This is an enjoyable book to read for anyone interested in the history of Hollywood. The author has provided a unique look at the Hollywood studios' products and the stars, which includes; the production of crime films with stars like Edward Robinson and James Cagney; dazzling musicals such as "Showboat," The Great Ziegfeld," "42 Street" "Footlight Parade" and "Gold Diggers of 1933;" the grace and beauty in the work of dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; the emergence of horror films with Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff; the work of comic genius's Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and W.C. Fields; and finally the movies of gorgeous women and men like Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable and Cary Grant.
There are plenty of still shots from some of the greatest movies of 1930s that include the classic Busby Berkeley number from Footlight Parade (1933); the dancing partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; beautiful Jean Harlow from star-studded 1933 classic "Dinner at Eight;" Will Rogers from "State Fair;" the "Petting in the park" and "Remember my forgotten man" numbers from "Gold Diggers of 1933;" King Kong fighting off a pre-historic bird attacking Fay Wray (1933); the beautiful Gloria Stuart in the "Old Dark House;" and Cay Grant & Irene Dunne scene from the `The Awful Truth"
Other photos to see and enjoy are:
* There is a historic picture of Vivien Leigh walking through the crowded field of wounded confederates. Director Selznick wanted 2500 extras for the scene and they could get only 1500; the rest were made from dummies.
* The casual dining scene showing the beautiful Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, after shooting for the Paramount's "No man of her own," in 1932. This is an off-duty photo shoot. After a long affair, they were married in 1939 and three years later Carole Lombard was killed in a tragic plane accident in Las Vegas after returning from a war-bond rally in Indiana.
* The best catfight photo from the 1939 classic "The Women," showing Rosalind Russell, Norma Shearer and Joan Fontaine; Russell exhibits an all out display of bitchiness in the movie, besides Joan Crawford.
* The happy and contented photo of Greta Grabo and Ramon Navarro; from the film Mata Hari (1932)
* Jean Arthur beaming with pride at the ballet skills of her sister played by Ann Miller while James Stewart looks on; from the movie "You can't take it with you" (1938)
The book also gives brief history of movies. In chapter 3, the author discusses the creation of musicals and the success of Busby Berkeley. In 1933, at the height of great depression, Warner Brothers was so hard hit that it sent word that all its employees will receive only 50% of their salaries. Disaffection and the threat of law suits caused working conditions at studios were bad and employee relations were at the lowest. Amidst of all this came the immortal 42nd Street that contained the intricate exuberance of Busby Berkeley's choreography. This was something that is entirely new; a daring investment of time, money and efforts. It was a play with nerves at a time when the studio was about to be bankrupt. It was well worth the risk; the effort paid off, the movie was a tremendous success and it was a perfect blending cinema and dance. The Berkeley numbers were even better than the movie itself. MGM turned in musicals like Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), Born to Dance (1936), the lavish The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and Rosalie (1937). The Great Ziegfeld is the most famous musical of the studio with grandiose interludes. RKO with the power of dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made many successful movies.
Director Frank Capra gave the romantic comedy a different outlook (Capra-Corn) His first 30s hit was the "Platinum Blonde" starring incredible Jean Harlow. A string of successes followed with some very famous players of the day which included; "It happened one night," and "You can't take it with you."
This also makes a good coffee table book; great to browse and enjoy the adorable pictures from 1930s movies
Reference: Hollywood 1930s by Jack Lodge, Gallery Books (1985)
There are plenty of still shots from some of the greatest movies of 1930s that include the classic Busby Berkeley number from Footlight Parade (1933); the dancing partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; beautiful Jean Harlow from star-studded 1933 classic "Dinner at Eight;" Will Rogers from "State Fair;" the "Petting in the park" and "Remember my forgotten man" numbers from "Gold Diggers of 1933;" King Kong fighting off a pre-historic bird attacking Fay Wray (1933); the beautiful Gloria Stuart in the "Old Dark House;" and Cay Grant & Irene Dunne scene from the `The Awful Truth"
Other photos to see and enjoy are:
* There is a historic picture of Vivien Leigh walking through the crowded field of wounded confederates. Director Selznick wanted 2500 extras for the scene and they could get only 1500; the rest were made from dummies.
* The casual dining scene showing the beautiful Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, after shooting for the Paramount's "No man of her own," in 1932. This is an off-duty photo shoot. After a long affair, they were married in 1939 and three years later Carole Lombard was killed in a tragic plane accident in Las Vegas after returning from a war-bond rally in Indiana.
* The best catfight photo from the 1939 classic "The Women," showing Rosalind Russell, Norma Shearer and Joan Fontaine; Russell exhibits an all out display of bitchiness in the movie, besides Joan Crawford.
* The happy and contented photo of Greta Grabo and Ramon Navarro; from the film Mata Hari (1932)
* Jean Arthur beaming with pride at the ballet skills of her sister played by Ann Miller while James Stewart looks on; from the movie "You can't take it with you" (1938)
The book also gives brief history of movies. In chapter 3, the author discusses the creation of musicals and the success of Busby Berkeley. In 1933, at the height of great depression, Warner Brothers was so hard hit that it sent word that all its employees will receive only 50% of their salaries. Disaffection and the threat of law suits caused working conditions at studios were bad and employee relations were at the lowest. Amidst of all this came the immortal 42nd Street that contained the intricate exuberance of Busby Berkeley's choreography. This was something that is entirely new; a daring investment of time, money and efforts. It was a play with nerves at a time when the studio was about to be bankrupt. It was well worth the risk; the effort paid off, the movie was a tremendous success and it was a perfect blending cinema and dance. The Berkeley numbers were even better than the movie itself. MGM turned in musicals like Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), Born to Dance (1936), the lavish The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and Rosalie (1937). The Great Ziegfeld is the most famous musical of the studio with grandiose interludes. RKO with the power of dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made many successful movies.
Director Frank Capra gave the romantic comedy a different outlook (Capra-Corn) His first 30s hit was the "Platinum Blonde" starring incredible Jean Harlow. A string of successes followed with some very famous players of the day which included; "It happened one night," and "You can't take it with you."
This also makes a good coffee table book; great to browse and enjoy the adorable pictures from 1930s movies
Reference: Hollywood 1930s by Jack Lodge, Gallery Books (1985)
No comments:
Post a Comment