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

“I enjoyed every moment of it–concerts, movies, stage. When I didn’t enjoy it anymore, I quit.” –Allan Jones The voice of Allan Jones is one that is well-documented in classic films and a variety of recordings. Boasting a tenor range and possessing a strong on-screen pr   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 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 February 25, 2021

Author John Kobal was an accomplished film historian with a deep interest in the massive body of work that director and producer Cecil B. DeMille achieved. DeMille is rememberd as one of American cinema’s founding fathers, producing many commercially successful films in the Silent Era and well   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on February 24, 2021

The image of Vampira is certainly iconic. With her memorable and striking image, Vampira cemented herself as a star of horror, fashion, and drama. While many will certainly remember Vampira as a horror goddess, the story of Maila Nurmi–the woman behind Vampira–has long needed to be told.   read more

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

“Actors are emotional. If somebody would come up to us and say, ‘Sign here. Everybody’s doing it for civil liberties,’ or ‘Sign here to save the bread of children of writers banned from the studios because of their political beliefs,’ I would sign because it was a   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on February 15, 2021

Being a fan of classic television as well as classic film, I was particularly saddened to learn of the passing of Dawn Wells. Wells, of course, famously portrayed the wholesome Mary Ann Summers on Gilligan’s Island throughout the show’s three-season run and three feature films. A delight   read more

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

While Doug McPhail’s name may not be well remembered today, his brief time in the film industry is to be appreciated. Typically appearing in lighthearted musical fare with his booming, melodious voice, McPhail is best remembered for his appearances in early MGM musicals alongside the likes of Judy G   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on February 2, 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 February 1, 2021

Dame Olivia de Havilland was an iconic Hollywood legend beloved by fans all over the world, spanning multiple generations. Boasting a lengthy career as a popular leading lady, her 104 years made her a witness to many changes within the film industry and in history. Moreover, she secured highly covet   read more

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

Miss Wiggins: Maybe, someday, you will meet a prince, and you’ll live happily ever after. Connie: Those fairy stories haven’t come true for over 100 years, Miss Wiggins. Miss Wiggins: Fiddlesticks! We just have to dust them off…streamline them a bit. —First Love (1939) While   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 15, 2021

Katharine Hepburn‘s brownie recipe is one that certainly intrigues classic film fans. When I first encountered the recipe in a cook book, I immediately wanted to get a “taste” of classic film history and indulge in this recipe from a confident and celebrated classic film star. The   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 15, 2021

“I will never retire. Put that down and underline it. The world is too nice – and so have been all the breaks.” –Miriam Hopkins Miriam Hopkins is among some of the most celebrated Pre-Code film stars. A versatile actress with an especially impressive roster of films from the   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 12, 2021

“I don’t want to go back to Hollywood if I can help it. I want to go back to the stage. The trouble with Hollywood is everybody is crazy for money. The producers are trying to make pictures cheaper and faster. They do not realize the public is becoming more...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 5, 2021

Life is full of dynamic duos–two halves from opposite ends of the spectrum colliding at just the right moment, and instantly creating iconic perfection. It gets to the point where you can’t have one without the other. In similar fashion, it is hard to imagine Mr. Laurel without the jovial...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 5, 2021

In 2020, I viewed a number of Douglas Sirk films for the first time, including Lured (1947), Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952), Magnificent Obsession (1954), All That Heaven Allows (1955), and Written on the Wind (1956). It after watching the last three melodramas–Magnificent Obsession, All That   read more

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

While not many will know the name Milicent Patrick offhand, there is a good chance that they are familiar with the look of one of classic Hollywood’s monsters: the Creature from the Black Lagoon. The head costume for this aquatic Gill-man of the deep was designed by Patrick. Patrick was...   read more

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

Robert Taylor has long been one of my favorite actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age. An accomplished actor, singer, and Hollywood idol, Taylor made his mark upon film history as a popular leading many in films an on television. While certainly popular as a studio star, today, Taylor is not discu   read more

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

Much has been written about Hollywood icon Cary Grant, whose legacy lives on through his family, friends, and film fans all over the world. To this day, he continues to inspire artists and performers as well as authors and scholars wishing to delve into his story. In 2020, two biographies...   read more

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

“I feel so strongly about the power for good that Hollywood has. I believe its influence is not only national but international.” –George Murphy Hollywood musicals feature a wide array of performers who excelled in singing and dancing. George Murphy was one of many actors who excel   read more