Joan Crawford, circa 1929
Happy New Year’s Eve from Font and Frock (with a little help from Joan Crawford)
Classic Movies
Happy Belated Birthday, Ms. Lupino!
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.
Happy Birthday, Glorious Gloria!
Gloria Swanson in ‘Don’t Change Your Husband’ (1919)
Happy Birthday, John Gilbert!
John Gilbert, my favourite silent movie actor, was born on 10 July 1897.*
Let’s celebrate with some photos of the great matinée idol!
Poster for The Big Parade, 1925
Gilbert and Garbo Mural. Columbus.
John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in A Woman of Affairs, 1928
Publicity photo of John Gilbert and Joan Crawford in Four Walls, 1928
John Gilbert, 1930s
John Gilbert in The Merry Widow, 1925
John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in Flesh and the Devil, 1926
*I was born on the same day, nearly 80 years later.
Happy 99th Birthday, Olivia de Havilland!
Olivia de Havilland-The Adventures of Robin Hood (Trailer), 1938
Olivia de Havilland in a publicity shot for Santa Fe Trail, 1940
Announcing the Great Villain Blogathon 2015!
We’ll be covering the murderous duo of Valerie Hobson and Stewart Granger in ‘Blanche Fury.’
The first Great Villain Blogathon in 2014 was such a fun and huge event that, in the tradition of the greatest movie villains, we threatened promised to return and wreak havoc again with another event celebrating cinema’s biggest cretins.
We cordially invite you to participate in the Great Villain Blogathon 2015. Pick a movie villain to write about and join us in this dissection of the dastardly and depraved, this survey of the stinking and spiteful, this audit of hateful and heinous characters.
Your hosts are Ruth of Silver Screenings, Karen of Shadows & Satin and Kristina of Speakeasy, and The Great Villain Blogathon happens APRIL 13 – 17, 2015.
You may write on any Big Bad from any era, country and genre, whether they were dictators, outlaws, criminals, politicians, mistresses, monsters, slashers, gangsters, mama’s boys, hammy and backstabbing actresses, artificial intelligence, aliens, wicked stepmothers, or any…
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The Sun Sets on Lizabeth Scott
Lizabeth Scott, Famed Film Noir Actress of the ’40s and ’50s, Dies at 92 [The Hollywood Reporter]
Lizabeth Scott in Yank Magazine, 1945
[The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon] Design for Living: Part Two-Gilda’s Tips for Dressing Like a Successful Commercial Artist
Gilda’s Tips for Dressing Like a Successful Commercial Artist
Charlotte
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Have you always wanted to dress like a successful 1930s commercial artist? Yes? You’re in luck! No? Fortunately, these ensembles transcend time and career. Gilda Farrell, successful American commercial artist and delightfully grown-up woman, knew how to keep it chic at all times. Let’s see if we can follow her lead down the road to professional acclaim and (if it suits us) radical romance.
#1-Takin’ the Train to Glamourville
Opening sequence: This is how you meet chic cute
Gilda proves that, no matter what your destination, dressing well is all in the details. Beret? Matching bow? Check, double-check. A simple skirt and artful blouse complete her comfortable and stylish traveling outfit. It’s best to be prepared, because you never know who you’ll meet when you least expect it…
#2-Go Big or Go Home
Decision Time Dress
Those shoulders! That bow! Those…criss-cross ribbon things! When an important decision looms ahead, what better way to arm yourself with confidence than by dressing with sartorial bravado? Napoleon would agree.
#3-Mothers Can Be Avant-garde, too
Avant-garde Mother of the Arts
When you are a Mother of the Arts, it’s okay to stand out from the crowd. Having a strong style makes it easier to focus on the artists you are helping with your keen wisdom and cutting insights. Or something. A dress with an enormous Pilgrim collar and cuffs isn’t for everyone, but Gilda pulls it off. We can all learn from her nonchalance.
#4-Dressing for the Morning After
Morning After Confection
No matter what went down the night before, always dress with exceptional elegance for breakfast. Sometimes the most unexpected people show up at your door whilst you are canoodling over coffee. A decadent frock hides your surprise better than a tattered robe.
#5-Going to the Chapel…of Security
Wedding Dress
No matter how your marriage turns out, you’ll always have your wedding dress. Wear what makes you happy, and make sure that it fits like a dream. That way, you’ll have at least one good memory from you big day!
#6-Shimmery Shimmery Shake
Shimmery Dress with Tuxedo Bookends
Own one dress that makes you feel like a movie star. Bonus points if it sparkles! Everyone looks good with a little shine, and even better when they radiate happiness. Having a wardrobe designed by the great Travis Banton doesn’t hurt, either.
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♦Charlotte is our Fashion correspondent. Her dream closet consists of the collective wardrobes of 796 films.
Up next: In Part Three of our review, Frances ponders the pros and cons of going bohemian.
The Miriam Hopkins Blogathon
All You Need to Know About the Personality of Luise Rainer is Contained in a Single Stunning Photograph
Luise Rainer (12 January 1910-30 December 2014)
2 September 1937: Luise Rainer by Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964)
Official Launch Date
Font and Frock officially launches the week of 18 January 2015.
In the meantime, there are plenty of lovely photos to scroll through on the sidebar.
You are also welcome to check out our sister blog, A Small Press Life.
Mabel hopes to see you soon:
Mabel Normand in Peck’s Bad Girl, 1918
❤ Maedez
