February 26, 2019 marks the release of a must-read dual Hollywood biography and we are celebrating with a special blogathon. Commemorating the lives and careers of one of classic Hollywood’s greatest stars and one of its most memorable screenwriters, Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir promises an enlightening recounting of a romantic, historical encounter. Written by the couple’s daughter, Victoria Riskin, the memoir tells the tales of Wray’s and Riskin’s work, their fairytale marriage, and an essential story of Hollywood.
To celebrate the release of Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir, I have joined forces with Classic Movie Hub for this blogathon event scheduled for the week of the book’s release. You will have no problem choosing a movie or topic. Fay Wray starred in over 120 pictures and opposite Hollywood’s biggest stars – and I don’t mean just a big ape.
Robert Riskin was an Academy Award winning writer with five nominations, a producer, and enjoyed legendary collaborations most notably with Frank Capra with whom he made ten pictures. Riskin’s credits include such notables as It Happened One Night (1934), Lost Horizon (1937), and You Can’t Take It With You (1938). Take a look at a list of Robert Riskin’s cinema accomplishments here.
Now to the fun part. On Saturday, March 2 and on Sunday, March 3 you can submit your entries on either Fay Wray’s or Robert Riskin’s filmographies. One of each would be fun too. Annmarie of Classic Movie Hub and I will take turns hosting and promoting your entries across social media. For your efforts, you will be entered to win one of two signed copies of Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir. From what I hear, Victoria Riskin may well be visiting the entries that weekend. This will be fun! We hope you join us.
Blogathon Details
Let Classic Movie Hub or myself know which movie/topic you are interested in blogging about. The best way to do that is to leave a comment on either announcement post. Since Fay Wray and Robert Riskin had such impressive careers, we will not accept duplicates. A few more reminders are…
- Include the title and link to your blog in the comments area
- Advise if you have a date preference – Saturday, March 2 or Sunday, March 3
- Include the event banner on your blog and in the entry post to help us promote the event.
- Spread the word. Help us make this a resounding success!
Annmarie and I look forward to hearing from you and to reading your entries.
Participating Blogs and Chosen Topics
Love Letters to Old Hollywood – Small Town Girl (1953)
Love Letters to Old Hollywood – Magic Town (1947)
Carole and Co. – Robert Riskin and Virtue (1932)
Carole and Co. – The Wedding March (1928)
The Hitless Wonder – The Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)
Silver Screenings – The Clairvoyant (1935)
Caftan Woman – The Careers of Riskin and Wray in 1934 with focus on Broadway Bill and Black Moon
Movie Movie Blog Blog II – King Kong and It Happened One Night Double Feature
In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood – The Cobweb (1955)
Phyllis Loves Classic Movies – The Richest Girl in the World (1934)
The Story Enthusiast – Platinum Blonde (1931)
The Stop Button – It Happened in Hollywood (1937)
Classic Film Journal – Lost Horizon (1937)
Classic Film Journal – Doxtor X (1932)
Watching Forever – Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Critica Retro – Capra-Riskin Partnership
Sister Celluloid – The Miracle Woman (1931)
Once Upon a Screen – The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
Once Upon a Screen – The Thin Man Goes Home (1944)
Once upon a screen... 
What a great blogathon topic! I’m going to get slightly ambitious here… Could I please cover Small Town Girl (1953) for Wray and Magic Town (1947) for Riskin? My blog is LoveLettersToOldHollywood.blogspot.com.
Wonderful, yes! That’s what I’m going to tru. 🙂 I’ll add you to the list in the morning. Thanks for joining us, Michaela!
Would like to write about Riskin and the 1932 Carole Lombard film “Virtue.” From a Wray perspective (I’m certain Fày and Carole knew each other, though I don’t know if they ever “battled” for roles), I’d like to write about “The Wedding March.”
Fantastic, Vincent! Thank you for joining us. I’ll add you to the list in the am. 🙂
This is Dan from The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog (dandayjr35.blogspot.com). I’d love to cover “The Mystery of the Wax Museum”.
Sounds great,Dan!
Aurora! What a fab idea! A wonderful tribute to the book and this talented couple.
I don’t wish to be entered for an autographed copy of the book, but I would love to do “The Clairvoyant” (1935) for the blogathon.
You got it!! Thank you, Ruth!
I wasn’t able to complete most blogathon entries last year and the two years before that, because I was studying and was flooded with assignments most of the time. This year I’m finished my studies and I can return to blogging once again. If its alright, I’d like to do “The Cobweb” ( 1955 ). Thanks.
Ok, thanks! Will update the list in a bit.
Thanks.
Wow! What a fabulous idea!
I would like to write about Fay and Robert’s careers in 1934. Specifically Broadway Bill for Mr. Riskin and Black Moon for Ms. Wray.
https://www.caftanwoman.com/
PS: I’ll take March 3rd.
Love it! Thank you, Paddy!
Hey Aurora. Don’t forget to add my blog to the roster.
Done. Don’t forget to do your post.
I promise this time I will submit it. I hate not being able to hand entries in, but that was because of my studies the previous years. I will start on my post early.
I can’t believe that nobody has nabbed these yet, but I’ll do a double-feature on the obvious ones: KING KONG and IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT.
Glad you did. 🙂 will add you in a bit.
Can I claim Platinum Blonde?
Sure thing! Thanks for joining. 🙂
My entry is live.
https://wp.me/p8cFHd-1pM
Can I do Richest Girl in the World for the Stop Button?
Sure! Happy you’re joining us. Will add you asap.
Hello Andrew – My blog crashed and I was unable to access the list. Turns out someone else also chose The Richest Girl in the World. I don’t mind if you don’t, but only fair to let you know. This mix-up is on me. Let me know.
Thank you!
Aurora
Hmmm… what about It Happened in Hollywood?
Hi Aurora – I would like to write about “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” if that film is still available. I could file it for March 2. Thanks.
Sounds great, Toni! I’ll add you in a bit and am thrilled you’re joining us.
Hi, Aurora! I’d like to write about the Frank Capra / Robert Riskin partnership.
Thanks!
Le from Critica Retro
You got it! Thanks for joining us, Le!
Aurora: This is from Steve at “Movie Movie Blog Blog.” I got locked out of that blog and had to create a new one. Would you please change the name of my blog to “Movie Movie Blog Blog II”? It is located at: https://moviemovieblogblogii.wordpress.com/
Will do, Steve. You’ll have to tell me how the heck that happened. Also hope you didn’t lose your work.
I didn’t LOSE it, exactly. I just don’t have direct access to it.
Just read your WHY explanation. I can easily see that happening to me.
As mentioned in the Slate.com article that I quoted, our work is only as accessible as the cloud allows it to be.
Hi Aurora, I just uploaded my post: https://silverscreenings.org/2019/03/01/the-trouble-with-clairvoyants/
Wonderful! Thank you. Can’t wait to read that.
Hey there! Here’s my first entry:
https://loveletterstooldhollywood.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-glance-at-robert-riskins-magic-town.html
Thanks! 😀
Hey Aurora. Would it be alright if I change my topic to “Pocketful of Miracles” ( 1961 )? I watched “The Cobweb” again for the blogathon, and I totally forgot that Fay Wray only has a very small role at the end of it.
Hi. As long as it’s done for Annmarie to host tomorrow you can have any topic not yet chosen.
Okay. Thanks Aurora. I’m working on it now.
Hi Aurora. Would it be alright if I submit my article a bit late? If I can’t get it done tonight, I will have it ready by tomorrow. I just want to make sure? I’m trying my hardest though to have it ready in time.
Annmarie is hosting today. It won’t be promoted on social media if not submitted today.
Thanks for the quick response. I’m trying my hardest to have it ready.