Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 13, 2025

TCM has added another volume to its library with TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema by Alicia Malone. This book focuses on the influence and artistry of international cinem   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 12, 2025

“This picture [Bobby’s Kodak (1908)] gave me my first big joy in life, because it gave me the chance to be the kind of kid I had wanted to be in my dreams, but had never had the chance to be in real life.” –Robert Harron Robert Emmett Harron was...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 11, 2025

Women have been influential in the film industry in many ways, dating back to the earliest days of the industry. While some are remembered more than others, Mary Mallory’s First Women of Hollywood: Femal   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 11, 2025

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was published on April 10, 1925, meaning that it just celebrated its centennial here in 2025. Aside from being an enduring American classic, Fitzgerald also had ties to classic Hollywood and many of his works went on to inspire films. In honor of   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 10, 2025

David Tomlinson is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins (1964), though his filmography extended far beyond that beloved role. Thankfully, Tomlinson himself reflected upon his life and career in   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 10, 2025

Thomas Noguchi has been billed “The Coroner to the Stars,” due to his work on the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and more, before they were laid to rest. Noguchi–now 98 years of age at the time of writing–was the former chief medical examiner-coroner for Los Angeles C   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 10, 2025

Merle Oberon worked as an actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood and realized a historic first when she received the Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in 1936. Her nomination for The Dark Angel (1935) was the first time that the Academy recognized a performer of color for the...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 10, 2025

Vivien Leigh is remembered as one of the most influential stars of the stage and screen. Film fans will easily recognize her for her storied performance as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind (1939), securing the most sought-after role of the year. Moreover, she appeared in so many   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 9, 2025

Bobby Darin was one of the greatest artists of his day, experiencing a rags-to-riches life that was not without its challenges. While his public image was upbeat and enthusiastic, delivering musical performances with charisma and vivacity, his life behind the scenes was far different. David Evanier&   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 8, 2025

Women have been influential both in front of the camera and behind it, from the early days of the film industry and beyond. One fascinating area of filmmaking to which women have contributed extensively is stuntwork. Among them, Helen Gibson is especially revered for being Hollywood’s first st   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 8, 2025

Russ Tamblyn has captivated audiences on the big screen for decades, especially shining with his tumbling and acrobatic abilities. He has appeared in numerous classic films during the Golden Age Hollywood period and worked with some of the greatest stars of that era. In   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 8, 2025

Hollywood has had its fair share of animal actors, from classic to contemporary films. There have been talented animals with fins, furs, or feathers gracing the big screen and even becoming household names. Roberta Smoodin’s   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 8, 2025

Fans of Rudolph Valentino may already be well aware of the connection he shares with June Mathis. While much has been documented about Valentino, Mathis and her story have not been explored in much depth. Thanks to Thomas J. Slater, Mathis’s story is told through   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on April 1, 2025

“I had rugged, individualist ideas. I went cow punching on a ranch near Las Vegas, but I had to work my way home. That’s when Frank Wuppermann, hobo, became Frank Morgan, thespian, overnight.” –Frank Morgan Francis Phillip Wuppermann was born on June 1, 1890, in New York, New York, to...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 31, 2025

Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–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 indi   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 29, 2025

Of the many storied Hitchcock blondes, Vera Miles has not been discussed in great depth. It was Miles who took Hitchcock blonde roles after Grace Kelly left Hollywood, with Miles appearing in films like The Wrong Man (1960) and Psycho (1960). Moreover, Miles had a strong film caree   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 28, 2025

Sunset Boulevard (1950) is a brilliant American dark comedy film noir that has withstood the test of time. In particular, Gloria Swanson shines in this macabre film in her haunting portrayal of Norma Desmond–a for   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 25, 2025

While we may think of Moe, Larry, and Curly as the core Three Stooges, the third role was in flux on several occasions. And, for this reason, we can also often enjoy variations on the trio, such as Moe, Larry, and Shemp. Shemp was the brother of Moe and Curly....   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 25, 2025

Tod Browning is easily one of the most iconic filmmakers when it comes to bizarre, macabre, and unsettling films. From a career that began in a carnival sideshow to developing a reputation in Hollywood, his directorial work would give us memorable classics such as Dracula (1931) and Fre   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 24, 2025

During the early days of cinema, moviemaking had yet to begin its move West. Long before there was a Hollywood, silent film studios were thriving in the East, South, and Midwest. The state of Florida, in particular, was one such location that was the backdrop to many silent films and...   read more