Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2026

Kristen Lopez’s But Have You Read the Book? has a new sequel entitled, But Have You Read the Boo   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2026

Sydney Pollack: Collected Interviews, edited by Patrick McGilligan and Paul Cronin, is an engaging and insightful look at one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors. Through candid conversations spanning decades, Pollack reflects on filmmaking, collaboration, and the changing movie indust   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2026

On the Set of Forrest Gump is an entertaining and insightful behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of America’s most iconic films. Steve Starkey shares personal stories, production challenges, and creative triumphs that reveal how Forrest Gump (1994) became a cultural phenome   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2026

There are several different Hollywood stars who experienced resurgences in popularity at different points in their careers. Gloria Monti and Martin Shingler’s Comebacks: The Return of the Aging Film Star shines the spotlight on these tales. This work is edited by Monti and Shingler bu   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2026

Jason A. Ney’s Richard Fleischer: Journeyman offers a thoughtful exploration of one of Hollywood’s most versatile directors. Moving beyond the shadow of his legendary father, animator Max Fleischer, Richard Fleischer worked to carve out his own remarkable career across genres, from science   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2026

Acts of Love is both a fascinating and moving examination of early Black cinema and performance history. Allyson Nadia Field brings remarkable life and context to the rediscovered film Something Good—Negro Kiss (1898), revealing not only its historical importance but also its e   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 1, 2026

“I have never personally referred to myself as a star. When asked I always say, ‘I’m an actor, a working actor.’ I think the term ‘star’ is a vastly overused expression. That term has been used in reference to me but it is not of my own choice.” –James   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 30, 2026

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–to offer fun and engaging presentations about Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her presentations range from focusing on various subjects related to Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to presentations that showcase ind   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 7, 2026

“I’m a dancer and I can never really get away from my career. On the days when I don’t dance at the studio, I have to practice for at least an hour in the evening to keep in shape. Dancing is like breathing— missing a day doing either is very...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 6, 2026

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–to offer fun and engaging presentations about Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her presentations range from focusing on various subjects related to Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to presentations that showcase ind   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 1, 2026

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–to offer fun and engaging presentations about Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her presentations range from focusing on various subjects related to Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to presentations that showcase ind   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 1, 2026

“I love it. I swim every morning and enjoy the Aloha spirit, which is very much alive here.” –Dorothy Mackaill Dorothy Mackaill was born on March 4, 1903, in Kingston upon Hull, England, to John Mackaill and Florence Pickard Mackaill. She was primarily raised by her father after her parents...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on February 2, 2026

Dr. Arthur Carrington: No pleasure, no pain. No emotion, no heart. Our superior in every way. —The Thing from Another World (1951) In The Thing from Another World (1951), classic Hollywood indulges us with another science fiction horror story of humans agains   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on February 1, 2026

“Dogs have been part of my life ever since I was born. Even before I was born, there was one already at home when I came on the scene.” –Ellen Drew Ellen Drew was born Esther Loretta Ray on November 23, 1914, in Kansas City, Missouri. Her father, Joseph, was...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 28, 2026

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–to offer fun and engaging presentations about Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her presentations range from focusing on various subjects related to Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to presentations that showcase ind   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 18, 2026

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–to offer fun and engaging presentations about Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her presentations range from focusing on various subjects related to Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to presentations that showcase ind   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 1, 2026

“Vera Zorina was born, aged seventeen, at Covent Garden, during a heated discussion with Colonel de Basil, General Director of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.” –Vera Zorina Vera Zorina was born Eva Brigitta Hartwig in Berlin, Germany, on January 2, 1917. Her parents, Fritz and Abi   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 29, 2025

Jazz Age Beauties: The Lost Collection of Ziegfeld Photographer Alfred Cheney Johnston is a beautifully photographed book with text by Robert Hudovernik. While the photography here is central and tied to the history of theater through Ziegfeld’s own remarkable legacy, readers are able   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 19, 2025

The Great American Songbook Foundation in Carmel, Indiana, is a wonderful resource to fans of the Great American Songbook and Golden Age Cinema. They have so many fascinating pieces in their collection&#82   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 11, 2025

Martin Scorsese is a celebrated contemporary American director, producer, and film historian. He has been active in the film industry for over 50 years, not only through his own impressive output but also as a passionate advocate for the preservation and restoration of Golden Age films   read more