Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 7, 2025

Films have allowed viewers to explore a broad array of stories, from ones rooted in reality to fictitious works. In the case of The Hollywood History of Art, Christopher Frayling examines Hollywood&#   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 7, 2025

Claudette Colbert was a major star of Hollywood’s Golden Age, excelling in comedies as well as dramas. Her characters maintained an air of sophistication while also offering vulnerability in her many expert   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 4, 2025

Reeling Bullets: W.R. Burnett on Film by Andy Rohmer shines the spotlight on writer W.R. Burnett, examining his work as the inspiration for numerous films. Burnett’s written output inspired films from his fictitious works, adaptations from other writers, and original scripts.   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 4, 2025

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) is an exceptional western film starring James Stewart, John Wayne, and Vera Miles. The story is primarily told in flashback, detailing the lives and legacies of two individuals   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 4, 2025

The story of A Star is Born has been told on several occasions, specifically in four films to date. From Gaynor to Gaga, author Robert Hofler discusses the different incarnations of the story in A Star is Reborn:   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 1, 2025

“I’m deeply grateful for all the nice things said about me—but I’m smart enough to know that one picture doesn’t make a permanent success.” –Gloria Dickson Gloria Dickson was born Thais Lelia Dickerson on August 13, 1917, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Fred and Emma Dickerson. Gloria also had an older...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 28, 2025

Are you doing some holiday shopping? Hometowns to Hollywood has some gift ideas! White Christmas (1954)-inspired ornaments are back in stock for the 2025 holiday season! This series includes ornaments inspired by the “Sisters” number, “The Best Things Happen While You&#821   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 27, 2025

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 November 1, 2025

“The chances are a hundred-to-one against a successful Hollywood marriage. The trouble is that people who’ve never had big money are showered with it. They go wild–or meet a third party who’s anxious to chisel in.” –Allen Jenkins Allen Curtis Jenkins was born on April 9, 1900   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 1, 2025

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 October 14, 2025

Diana Barrymore was the daughter of actor John Barrymore. Her story is both intriguing and tragic–and is all too often overshadowed by the stories   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 14, 2025

Actor Humphrey Bogart and director John Huston had a legendary friendship and numerous notable collaborations, now showcased in a newly released book. Nat Segaloff’s   read more

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

Fans of classic Hollywood musicals are sure to enjoy Tomas S. Hischak’s Bringing Song and Dance to the Screen: Directors of Golden Age Hollywood Musicals. This book offers a fascinating an   read more

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

Over the years, much has been written about Loretta Young’s personal and professional life. Bernard F. Dick’s Loretta Young: Hollywood Madonna is an exceptional biography that examines her personal life, professional output, in addition to her values and priorities over time. Th   read more

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

While many of classic Hollywood’s major stars have been studied over the years, there is much to examine about some of the not-so-well-known players that often led troubled lives or met tragic endings. Film was proving to be a powerful medium that not only entertained audiences but also expose   read more

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

Ray Milland entertained audiences during the Golden Age of Hollywood with many memorable performances on film and television. Interestingly, his personal and professional life was quite complex as the studio system effectively altered his identity in Hollywood, eliminating his Welsh background and c   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 10, 2025

Angela Aleiss’ Broken Arrow is a wonderful addition to the “Reel West” series of books by the University of New Mexico Press about individual Western films. This book is well-researched with much discussion about the pro   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 9, 2025

A Short History of Film by Wheeler Winston Dixon and Gwendolyn Audrey Foster is now in its fourth edition, offering an updated and expanded look at film history. This t   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 9, 2025

Fans of Pre-Code cinema should be out doing cartwheels because of the exciting new addition to the TCM library! Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era 1930-1934 by Kim Luperi and Danny Reid is a gorgeous, well-researched book, brimming with information about   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 9, 2025

Are you a fan of trivia? If so, The Movie Lover’s Quiz Book is an excellent resource for your trivia nights or trivia question preparation! This book is jam-packed with over 900 questions about films,   read more