Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 21, 2014

I was tempted to include “superfan” in this post’s title in reference to Theresa Brown, but I think that would have made her cringe.  To me she’s a celebrity and I’ve told her so many times.  I saw the shy fan of classic movies and dedicated viewer of Turner Classic...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 17, 2014

Hot off the presses is acclaimed biographer, Scott Eyman‘s latest book, John Wayne: The Life and Legend, an expansive work that covers the life and career of one of the silver screen’s most admired figures.  I just finished reading it and couldn’t wait to share my thoughts.  But fi   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 16, 2014

Amos Strickland arrives at the secluded Crandall’s Lost Cavern Hotel on a dark, rainy night.  He is greeted by hotel detective, Casey Edwards (Bud Abbott) who wonders what the most important criminal attorney in the country is doing at Crandall’s.  Strickland is in a foul mood, a mood wo   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 15, 2014

“They were the last, great comedy team to emerge from the last gasp of vaudeville.  They bridged the gap between live, theatrical entertainment and live television when the medium was in its infancy.  They didn’t break a mold because they had none, preferring to perform fresh, ad-libbing   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 9, 2014

In 1939 George Stevens was Hollywood’s youngest director.  At that point he was 34 years old and had already directed several notable films that didn’t fit into a mold.  These films included Vivacious Lady, a romantic comedy starring Ginger Rogers and James Stewart, Swing Time, a musical   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 4, 2014

He had it all – impeccable comedic timing, an authoritative, urbane voice, looks that made ‘em swoon with a manner unique to classic Hollywood, a lasting screen presence, and undeniable talent.  His career spanned four decades, starting in the silent era with a supporting role in Albert   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 2, 2014

The nominees for Best Motion Picture in 1952 for film achievements in 1951 were Vincente Minnelli’s An American in Paris, Anatole Litvak’s Decision Before Dawn, George Stevens’ A Place in the Sun, Mervyn LeRoy’s Quo Vadis, and Elia Kazan’s A Streetcar Named Desire.  It   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on March 1, 2014

This is a special, Oscars presentation – twelve episodes of Academy Award Theater featuring some of the biggest, most popular stars of Hollywood’s golden age. “The house of Squibb presents “Academy Award.”  Every week Squibb brings you Hollywood’s finest.  The gr   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 27, 2014

“There are five stages in the life of an actor: Who’s Mary Astor? Get me Mary Astor. Get me a Mary Astor Type. Get me a young Mary Astor. Who’s Mary Astor?” Well…she was a novelist, penned a frank autobiography and a best-selling memoir, had several failed marriages, su   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 24, 2014

Here we are – Oscars week and Week 4 of the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon - a week during which we pause to honor those who helmed the motion pictures we swoon over.  While we’ve only a handful of entries this week, it is indeed an important and impressive lot… To...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 23, 2014

Maegan is back with this special guest post for the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon.  You can follow her on Twitter @MaesMusings ♦ Will You Listen to What I Have to Say? I think that if you talk about what you know and talk about yourself, and your family, your...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 21, 2014

I try to post old-time radio shows in a themed group so each post is substantial, but I couldn’t wait to share this one – a real treat! From March 20, 1939 it’s the Lux Radio Theater adaptation of Frank Capra’s Academy Award winner, It Happened One Night (1935) with the orig   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 19, 2014

“Once, I did something wrong”…twice ♦ It’s 1946.  Two men, Max and Al, drive into the town of Brentwood, NJ in the dead of night.  Against the backdrop of a lone street lamp the two cast shadows along a path as they approach a gas station that’s closed for the...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 13, 2014

Following is a guest post by Pamela Fallon Thornley for the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon.  You can follow Pam on Twitter at @fallonthornley . ♦ The first Academy Award ceremonies I was able to watch fully, was the 54th Ceremonies in 1982, on March 29th.  I know this because I was...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 11, 2014

“Everyone has a heart, except some people” (Bette Davis) so I created this post as a special Valentines public service.  It is dedicated to anyone who needs to get in the mood for love. ♥ To start, here’s a classic rendition of “I’m in the Mood for Love” perfor   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 8, 2014

Here’s to Jack Lemmon on what would have been his eighty-nine birthday. A wonderful actor to whom I’ve already dedicated a post noting my favorite performances, The Magic of Lemmon, Jack was also a self-taught, accomplished pianist and a damn good singer.  In tribute to one I can honest   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 6, 2014

I’m thrilled to share a very special guest post by my friend, Sarah (@ImSarahO), her commentary on Katharine Hepburn: Rebel Chic ◊ Katharine Hepburn: Rebel Chic Published by Skira Rizzoli (2012) Multiple essays by multiple authors from the world of fashion 176 pages I can finally say I love K   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 5, 2014

The House of Squibb presents ACADEMY AWARD “Hollywood’s finest, the great picture plays, the great actors and actresses, techniques and skills, chosen from the honor roll of those who have won or been nominated for the famous golden Oscar of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 2, 2014

The 17th Academy Awards, which honored achievement in film in 1944 was held at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Thursday, March 15, 1945 and was one of distinction for several reasons. Oscar winners Barry Fitzgerald, Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby at the 17th Academy Awards For one thing, the 1945   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on February 1, 2014

Imagine this… You look exactly like Clark Gable, you’re married to a woman who looks exactly like Myrna Loy and you get to go to an office every day where your secretary looks exactly like Jean Harlow.  Oh, and you have a successful career and make lots of money.  In...   read more