Woman in the Window (1944) and Scarlet Street (1946)

Woman in the Window (1944) - Edward G. Robinson (Professor Richard Wanley), Joan Bennett (Alice Reed), Raymond Massey (Frank Lalor, District Attorney), Edmund Breon (Dr. Michael Barkstane), Dan Duryea

Vintage Household Hints 2 - Prevent Basement Accidents

Joan Bennett Storing Scripts in Basement Trunk; 1940

How to Prevent Basement Accidents

1. Keep rubbish and ashes in separate covered metal containers. Do not allow old papers and other inflammable material to accumulate.

2. Have stairs to basement well lighted, and provided with a handrail. Never leave pails, brooms, etc., on the stairs or landing.

3. Remove nails when breaking up boxes.

4. Tools should be kept in a cupboard; do not hang them on rafters.

5. Basement should be well lighted, preferably with electric lights controlled by a switch at top of the stairway.

(Source: Watkins Household Hints; 1941)

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Dan Duryea

Dan Duryea (January 23, 1907 - June 7, 1968) was probably best known for playing sniveling, slimeball villains in such films as Scarlet Street with Joan Bennett. Dan was in such well-known films as Flight of the Phoenix, Winchester 73, The Pride of the Yankees, and The Little Foxes. He was married to Helen Bryan from April 15, 1932 until her death on January 21, 1967. Dan's 1956 wishes:



1. "Personally, I'd like more time to enjoy life with my wife, Helen, and our two fine sons, Dick and Pete. It seems that every summer, when I can spend time with the family, I wind up doing a couple of films on location away from them. Maybe 1956 will be different." - Dan's son Peter Duryea became a regular actor on t.v. in 1960s and 1970s.


2. "Professionally, I wouldn't mind a few more sympathetic screen roles. My right arm is getting weary from slapping such nice girls". - Dan was known for slapping a lot of girls as a villain. In fact, Universal used the tag line that June Knight was "The Actress who didn't get slapped" for Black Angel (1946) promotions.

3. "As a citizen, besides peace on earth, I hope 1956 will see greater progress made toward the solving of the problem of juvenile delinquency."

June Knight and Dan Duryea in Black Angel

Basil Rathbone's Masquerade leads to Ina Claire's Elopement

I'm sure you all remember our sweet Ina Claire from my last post. Well, I have a few more random bits about her today.



Another reason Ina started seeing our masseuse Madame Sylvia, was because she wanted a more boyish figure for a costume. She planned on attending a masquerade ball given by Basil Rathbone and [illegible in Hollywood Undressed] Bergere. Ina planned on wearing form-fitting pink velvet pants and a boyish blouse. I wish there were pictures!

This party led to one of the juiciest ditches ever a mere 2 Weeks after the masquerade.

Another bit Madame Sylvia talks about is when Ina Claire eloped with Jack Gilbert, becoming his third wife. Yes it is THE John Gilbert, the silent film star famously left at the altar by Greta Garbo. Ina and Jack eloped in Las Vegas (even though Ina was engaged to writer Gene Markey). What a naughty girl!

Ina couldn't even live without Madame Sylvia's skills for even a day, so our Madame Sylvia was on the scene the very next morning. Like any celebrity, Ina wanted Sylvia to bring over the news and wanted to know is the elopement made the papers. It did of course, and Jack joked that his name should appear first in the press (him being a matinee idol and all). This joke did not go over well with Ina and they got into an argument.

But don't you worry about poor Gene Markey. From what I can tell he was one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood. Seen above marrying the lovely Joan Bennett. Gene married such beauties as: Joan Bennett, Hedy Lamarr, and Myrna Loy.

For more info check out:

John Gilbert's Bio: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0318105/bio

Joan Bennett and Gene Markey's Wedding: http://hollywoodheyday.blogspot.com/2009/02/march-16-1932.html