
Starring: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford Director: Robert Aldrich Baby Jane (Davis) had been a huge child star, but when her sister Blanche's (Crawford) rising career eclipses hers as they grow up she is wracked with jealousy and anger. One night Jane drunkenly hits her sister with a car, crippling her and ending her career. Caring… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Wildfire Movies 