Flappers, Charlie Chaplin, art deco, and the Charleston were among the iconic trends that defined the 1920s. Besides Chaplin and Buster Keaton, there was another actor who was doing comedy scenes with facial and physical expressions rather than verbal jokes as we are used to watching today. That other iconic actor was Harold Lloyd, the […]
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Chinese actors were not common in Hollywood like other nationalities, but slowly they were welcomed after Anna May Wong created a path for fellow Asians. Western cinema began embracing Asian actors because of their almond-shaped eyes, black hair, and porcelain skin as well as for their abilities to do martial arts and look authentic while wearing their […]
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There’s nothing better than a great musical film with spectacular dancers and a good storyline to take your mind off the Great Depression of the 1930s. Film was one of the favorite pastimes of Americans, and Hollywood created an escapism with classics, including Flying Down to Rio, Roberta, and Top Hat. What do these films have […]
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February is all about loving oneself and others and celebrating Black History Month. Therefore, it is only fair to dedicate this month’s Old Hollywood Spotlight to the inspiring Ruby Dee. The titles actress, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, poet, and activist describe her well-rounded life and career. Ruby Dee’s life began in Ohio, and she grew up in New York’s […]
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When the bright lights of Hollywood aim at you, there’s a great amount of pressure from the industry, press, and society. Dorothy Dandridge had some struggles during her life, but her talent for acting and singing proved that she was just as worthy as any white Hollywood actor. That is just before the spark of her career and […]
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Behind every great man is a great woman. That’s how the saying goes, right? If you read last month’s column, you know that Natacha Rambova was the second wife of the 1920s silent movie actor Rudolph Valentino. That role was not what defined her, however. She was a dancer, an actress, and an art designer […]
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“Valentino Is Dead.” Those were the words across newspaper headlines on August 23, 1926. People of that day knew the last name belonged to none other than the 31-year-old silent screen actor Rudolph Valentino. News broke that Hollywood’s “Great Lover” died because of a ruptured ulcer, and as a result there were dozens of reports of suicide attempts. […]
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It’s been a morbid anticipation for October to arrive with its spider web décor, horror films, and dark clothing. As you know, this monthly column is where I write about stars from Hollywood’s past who have changed the industry and the world. This month is no exception. Now, who is someone who will welcome us with a shriek into […]
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After taking over the Old Hollywood Spotlight section last year, my goal has been to write about actors and actresses who were less known in the public eye yet still made a positive impact, as well as the foreign stars who tried their luck in American cinema and television. One of the actresses I have been wanting to spotlight since […]
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