Portraits of a tough Irishwoman – Maureen O’Hara

“Above all else, deep in my soul, I’m a tough Irishwoman.”

“She is a woman who speaks her mind and that impressed me, despite my old-fashion chauvinistic ways! She is feminine and beautiful, but there is something about her that makes her more like a man. It’s her stubbornness and her willingness to stand up to anyone — even John Ford.” – John Wayne

Because of her talent, beauty and yes, because she played with the big boys and gave as good as she got – this is for Maureen O’Hara in celebration of her 95th birthday on August 17. We love you – Big Red!

“I had always been a tomboy – I still am, at heart.”

“There’s only one woman who has been my friend over the years and by that I mean a real friend, like a man would be. That woman is Maureen O’Hara. She’s big, lusty, and absolutely marvelous definitely my kind of woman. She’s a great guy. I’ve had many friends and I prefer the company of men. Except for Maureen O’Hara.” – John Wayne

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE: Maureen O’Hara

“How could you have had such a wonderful life as me if there wasn’t a God directing?”

BOGART for SUTS on TCM

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) kicks off its 2013 Summer Under the Stars (SUTS) event, which takes place every August, with a day-long tribute to the man who is ranked #1 on the American Film Institute‘s list of the greatest screen actors – Humphrey Bogart. I post this gallery in tribute to the star, the man and the event with images that correspond with the Bogie films featured on the TCM schedule – with a few extras because I couldn’t resist.

August 1, 2013 SUTS Schedule – Humphrey Bogart

6:00AM Bogart: The Untold Story (1996)

7:00AM High Sierra (1941)

9:00AM The Maltese Falcon (1941)

10:45AM To Have and Have Not (1944)

12:30PM The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

2:45PM Tokyo Joe (1949)

4:15PM Beat The Devil (1954)

6:00PM In a Lonely Place (1950)

8:00PM The Big Sleep (1946)

10:00PM Key Largo (1948)

12:00AM The Caine Mutiny (1954)

2:15AM The Left Hand of God (1955)

4:00AM The Harder They Fall (1956)

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Humphrey Bogart is beloved, admired and always remembered so I need not try to explain his appeal. But I will explain why I’m such a big fan of his work, which is his unique combination of tough edge and vulnerability. While he depicted some of the greatest detectives in film history and made his mark playing gangsters, Bogart’s characters always had heart and a romance I find irresistible. No matter the film or character, when Humphrey Bogart held a woman’s face in his hands before a kiss it was real and I fall for him every single time. A real man, often hardened by his past but not afraid to show a softer side. No one was like him.

“Acting is experience with something sweet behind it.”

That’s why I love the actor. Here’s why I love the man:

“A hotdog at the ballpark is better than a steak at the Ritz.”

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I am submitting this tribute as part of the Summer Under the Stars Blogathon (2013), hosted by Jill of Sittin’ On a Backyard Fence and Michael of Scribehard on Film. This blogathon coincides with TCM’s SUTS event. Be sure to visit either host site to enjoy entries honoring some of the greatest stars to appear on the silver screen all month long. Also, be sure to tune in to TCM every single day in August or set your DVRs. For classic film fans this is as grand as it gets.

Build my gallows high, baby…

In a noir mood, though no excuse is needed.

A gallery of film noir posters (and more) simply because I love them.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”

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Behind the scenes with Billy Wilder

An image gallery celebrating the genius of Billy Wilder who would have celebrated a birthday today.

This is, I must admit, an inappropriate tribute to a man whose talent for conveying words on the silver screen remains unequaled. Still, I enjoy looking at these images of Wilder at work and at play and hope you do too.

“I was not a guy writing deep-dish revelations. If people see a picture of mine and then sit down and talk about it for 15 minutes, that is a very fine reward, I think.”

We are still fascinated by his work – a very long 15 minutes.

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JUDY!

This is for Judy!

“I’ve always taken ‘The Wizard of Oz’ very seriously, you know. I believe in the idea of the rainbow. And I’ve spent my entire life trying to get over it.”

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Posted on June 5, 2013June 6, 2024

Happy birthday to the Drive-In!

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Marilyn – a career in pictures

A Hollywood Memorial Day

We honor – by remembering – all of our war heroes this weekend.

As a special Memorial Day post I put together a slide-show of classic Hollywood stars performing patriotic duties. Whether by enlisting in the armed forces, traveling the country with the Hollywood Victory Caravan, performing on Armed forces radio, working war bond drives or entertaining and serving soldiers at the legendary Hollywood Canteen – they did their part for the war effort.

Here’s a look back lest we forget.

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“There’s something about an American soldier you can’t explain. They’re so grateful for anything, even a film actress coming to see them.” – Marlene Dietrich

It’s a Wonderful Birthday – Jimmy Stewart

An American original was born today in 1908. In honor, here’s a career retrospective – in pictures – Jimmy Stewart. The measure of a Man – a wonderful Actor.

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His words:

There ought to be a law against any man who doesn’t want to marry Myrna Loy.

If I had my career over again? Maybe I’d say to myself, “Speed it up a little”.

I have my own rules and adhere to them. The rule is simple but inflexible. A James Stewart picture must have two vital ingredients: it will be clean and it will involve the triumph of the underdog over the bully.

[asked how he wanted to be remembered] As someone who believed in hard work and love of country, love of family and love of community.

John Wayne was the greatest cowboy. Henry Fonda was the better actor but John Wayne, well, he was a champ.

[on Joan Crawford] My first impression of Joan Crawford was of glamor.

[on Jean Arthur] Jean was the finest actress I ever worked with. No one had her humor, her timing.

[on Margaret Sullavan] She could do maybe a look, or a line or two, but they would hit like flashes or earthquakes.

I suppose people can relate to being me, while they dream about being John Wayne.

When it came to kissing, Harlow was the best.