That's Old News! (#12)

Below are links to ten historic entertainment news articles:

• "Merle Oberon's Marriage Stranger Than Fiction"

St. Petersburg Times - July 29, 1945

Source

Famed columnist Louella Parsons didn't seem too enthusiastic about Merle Oberon's marriage to cinematographer and DP, Lucien Ballard. This union was Oberon's second marriage. Click the link above to read the article.

• "Hal Boyle Writes...Cantinflas Explains What Makes a Comedian" 

The Nevada Daily Mail - September 20, 1960

Cantinflas with Bing Crosby in Pepe (1960) - Source

Just as the article's title says, comedy legend, Cantinflas, explains to Hal Boyle what makes a good comedian. He also explains why he never took on a "serious role". 

• "You Can't Help Liking Ethel Waters, Her Hearty Laugh, Sparkling Eyes"

Ottawa Citizen - February 23, 1954

Accompanied photo in Ottawa Citizen

Radio and television editor for the Ottawa Citizen, Claude Hammerston, made a trip to Toronto just to interview the legendary Ethel Waters. He had a nice chat with her about her career, her opinion on television, her religion, and more. 

• "Howe Observes His 50th Year"

Toledo Blade - December 31, 1967

Source

James Wong Howe celebrated his 50th year as a Hollywood cinematographer while shooting The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1967) in Selma, Alabama. 

• "Eartha Kitt Casts Strange Spell On Stage"

Palm Beach Daily News - December 26, 1954

Even at the age of 26, Eartha Kitt had a confidence, frankness, and maturity that was well beyond her years. Click the link above to read her rags-to-riches story as originally told to the International News Service.

• "Sunshine Sammy: He Tells How He First Got Into the Movies"

The Afro American - February 4, 1933

Accompanied photo in The Afro American

Ernest "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison not only told The Afro American how he got his start in movies, but also how he got the nickname "Sunshine Sammy". He also talked about his love for the stage and what (at the time) kept him from returning to Hollywood. 

• "Theresa Harris on "Hollywood Hotel""

The Afro American - August 28, 1937

Source

Singer/actress Theresa Harris was a busy woman in 1937! Not only did she appear in four films released that year (one, Bargain with Bullets, aka Gangsters on the Loose is mentioned in the article), but one could also hear her voice in a radio adaptation of One Mile from Heaven. 

• "Nicholas Brothers: 50 Years of Footwork"

Schenectady Gazette - June 20, 1987

Source

Click the link above to take a short journey through Fayard and Harold Nicholas' 50-year career in show business.

• "New York to Call Anna Chang In Spring"

The Gridley Herald - November 19, 1924

Anna Chang pictured with Cary Grant in Singapore Sue (1932) (Source)

The Gridley Herald reported that the "Chinese Songbird of San Francisco", Anna Chang would be joining Irving Berlin's Music Box revue in Spring of 1925! Get all of the details in the link above.

• "Spencer Williams Back to Hollywood"

Washington Afro-American - January 24, 1950

Source

After spending ten years in Texas making independent pictures, Spencer Williams made his return to Hollywood in 1950. It's possible that he was returning to prepare for his new role in the Amos 'n' Andy TV series. Click the link above to view the small news story!

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I hope you found this installment of "That's Old News!" to be very informative! :)

That's Old News! (#3)

I found some pretty interesting articles for the month of November. Let's journey back...

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From vaudeville.org

The late, great entertainer, Florence Mills received some flack (from an unnamed reviewer) for a cabaret show in November of 1925. Read The Afro American article here.

Warning: This article is ridden with shaming and sprinkled with some colorism. 

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Legendary bandleader Blanche Calloway and Her Orchestra headlined a "big musical revue" at the Howard Theatre in early December of 1936. Click here to read more details on the show in The Afro American.

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Paul Robeson in 1942

The Pittsburgh Press recognized the great renaissance man, Paul Robeson, for his achievements in school, sports, film, and on the stage in this 1944 article.

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According to this Pittsburgh Press article written by the notorious Hedda Hopper, France Nuyen was set to star in the Raoul Walsh film, Marines, Let's Go (released in 1961). 

France Nuyen in a publicity still for Satan Never Sleeps (1962)

Ms. Nuyen doesn't appear in the credits for Marines, Let's Go--I'm curious to know why the casting fell through...

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James Wong Howe on the set of Molly Maguires in 1969

Along with being a legendary cinematographer, James Wong Howe was also one of Hollywood's most considerate and encouraging spirits. The Sun calls him "an amateur psychologist" in this 1964 article. 

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Unless noted otherwise, all of the photos above were obtained from their designated subject's Wikipedia pages. They are all being used for informational purposes only. If the rightful owner of any of these photos wishes to have them removed, please contact me, and I will do so immediately.

--Adrienne

Movie of the Week: James Wong Howe: Cinematographer (Documentary) Review

I can't really bring myself to "review" this documentary. I'd rather tell you what I thought and what I took from it, especially as someone studying Film.

James Wong Howe in 1969

First, this 30-minute documentary gives a brief account (through director Daniel Mann's narration) of James Wong Howe's childhood and early adult life. Then, the remainder of it unfolds with the words of Mr. Howe himself (through an interview with Frank McGeary) as he talks about the ins and outs of his cinematography and cinematography in general. We are also shown clips and images on the sets of some of the films he's worked on--behind-the-scenes footage from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938) is shown more extensively.

Movie poster for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)

As an aspiring filmmaker, I learned so much in this 30-minute movie--so much about cinematography and storytelling. I learned about creativity and innovation. I was inspired--and who doesn't love the feeling of being inspired? 

James Wong Howe with his first Oscar for Best Cinematography (1956)

I would have loved for this documentary to have dug a little deeper into James Wong Howe's experiences on set. For example, he told an incredible story about how he was able to fix a very big problem on the set of Call of the Canyon (1923)--you'd have to see it and hear it to believe it. It would have been awesome to hear more stories like that. Alas, time didn't permit a lot of things in this documentary, but it was still great to watch.

Movie poster for The Call of the Canyon (1923)

I highly recommend watching James Wong Howe: Cinematographer for historical, educational, inspirational, and motivational purposes!

Here it is on Vimeo: 

James Wong Howe: Cinematographer

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All of the above images (with the exception of James Wong Howe with his Oscar) were obtained from Wikipedia and are all being used for informational and educational purposes only. The image Oscar image of Mr. Howe was obtained from the Academy's official website.

 If the owner(s) of any of these images wishes to have them removed, please contact me and I will do so immediately.

--Adrienne

Historic Moments at the Oscars

It's Oscar Time! 

In honor of the annual Academy Awards, I'd like for you all to check out these memorable Oscar moments......

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1956 Academy Awards--Best Actor in a Leading Role

Mr. Yul Brynner was the first actor of Asian descent to win (and be nominated for) the Best Actor award. He won for his role in The King and I.

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1955 Academy Awards--Film Editing

Here is Oscar-nominee Dorothy Dandridge presenting the Academy Award for Film Editing. Dorothy was the first black person (man or woman) to be nominated for a Leading role for her role in Carmen Jones.

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Cinematographer James Wong Howe

Mr. Howe was the first Asian person (man or woman) to be nominated for Cinematography. Mr. Howe was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won two--one for his work in The Rose Tattoo, the other for his work in Hud.

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1964 Academy Awards--Best Actor in a Leading Role

Sidney Poitier was the first black actor to win (and be nominated for) the Best Actor Academy Award. He was previously nominated for his role in The Defiant Ones and later won for his role in Lillies of the Field. 

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Actor James Baskett

In 1948, actor James Baskett was given an Honorary Academy Award for his characterization of 'Uncle Remus' in the Disney film Song of the South. This award made him the first black actor to receive an Academy Award.

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1962 Academy Awards--Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Rita Moreno was the first Latina to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She won for her role in West Side Story.

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1940 Academy Awards--Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Here is Hattie McDaniel receiving her Academy Award for her role as 'Mammy' in Gone with the Wind. This award made Ms. McDaniel the first black person (man or woman) to 1. be nominated for an Oscar and 2. win an Oscar and of course, it made her the first black actress to be nominated for and win Best Supporting Actress.

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Today, we salute and remember these legends.

Click the following links to see more historic Oscar nominations/wins:

Asian Academy Award winners and nominees

Black Academy Award winners and nominees

Latin American Academy Award winners and nominees

James Wong Howe, Oscar-Winning Cinematographer

The great cinematographer, Mr. James Wong Howe photographed some of Classic Hollywood's most popular films.

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Here are some clips/trailers from some of those great films:

Peter Pan (1924)

James Wong Howe was credited as "James Howe" for Peter Pan. Judging by the clip, this movie looks like it has been well-preserved over the years, therefore making it easier for us to observe Howe's work in it. 

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Shanghai Express (1932)

This is a fan-made video consisting of several short clips from Shanghai Express. Photographer Lee Garmes won the Best Cinematography Academy Award for this film, but Marlene Dietrich claimed that director Josef von Sternberg directed most of the cinematography--and James Wong Howe went uncredited for his work. 

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The Thin Man (1934)

This is the trailer for the hit comedy-mystery, The Thin Man (1934). There are some amazing distance and close-up shots in this trailer!

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Algiers (1938)

Here is a gorgeous clip from Howe's first Oscar-nominated work.

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Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

Did you know that Howe was the Director of Photography for this Warner Brothers Classic?

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James Wong Howe won his first Oscar as Director of Photography for The Rose Tattoo (1955). 

He won his second Oscar for his work in 1963's Hud.

Hud (1963)

Check out this beautifully shot scene from Hud.


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