Happy Birthday, John Gilbert!

July 10, 2018 / maedez / 1 Comment

I’m lucky to share a birthday with my favorite silent film actor, John Gilbert!

Here’s to you, Jack.

John Gilbert

Happy Birthday, Mr. Fairbanks!

May 23, 2018 / maedez / Leave a comment

Douglas Fairbanks, one of the most charismatic individuals to ever step foot in front of a movie camera, was born on this day in 1883. Cheers to you, sir!

Douglas Fairbanks in His Majesty, the American (1919)

Happy Birthday, Doris Day!

April 3, 2018 / maedez / Leave a comment

Ohio’s own Doris Day is 96 years young today!*

Portrait of Doris Day (Aquarium, NYC) circa 1946, by William Gottlieb.

*And a happy birthday to my lovely aunts Lauree and Linda, who share a birthday with Doris.

Happy Birthday, Marlene!

December 27, 2017 / maedez / 1 Comment

Happy birthday, Marlene Dietrich!

(27 December 1901)

Marlene Google Doodle

Happy Birthday, Jack Gilbert!

July 10, 2017 / maedez / Leave a comment

My favorite mural is looking extra sharp after a recent repainting, so I thought I’d use it to wish a happy birthday to my favorite silent film actor and birthday mate, John Gilbert!

Garbo and Gilbert

Happy Belated Birthday, Ms. Lupino!

February 5, 2017 / maedez / 2 Comments

As a teenager, I was obsessed with the Ida Lupino films, The Light That Failed (1939) and Moontide (1942). The former had the bonus of Ronald Colman, the latter of Jean Gabin. Ida was magnificent in both.

Ida Lupino in The Light That Failed (1939)

Ida Lupino enriched cinema with some of the most nuanced performances of the 1940s, only to outdo herself as a pioneering director and writer. She deserves that rarest of titles: One of a Kind.