Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 14, 2020

As Film Festivals continue to adapt to the current situation, many of them have become creative in their approaches in offering virtual or hybrid festival experiences. In the case of Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF), celebrating its 29th anniversary this October, a variety of viewing opt   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 10, 2020

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 perform   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 6, 2020

This year has impacted so many different individuals, industries, and events. Many organizations have had to restructure in-person events and transition them to a virtual format, in an effort to align with current safety standards set to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Though this has posed a v   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 5, 2020

“My chief purpose in life is to fall in love. I don’t know why I want to, but I do.” –Virginia Bruce Virginia Bruce was a popular star of the 1930s and enjoyed success as an actress and singer. She was born to Earl and Margaret Briggs. Though born Helen...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 1, 2020

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Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 1, 2020

“They’ve great respect for the dead in Hollywood, but none for the living.” –Errol Flynn To movie fans around the globe, Errol Flynn is remembered as one of the top swashbuckling heroes in classic film. Known for his portrayals in Captain Blood (1935) and The Adventures of Ro   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 29, 2020

I’m so delighted to announce that my article, “Rochester and Jack: Breaking Racial Barriers” won the 2020 Classic Movie Blog Association Award (CMBA) for Best Film Article. Thank you to my readers and fellow CMBA bloggers for the delightful surprise in honoring me with this blog a   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 23, 2020

Comedy fans all over the world are quick to recognize Lucille Ball as the Queen of Comedy. A pioneering comedienne and talent with a strong business acumen, Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, produced one of television’s most beloved sitcom. In addition to breaking new ground in terms of how...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 19, 2020

As a classic film fan, there are so many beloved stars of the period that I adore seeing at work in many a film. Moreover, learning about their lives–on screen and off–has also been of high interest to me and to many other fans from generations past. Fan magazines of...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 31, 2020

Hugh Herbert is remembered for his many appearances in a variety of Pre Code films. With his iconic “woo-woo” laugh and eccentric characters, Herbert’s film roles delighted audiences across the nation. Hugh Francis Herbert was born in Binghamton, New York, to parents who were of Scottish descent. H   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 25, 2020

While many films have been directed by men, women have also been impactful in the film industry–both in front of the camera and behind it. On Tuesday evenings, starting on September 1st through December 1st, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) takes on telling their stories through the docuseries Wom   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 21, 2020

Before Lucille Ball became known as the “Queen of Comedy,” Ball appeared in a wide variety of dramatic roles. Though she would become renowned for her comedic timing in the years to come, Ball also proved to have a worthy grasp of more serious performances. The Big Street (1942) feature   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 10, 2020

“To be celebrated is nothing. To be loved is everything.”–Claudette Colbert Claudette Colbert was one of the top stars of the 1930s and 1940s. With distinct facial features and a talent for both comedy and drama, she would become one of Hollywood’s versatile stars. Starring in ove   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 3, 2020

“It’s really amazing. I couldn’t act. I had that terrible singing voice, and now I can see I wasn’t the greatest tap dancer in the world, either.” –Ruby Keeler When thinking of early musicals, the output of Warner Bros. Studios is certainly worth noting. In the G   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 25, 2020

As a fan of musical films, Deanna Durbin has long been among my favorite singers and actresses. A gifted child star who could hold her own in comedies as well as dramas, it is no surprise that Durbin was a sensation among the moviegoers of her day. Behind the scenes,...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 20, 2020

“I do not want to be an emotional actress. I want to act comedy–nothing but comedy–no tears, no tragedy, no heartaches. I want to laugh and make others laugh.” –Alice Brady While many stars of the silent screen struggled to transition into the Sound Era, Alice Brady&#8   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 13, 2020

“My father was a tailor. I used to deliver for him. I’d have to hold the clothes up high to keep them from dragging on the ground.” –Tony Curtis Tony Curtis enjoyed a long film career, in addition to appearing in the beloved comedy, Some Like It Hot (1959). Showcasing...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 6, 2020

“Mostly I wound up as the friend—dumb but loyal. I guess my dumb look was convincing.” –Frank McHugh Frank McHugh was a beloved character actor whom fans of Pre Code cinema will remember particularly well. He typically carried out roles that provided comic relief in films but also   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on July 5, 2020

“What I have got is I have character in my face. it’s taken an awful lot of late nights and drinking to put it there. When I go to work in a picture, I say, ‘Don’t take the lines out of my face. Leave them there.” –Humphrey Bogart Humphrey Bogart...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 29, 2020

“I used to go to Grauman’s Chinese or Pantages and sit there waiting to see my faceless body on the screen. Texas began to look awfully near and awfully good, and ‘Clara Lou’ had a sweet sound to my ears.” –Ann Sheridan From an “It Girl” or even a “Girl...   read more