The Silver Screen Oasis

I *adore* Betty Grable. Gorgeous in color or black and white, and such an appealing, warm personality. She was always modest about her singing and dancing talents -- but I think she had both in bucketloads!

Here are Betty and Hermes Pan dancing the "Kindergarten Conga" from Moon Over Miami -- not just one of my favorite Betty Grable dance numbers, but one of my favorite dance numbers -- period! :)

http://musical-cinema.blogspot.com/2011 ... conga.html

Very nice number, Paula. Grable was one in a million. My favorite film of hers is "Mother Wore Tights".

Also thanks to Erik and Stone for their input.

Lana Turner and birthday boy Edmund Purdom on the set of "The Prodigal"

John Agar & wife Shirley Temple at a dinner party. December, 1948

Well, if I may. I conducted two of the last interviews John Agar ever gave: One for the nostalgia radio station I used to announce at and a print piece for Filmfax. I also admit I belonged to the John Agar Fan Club and wrote pieces for that publication. Apparently, there was a point in time when John was quite contentious toward his ex-wife Shirley, quick to offer some pretty negative comments. But by the time I got to know him, he had mellowed considerably and wouldn't speak a harsh word about anybody: personally or professionally. The most negative comment he made was directed to Kirk Douglas, with whom John appeared in ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE. Even then, he was quick to add that the two of them just didn't quite understand each other. Other than that, John said that he'd reached the point where he no longer passed judgment on people. I reckon that included the tyrannical John Ford and Bert I. Gordon.

But a sweet man on whom I based a character in my first Western novel "Denim Ryder." Would have been terrific had the book been turned into a movie and John could have played the part of the aged rancher. But at least he knew the character was based on him.

Birthday boy Billy Gilbert meets the fans at a "Captains Courageous" preview. May, 1937
(Billy played the soda jerk on the ship)

Stone, I always liked John Agar, and the movie "Across the Great Divide". It's too bad that he got
into muddles with certain people, which I gather wasn't always his fault, I also watched many of
his 'B' films. May he rest in peace.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

MALA POWERS (1931 - 2007)


AUDREY TOTTER (1917 - 2013)


DENNIS MORGAN (1908 - 1994)


ALBERT DEKKER (1905 - 1968)


IRENE DUNNE (1898 - 1990)


CHARLEY GRAPEWIN (1869 - 1956)

It's Lana Turner, Loretta Young and birthday gal Irene Dunne at a ball in 1950

Irene Dunne in Love Affair





A 1939 Film Starring Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne

Some of the loveliest pictures of Irene Dunne here









She's one of my favorites ... an elegant, classy, and beauty with pure radiance.

Clark Gable and birthday gal Audrey Totter in a still from "Any Number Can Play"

Birthday boy Dennis Morgan getting ready to pop the cork

Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson getting ready to tap those magic feet

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JANE FONDA is 77 today