Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 25, 2016

“I’m not ashamed of being from Wisconsin. Just of being from Kenosha. It’s a terrible place.” –Orson Welles Orson Welles was one of the most multi-talented individuals in Hollywood history. As an actor, producer, writer, and director, Welles influenced American cinema   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2016

“When I ask him these questions and he answers, I haven’t got the faintest idea what he’s going to say, and what he says astounds me with his wisdom.” –Edgar Bergen I am a huge fan of old time radio. In fact old time radio shows are the only recordings...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 22, 2016

“When I ask him these questions and he answers, I haven’t got the faintest idea what he’s going to say, and what he says astounds me with his wisdom.” –Edgar Bergen I am a huge fan of old time radio. In fact old time radio shows are the only recordings...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 10, 2016

“My parents were happy for me to leave Freedom, where all I could hope to be was a farmer or a “railroader.” My mother had advised me to run for my life before I got married and had to scourge for a living the hard way.” -James Pierce There are...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 10, 2016

“My parents were happy for me to leave Freedom, where all I could hope to be was a farmer or a “railroader.” My mother had advised me to run for my life before I got married and had to scourge for a living the hard way.” -James Pierce There are...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 6, 2016

“My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.” –Bette Davis Bette Davis is without a doubt one of the most outspoken and driven women to ever flourish in Hollywood. Loaded with talent, a no-n   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 6, 2016

“My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.” –Bette Davis Bette Davis is without a doubt one of the most outspoken and driven women to ever flourish in Hollywood. Loaded with talent, a no-n   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 3, 2016

“I liked the name Frederick Bickel and I wish now I had left it as it was. After all, Theodore Bikel, whose name was similar though spelled differently, didn’t change his, and he did alright.” -Fredric March My first exposure to Fredric March was viewing his performance in The Adv   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 3, 2016

“I liked the name Frederick Bickel and I wish now I had left it as it was. After all, Theodore Bikel, whose name was similar though spelled differently, didn’t change his, and he did alright.” -Fredric March My first exposure to Fredric March was viewing his performance in The Adv   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 12, 2015

“May you live to be 100, and may the last voice you hear be mine.” –Frank Sinatra Although Frank isn’t able to celebrate his centennial with us, my God, does he live. This man is the personification of vocal talent, so it’s no surprise to see him billed as “The...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on December 12, 2015

“May you live to be 100, and may the last voice you hear be mine.” –Frank Sinatra Although Frank isn’t able to celebrate his centennial with us, I can certainly argue that he lives on. This man is the personification of vocal talent, so it’s no surprise to see him...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2015

Taryn Power and I “Hometowns to Hollywood” has been a labor of love for me since May 2013. Through this blog, I have been able to learn about some of my favorite Golden Age cinema stars in the most active way possible—this, of course, being walking in their footsteps, tracing...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2015

Taryn Power and I “Hometowns to Hollywood” has been a labor of love for me since May 2013. Through this blog, I have been able to learn about some of my favorite Golden Age cinema stars in the most active way possible—this, of course, being walking in their footsteps, tracing...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 3, 2015

“No triumph of either my stage or screen career has ever rivaled the excitement of trips down the Mississippi on the river boats with my father.” –Irene Dunne Irene Dunne was one of the most down-to-earth of all classic Hollywood film stars. Like so many other greats, she was from   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on September 3, 2015

“No triumph of either my stage or screen career has ever rivaled the excitement of trips down the Mississippi on the river boats with my father.” –Irene Dunne Irene Dunne was one of the most down-to-earth of all classic Hollywood film stars. Like so many other greats, she was from   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 27, 2015

We who play, who entertain for a few years, what can we leave that will last? -Ethel Barrymore While the U.S. has no monarchy, it has certainly had its share of Hollywood royalty. For over three generations, the Barrymore dynasty has provided theater and film with some of its most important actors.   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on August 27, 2015

We who play, who entertain for a few years, what can we leave that will last? -Ethel Barrymore While the U.S. has no monarchy, it has certainly had its share of Hollywood royalty. For over three generations, the Barrymore dynasty has provided theater and film with some of its most important actors.   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 24, 2015

“The more people pointed at me in scorn, the more stubborn I got. And when they began calling me the ‘Bad Girl of West Seattle High,’ I tried to live up to it.” -Frances Farmer When I relayed the complicated tale of Frances Farmer’s life to a friend of mine, his...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on June 24, 2015

“The more people pointed at me in scorn, the more stubborn I got. And when they began calling me the ‘Bad Girl of West Seattle High,’ I tried to live up to it.” -Frances Farmer When I relayed the complicated tale of Frances Farmer’s life to a friend of mine, his...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on May 12, 2015

“Isn’t it funny? Hartford is always two places to me: what it was then and what it is now.” –Katharine Hepburn Sharp-witted and sophisticated, Katharine Hepburn was a pivotal figure in Golden Age cinema. Her independent life and strong-willed movie characters cemented her as a role model for multip   read more