Happy Birthday Alice Faye and Tyrone Power

Alexander's Ragtime Band; 1938

Happy Birthday to two of my favorite stars of all time:  Alice Faye (5 May 1915 - 9 May 1998) and  Tyrone Power (5 May 1914 - 15 November 1958).

Alice Faye; Phil Harris; 1949

I adore Alice in everything, but my favorite Alice performance is as herself on her radio show The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.  I have a dress that is allegedly Alice's (it says A. Faye in it from Western Costume) but I have yet to find a photo or film of a dress even close to what I have.  I'm tempted to think it's not really hers. 

Tyrone Power; Marlene Dietrich; Witness for the Prosecution; 1957

And who doesn't adore Tyrone Power?  Handsome as all get out, and a fantastic actor.  My favorite performance of his happens to be his last on screen performance in Witness for the Prosecution with the fabulous Marlene Dietrich.  He played the character so that he was both incredibly lovable - and incredibly evil at the same time.  I've always marveled at how you can love and hate someone at the same time.  And what a twist!  I definitely recommend the film to anyone who hasn't seen it.

Lou Pulls a "Cutie"

Lou Costello
Pulled a cutie for his daughter Caro Lou. Her birthday falls on December 23rd and Lou figured it wasn’t fair for it to come so close to Christmas. SO he just moved the calendar back and gave her sixteenth birthday party on November sixth. That way Christmas and birthday presents for the young girl won’t conflict.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

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!

Happy Birthday to one of my favs - Phil Harris!

Happy 106th Birthday to my favorite:

Wonga Phil Harris!

Whenever you need a laugh, Phil Harris always fits the bill

He and Dean Martin always had hilarious encounters

One of my favorite Phil Harris quotes: "I can't die until the government finds a safe place to bury my liver."

I adore Phil Harris on the radio in the Jack Benny Program and of coarse, The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. You can't be sad after listening to Phil. So full of life, fun, and hilarious. Happy Birthday Phil!

Happy Birthday Ronald Colman!

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite male actors, Ronald Colman. He was born February 9, 1891, so he would have been a dashing 109 years old today (He passed away May 19, 1958).