Weird Wednesday: Kelpidine - the "Miracle" Diet Candy

(From Movieland: February 1955)

Kelpidine Candy allegedly could help you lose 25 pounds in 25 days. What this ad does not say is that since you are on only a 1,000 calorie a day diet with this "diet plan", you are probably starving and still probably won't lose weight. Lucky for us, this candy made from seaweed did not have a lot of scientific research backing it. Naturally, lawsuits followed this product through the years because of it's wild claims. Since it's mostly made of iodine, the product wasn't safe for people with blood disorders such as diabetes or heart trouble. For a fun take on this ad, check out one of my favorite blogs Kitchen Retro.

Tidbit Tuesday: James Cagney

A few tidbits about iconic actor James Cagney. My favorite Cagney films are Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) and of course, The Public Enemy (1931). I was surprised by several things in this Who's Who. I didn't know he majored in art. And I guess he always seemed shorter than 5'8" to me. Most sources also say his year of birth is 1899. I'm guessing there might have been a bit of fudging about age when this 1941 edition of Hollywood Who's Who was published.

Greer Garson and James Cagney, 1943

Again, I apologize for lack of posting. I've been super busy on my project. So far I've cataloged 4,562 items. I can see the end in sight! Just have two attic corners left :)

Metropolis Monday

I was totally blown away by the restored version of Metropolis (1927) which premiered on TCM last Sunday. Another 30+ minutes of the film were discovered in Argentina in 2008. A fascinating documentary about the find premiered after Metropolis, and it was fascinating to see what goes into changing an official version of a film. I had no idea there were so many people who claim they have a lost film, but really don't.

The visuals were absolutely stunning. A powerful message about class, industrialization, utopias, etc. I could go on and on, but you should see it for yourselves. The restored version including the new footage will be released on DVD tomorrow, November 16, 2010 and the Blu-ray will be released a week later on November 23, 2010. For more info about it check out Kino's site.

To quote Maria, "There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator"

Sylvia Sundays: For Grey Complexions Check Your Liver

Madame Sylvia's quote of the week:


"Oh, my complexion is so grey and so muddy!" - you've heard that, too. "I've been using all of Elizabeth Rosenberg's preparations. They should be good. Lord knows they're expensive enough, but they haven't helped me at all. I think maybe I'll try Dotty Woofenpoof's cream." I'd like to ask this gal, "Baby, how about your liver? All clogged up with this and that, no doubt."


(Pull Yourself Together, Baby!, Page 4)

Tidbit Tuesday: Fredric March finds a Fierce Fan

Mrs. E Hunt was quite impassioned about Fredric March, TCM's October Star of the Month. Reading this letter, I'm quite curious which "hair-cut-less boys" she was referring too.


This is what Mrs E. Hunt's house looks like today. She no longer lives there, but I definitely think she earned her $15 prize. What an impassioned letter from a true Fredric March fan.

Matinee Monday: Old Maid (1939)

Watched Old Maid (1939) today in honor of Miriam Hopkins; birthday. I really enjoyed the film. Bette Davis' character has a child out of wedlock and since it was the late 1800s, she went away and had the child, claiming illness. Of course, Delia Ralston (Miriam Hopkins) had to stop Charlotte's (Bette Davis) marriage to another man because of the illegitimate child. When Charlotte becomes widowed, she offers Delia and her illegitimate child a home with her. A touchy relationship between the two women forms based on who really is the mother of Charlotte's child.

Bette Davis was the star, and she did a fabulous job, but I was drawn to Miriam Hopkins. Her portrayal was strong and sympathetic. Miriam gets a bad rap because of her off-screen issues with Bette and other actors, spending her free time with writers instead of Hollywood elite, consulting a psychic before choosing a role, and of course - her suspected communism, but I've loved her in every film I've seen her in from Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to These Three (when will this film ever come out on DVD?).

Happy 108th Birthday Mims!

Theatrical Thursday: Male Leads - George Brent

A fun George Brent Fact - He was an IRA Guerrilla in the Anglo-Irish War and fled Ireland with a price on his head. Where else but America could someone go from guerrilla to leading man?

George Brent and Ann Sheridan

George Brent and Ginger Rogers in 1935


Bette Davis and George Brent in Jezebel

Weird Wednesday - Creepy Green Giant

I guess I generally think of the Green Giant as a lovable mascot since he was created in my home state, but this ad is totally creepy to me. Jolly Green is just supposed to be the man of the house, coming home to have his paper, slippers, and corncob pipe but instead he looks a creepy devil with an ulterior behind the niblets. What is in the niblets? Are the niblets taking over the world? Why won't the Corn Times tell us what is really going on? Ahhhhhhhh!?!

Tidbit Tuesday - Betty Grable Without Makeup Maybelline Ad

Matinee Monday: Can You Spot Your Favorite Star's Autograph?

Can you find your favorite star's autograph? These signatures were from a page in a 1929 Cosmopolitan. They are pre-printed and not original, of course. I wish I was that lucky! Such greats as Mary Pickford, Clara Bow, Ramon Novarro, Douglas Fairbanks, Loretta Young, and Claudette Colbert are on it. Who can you spot?


from Stirred Blog


My favorite out of this bunch is Norma Shearer. Total goddess.

Theatrical Thursday: Male Leads - Charles Boyer

Charles Boyer and wife Pat Patterson

My favorite Charles Boyer film is Gaslight with Ingrid Bergman. He was completely devious!

Weird Wednesday - Sticking it to the Fuhrer

I found this fun ad on the back of my December 5-11, 1942 issue of Movie Radio Guide. I thought it would be a perfect fit for Weird Wednesday.

How did they know what I've always wanted to do?

Fantastic! It lasts a lifetime and even has his Prussian boots.

I looked all over the place for photos and video of FDR and the pin cushion, but was unsuccessful. It's got to be out there somewhere, but I haven't been able to find any today.

Definitely think Hitler would be hollering, but this women looks awfully pained having to stick him in the bum.

It's a club? And 10 days to decide? And a special 3 for $3.49? How could you not buy one?

Can you believe Hitler wouldn't endorse such an item? It's like he doesn't think it's funny that someone would stick pins in his bum. Obviously he needed a sense of humor

If you have one of these gems lying around your house today or see one at a yard sale, they go for $100 - $450. Not bad for a novelty pin cushion!

RIP Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis (June 3, 1925 - September 29, 2010)

Tony Curtis [on dying]: "I may have them take my ashes and spread them all over Las Vegas!" (IMDB)

Weird Wednesday - Can Toilet Paper Stop Germs?

It never would occur to me that toilet paper could double as a surgical mask, but I suppose in wartime you had to do what you had to do. I'm not quite sure if this remedy worked but since I've always been a Charmin girl, I guess I'll never know.

RIP Billie Mae Richards, voice of Rudolph and Tenderheart Bear

A little off track, but I have a soft spot for the 1964 classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Rankin/Bass (and all their other specials for that matter). Just heard today via Rankin/Bass Historian's blog that the fabulous actress who played Rudolph, Billie Mae Richards, passed away today. She was also the voice of Tender Heart Bear in the original Care Bears for all those 80s kids out there, like me. RIP

I've always been the ultimate misfit. Completely sympathize with Rudolph and Hermey. Hooray for us freaks!

I adore this song and try to keep it in mind every day

Foreign Beauties # 3 - Fifi D'Orsay

"Fifi D'Orsay has graced these pages regularly of late, and why not? Letters continue to arrive, asking for more pix of this personable Parisian." (Film Fun, 1941)

Fifi D'Orsay (April 16, 1904 - December 2, 1983) was born Yvonne Lussier in Montreal, Canada. Nicknamed "The French Bombshell", Fifi started out in The Greenwich Village Follies at age 20. Appearing on vaudeville and in 24 films, Fifi dies at age 79 of cancer. These clips of her are fantastic. I would love to see the full length films. Maybe they'll come out someday.

Fifi will be appearing on TCM:
September 23, 2010 - 6:15 am est - The Life of Jimmy Dolan
December 2, 2010 - 10:15 am est - The Life of Jimmy Dolan

Foreign Beauties #2 - Karen Verne

""How do you do?" from Sweden, we have this blond vision, Karen Verne, definitely a Hollywood prospect." (Film Fun, 1941)

I couldn't find anything about a Karen Verne from Sweden. The only actress I found named Karen Verne, was born in Berlin, Germany and married to Peter Lorre at one point in time. Many sources say that Karen's German heritage was disguised because of her debut during World War II. Perhaps they said she was from Sweden.

Foriegn Beauty #1

"This month's review of foreign beauties is headed by our comely charmer, one of the chorines in the Britisher, A Girl Must Live. In passing, she reflects, "The girl whose called a little dear often cheapens herself"" (Film Fun, 1941)

I have no idea who this girl is, except I loved this photo. All Film Fun will tell us is that she was a British Chorus girl in A Girl Must Live from 1939. The only person on the cast list that she even remotely resembles is Lilli Palmer, but Palmer is a main player in the film. Must be an uncredited actress in the photo.

Vintage Inspiration September 4th - Maria Montez

Maria Montez

Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga

I have to admit I don't think I've seen any of "Mexican Spitfire" Lupe Velez's films. She was obviously a stunner and died way too young. Here are some stills from her film Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga, released by Universal in 1941. Lupe is posing with one of her co-stars Guinn "Big Boy" Williams.