Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 2, 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 January 1, 2022

“Everything is so uncertain regarding acting. You never can be sure of the impression you are creating. The only proof you have is the fan mail.” –Alice Terry A silent film actress and director, Alice Terry’s made her mark as Marguerite in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 30, 2021

“When I’m 100, I’ll still be doing pin-ups.” –Jayne Mansfield A blonde bombshell, performer, and sex symbol, Jayne Mansfield would garner much publicity during her lifetime and, tragically, upon her untimely death. Born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933, in Bryn Mawr,   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 21, 2021

In September 2015, I was invited to co-introduce a film for Turner Classic Movies (TCM) alongside Ben Mankiewicz. I chose to discuss the 1936 film, Theodora Goes Wild, starring Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas. I chose this film for several reasons, because I met two significant people when I had...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 19, 2021

As the year draws to a close, I wanted to share a few updates on the Patreon front and other ways to support Hometowns to Hollywood– Happy Holidays!   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 18, 2021

Note: Spoilers! Avoid this review if you haven’t seen the film, just to be on the safe side. While my heart is still with the original 1961 film (are we surprised?), I found there is much to enjoy in West Side Story (2021). For one, the score is as sumptuous...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 17, 2021

There is much to be said about legendary screenwriter Robert Riskin. A Hollywood pioneer and highly gifted screenwriter of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Riskin was a man of many accomplishments. In addition to screenwriting, he was a producer and director, eventually founding his own film company. H   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 16, 2021

During the days of the studio system, Universal Pictures shone as a powerhouse producing a wide variety of films. From lighthearted Deanna Durbin musicals to iconic early horror films, the studio had a strong start under German immigrant Carl Laemmle. From his early days managing a nickelodeon in Ch   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 6, 2021

“I am from a little town in North Carolina. I have chosen to keep one foot in that life and my other foot in this life and I’ve had success with that.” –Andy Griffith Andy Griffith is easily one of classic television’s most iconic actors. Best known for portraying Sherr   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 3, 2021

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 December 1, 2021

“What more could one ask of a scenario?” –Agnes Ayres While many women worked alongside the great Rudolph Valentino, Agnes Ayres was able to do so alongside him in the notable silent classic The Sheik (1921). Though known for this role, she appeared in many other silent films of th   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 1, 2021

Sylvia Clark: You look like a man.Gabby: Who? Me?Sylvia Clark: ‘Course, it’s kind of dark and I can’t be sure. –Helen Parrish as Sylvia Clark, Sunset Serenade (1942) One of cinema’s child stars, Helen Parrish would grow up on screen and work alongside many big names in   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2021

Do you have a film fan in your life–or are you interested in keeping Hometowns to Hollywood in your pocket as a handy travel guide? If so, consider purchasing Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I. The book comes in ebook, paperback, and hardcover form, profiling 40 classic film stars and points...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2021

To date, Charles Boyer remains one of cinema’s greatest romantic leads. Starring in a range of film genres, Boyer proved to be an influential talent, shining in many leading and supporting roles. Though Boyer maintained a strong presence in films, he remains a tragic figure who is often overlo   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2021

As a major Three Stooges fan, I was so excited to be part of an episode of Karie Bible’s Hollywood Kitchen that was one for the ages! In this special episode of Hollywood Kitchen, Karie was inspired by a recipe from The Official Three Stooges Cookbook, entitled “N’yuk N’yuk   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2021

Just as mysterious as she was beautiful, Greta Garbo‘s image continues to intrigue and entertain fans of classic film to this day. From silent films to talkies, drama to comedy, and public figure to private New Yorker, there is much to discuss about the life and career of Garbo. Garbo...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 11, 2021

Billy Wilder was one of the most prolific directors, producers, and screenwriters of classic Hollywood. His career in the film industry lasted roughly five decades, with Wilder having a hand in many of the most memorable films ever made, including Double Indemnity (1944), Sunset Blvd. (1950), Some L   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 11, 2021

Brothers Ron and Clint Howard have had unique experiences in the film industry. Having grown up on screen, their early lives and adolescent memories were quite different from those of others at their age. Ron Howard played Opie on The Andy Griffith Show as well as Richie Cunningham on Happy...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 10, 2021

The name Busby Berkeley is one of the most highly revered names in choreography. A director and choreographer with a keen eye for geometric patterns and militant precision, Berkeley’s production numbers enhanced some of Hollywood’s earliest musicals. From his initial years on Broadway to   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 10, 2021

Russian-born actress, director, and producer Alla Nazimova was a woman of many achievements who is not often discussed today. She was instrumental in bringing Stanislavksy and Chekov to American theater and was also a regular performer on stage and screen. In Nazimova: A Biography, author Gavin Lam   read more