Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 1, 2022

“There are two reasons why I am successful in show business and I am standing on both of them. Betty Grable was one of World War II’s most celebrated pin-up girls, in addition to being a gifted actress, singer, model, and dancer. A top box office star, she was one...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 31, 2022

While much has been written about the great Judy Garland, little has been explored in relation to the life of another popular singer and actress: Deanna Durbin. Shining during the golden years of the movie musical, both Garland and Durbin flourished as musical talents. Unlike Garland’s popular   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 30, 2022

Introducing The “Take Two” Blogathon! While Classic Hollywood explored numerous original storylines, remakes were also a common occurrence. Studios would revisit their previous films with more current contract players or even reimagine non-musical films as musical remakes. In other cases   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 29, 2022

The fight for representation in Hollywood is an important one and certainly one that continues on to this day. The Latinx community’s battle for representation in Hollywood films is no exception–many Latinx artists have made important achievements in the filmmaking industry but have gone   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 28, 2022

The Hollywood Blacklist stigmatized many individuals employed in the filmmaking industry and beyond, ruining lives and careers and curbing creativity. Though the Hollywood Blacklist was actively harming careers seventy-five years ago, its impacts are still studied to this day. Larry Ceplair’s   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 25, 2022

Screenwriter Ernest Lehman has the distinction of helping to fully realize some of classic Hollywood’s most memorable screen moments. Honored as one of the greatest screenwriters in the industry, Lehman stood out through his work in projects such as North by Northwest (1959), The Sound of Musi   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 1, 2022

“If playing the melody is corn, then I want to be corny.” –Kay Kyser Bandleader and radio personality James Kern Kyser was born on June 18, 1905, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. His parents, Paul and Emily Kyser, worked as pharmacists. Kyser was one of six children. In the years...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 31, 2022

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–in order 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 pres   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 25, 2022

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was one of classic Hollywood’s biggest powerhouses. Churning out many iconic films year after year, MGM boasted some of the best on and off-screen talents of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Far beyond the days of the studio system, MGM remains a major corporate symbol t   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 25, 2022

While Turner Classic Movies (TCM) connects audiences of the present to great classic films and performances of the past, TCM also occasionally showcases classic cult and late-night cinema films. In this TCM series, TCM profiles the shocking, campy, and strangely wonderful cult films that have entert   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 25, 2022

During the pandemic, I took some time to interview different descendants of classic Hollywood stars to hear all about their experiences as the children of beloved screen icons. In September 2020, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Lewis, elder son of Loretta Young and Thomas Lewis. I was...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 23, 2022

Singer and dancer Josephine Baker charmed audiences all over the world. At her height, she was the highest-paid female performer working in Europe. However, when Nazis seized Paris, Baker suddenly found herself banned from the stage. Rather than go to America, she remained in Europe as a spy. In Ag   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 23, 2022

Throughout her storied career, Marlene Dietrich appeared in many notable Hollywood films and worked with many popular peers of her day. In Marlene, Dietrich herself reflects upon her early life, film career in Germany, and eventual rise to stardom as an international success. In addition to sharing   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 21, 2022

An icon of the screen, Marlene Dietrich is remembered for more than her filmography. She was impactful far beyond the screen. Though her films still delight audiences today, the stories of people who knew her also work to promote her legacy. In addition to the words and anecdotes surrounding Dietri   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 17, 2022

Marlene Dietrich was a fascinating woman with a unique outlook on life. In Marlene Dietrich’s ABC’s, readers can indulge in a textual scrapbook of Dietrich’s musings, all listed in alphabetical order. This particular book is not a biography or lengthy work. It is a compilation of v   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 16, 2022

“Although no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl’s values.” –Ava Gardner Ava Gardner is one of classic Hollywood’s most storied bombshells. Born Ava Lavinia Gardner on December 24, 1922, to Mary “Molly” Elizabeth   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 11, 2022

While the name Maria Montez may not be familiar to many, this Golden Age actress delighted audiences in an array of Technicolor films. She hailed from the Dominican Republic as one of ten children in her family and left for New York City by 1939. Dreaming of a career in...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 8, 2022

Any actor portraying Elvis Presley has big shoes to fill. This task is certainly not unique to portrayals of Presley–think Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, and so many more as of late–but is an immense undertaking at any rate. While Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis (2022) has its cr   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 1, 2022

“Never play anything that don’t sound right. You might not make any money, but at least you won’t get hostile with yourself.” –Hoagy Carmichael Hoagy Carmichael was a beloved American composer, songwriter, actor, and lawyer. In addition to appearing in films and on tele   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 30, 2022

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–in order 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 pres   read more