Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 14, 2022

Music and movies have been closely intertwined since the film industry’s early days. As new music genres emerged, they would often be featured in popular films. The emergence of rock music is no exception; many rock songs have been featured and popularized through classic and contemporary film   read more

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

William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) is one of the best films to depict postwar life. Focusing upon the stories of three soldiers who navigate life and its challenges after the war, it remains a powerful and highly poignant film. Under Wyler’s direction, Fredric March, Dan   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 7, 2022

Women have been influential in film since the earliest days of the medium. While the term “male gaze” depicts the influence of the male perspective, author Alicia Malone takes on exploring the female gaze, highlighting the ideas, thoughts, and views of women connected to filmmaking. Thro   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 7, 2022

When America went to war, Hollywood changed its movie scenery to also portray wartime America. During the years of World War II, Hollywood films portrayed an America unified in cause and morals as the harsh realities of the war would unfold in many a plotline. Film characters were soon personificati   read more

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

Actress and dancer Virginia Dale was born Virginia Paxton in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 1, 1917. Her parents were mechanic Joel Paxton and Lula Helms Paxton. Dale was one of six children: Jay, Frances, Frieda, Joey, and an unnamed infant. Tragically, the infant and Frieda did not survive to   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 26, 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 May 18, 2022

“It appeared as if I had invited the audience into the water with me, and it conveyed the sensation that being in there was absolutely delicious.” –Esther Williams Esther Williams was a beloved actress and competitive swimmer, setting regional and national records as a teenager. Bo   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 13, 2022

Anne Bancroft was a woman of many talents. She was especially impactful in dramatic performances, offering memorable appearances in The Miracle Worker (1962) and The Graduate (1967). Throughout her career, she won an Oscar, two Tony Awards, and two Emmy Awards. A biography about Bancroft’s lif   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 13, 2022

Throughout the course of film history, women have been influential both on and off the screen. Nonetheless, there are many impactful women whose names we do not hear and recognize as often as we should. Filmmaking has captured the interest of women since the early days of the industry, leading...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 9, 2022

While there are many wartime films about homecoming, none are quite so balanced in comedy and drama as Preston Sturges’s Hail the Conquering Hero (1944). This satirical film tells the story of Woodrow, who is discharged from the military for chronic hay fever. After a chance encounter with som   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 7, 2022

Portrait of Jennie (1948) is nothing short of haunting. Beautifully shot with an esoteric feel, the film captures the spirit of a star-crossed love letter. A fantasy film based upon Robert Nathan’s novella of the same name, the film tells the story of an artist named Eben, living in 1934,...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 4, 2022

In honor of National Classic Movie Day (May 16th), Classic Film & TV Cafe is hosting the Four Favorite Noirs Blogathon. I am delighted to spotlight some of my favorite film noirs as part of the festivities! It was hard to whittle my favorites down to just four, but here...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 2, 2022

Oscar Levant is remembered as an American concert pianist with a sharp wit and an air of melancholy. In addition to his unmistakable talent as a pianist, he was a composer, music conductor, author, game show panelist, talk show host, comedian, and actor. Transitioning through the mediums of radio, f   read more

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

Percy Helton was a beloved character actor during the Golden Age of Hollywood, in addition to performing on stage and on television. He was born Percy Alfred Helton on January 31, 1894, in Manhattan, New York. His father was Alfred “Alf” Helton, who worked as a stage actor, and young...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 28, 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 April 11, 2022

Classic film fans can REJOICE! Happy days are here again with the return of the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Film Festival and there are so many wonderful films, panel discussions, and guest appearances to enjoy with fellow cinephiles. This will be my second time attending the festival, and frankly,   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 10, 2022

Each of us likely has movies, books, or songs that we find special–I know I do. Moreover, I find that some of my favorite movies resound with me in different ways during different moments of my life. They offer me an escape, a new perspective, a sense of nostalgia, or...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 10, 2022

Though the name Hal Wallis may not be as familiar as the names of other producers during Hollywood’s Golden Age, his career is well worth studying. The films he produced are certainly remembered today, including Jezebel (1938), Casablanca (1942), Now, Voyager (1942), and more. In Hal Wallis:   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 9, 2022

Buster Keaton was nothing short of a comic genius. A man of many talents, he awed and entertained audiences of his day and continues to inspire artists and delight audiences all over the world. An actor, director, comedian, stunt artist, screenwriter, and filmmaker, Keaton was innovative with his ph   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 9, 2022

Among the many on- and off-screen talents required to create a film is the critical role of the director. Directors with a keen artistic vision have sculpted and saved many films, playing an integral part in bringing a script to the screen. In The Essential Directors: The Art and Impact...   read more