The Great Gatsby classics

In celebration of the Warner Bros. release of Baz Luhrmann’s, The Great Gatsby this week I thought it would be fun to share images and clips of the classic versions of the film. A post dedicated to my own indulgence.

“Although a lost film, the trailer survived and is one of the 50 films in the 3-disk boxed DVD set called “More Treasures from American Film Archives, 1894-1931” (2004), compiled by the National Film Preservation Foundation from 5 American film archives. It is preserved by the Library of Congress (AFI/Jack Tillmany collection) and has a running time of 1 minute.” (IMDB)

Full cast and crew listing can be viewed here.

Images:

The Broadway production of “The Great Gatsby” by Owen Davis based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald opened at the Ambassador Theater on February 2, 1926, ran for 112 performances and directed by future movie director George Cukor. (IMDB)

1949

Dancing on air…Fred Astaire

“I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around.” – Fred Astaire

An image collage followed by a special rendition of “Lovely to Look At” to honor a legend on what would have been his birthday.

You Were Never Lovelier 1942 William Seiter Fred Astaire Rita Hayworth

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"Funny Face" Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire 1956 Paramount **I.V.

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Mary Pickford Interview

In tribute to Mary Pickford who would have celebrated her birthday today, I thought I’d share this outstanding interview she did with CBC Radio on May 25, 1959. In it she recounts memories of her life and career – a smorgasbord of wonderful quotes and remembrances.

In her own words for your listening pleasure.

Images:

Magazine covers:

Cyd Charisse – a tribute in Pictures

Cyd Charisse, who was born Tula Ellice Finklea, would have celebrated a birthday today. This image gallery is in tribute to her style and elegance as she graced the silver screen and won our hearts in countless classic musicals during the golden age of Hollywood. A unique talent, mesmerizing to look at.

“If I had to give up either acting or dancing, I’d choose to keep dancing.”

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American actress and dancer Cyd Charisse in a publicity shot for Vincente Minnelli's musical 'The Band Wagon', in which she stars with Fred Astaire, 1953.

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by Aurora
Posted on February 23, 2013July 22, 2016
Gallery

Oscars Past in images

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Best Picture winners

A gallery of posters – Best Picture winners from 1927 to 2009

Paul Newman: career in pictures

Paul Newman would have celebrated his birthday on January 26th. This is in tribute to the great actor featuring images of his films – from the classic era.

“Every time I get a script it’s a matter of trying to know what I could do with it. I see colors, imagery. It has to have a smell. It’s like falling in love. You can’t give a reason why.”

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If interested you can read a commentary I posted dedicated to Sidney Lumet’s The Verdict and Paul Newman’s tour de force.