The Screen Sirens

The movie industry is ready for its closeup in "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden.

The movie industry is ready for its closeup in "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden.

Henry and Julia used to be a happy couple -- until Henry got promoted. Now his life is consumed by building a cathedral. He prays for help -- and Dudley appears to give him want he truly wants. That's 1947's "The Bishop's Wife."

Henry and Julia used to be a happy couple -- until Henry got promoted. Now his life is consumed by building a cathedral. He prays for help -- and Dudley appears to give him want he truly wants. That's 1947's "The Bishop's Wife."

Mortimer and Elaine's wedding day takes a dark turn when he discovers his aunts have been poisoning lonely old men in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Add in his long-lost murderous brother and Teddy Roosevelt, and you've got "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Mortimer and Elaine's wedding day takes a dark turn when he discovers his aunts have been poisoning lonely old men in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Add in his long-lost murderous brother and Teddy Roosevelt, and you've got "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Katharine Hepburn dons men's clothing to walk freely in England -- but how free can she be in a patriarchal society? Find out in "Sylvia Scarlett," her first pairing with Cary Grant.

Katharine Hepburn dons men's clothing to walk freely in England -- but how free can she be in a patriarchal society? Find out in "Sylvia Scarlett," her first pairing with Cary Grant.

It's 1944 and a war is raging in Europe, which doesn't feel very far away in Martinique, where Bogart and Bacall meet in a cafe that harbors resistance fighters. She's a beautiful drifter, he's freelance boat captain; they're both about choose sides in this game of love and war.

It's 1944 and a war is raging in Europe, which doesn't feel very far away in Martinique, where Bogart and Bacall meet in a cafe that harbors resistance fighters. She's a beautiful drifter, he's freelance boat captain; they're both about choose sides in this game of love and war.