TCM Film Festival 2016

We highly anticipate the TCM Classic Film Festival held each year in Hollywood! This years theme was MOVING PITCURES...

EVENT BULLETIN- AUGUST

Just because summer is nearing its end doesn't mean that the events bulletin is too! Here are some cool things to do this August.

Head to Paramount Ranch for Silent Under the Stars. This month on August 21st they are featuring THE SON OF THE SHEIK (1926) with live musical accompaniment and a surprise short to be shown before the film!

EVENT BULLETIN:: JUNE

It's that time again! The event bulletin is here! Here are two features for the month of June!

Vintage Must-Have: Breton Stripes

by the sea...

Warm weather is here and what better way to enjoy that than running around in a striped top and capris? Often taken for granted, let's look closer at the Breton Striped shirt and where it came from.

EVENTS Bulletin:: MAY 2016

May is approaching and so are some GREAT events!

Stars On Bikes...

Hi! How is everyone?
Sometime ago the girls and I went to Warner Brothers Studios, (more details on that will be in another post). When we were taking our private tour I noticed people riding around on bicycles, people that worked for the studio. I remembered that back in the day to get around the large lot of the movies studios the classic stars would ride bikes to get to point A to point B.

That's why the theme of today's post is "Stars on Bikes", I found a few neat pictures of celebrities at the studio and out and about hope you enjoy them!



Robert Taylor

TCM Film Festival 2013- Dial "M" for Murder 3D

Hi!
Today we have a post about the annual Tuner Classic Movie Film Festival, it's been some months since the Fest but it's never to late to share!
 

 Sunday April 28th 2013, day three of the film festival we went to Hollywood accompanied by a friend to see a Hitchcock classic- Dial "M" For Murder, starring the iconic Grace Kelly, along with Ray Midland and Robert Cummings. The movie was being shown on the big screen at the Chinese Multiplex 6, this is located on Hollywood Blvd. next to Grauman's Chinese theater.
 



We were especially excited because it was going to be shown how it was originally intended- in 3D. Unlike expected, the 3D in the 1950's was surprisingly high tech. Film critic Lenard Malton spoke with Norman Lloyd before the film an actor, director and friend of Alfred Hitchcock. He was 98yrs old!!! And is most known for his part in Saboteur and for directing over 20 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in the 1960's. TCM events are always well planned and have great guests, we all had a great time and can't wait for next year!  

 

in the theater before the movie

  

after the film at the front door

Inside the hall leading to the theater
(Bette Davis)

Julie Andrews



Steve McQueen

Sincerely, Vera

Tutorial: Easy 1940s Waves

This is our FIRST tutorial ever so we are very excited and a little nervous. So without further ado, here it is! *We are in need of a new camera so please bear with us as the photos may be a little blurry* 





Here is an easy way to get the look of glamorous waves inspired by the 1940s. This method has been used a lot in adverts--magazines especially. Though the method is not authentic, it is very accessible for the modern girl who desires a simple vintage look. With practice, you can do this fairly quickly. Depending on your hair texture and the amount of hairspray you use, this style should last all day (and in her case two).

 

HELPFUL TIPS:
*When winding strands, don't hold too tight to avoid dents
*Apply serum before hairspraying finished comb-out
*If sides aren't symmetrical, clip all hair to one side with Bobby Pins
*Don't use a fine-tooth comb to comb out curls--this will take out the definition and it won't stay as long.

 *You can also deepen the creases of the wave by lightly pressing the barrel of your iron into each wave

 

 

Vera's hair is naturally straight with bangs...

 

 

1. DIVIDE FIRST SECTION OF HAIR

Start from the nape area and section with the rattail comb (or your fingers) about a 1" thick straight part from ear-to-ear. Clip the rest of hair up out of the way.

 

2. SECTION A 1" STRAND

Spray this piece of hair evenly. This will be your first curl.

*Our sections are a little larger--use smaller sections for more control*

 

 

3. SMOOTH SECTION
Using a comb or your fingers to distribute hair spray
 (See Below)

 

 

4. WRAP

Wind the strand of hair you sprayed around your curling iron. Make sure to wrap each section of hair the same direction each time. This is important-you want all the curls to wave in the same direction.

 

5. HOLD

Once the hair strand is completely wrapped around the iron, hold it at least for 5 seconds so the spray can harden. Depending on the heat and your hair texture, you can decide if you wish to keep it wrapped longer.

 

 COMPLETED CURL

 

7. COMPLETED ROW

Continue curling untill you have a row. Don't worry if you need to make more curls to finish your row.

 

8. SECTION NEXT ROW

Bring down a new section of hair for your next row of curls.

 

9. CURL NEXT ROW
Curl the next row like the first. Cleaner partings will make it easier. If the partings aren't perfect-don't worry! Just make sure they are as even as possible.

 

10. CROWN PART
Vera has a center part and bangs, so we kept it the same. Most girls like to part their hair to the side. If you choose to do this, just continue curling. Your heavier side will have some hair left even though the other side ran out.

 

11. CURL CROWN

Continuing in the same direction wrap your strands. When sectioning, keep the partings the same direction. Going sideways will mess up the finished outcome!

Don't tire out--this top layer should be set well.

 

12. FINISHED CURLS!

 

 

13. COMBOUT

Use a wide tooth comb to brush throght and get the crispiness of the spray out. Don't use the fine teeth--this will weaken your set. *If

you used little to no spray, skip this step*

 

14. BLEND CURLS
Use a brush with bristles to smooth and blend the curls together.  Natural or natural-blend bristles work best but work with what you have. Brush untill the curls relax into a wave. Take care to not flick the brush out when brushing through. This will frizz the wave and make it harder to blend.

15. SMOOTH WAVE
Work the wave with your fingers and smooth with your brush.

16. TURN ENDS UNDER
If the ends of the wave flip out, use the curling iron to turn the ends under.

17. FINISHING TOUCHES
If needed, use a pea-drop of serum to smooth flyaways and lightly mist with hairspray.
*You can also deepen the creases of the wave by lightly pressing the barrel of your iron into each wave.*

 

I hope this tutorial made sense and inspired you. If anyone tries it, feel free to share the results!

 

 

 --Viola

Favorite of February- Loretta Young

 After dealing with some internet problems we are back into the swing of things here on the blog!
 

Last month Turner Classic Movies spotlighted the glamorous actress Loretta Young. She was the star of the month. After seeing a handful of her films I was inspired to write up a brief post about her. Hope you enjoy it!

American actress Loretta Young (born Gretchen Michaela Young) was a well loved actress in old Hollywood. Although not consistently mentioned among the well known Hollywood icons such as Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth and Grace Kelly, she was a gem on the Silver Screen.

 

 

After moving to California from Utah, still a toddler, Gretchen (Loretta) received her first bit part in The Only Way (1914). Her mother’s brother-in-law was an assistant director for the film. When Loretta was a teen she again returned to the screen receiving a small role in a 1920s film titled Naughty But Nice.

 By the 1930's Loretta was considered a successful actress, she starred in many roles often co-starring with big stars like Clark Gable in Call of the Wild.

Her success continued and reached its height in the 1940's when her usual 30's roles of a "nice girl facing hard times" was shed. In 1947 Loretta was nominated for and won an Oscar for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter, the tale of a farm girl who rises through the ranks and becomes a congresswoman. Later that decade she received another nomination for Come to the Stable (1949), but this one was lost to Olivia de Havilland for her performance in the Heiress. 

 

Later, she retired from films in 1953 and began a second, equally successful career as hotess of the "The Loretta Young Show", a half-hour drama anthology series which ran for eight years on NBC.  In addition to hosting the series, she frequently starred in episodes. Although she is most remembered for her stunning gowns and swirling entrances, over the series eight-year run she displayed again and again that she was an accomplished actress. She won Emmy awards for best actress in a dramatic series in 1954, 1956 and 1958.

Not only was Loretta Young a strong actress but also one with fantastic style. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her performances in her films as well as the costumes!

Sincerely, Vera 

 



40 From the 40's

The 1940's was a great decade for movies in classic Hollywood! Some of our favorites came from this decade.

Here is a list of forty movies from the 1940's! 

The list covers all genres, drama to comedy, and mentions classics  and lesser known gems. These are listed in random order and are not ranked. See how many you've seen and which ones pique your interest!

 



"Saboteur" Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane

1. Sitting Pretty: Robert Young, Maureen O' Hara, Clifton Webb 

 

2. The Egg and I: Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray 

 

3. Woman of the Year: Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn

 

4. Saboteur: Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane

 

5. The Major and The Minor: Ray

Milland, Ginger Rodgers

 

6. My Favorite Blonde: Bob Hope
 

"Springtime in the Rockies" Betty Grable

7. Miss Annie Rooney: Shirley Temple
 

8. The Fleets In: Dorthy Lamour, William Holden

 

9. Andy Hardy's Double Life: Mickey Rooney, Esther Williams
 

10. My Favorite Spy: Bob Hope, Hedy Lamarr

 11. Springtime in the Rockies: Betty Grable




"Once Upon a Honeymoon" Ginger Rogers

12. The Doctor Takes a Wife: Loretta Young, Ray Milland

 

13. The Magnificent Ambersons: Joseph Cotton, Ann Baxter
 

14. Once Upon A Honeymoon: Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers
 

15. Boston Blackie Goes To Hollywood: Chester Morris

"Boston Blackie Goes to Hollywood" Chester Morris

16. The Courtship of Any Hardy: Mickey Rooney

 

17. Sargent York: Gary Cooper

18. The Bachelor And The Bobbysoxer: Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple
 

19. Moon Over Miami: Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings
 

20. The Stratton Story: James Stewart, June Allyson
 

21. Never Say Goodbye:Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker

 

"The More the Merrier" Jean Aurthur, Joel Mcrea, Charles Colburn

22. The Barkley's of Broadway: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers

23. The More the Merrier: Jean Aurthur, Joel Mcrea, Charles Colburn
 

24.  I Was a Male War Bride: Cary Grant, Ann Sheridan 

25. Foreign Correspondent: Joel Mcrea, Jane Wyman


"I Was A Male War Bride" Cary Grant

26. Random Harvest: Ronald Colman, Greer Garson

 

27. My Favorite Wife: Cary Grant, Irene Dunn
  

28. It Started with Eve: Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings
 

29. The Snake Pit: Oliva de Havilland, Mark Stevens
 

30. National Velvet: Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney 

 

"Laura" Dana Andrews

 31. High Sierra: Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart

32. The Heiress: Montgomery Clift, Olivia De 'Havaland

33. The Third
Man: Trevor Howard, Orson Welles
 

34. Laura: Clifton Web, Gene Tierney
 

35. Murder My Sweet: Dick Powell
 

36. Mildred Pierce: Joan Crawford


"His Girl Friday" Rosalind Russell, Cary Grant

 

37. The Post Man Always Rings Twice: John Garfield, Lana Turner

38. His Girl Friday: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Baloney
 

39. Woman in the Window: Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett
 

40. The Lost Weekend: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman

 

Eyeglasses are for Movie Stars

All three of us wear glasses. It is interesting to note that according to the Vision Council of America, about 75% of adults use some sort of vision correction. However, especially in Old Hollywood, images of glamorous stars rarely included glasses. So finding images of bespeckled actors can be fun. Here are some familiar faces in frames.

Robert Cummings, Doris Day, Phil Silvers

Marilyn Monroe

Grace Kelly

Gregory Peck

James Dean

Here is a list of links to places where you can buy vintage glasses:

*We have not purchased glasses from any of these sources*

Vintage

Old Focals

Eyeglass Boy
Fifties Frames Vintage Eyeglasses

New

BonLook

Warby Parker

Cutler and Gross 

--Viola