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

Over the years, there have been groundbreaking moments in American film and television that have focused on the subject and depictions of pregnancy. While many classic television fans may immediately think of Lucille Ball’s real-life pregnancy ultimately woven into the I Love Lucy sho   read more

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

Screenwriter, novelist, and playwright Anita Loos was a fascinating talent, writing daily for more than seventy of her ninety-four years. She left behind a treasure trove of writing, though not all of her written works were completed.   read more

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

“I moved from West Lafayette when I was five months old and did not return again until I was six. That was my last visit. Did I have stage ambitions early in life? Not at all. After I had just entered college, I had my mind set on being a...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on March 1, 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 February 26, 2025

Like so many other Chicago area silent film fans, I’m absolutely devastated to hear of   read more

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

“I want to go on working and learning for a long time yet. Then, if I am worth it, I hope for stardom like all the rest.” –Clarine Seymour Clarine Seymour was born on December 9, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York, New York. She was born to Albert and Florence...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on January 30, 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 January 1, 2025

“When I was four or five, my father had a general store in Winchester and I don’t think the farmers could ever leave on Saturday afternoon until I had been placed up on the counter to sing.” –Dinah Shore Frances “Fanny” Rose Shore was born on February 29, 1916, to...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 30, 2024

Are you doing some holiday shopping? Hometowns to Hollywood has some gift ideas! White Christmas (1954)-inspired ornaments are back in stock for the 2024 holiday season! This series includes ornaments inspired by the “Sisters” number, “The Best Things Happen While You’re Danc   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 28, 2024

While examining film history, it is also well worth exploring the stories of the various unions and guilds that formed as the film industry grew. Kate Fortmueller and Luci Marzola’s Hollywood Unions thoroughly chronicles the histories of these unions that organized motion picture and televisio   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 27, 2024

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 November 8, 2024

Christmas bells are ringing in 2024 with the publication of Jeffrey Paul Thompson’s Miracle on 34th Street: The Making of a Christmas Classic. One of many beloved holiday films stemming from Hollywood’s Golden Age, Miracle on 34th Street (1947) is examined in-depth by former Twentieth Ce   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 7, 2024

Much has been written about Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. Her work and legacy continue to generate more material about her in addition to inspiring more fans of her output, image, and story. Joel Brokaw’s Driving Marilyn: The Live and Times of Legendary Hollywood Agent Norman Brokaw offers   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 1, 2024

“It’s my personality that wins for me. I’m no singer. Heaps of people can beat me dancing. Precious few of them, though, get the salary I do. Why? Because I’m me!” –Valeska Suratt Valeska Suratt was born on June 28, 1882, in Owensville, Indiana, to Ralph and Anna Suratt. When...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on November 1, 2024

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 November 1, 2024

“Fans always ask, ‘What did the bedroom look like?’ All they ever saw was Alice or Ralph going in and out.” –Audrey Meadows Audrey Cotter was born on February 8, 1922, in New York, New York, as the youngest of four children (two girls and two boys). Her parents were...   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 27, 2024

Love is in the air with Turner Classic Movies’ latest literary installment, Falling in Love at the Movies: Rom-Coms from the Screwball Era to Today, by Esther Zuckerman. This book spotlights the influence of romantic comedy, from Golden Age classics to more contemporary releases. In this book,   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 24, 2024

Nora Ephron was a beloved journalist, writer, and filmmaker who brought many more contemporary classics into the world. In particular, her romantic comedies are especially renowned, delighting audiences to this day. Nora Ephron at the Movies by Ilana Kaplan is a celebration of Ephron’s output   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 24, 2024

Fans of Audrey Hepburn can rejoice with a new–and particularly unique–way to learn about and celebrate the life and career of Hepburn! Audrey Hepburn by Michele Botton and Dorilys Giacchetto is a graphic novel that takes readers through the life and career highlights of Hepburn, giving t   read more

Hometowns to Hollywood Posted by Annette Bochenek on October 14, 2024

Shirley MacLaine’s career dates back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, with MacLaine working alongside some of classic Hollywood’s greatest stars. At 90 years old, MacLaine has numerous stories about her life and career to share with fans of her work and classic cinema. The Wall of Life: P   read more