Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 4, 2021

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road 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 presentations that profile individual p   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 2, 2021

“I like pictures better. It was different when we first started in. Then it was a novelty. Now debutantes and grandmothers are rivals in learning new steps, and all enjoy dancing themselves more than watching other people do it.” — Irene Castle Long before Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Vernon...   read more

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

“Desi [Arnaz] was a charmer. We used to call him the Cuban arm because he would put his arm around you and say “Listen amigo” and you were done for.” –Madelyn Pugh Davis While Madelyn Pugh didn’t get much time in front of the camera, she made a notable career...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 26, 2021

“To be pretty and to stay pretty are two different things. You can’t take anything for granted, and it’s foolish to think you can. You have to think ahead of how to build health and happiness. You have to learn to avoid what is going to hurt you or someone...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 25, 2021

“I want to entertain people. That’s my whole life. To my last breath.” –Elvis Presley Still the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley is well remembered as a music legend. In addition to being a cultural icon, his performances on the stage as well as the screen exemplified h   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 9, 2021

With summer in full swing, it’s high time to enjoy the sunshine, ride the waves, and catch up on your favorite outdoor activities. If you need to cool off, it’s also the perfect time to delve into a new book–either lounging poolside, relaxing at home, or in your favorite spot...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 9, 2021

One of Hollywood’s major brunette bombshell’s, Jane Russell‘s life, career, and legacy are fascinating. Though her career began with a slow start in The Outlaw (1943), Russell crafted a career that made her memorable in Hollywood and allowed her to work alongside many top stars of   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 8, 2021

Actress and singer Anna Held led a fascinating life as one of Ziegfeld’s earliest muses. A popular comedy star on the New York theater scene, Held made La Belle Époque all the more lovely. Though personifying glamour, Held’s early life was anything but glamorous. Held overcame an impover   read more

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

Joan Crawford had a lengthy career that evolved just as the movies did. From the Silent Era and on to the Sound Era, Crawford’s image and performances were carefully cultivated to cater to audience interests of the day. Appearing in films like Our Dancing Daughters (1928) early on, to films...   read more

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

“I was afraid of getting stuck with only young parts. I’ve always had that trouble because I have a young-looking face.” –Tom Drake While Tom Drake is arguably best remembered as the “Boy Next Door” to Judy Garland’s Esther Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Drake also mad   read more

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

“Please say that I have diamonds for eyes and a little laugh like a small echo running evenly over the hill. But it’s not true. I’m not pretty and I’m short. Five feet one inch and three-quarters. Put in the three-quarters. It’s very important.” –Joan McCrac   read more

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

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road 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 presentations that profile individual p   read more

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

To this day, the name Cecil B. DeMille is nothing short of legendary. An accomplished director, producer, and actor, DeMille’s epic films remain major achievements in cinema with much to unpack and discuss. In Cecil B. DeMille’s Hollywood, Robert S. Birchard takes readers through a chro   read more

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

In her brief life, comedienne and actress Kay Kendall made her mark upon films and took on a memorable role in Genevieve (1953). She would go on to appear in films like The Constant Husband (1955) with soon-to-be husband Rex Harrison in addition to Les Girls (1957). Her role in...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 27, 2021

In cinema’s nascent years, the art of filmmaking was being pioneered and many new and exciting developments would occur in conjunction with this new form of storytelling. Among the many facets of filmmaking history is the history of motion picture studios, working to create and distribute thei   read more

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

“I was this punk kid from Nebraska who had an awful lot of the world’s good things tossed in his lap.” –Robert Taylor Among many matinee idols of Hollywood’s Golden Age was Robert Taylor, a well-known film and television actor who took on leading roles on several memora   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 7, 2021

“If I had to give up either acting or dancing, I’d choose to keep dancing.” –Cyd Charisse Among the many wonderful dancers of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Cyd Charisse shines as a gifted actress and dancer who shared the screen with many other memorable talents. She was born Tula   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 4, 2021

The horror genre is one that has fascinated audiences all over the world for over a century. Depicted in various forms of art and expression, it is no surprise that horror has also been explored in films through many creative and innovative ways. These macabre tales, memorable characters, and haunti   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 4, 2021

During wartime, much art and culture is developed both in response to and as a commentary on events of the day. The American theater, with special emphasis on Broadway, was no exception. Numerous plays centered around World War II or at least referred to the war in some capacity through...   read more

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

Joan Bradford: Mother’s run my life long enough! I’m 21, I’m white, and I’ve a right to be free! Henry Bradford: What are you going to do about it… sit here and mope? —Happiness Ahead (1934) Among the many popular early musicals distributed by Warner Brothers, Hap   read more