Week in Review - :Links

Sophia Loren from Film Noir Photos

• I love classic stars reading.  Pictures of modern stars reading don't really interest me because often they are reading nothing worth wasting two seconds on.  Even though many of the classic stars reading are staged, the books are often more interesting.  I've even tried to read a few myself, with some surprising finds.  Film Noir Photos features a delightful Sophia Loren reading at home.  Gorgeous!  And congrats on its Blogiversary!

Week in Review

Movies I Watched

• The Hobbit: the Desolution of Smaug (2013) - Pretty good.  Wish there was less C.G.I., but I suppose that is a useless wish in today's movies.
• Alice in Wonderland (1951) - Great.  Gotta love Disney classics!
• Doorway to Hell (1930)
• King of the Underworld (1939)
• Frosty the Snowman (1969)
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
• Santa Clause is Comin' to Town (1970)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
• A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
• Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974)

*Christmas is Rankin Bass season.  I can't go a day without watching one of those classic specials.

Links of the Week

Letterology is a great site to find inspiration.  I especially find its posts near holidays intriguing.  So far this year there have been some great posts about Snowmen and Some Seasonal Samplings.

Links of the Week

Susan Hayward as "Messalina" in Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)

Vintage Film Costume Collector has an amazing post with fantastic photographs of Susan Hayward's costume as "Messalina" in the film Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954).  I've never seen the film, but the scenes look fantastic, and Hayward's costume couldn't be better.  So glamorous, yet fits in the film.  Amazing!


Need an amazing hair accessory?  Bobby Pin blog has a great how-to for a Christmas Poinsettia Hair Accessory.  It looks adorable, and I think I'll give it a try.

How to Tie a Perfect Sash Bow [Source: Sew Beautiful Blog]

When I tie a bow, it often seems just a bit off, so I was really excited to see Sew Beautiful's How-to about Sash Bows.  The steps were clear, the pictures were good, so I am excited to give the process a try.  After all, Christmas seems to be the season of bows.


Books are a great gift.  I am giving several as presents.  As everyone knows, I adore books, so I heartily endorse books as presents.  Imagination Soup has a great Christmas gift guide of the best books of the year for kids and teens.

Edith Head and Elizabeth Taylor

The Glamorous Housewife is spreading the glamour love with a great post featuring lessons from costume goddess Edith Head.  Ms. Head certainly knows about glamour.  Her costumes are wonderful.

I love blog Big Old Houses's home tours.  There is another one up featuring a Vanderbilt home in Florida.  Gorgeous!


Jessica over at Chronically Vintage always has amazing posts.  Literally, I could link to every post on her blog.  It is a rarity that I don't find something valuable in her posts.  Two I particularly enjoyed this week was her weekly dose of Saturday Snapshots and Ten Cold Weather Vintage Wardrobe Staples.  The cold weather staples basically is my vintage wardrobe wishlist while the Saturday Snapshots post really made me think.  

Millionaire Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe from How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Hurd's Home

Actor Hurd Hatfield and Jean Willes; 1949

Hurd Hatfield (7 December 1917 - 26 December 1986) appeared sporadically in films, but the roles he played were quite memorable such as Pontius Pilate in King of Kings (1961) and Dorian Gray in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). 

Links of the Week

A wonderful post from Go Retro! why Rankin/Bass Specials are amazing.  I adore them, and clearly others do too.  I just wish they wouldn't have had Rudolph on TV before Thanksgiving.  There is a rule in my house to have nothing to do with Christmas music, specials, etc. before Thanksgiving is over.  The pessimist part of me thinks they hoped people wouldn't watch so they have an excuse to take it off the air.  It's one of the few times I find myself watching network TV is during December when the specials are on.

Go Retro!  also has some amazing advice from lifestyle superstar Jack LaLanne.  I adore him, and his advice on happiness still has a place in these modern times.  Part of me thinks it much more relevant today then it was when first given.

Links of the Week

Mitzi Gaynor, Audrey Meadows, and Janet Leigh; 1991

The Vintage Film Costume Collector highlights Mitzi Gaynor's dance costume from Golden Girl.  I love Mitzi Gaynor, so I was really excited to see this.

Weird Wednesday - Alka Seltzer Upsets

Talk about a disturbing ad!  Alka-Seltzer is a great product, but I'm not sure how much of it you could sell by showing someone throwing up.

Marvelous Miller

I adore Ann Miller.  Gorgeous and talented, she was a real Hollywood star.  My favorite Ann Miller movie is On the Town (1949).  So delightful, and a fantastic dancer.

Lovely Louise

Louise Brooks is an icon - no question.  I've only seen one of her films, Pandora's Box.  She is so well thought of, I definitely need to see more of her films.

Daring Dors

I adore Diana Dors.  Often thought as just another blond in the mold of Marilyn, she always seemed so much more to me.  Calculating, talented, and seemingly always up to mischief, I have always thought she had more talent than she was given credit for.

Links of the Week

Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle (R) with Gen. George S. Patton saluting as they review troops after landing at airfield.

Daytonian in Manhattan highlights the Humphrey Bogart House, where little Humphrey Bogart was born in 1899.

Lovely Lake

November 14th would have been Veronica Lake's 91st birthday.  Such a glamorous star.

Fashion Friday - Lace Lid

Woman wearing a navy dress with red stitching outlines on the collar. The hat is covered with openwork ruffles in 1940.

Fashion Friday - Designer Duds

Woman wearing a designer suit; 1948

Matinee Monday - Creature With the Atom Brain (1955)

Creature With the Atom Brain (1955) poster

Creature With The Atom Brain (1955) is one of those fun, cheesy sci-fi films that could only have been made in the 50's.  I adore these films.  You can take the subject seriously or you may just enjoy the awesomeness and laugh along with the cast.

Joan, Jean, and Angela

Joan Shawlee, Angela Stevens, and Jean Willes.  I'm guessing it's from 1953's From Here to Eternity since they all appeared in the film with minor roles.  I'm not that familiar with these actresses.

Jean Willes in The Twilight Zone

After a bit of research, I found out that Jean Willes was in one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes of all time - "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?"  While the makeup is cheesy, it really is a twist ending.  Paranoia really builds in a great way.  The suspense and the ending get me every time!

Fashion Friday - Perfect Petticoat

Plaid Taffeta Petticoat from 1947.  It's absolutely adorable!  I would love a petticoat like that.  I assume the whiteness around the picture was for publication purposes.  If that isn't one of the cutest petticoats, I don't know what is.

Groucho Acting Goofy

In honor of what would have been Groucho Marx's 123rd birthday, here are some pictures from Night in Casablanca (1946).

I haven't seen it in a while, but the Marx Brothers are quite funny.

Stewart's Sanctuary

James Stewart at home in, I'm guessing, the 1960's or 1970's?  I have to say I saved the pictures primarily for the books.  I love trying to figure out what was in the libraries of the stars.  It's just too difficult to read the titles on the spines.  If anyone can figure them out, please let me know.

Fashion Friday - Pageant Posers

Miss Junior America Shirley Arrow and Miss America Jacque Mercer getting adjusted during a photo shoot in 1946.  I couldn't find any information on Shirley Arrow, but there is plenty out there about Jacque Mercer. 

Ladd as Gatsby

Alan Ladd played Jay Gatsby in the 1949 adaptation of The Great Gatsby.  I haven't seen this particular version, that I recall.  I haven't seen this year's adaptation either.  I just can't bring myself to see a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.  He is just to swarmy for me.  I have seen the 1973 and the 2000 versions and found them less than impressive.  I just don't know if anyone has the acting chops to bring Gatsby to life.

Fashion Friday - Cloche Cool 2

Just like last week, I've got another cute example of a cute cloche hat.  This cool woman looks like she is on the way home from work.  A chic polka dot dress, cute heels, and a cloche hat make this the perfect work day attire in 1928, when this picture was taken.

Fashion Friday - Cloche Cool

Love this chic cloche hat look from 1950.  The hat is adorable.  I love the sleek black pencil skirt, checked jacket, gorgeous gloves, and cute black pumps.  I'd love to wear an every day outfit this chic.

Fashion Friday - 1946

A model showing a cute jacket and pants combination in 1946.  Very cute.

Fashion Friday - Paul Poiret Fancy Dress Costumes

Paul Poiret Fancy Dress Costume; 1913-1914

Costumes from the amazing fashion mind of Paul Poiret from 1913 - 1914.  

Brooks' Beauty Marks

Louise Brooks

I had no idea Louise Brooks had freckles!  I just had to post this photo when I saw it on Glamour Daze.  As someone who lives with freckles, and loves them, it's fun to see a star display theirs.  It just adds another dimension to her I didn't know about.

Beautiful Betty

Betty Blythe; 1920's

Betty Blythe (1 September 1893 - 7 April 1972), was quite the silent film star.  When the talkies came about, she transitioned to a character actress.  With over 160 credits to her name, many not credited, Blythe appears to be another glamorous star which I would love to have seen.

Gorgeous Geva

Tamara Geva

Tamara Geva (17 March 1907 - 9 December 1997) was a Russian ballet dancer, actress, and choreographer.  How beautiful is this photograph?  While having a short filmography, she did appear in Orchestra Wives (1942) which is readily available on DVD.

Gil's GIrls - Part 4

Pot Luck; 1961

Gil's Girls - Part 3

Swingin' Sweetie; 1967

Gil's Girls - Part 2

Charming; 1961

Gil's Girls - Part 1

I adore pinups, and I think it's fun to see the differences between a model and the finished painting.  For the next few days I'm highlighting the model and the subsequent painting from fabulous artist Gil Elvgren.  

A Sharp Lookout; 1961

Sporting with Carole

October 1938

Carole Lombard wearing sunglasses to do some skeet shooting

Fashion Friday - Eyelet Hat and Collar

Eyelet Embroidery Hat and Eyelet Collar from Life Magazine; 1940

Bow and Bell

Rex Bell and Clara Bow

Clara Bow and Rex Bell were married from 1932 until his death in 1962

Mr. and Mrs. Muni Make Music

Paul Muni and his wife Bella enjoy an evening of music in their home

Fashion Friday - 1952 Glamour

Two lovely fashion photos from 1952.  How gorgeous!

Esther Williams's Wishes

In honor of the late, great Esther Williams, I thought I'd re-post one of my favorite posts from 2009 from the October 1946 issue of Photoplay about wishes.

"I'd wish to be reincarnated as a fish. Then I'd have a legitimate excuse for spending all my time in the water. I guess the only reasonable facsimile of that wish would be to have a huge swimming pool right outside my bedroom door, so that every morning I could climb out of bed, plunge into the water, and swim to my heart's content with nothing to interrupt me - weather or engagements or work or friends."

"I seem to have been born with an innate love of water, starting when I was two years old, I used to cry when my mother would take me out of the bathtub. I think I learned to swim even before I learned to walk. In high school I used to do my homework in the bathtub during the winter. Unless I spend part of the day in the water, I suffer a slight drying of the skin."

"I have everything I want except my dream pool where I could spend several hours a day just making like a fish."

I can just imagine Esther swimming laps in the big swimming pool in the sky.  I think part of the reason I adore her is I find swimming so freeing, too.  It is one of the rare activities I feel light and free - almost like a normal person must feel.  We will miss our Mermaid and I wish her family my thoughts and prayers.

RIP Esther Williams

Esther Williams; 1950

Today we lost one of our film gems.  I adore Esther and am saddened to hear of her passing.  What beauty, strength, talent, joy, and zest for life in one package.  She will be greatly missed.

Gone With the Wind Costumes

Sketch of Scarlett's Bedroom Dress

Gone With the Wind has to be one of my favorite films of all time.  It's the first classic film I remember viewing, aside from The Wizard of Oz.  I remember when it was on local TV once a year and I would stay up with my mom and sister, we would make a huge batch of popcorn, pull out the couch-bed and stay up watching it.  A treat, mixed in with all the years of hardship.  I'm convinced it's why I love classic films today.

Scarlett's Infamous Curtain Dress

And not only that, I fell in love with the book.  Beginning in sixth grade, I decided I was going to read Gone With the Wind.  It was daunting, but I loved it.  From then on, I made a point of reading it once a year.  I haven't done it lately, but for a good ten years I did it.

Scarlett's Red Dress

So I am so pleased that these beautiful costumes have been preserved.  They are so gorgeous.  I would love to see them in person some day.  My favorite is the red dress, but who can beat the iconic Curtain Dress?  

Scarlett's Wedding Dress