EPISODE 95 -  “VIRGINIA GREY: Classic Cinema Star of the Month” - 7/07/25

If VIRGINIA GREY is remembered at all, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty is probably best remembered as the caustic perfume counter girl in The Women (1939), who sees right through the gold-digging ways of Crystal Allen, played by JOAN CRAWFORD. In these brief scenes, she is so charismatic and saucy, she really shows how to deliver a zinger of a line. She may also be remembered as the good luck charm of producer ROSS HUNTER, who put her in many of his popular movies of the mid-1950s and 1960s. But there was so much more to this talented actress. This week, we explore her life and career as we honor her as our Star of the Month. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

“Virginia Grey, a Veteran of 100 moves, dies at 87,” August 6, 2003, New York Times;

Robert Taylor: The Man WIth the Perfect Profile (1973), by Jane Ellen Wayne;

“The Girl Who Won Gable Back,” November 1951, by Linda Griffin, Modern Screen magazine;

“An Interview With Virginia Grey,” by Mike Fitzgerald, www.westernclippings.com;

“Virginia Grey,” briansdriveintheater.com;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

The Women (1939), starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, & Rosalind Russell;

Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1927), starring James B. Lowe;

Dames (1934), starring Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell. & Joan Blondell;

Secret Valley (1937); starring Richard Arlen & Virginia Grey;

Test Pilot (1938), starring Clark Gable & Myrna Loy;

Rich Man, Poor Girl (1938), starring Lana Turner;

Dramatic School (1938) starring Luise Rainer & Paulette Goddard;

The Hardy’s Ride High (1939), starring Mickey Rooney & Lewis Stone;

Idiot’s Delight (1939), starring Clark Gable & Norma Shearer;

Broadway Serenade (1939), with Jeanette MacDonald & Lew Ayres;

Another Thin Man (1939), starring William Powell & Myrna Loy;

Hullabaloo (1940), starring Frank Morgan;

The Big Store (1941), starring the Marx Brothers;

Blonde Inspiration (1941), starring John Shelton;

Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942), starring Johnny Weissmuller & Maureen O’Sullivan;

Whistling in the Dark (1941), starring Red Skelton & Ann Rutherford;

Bells of Capistrano (1942), starring Gene Autry & Virginia Grey;

Sweet Rosie O’Grady (1943), with Betty Grable & Robert Young;

Strangers in the Night (1944), starring William Terry & Virginia Grey;

Blonde Ransom (1945), with Virginia Grey;

House of Horrors (1946), with Robert Lowery & Virginia Grey;

Unconquered (1947), starring Gary Cooper & Paulette Goddard;

Leather Gloves (1948), with Cameron Mitchell;

Mexican Hayride (1948), starring Abbott & Costello;

Jungle Jim (1948), Starring Johnny Weissmuller & Virginia Grey;

Highway 301 (1950), with Steve Cochran & Virginia Grey;

Slaughter Trail (1951), starring Gig Young & Virginia Grey;

Three Desperate Men (1951), with Preston Foster & Virginia Grey;

Captain Scarface (1953), with Leif Erickson & Virginia Grey;

The Forty-Niners (1955), with Wild Bill Elliott & Virginia Grey;

All That Heaven Allows (1955), starring Jane Wyman & Rock Hudson;

The Rose Tattoo (1955), starring Anna Magnani & Burt Lancaster;

Jeanne Eagles (1957), starring Kim Novak;

Portrait In Black (1960), starring Lana Turner;

Back Street (1961), starring Susan Hayward;

Flower Drum Song (1961), starring Nancy Kwan;

The Naked Kiss (1964), starring Constance Tower;

Love Has Many Faces (1965), starring Lana Turner, Cliff Robertson & Hugh O’Brien;

Airport (1970), with Burt Lancaster & Dean Martin;

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"SECOND ACT: REDISCOVERING OVERLOOKED MUSICALS" (094) - 6/30/25

In this episode of the podcast, Steve and Nan dive into some of their favorite classic Hollywood musicals that they feel do not get their due. They share fond memories and behind-the-scenes tidbits about timeless films like Summer Stock, State Fair, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. With infectious enthusiasm, they discuss the charm of Gene Kelly’s choreography, Judy Garland’s unforgettable voice, and the sweeping scores that still resonate decades later. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the genre, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to the magic of classic movie musicals.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards (2004), by Robert Osborne;

My Path and My Detours: An Autobiography (1985), by Jane Russell;

The Hollywood Musical: Every Hollywood Musical from 1927 to the Present Day (1981), by Clive Hirschhorn;

The Films of 20th Century Fox (1979), by Tony Thomas & Aubrey Solomon;

“Judy Garland and Gene Kelly team up – off and on screen – for “Summer Stock,”  May 6, 2019, by Kay Reynolds, HighDefWatch.com;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com; 

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

The Gay Divorcee (1934), starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Alice Brady, Edward Everett

 Horton & Betty Grable;

State Fair (1945), starring Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haynes, Vivian Blaine, Fay Bainter, & Charles Winninger;

The Singing Nun (1966), starring Debbie Reynolds, Greer Garson, Ricardo Montalban, Agnes Moorehead, & Juanita Moore;

Gentlemen Prefer Bondes (1953), starring Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan, & Norma Varden;

Summer Stock (1950), starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Phil Silvers, Marjorie Main, Gloria De Haven, & Eddie Bracken;

Orchestra Wives (1942), starring Ann Rutherford, George Montgomery, Cesar Romero, Glenn Miller & his Band, Lynn Bari, Carole Landis, Mary Beth Hughes, Virginia Gilmore & The Nicholas Brothers;

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"EDITH HEAD: OLD HOLLYWOOD'S QUEEN OF FASHION" (093)

EPISODE 93 -  6/23/25

With eight Academy Awards to her name — more than any other woman in history — EDITH HEAD wasn't just a costume designer; she was a storyteller in fabric, silhouette, and sparkle. From BETTE DAVIS to GRACE KELLY to AUDREY HEPBURN, she dressed the biggest stars of the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on both fashion and film. In this episode, we explore how a shy schoolteacher became the most powerful woman in Hollywood wardrobes, her collaborations with iconic directors like Alfred Hitchcock, and how her designs helped shape characters, define eras, and influence fashion far beyond the studio lot. So, slip into something fabulous, and let’s step behind the curtain into the life and legacy of the great Edith Head.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Dressing Up The Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head (12022), by Jeanne Walker Harvey; 

Edith Head: The 50 Year Career of Hollywood’s Greatest Costume Designer (2010), by Jay Jorgensen;

Edith Head: The Life and Times of Hollywood’s Celebrated Costume Designer (2003), by David Chierichetti;

Edith Head’s Hollywood (1983), by Edith Head;

The Dress Doctor (1959), by Edith Head;

“How To Dress For the Oscars,” February 11, 2015, ⁠www.oscars.com⁠;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

Wings (1927);

The Saturday Night Kid (1929);

Love Me Tonight (1932);

She Done Him Wrong (1933);

Little Miss Marker (1934);

Rhythm on the Range (1936);

College Holiday (1936);

The Jungle Princess (1936);

Internes Can’t Take Money (1937);

The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938);

Thanks for the Memories (1938);

Mad about Music (1938);

Dangerous To Know (1938); 

Beau Geste (1939);

Remember the Night (1939);

The Cat and the Canary (1939); 

The Lady Eve (1941);

Sullivan’s Travels (1941);

The Glass Key (1942);

I Married a Witch (1942);

Star Spangled Rhythm (1942);

Hold That Blonde (1945);

The Blue Dahlia (1946);

Holiday Inn (1942);

The Uninvited (1944);

Double Indemnity (1944);

Incendiary Blonde (1945);

To Each His Own (1946);

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946);

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949);

The Great Gatsby (1949); 

Notorious (1946);

The Emperor’s Waltz (1948);

The Heiress (1949);

All About Eve (1950);

Sunset Boulevard (1950);

Samson & Delilah (1949);

A Place in the Sun (1951);

Roman Holiday (1953);

Sabrina (1954); 

Funny Face (1957);

Rear Window (1954);

To Catch a Thief (1955);

The Trouble With Harry (1955);

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956);

Vertigo (1958);

Ace In the Hole (1951);

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952);

Shane (1953);

White Christmas (1954); 

The Rose Tattoo (1955);

The Rainmaker (1956);

The Ten Commandments (1957);

Loving You (1958);

The Pink Panther (1963);

A Shot In the Dark (1964);

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1963);

Love With the Proper Stranger (1963);

Sex and the Single Girl (1964);

Inside Daisy Clover (1965);

The Great Race (1965); 

Penelope (1966);

This Property is Condemned (1966);

G.I. Blues (1960); 

Blue Hawaii (1961); 

Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962); 

Fun In Acapulco (1963); 

Roustabout (1964);

Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966);

What a Way to Go! (1964);

Sweet Charity (1969);

Summer and Smoke (1961); 

Hud (1963);

The Birds (1963);

Harlow (1965);

Barefoot in the Park (1967);

Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969);

Topaz (1969);

Airport (1970);

Airport ‘75 (1974);

Airport ‘77 (1977);

Myra Breckenridge (1970);

Lady Sings The Blues (1972);

The Sting (1974);

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975);, 

The Man Who Would Be King (1976); 

Family Plot (1976);

Gable and Lombard (1976);

W.C. Fields and Me (1976);

Rooster Cogburn (1975);

Sextette (1978);

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982);

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EPISODE 92 -  “BORN TO BE BAD - Old Hollywood's Favorite Brats"

- 6/16/25

This week, we’re getting into the pint-sized punks, the tantrum-throwers, the eye-rollers, and the sharp-tongued little legends who strutted across the silver screen like they owned the studio. That’s right—we’re talking about our favorite bratty kids in classic movies. You know the type: too smart for their age, too bold for their britches, and way too good at stealing scenes from their adult co-stars. Whether they were lighting up the screen with sass or shutting it down with a glare, these kids were iconic—and let’s be honest, a little terrifying. So buckle up, because we’re about to revisit the child stars who threw shade before it was cool, and tantrums that deserved an Oscar. Let the chaos begin.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

“There’s Always Tomorrow,” August 13, 2021, by Richard Brody, The New Yorker; 

“Jane Withers, Child Star Who Later Won Fame in Commercials, Does at 95,” August 8, 2021, The New York Times;

“Denise Nickerson, Violet in ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Has Died,” July 11, 2019, Times Union;

“Violence to Lord of Flies,” December 19, 2012, RogerEbert.com; 

“A Long Way From Brooklyn,” April 23, 2010,  by Dave Kehr, New York Times;

“Bonita Granville Wrather, 65, an Actress and Executive (Obit),” October 8, 1988, The New York Times;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

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FBTHS #091 - "STARS BENEATH OUR FEET- THE HISTORY OF THE WALK OF FAME" 6/09/25

The Hollywood Walk of Fame holds a unique allure as both a glamorous symbol of celebrity and a living monument to the history of entertainment. Stretching along 10 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, its iconic pink terrazzo stars honor the achievements of thousands of actors, musicians, directors, and other entertainment pioneers. Since its creation in 1960, the Walk has served not only as a tribute to individual fame but also as a reflection of shifting cultural values and artistic milestones. It draws millions of visitors each year, eager to walk among the legends and connect with the rich legacy of Hollywood’s golden era and beyond. As both a tourist attraction and a cultural archive, the Walk of Fame remains a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of entertainment on global culture. Join us this week as we delve into the history and historical significance of this Hollywood landmark. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

“25 Fun Facts About the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” July 25, 2018, by Jennifer M Wood, Mental Floss;

“Muhammad Ali dead: Why the iconic boxer's Hollywood star isn't on the Walk of Fame,” June 3, 2017, by May Bulman, Independent;

“Secrets of the Chinese,” July 23, 2012, Variety;

“Johnny Grant, 84, Who Spread Hoorays for Hollywood, Is Dead,” January 11, 2008, New York Times;

"Hollywood, brought to you by …” July 22, 2008, by Alana Semuels, Los Angeles Times;

walkoffame.com/history;

hollywoodchamber.net;

johnnygrant.com;

projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/#creation-myth;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

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"MARK STEVENS: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH"

The name MARK STEVENS probably doesn’t ring a bell with moviegoers today. However, he’s one of those actors who once you see him on screen, you say, “Oh, yeah, THAT guy!” Still, at one time, he was a very in-demand leading man who was always compelling and had a tough-guy likability that brightened up many a hum-drum movie. He may not have reached the upper echelon of fame like contemporaries ALAN LADD or DANA ANDREWS, but he certainly left his mark — particularly in “The Dark Corner” with a pre-TV LUCILLE BALL. Like CHARLES LAUGHTON, DICK POWELL, and IDA LUPINO, he also became a pioneer of the actor-turned-director. Today, we take a look at his long and varied career and celebrate him as our Star of the Month.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

The Bad Boys of Film Noir (2008), by Karen Burroughs Hannsberry;

“Today’s Underrated Actor Spotlight: Mark Stevens,” February 20, 2018, by Baynum, TheTinselTownTwins.com;

“Mark Stevens: Patience is Poison!, (2012), Noir City Annual;

“Mark Stevens: Man of Many Talents,” February 2003, Classic Images;

“Romance of Actor With Hedy Ended,” September 24, 1947, Daily News;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

Destination Tokyo (1943), starring Cary grant & John Garfield;

The Doughgirls (1944), starring Ann Sheridan;

Hollywood Canteen (1944), starring Bette Davis & John Garfield;

God Is My Co-Pilot (1945), starring Dennis Morgan & Dane Clark;

Rhapsody In Blue (1945), starring Robert ALda & Joan Leslie; 

Within These Walls (1945), starring Thomas Mitchell & Mary Anderson;

From This Day Forward (1946), starring Joan Fontaine & Mark Stevens;

The Dark Corner (1946), starring Mark Stevens & Lucille Ball;

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (1947), starring June Haver & Mark Stevens;

The Street With No Name (1948), starring Richard Widmark & mark Stevens;

The Snake Pit (1948), starring Olivia de Havilland;

Sand (1949), starring Mark Stevens, Coleen Gray, & Rory Calhoun;

Oh, You Beautiful Doll (1949), starring June Haver & Mark Stevens;

Dancing In the Dark (1949), staring Wiliam Powell;

Please Believe Me (1950), starring Deborah Kerr, Mark Stevens, Robert Walker, & Peter Lawford;

Before Midnight and Dawn (1950), starring Mark Stevens, Edmond O’Brien, & Gale Storm;

Katie Did It (1950), starring Ann Blyth & Mark Stevens;

Target Unknown (1951),staring Mark Stevens;

In Little Egypt (1951), starring Mark Stevens & Rhonda Fleming;

Reunion in Rio (1952), starring Gigi Perreau, Mark Stevens, & Frances Dee;

Jack Slade (1953), starring Mark Stevens

Cry Vengeance (1954), starring Mark Stevens & Martha Hyer;

Time Table (1956), starring Mark Stevens & Felicia Farr;

September Storm (1960), starring Mark Stevens & Joanne Dru

Escape From Hell Island (1963), starring Mark Stevens;

Fate is the Hunter (1964), starring Glenn Ford, Nancy Kwan, Rod Taylor, & Suzanne Pleshette;

Frozen Alive (1964), starring Mark Stevens;

Sunscorched (1965), starring Mark Stevens;

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FBTHS #089 - "Steve & Nan Explore the Wild, Wild West of Old Hollywood"

In this episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, hosts Steve and Nan saddle up for a lively conversation about their favorite Western films. From dusty saloons to sweeping desert vistas, they explore the iconic imagery, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes that make the Western genre a cornerstone of American cinema. Whether you're a fan of classic John Ford shootouts or revisionist tales that challenge the myth of the Old West, Steve and Nan share personal picks and behind-the-scenes stories that will have you reaching for your cowboy hat.

SHOW NOTES: 

AVA GARDNER MUSEUM:

If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link:

https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations

Sources:

“Ride the High Country: The seed from Which Peckinpah’s Revisionist Approach to the Western Genre Would Ultimately Grow,” by Koralkja Suton, www.cinephiliabeyond.org;

“The Real-Life Feud That Gave Joan Crawford's Johnny Guitar A Vicious Edge,” September 4, 2022, by Lee Adams, www.SlashMagazine.com;

"From Blood Brother to Broken Arrow,” September 18, 2017, by Doug Hocking, True West Magazine;

“Winchester ’73,” May 2013, by Jonathan Dawson, www.senseofcinema.com;

“Philip Yordan,” April 8, 2003, The Guardian;

Naked Spur: Offbeat Film of Chase in Colorado, starring Stewart, Ryan, At Stake, March 26, 1953, New York Times;

John Ford:  The Man Who Invests America (2019) Documentary directed by Jean-Christophe Klotz

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

The Criterion Collection;

Movies Mentioned: 

Ride the High Country (1962), starring Joel McCrea, Randolph Scott, Mariette Hartley, Ron Star, James Drury &  Warren Oates;

Broken Arrow (1950), starring James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget, & Jay Silverheels;

Day of the Outlaw (1959), starring Robert Ryan, Burl Ives, Tina Louise, David Nelson, Alan Marshall, Venetia Stevenson, & Elisha Cook, Jr.;

My Darling Clementine (1946), starring Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell, Victor Mature, Walter Brennan, Cathy Downs, Tim Holt, Ward Bond, Alan Mowbray, & John Ireland;

The Naked Spur (1953), starring James Stewart, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Ralph Meeker, & Millard Mitchell;

Johnny Guitar (1954), starring Joan Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, Sterling Hayden, Scott Brady, Tim Holt, Ernest Borgnine, & John Carradine;

Winchester 73 (1950), starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Stephen McNally, Dan Duryea, Millard Mitchell, John McIntyre, Rock Hudson, & Tony Curtis;

Ride Lonesome (1959), starring Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, James Coburn, Lee Van Cleef, & Pernell Roberts;

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“OLD HOLLYWOOD’s TOXIC TRIANGLE” - 5/19/2025 (088)

Hollywood in the mid-20th century was a world of glitz and glamour, a realm where dreams could be made or destroyed in an instant. It was an era when the silver screen crafted illusions of romance and perfection, yet behind the scenes, the personal lives of its stars often unraveled into chaos, scandal, and tragedy. Few stories exemplify this dark side of Hollywood better than the volatile love triangle involving actress BARBARA PAYTON and actors FRANCHOT TONE and TOM NEAL. What began as a passionate romance descended into obsession, violence, and ultimate ruin—forever marking the three as cautionary tales of unchecked desire and self-destruction. In this episode, we explore this explosive love triangle and its aftermath.

SHOW NOTES: 

AVA GARDNER MUSEUM:

If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link:

https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations

Sources:

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story (2012), by John O’Dowd;

I Am Not Ashamed (1963), by Barbara Payton;

“Tone, Payton, & Neal: Hollywood’s Most Toxic Triangle,” January 29, 2022, by Burt Kearns, legsville.com;

“Blazing Blonde Bombshell: Barbara Payton’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” January 6, 2021, by Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair;

“The Bottle and Barbara Payton,” November 16, 2018, Travelanche.com;

“Notes From The Unashamed,” May 19, 2016, by Kim Morgan, sunsetgun.com;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

Once More My Darling (1949), starring Robert Montgomery & Ann Blyth;

Trapped (1949), starring Lloyd Bridges & Barbara Payton;

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950), starring James Cagney & Barbara Payton; 

Dallas (1950), starring Gary Cooper, Ruth Roman, Steve Cochran, & Barbara Payton;

Only The Valiant (1951), starring Gregory Peck & Barbara Payton;

Dancing Lady (1933), starring Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, & Franchot Tone;

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), starring Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, & Franchot Tone;

Detour (1945), starring Tom Neal & Ann Savage;

Another Thin Man (1939), starring William Powell & Myrna Loy;

Crime, Inc (1945), starring Tom Neal & Martha Tilton;

Blonde Alibi (1946), starring Tom Neal & Martha O’Driscoll;

I Shot Billy The Kid (1950), starring Don “Red” Barry, Robert Lowery, & Tom Neal;

The Great Jesse James Raid (1953), starring Tom Neal & Barbara Payton;

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EPISODE 87 -  “2025 TCM FILM FESTIVAL WRAP UP” - 5/12/2025

For the second year in a row, Steve and Nan were honored to be invited to cover the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival as part of the press corp. After four glorious days of non-stop film action, this episode is dedicated to the Festival and the fantastic movies shown this year. Steve and Nan will be discussing their favorite films, as well as giving a behind-the-scenes look at the festival and all the movie lovers who come annually to bow at the altar of Eddie Muller, Ben Mankiewicz and the TCM gang.  

SHOW NOTES: 

AVA GARDNER MUSEUM:

If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link:

https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations

Sources:

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

Suddenly Last Summer (1959), starring Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, Mercedes McCambridge, & Albert Dekker;

The Divorcée (1930), starring Norma Shearer, Chester Morris, Robert Montgomery, & Conrad Nagel;

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957), starring Robert Mitchum & Deborah Kerr;

The Enchanted Cottage (1945), starring Dorothy McGuire, Robert Young, Herbert Marshall, Mildred Natwick, Spring Byington, & Richard Gaines;

Daisy Kenyon (1947), starring Joan Crawford, Dana Andrews, & Henry Fonda;

Rhapsody in Blue (1945), starring Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, Oscar Levant, Morris Carnovsky, Rosemary DeCamp & Charles Coburn;

Gunman’s Walk (1958), starring Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, James Darren, Kathryn Grant, Burt Convy & Edward Platt;

We’re No Angels (1955), starring Humphrey Bogart, Joan Bennett, Peter Ustinov, Aldo Ray, Leo G,. Carroll, Gloria Talbot, & Basil Rathbone;

The Big Combo (1955), starring Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Richard Conti, Helen Walker, Brain Donlevy, Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman, 

All This and Heaven Too (1940), starring Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Barbara O’Neil, Virginia Weidler, Jeffry Lynn, Harry Davenport, & June Lockhart;

Diamond Jim (1935), starring Edward Arnold, Jean Arthur, Binnie Barnes, Ceasar Romero, William Demarest, and Eric Blore; 

The Talk of the Town (1942), starring Jean Arthur, Cary Grant, Ronald Colman, Edgar Buchanan, Glenda Farrell, Emma Dunn, Rex Ingram, & Charles Dingle;

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EPISODE 86 -  “ANNA MAY WONG: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 5/5/2025

Anna May Wong was once the most famous Chinese woman in the world. The trailblazing actress, philanthropist, and fashion icon appeared in over 60 films and was a celebrated star, yet, at the time, she was not allowed to kiss a Caucasian man on screen, which limited the roles she could take, and she was not allowed to buy a house in Beverly Hills. A strange dichotomy, indeed. In recent years, she has enjoyed a much-deserved resurgence. Known as a Trailblazer and a cultural icon, she paved the way for generations of Asian and Asian American actors by proving that talent and perseverance could transcend racist casting conventions. Her life and career continue to influence conversations about diversity, representation, and the politics of race in Hollywood. This week, she is our Star of the Month.

SHOW NOTES: 

AVA GARDNER MUSEUM:

If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link:

https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations

Sources:

Not Your China Doll (2924), by Katie Gee Salisbury;

Anna May Wong: From Laundryman’s Daughter to Hollywood Legend (2012), by Graham Russell Gao Hodges;

Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Television, and Radio Work (2010), by Philip Leibfried and Chei Mi Lane;

Perpetually Cool: The Many Lives of Anna May Wong (2003), by Anthony B. Chan;

“Anna May Wong: 13 Facts About Her Trailblazing Hollywood Career,” April 30, 2024, By Minhae Shim Roth;

“Anna May Wong’s Long Journey from Hollywood to the Smithsonian,” March 2024, by Ryan Lintelman, Natural Museum of American History;

“Anna May Wong Will Be the First Asian American on US Currency,” October 18, 2022, by Soumya Karlamangla;

“Anna May Wong is Dead At 54; Actress Won Movie Fans in ’24; Appeared with Fairbanks in ‘Thief of Bagdad,’ Made Several Films Abroad,” February 4, 1961, The New York Times;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned: 

Phantom Of The Opera (1943), starring Claude Rains, Eddy Nelson, & Suzanna Foster;

The Spider Woman Strikes Back (1946), starring Gale Sondergaard & Brenda Joyce;

White Savage (1943), starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall, and Sabu;

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944), starring Maria Montez & Jon Hall;

It Grows On Trees (1952), Irene Dunne & Dean Jagger;

Impact (1949), starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Helen Walker, & Anna May Wong;

The Red Lantern (1919), starring Alla Nazimova;

The Toll of the Sea (1922), staring Kenneth Harlan & Anna May Wong;

The Thief of Baghdad (1924), starring Douglas Fairbanks & Anna May Wong;

Picadilly (1929), starring Gilda Gray & Anna May Wong;

Daughter of the Dragon (1931), starring Anna May Wong and Warner Orland;

Shanghai Express (1932), starring Marlene Dietrich & Anna May Wong;

The Hatchet Man (1932), starring Loretta Young;

The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), starring Myrna Loy;

The Son-Daughter (1932), starring Helen Hayes;

Tiger Bay (1934), starring Anna May Wong;

Chu Chen Chow (1934), starring Anna May Wong;

Java Head (1934), starring Anna May Wong;

Limehouse Blues (1934), starring George Raft, Jean Parker, & Anna May Wong;

The Good Earth (1937), starring Paul Muni & Luise Rainer;

Daughter of Shanghai (1937), starring Anna May Wong & Philip Ahn;

King of Chinatown (1939), starring Anna May Wong & Sidney Toler;

Dangerous to Know (1938), starring Gail Patrick & Anna May Wong; 

Island of Lost Men (1939), starring Anna May Wong & J. Carrol Naish;

Bombs Over Burma (1942), starring Anna May Wong;

Lady From Chungking (1942), starring Anna May Wong;

Portrait in Black (1960), starring Lana Turner, Anthony Quinn, & Sandra Dee;

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