Vintage Movie Resources

She’s the sort of girl who was the school tomboy, who at school shouted the loudest. She was the black-stockinged youngster, who, good or bad at them, played all the games with more vigor and energy than the rest of the team. She was the one who never bothered about dental braces or spinach.

Mae West's — blonde, bold, bad and buxom — first bit part in a movie set the theme for her future career:

The scene showed her checking in at a swanky night club. The check girl admired her jewels.

“Goodness,” she exclaimed, “what beautiful diamonds!”

“Goodness,” retorted Mae West, “had nothing to do with them, dearie.”

Gary Cooper has one, no doubt. Her first name being Fay. Here they are on location together, while acting inThe First Kiss.

Marion Robert ‘Duke‘ Morrison’s, aka John Wayne, break-out role was supposed to be in the 1930 monumental western movie The Big Trail. Unfortunately, the movie, one of the most expensive made at the time, was a huge flop. Duke had to endure 10 years in low budget Westerns until he starred in Stagecoach.

Here Comes Ida Lupino! Will Hollywood history repeat in the case of Ida Lupino? Will her performance of Bessie in “The Light That Failed” equal Bette Davis’ portrayal of Mildred in “Of Human Bondage”? You will be the judge!

At one time or another Ida Lupino has been described: 

1. as a dizzy blonde with an English accent;
2. a more than slightly mad dame;
3. a girl who likes to tell fortunes by tea leaves.

Hugh Herbert was a stalwart of 1930s movies, providing comic relief in hundreds of movies. Here is one of the rare articles that focused on him.

Note: The Joe Lim episode towards the end of the article is quite representative on how stereotypically Asians were portrayed in the media in the 1930s.

The woman who rose above defeat. Above an unhappy marriage that cast a shadow over her girlhood. Above illness and pain. Above disappointment and heartbreak when she lost her contract with United Artists. And now she returns, happily married to Cedric Gibbons, triumphant over illness, more radiant than ever in “The Dove”.

M-G-M has decided that Joan must be sexed up, and this is the first movement in the campaign.

Paul Robeson was not only the best-known African American actor of the early 20th century, he was also a bass baritone, concert artist, athlete, and activist; a truly remarkable personality who became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for his political stances.

In the 1930's, African Americans were not widely featured in the mainstream press, and we believe that this piece from Picturegoer Magazine provides interesting insights.

Note: This text was published in 1937 and some readers might find some of the writing offensive.

Ever since I left Rosalind Russell I have been poring over the fancy nourishes beneath the Declaration of Independence — through John Hancock, the Adams boys and Button Gwinnett.

So far I haven’t uncovered a Russell. Only a very unusual inspiration, I’m sure, could drive me to such extensive historical research and abstract speculation. But then Miss Rosalind Russell is indeed unusual. She is a Declaration of Independence walking.

When Hollywood got its first look at Audrey Hepburn on the screen, in Roman Holiday, the press was left without suitable adjectives. She is truly great, but the critics who saw the press preview agreed it was going to be difficult to convince the public that Miss Hepburn is that magnificent.

 

Sessue Hayakawa and Anna May Wong have been away from American movies for several years — winning stage triumphs in New York and European capitals. They’ve now returned to Hollywood to win back screen honors.

Note: This text was published in 1931 and some readers might find some of the Asian stereotyping offensive.

Writer Rob Wagner visits Anna May Wong at her parent's home and they talk, among other things, about racism in Hollywood.

Note: This text was published in 1928 and some readers might find some of the Asian stereotyping offensive.

Exquisitely hard-boiled 19 years old Louise Brooks is interviewed by a awed journalist, and this is how the interview starts: 

“I live only for my art,” Louise said. “I read nothing but instructive books.” She looked up from beneath her long lashes to see how it was going.

This is a story about some crazy people. In other words, the Marx Brothers, who treat everybody with equal and impartial disrespect. Whether he be executive, co-worker or relative, each is in line for a practical joke at one time or another.

We don’t expect you to bother to go beyond this page! For sheer physical beauty and panther-like grace, this picture of Johnny can’t be trumped. He looks like the statue of an Indian brave come to life… oh, well, you get the idea!