Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 7, 2019

When reflecting up on the major film studios of the Golden Age of Hollywood, one of my favorites is easily MGM. Boasting it had more stars than there were in the heavens, it was one of the top studios with some of the brightest cinematic stars. Combining their history with...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 6, 2019

When I think of shorts that are classic comedy gold, The Music Box (1932) quickly comes to mind. A key work from the creative minds of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, this Sisyphan tale of the duo trying to deliver a piano up a seemingly endless flight of stairs never fails to...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 5, 2019

Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery may not come off as a top tourist destination near Los Angeles when it comes to cemetery visits. Nonetheless, its peaceful grounds are worth visiting in addition to paying respects to dancing legends and other classic cinema stars. While there are not a great deal of   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 4, 2019

When visiting Hollywood for the first time, I would strongly encourage a trip to the Hollywood Museum. Situated just off of Hollywood Boulevard inside of the historic Max Factor Building, visitors will find a wide array of collections, including costumes, memorabilia, and more, relating to the hist   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 3, 2019

Of the many cemeteries situated throughout the Los Angeles area, the Forest Lawn name is one of the most prestigious. Forest Lawn Memorial Park–Hollywood Hills is one of six Forest Lawn cemeteries located in Southern California, situated on the lower north slope of the Santa Monica Mountains,   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 1, 2019

The final installment in the Gold Diggers series came with Gold Diggers in Paris (1938). With crooner Dick Powell in the leading male role in the three previous musical versions that Warner Brothers had released, in addition to a wide array of the studio’s other key musical talents, the studi   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 1, 2019

During my first trip to Los Angeles in October 2019, I made it a priority to visit Westwood Village Memorial Park. This small location tucked away behind several buildings is the resting place of some of the entertainment industry’s greatest names. Moreover, it has a high amount of celebrity   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 30, 2019

Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery, named after the palace of Odin, Norse god of slain heroes, is a beautiful cemetery that spans portions of North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Burbank, California. With lush grounds and beautiful memorials, it is a serene place of respite and has a quite a history. Of   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 29, 2019

Warner Brothers continued its chain of Gold Diggers musicals after their newer installments to the series proved to be profitable. After experimenting with an original story and a brand new cast of characters with Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935), the studio made the decision to base their latest film i   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 28, 2019

After the rousing success of Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), Warner Brothers did not delay in adding a new installment to the series. The next film in the series called upon all the more creativity from the studio: a fresh, original story that was not based upon any of the Gold Digger...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 27, 2019

When I was planning my first trip to Los Angeles, I was eager to take Karie Bible’s walking tour at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, having followed her work and research on Rudolph Valentino’s legendary “Lady in Black.” I love to explore cemeteries for the art and architecture t   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 24, 2019

As I was scrolling through Twitter one evening, I was excited to see Ky of Saga of Ginger post a recipe for Ginger Rogers’s fruit muffins. Previously, my only celebrity baking adventure was Katharine Hepburn’s brownies and I had been curious about attempting another recipe ever since th   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 23, 2019

“I’d love to see more women working as directors and producers. Today, it’s almost impossible to do it unless you are an actress or writer with power. I wouldn’t hesitate right this minute to hire a talented woman if the subject matter were right.” –Ida Lupino Wh   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 22, 2019

Herbie Brown: What time is it? Slicker Smith: None of your business! —Buck Privates (1941) Out of the many Abbott and Costello films that the famous comedic duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made, Buck Privates (1941) is easily my favorite. A humorous story set against a more serious context   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 20, 2019

“I have big teeth. I lisp. My eyes disappear when I smile. My voice is funny. I don’t sing like Judy Garland. I don’t dance like Cyd Charisse. But women identify with me. And while men desire Cyd Charisse, they’d take me home to meet Mom.” –June Allyson MGM was...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 19, 2019

Of the many Gold Digger films, one of the most celebrated iterations of this series is Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933). This film showcases many characteristics that immediately come to mind when thinking of the Gold Digger films: Busby Berkeley choreography, Depression Era tunes, and a Warner Brothers   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 14, 2019

Writing the book and telling the story of my family helped me weave things together at a time when they seemed to be unraveling. Writing has always served this function for me. Over the years, I always wrote letters to my aunt and uncle and Uncle Ray told me,  “You write...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 13, 2019

After yesterday evening’s festivities, I was ready to begin a full day of Red Skelton Festival activities. My morning started off with me arriving to the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center to set up for my presentation on Du Barry Was a Lady (1943) for that afternoon. After that, I had a...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 12, 2019

Among the many great comics of Hollywood’s Golden Age, audiences were particularly blessed with two talented redheads during this time: Lucille Ball (an honorary redhead) and Red Skelton. The two worked alongside one another in an energetic and imaginative musical film entitled, Du Barry Was   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 10, 2019

Vincennes, Indiana, is a town that proudly remembers one if the stars it produced–Red Skelton. While other stars such as Alvy Moore and Alice Terry were also born in the small railroad town, it is Red Skelton who continues to be the biggest draw to the town by film fans....   read more