Old Hollywood

Happy Birthday, John Gilbert!

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

Here’s to you, Jack. 

John Gilbert

John Gilbert

Garbo and Gilbert in A Woman of Affairs

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Happy Belated Birthday, Ms. Lupino!

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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 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.

#ReelInfatuation Blogathon Round-Up

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Thanks to all who participated in, read, shared, or otherwise engaged in the inaugural #ReelInfatuation Blogathon!

Reel Infatuation Jagger Banner

Reel Infatuation Jagger Banner

You know who you are, and you’re ALL the best (especially our co-hostest with the mostest).

Here’s a round-up of all five fabulous days:

Although we plan on doing a second Reel Infatuation Blogathon, you don’t have to wait that long to join in the fun. The character crush conversation will continue on our website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. Stay tuned for more info.

Until then…

Cheers!

Cheers!

#ReelInfatuation Blogathon: I’ll Follow the Old Man-Meditations on Dean Jagger as General Waverly in White Christmas

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Disclaimer: This essay is about the character Major General Thomas F. Waverly as played by actor Dean Jagger. For an overview of the full plot of White Christmas, please read the follow-up post.

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I just fell through the looking-glass and somersaulted my way into the cinematic world of Pine Tree, Vermont. It is December 1954, and you can call me Mae in Wonderland.

There’s fresh snow on the ground, it’s very Vermonty, and I’m better dressed than I was two hours ago.

Unsurprisingly, everything looks better in Technicolor. Continue reading →