Born Lillian Bohny in New York City, Billie Dove had a silent film popularity that rivaled that of Mary Pickford, Marion Davies and Clara Bow. Despite not being able to dance or sing, this lovely lady appeared in Florenz Ziegfeld's Follies, racking up some impressive credits before being sent west to Hollywood by Ziegfeld's wife, actress Billie Burke, when Burke discovered the close relationship between her husband and Dove. Once in Hollywood, Dove would co-star with some of the biggest talents of the time - - John Gilbert, Warner Baxter, Tom Mix, Lon Chaney and Douglas Fairbanks. It was co-starring opposite Fairbanks in the classic silent adventures The Black Pirate that Dove skyrocketed into superstardom. Fame, however, would not last as she retired from the screen in 1932 after her last film role was significantly cut by William Randolph Hearst in order to showcase Hearst's mistress, Marion Davies. Dove would return to the screen in a small, uncredited cameo role opposite Charlton Heston in 1963 and would die at the ripe old age of 94.
Best Known For . . .
The Black Pirate (1926) The Marriage Clause (1926) Sensation Seekers (1927) The American Beauty (1927) (where she earned her nickname after appearing in a movie of the same title) Blondie of the Follies (1932) (her last credited film role)
Did You Know?
Billie Dove's second marriage would last thirty-seven years (from 1933 until 1970). Her third marriage, in 1975, would last a mere three months.
Billie Dove had an intense, three year long affair with Howard Hughes in the early 1930s.
Most of her films were destroyed in a studio fire.
She outlived her only son, Robert, who predeceased her in 1995.
Singer Eleanora Holliday, a big Billie Dove fan, changed her first name to Billie and the rest became history.
Starring: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard and Dylan McDermott
Director: Herbert Ross
Writer: Robert Harling (play and screenplay)
Release Date: November 15, 1989
Runtime: 117 minutes
Flick in Five (Sentences or Less): A comedy-drama full of revelations, love, tears and grief following several years in the lives of women who regularly see one another at a beauty shop in their small Louisiana town.
Flick Facts:
* The movie is based on a play written about playwright Robert Harling's sister.
* Meg Ryan was under contract to play the role of Shelby but producers let her out in order for her to play the part of Sally in When Harry Met Sally.
* Winona Ryder, a breakout star by 1988, was offered the role of Shelby before it was given to the then relatively unknown Julia Roberts.
* Director Herbert Ross thought Daryl Hannah was too attractive to play the part of Annelle and turned her down, but asked her to come in and read anyhow. She showed up at the studio dressed as Annelle and security refused to allow her in when they didn't recognize her. She got the part.
* Both Dolly Parton and Darryl Hannah studied hair stylists so their scenes in which they are doing hair would be real and authentic.
* Producers believed that the audience would not believe Sally Field as the mother of a 22 year old until she pointed out that in real life, she was the mother of a 22 year old.
* After a bungled take, director Herbert Ross scolded Dolly Parton and asked her if she could act. The irrepressible Dolly replied "No, but it's your job to make me look like I can!"
* The movie was shot in the small Louisiana town of Natchitoches, with locals being used for background and extra parts. When The Man in the Moon was filming in Natchitoches in 1991, extras were difficult to find as they had been so strained by the Steel Magnolias crew.
* Between the film's six female principals, there are twelve Academy Award nominations and five wins. Only Darryl Hannah and Dolly Parton have not won awards.
Chick Speak:
* "In a good shoe I wear a size six but a seven feels so good I buy a size eight."
* "Janice Van Meter got hit with a baseball. It was fabulous." "Was she hurt?" "I doubt it. She got hit in the head."
* "Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it's marching across your face."
* "I do not see plays, because I can nap at home for free. And I don't see movies 'cause they're trash, and they got nothin' but naked people in 'em! And I don't read books, 'cause if they're any good, they're gonna make 'em into a miniseries."
* "Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair."
* "Well, you know what they say: if you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!"
* "I don't like her. I don't trust anyone who does their own hair. I don't think it's natural. "
* "Ouiser, I'd recognize this penmanship anywhere. You have the handwritin' of a serial killer."
* "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."
* "I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood 40 years!"
* "Oh, Sammy's so confused he don't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt."
* "Ouiser's never done a religious thing in her life." "Now that is not true. When I was in school a bunch of my friends and I would dress up as nuns and go bar hopping."
Flick Flove: Steel Magnolias had the tagline "The Funniest Movie Ever to Make You Cry" and no matter how many times you see it, it holds true. This film is a wonderful mix of witty and moving writing and the uttery phenomenal acting by every principal actor and actress. Not one miscast, not one poorly directed scene, not one piece of poor writing. You just can't get much better than that.
Julia Roberts received an Academy Award nomination, well deserved, but in my humble little opinion, she's not even the best part of this film. Neither is the always strong and dependable Sally Field. This film boasts a trifecta of fabulous in Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Dolly Parton. Their inteaction and exchanges are still classic, still humorous, still touching, even more than 20 years after this flick was filmed and released. They are so endearing it makes me want to tease up my hair, plant a garden of tomatoes, bestow the nickname "Spud" on my husband and drink Coca-Cola from the bottle.
Flick Flack:The height of 80s fashion rears its ugly head here and it's memorialized on film. Big bows, big shoulder pads, big hair. Everything is big here, including the personalities. It doesn't detract from the wonderful down home charm though.
I personally have never cared much for Daryl Hannah and think she is much overrated as an actress. Seriously, how hard is it to pretend to be a mermaid with no speaking ability, at first (Splash) or a bimbo piece of arm candy (Wall Street)? However, as Anelle, Hannah is understated and, surprisingly, it works.
Spawns and Sequels: There has not been a sequel to Steel Magnolias, however the film continues to charm old and new audiences alike through DVD and cable.
The Final Word:Steel Magnolias was one of the best movies of 1989 and the cast is a veritable "who's who" for that decade (and in the case of Julia Roberts, for the next decades to come). This flick completely and utterly defines a "chick flick" - - it's about relationships, relationships, relationships and the relationship focuses are primarily those between the females, as mothers, daughters, neighbors and friends. The core cast of females is remniscent of one of my favorite films of all time, 1939's The Women. Unlike that classic, though, Steel Magnolias does have actors in the cast and they provide solid supporting roles. The wonderful Sam Shepard makes one of his (sadly) few film appearances. Don't be fooled though - - the women own this movie.
Steel Magnolias is available for purchase at major retailers, including Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate. If you make a purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission.
Starring:Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery, Neil Hamilton, Marjorie Rambeau, Hale Hamilton
Director: George Fitzmaurice
Writers:Ursula Parrott (novel), John Meehan (screenplay)
Release Date:April 4, 1931
Runtime:81 minutes
Flick in Five (Sentences or Less):Lisbeth (Norma Shearer) is a modern woman who is having a passionate affair with footloose and fancy free journalist Alan (Neil Hamilton), both claiming that the dreadfully traditional institution of marriage is not necessary nor wanted in their world. However, Lisbeth has fallen in love, and fallen hard, for Alan, who leaves her alone in Mexico to pursue a story with no promises for the future and Lisbeth goes on the rebound through Europe, changing men as often as she changes her lingerie, where good friend Steve (Robert Montgomery) who has long had a thing for Lisbeth, finds her and provides a tuxedo-ed shoulder for her to cry on. Naturally, Alan reappears and he and Lisbeth both find that he is not nearly the open-minded free thinking modern man presumed when confronted with Lisbeth's very modern affairs.
Flick Facts:
* Author Ursula Parrott also wrote the novel Ex-Wife, the book The Divorcee was based on. That film, released the year before Strangers May Kiss, won Shearer her first and only Academy Award.
* Actor Ray Milland has a brief uncredited, and yet memorable, role as one of Lisbeth's European admirers who cheekily states that she "changes her men with her lingerie".
* Norma Shearer was married to MGM's "Boy Wonder" Irving Thalberg from 1927 until his death in 1936. She was also the sister of the head of MGM's Sound Department, Douglas Shearer - - making Norma and Douglas the first brother-sister team of Oscar winners.
* Shearer had just given birth to her first child when Strangers May Kiss began filming. She was deathly afraid that her fans would notice changes in her appearances and went to extremes in dieting and exercise, as well as (needlessly) attempting to position her body behind set props, to disguise her post-partum figure.
* Neil Hamilton began his career as the Arrow (Shirt) Collar Man in print ads for the shirts; by the time of his death in 1984 he had appeared in 268 silent and sound films.
* Hamilton is perhaps best remembered as Commissioner Gordon from the 1966 television series Batman.
* Hamilton had a rare long-lasting Hollywood marriage, from 1922 until his death.
*Strangers May Kiss is the third of five movies in which Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery co-starred.
* Robert Montgomery was widely considered to be one of the best dressed men in Hollywood and for years didn't carry a wallet because it ruined the drape of his suit. In many of his 1930s roles, Montgomery is seen exclusively in suits and tuxedos.
* Montgomery joined the Navy during World War II, becoming a Commander and seeing action in both Europe and the Pacific.
* Montgomery was the father of actress Elizabeth Montgomery, television's beloved Samantha of Bewitched.
Flick Flove:Nobody did fashion like the glamorous Hollywood leading ladies of the 1930s or set designers. I could drool all day long at the stunning gowns and hats that Norma sports, and the fabulous Art Deco sets. From the evening gowns to casual day attire to the jewels to the elaborate headwear . . . sigh. I can't imagine living in such amazing apartments, lounging in the incredible clothes, working when I want (a la Lisbeth) and then jetting off to Mexico and Europe. I sure would like to try though.
Norma absolutely makes this movie a must-see. Yes, I have a film crush on her but how gorgeous does she appear? She's so endearing, so fun, so lovely, any movie with her during this Pre-Code period is worth the price of popcorn.
Robert Montgomery is dependably solid as the sidekick Steve. I much prefer him to the self-centered Alan and he has sure chemistry with Norma although in this film their chemistry is better suited to a brother-sister type of friendship. While she had a little "tussle" with Montgomery in The Divorcee, Norma is strickly hands off with him here.
Flick Flack: I love Norma but what on earth was she thinking, pining away for Neil Hamilton when Robert Montgomery was waiting around? Granted, Montgomery's character was a lovable drunk - - a common type during the early 1930s when drunks were merely bumbling and joking. Maybe Hamilton translated better to 1930s movie audiences but I thought his character of Alan was a real jackass and Norma's Lisbeth deserved better. Perhaps it's just me, as I've never gotten Garbo's appeal and she's immensely popular.
Can you say double standard? This movie is rife with it. Robert Montgomery's Steve tells Norma's Lisbeth that "we like our women straight". Not straight, as we take it today, in a sexual orientation way but straight, as in no nooky before marriage, no history, no nothing, ladies. Old fashioned? You betcha. Where's the double standard? That men are expected to run around, sow their wild oats, do whatever they like while "their women" are staying prim, proper and tidy.
And it's insinuated that Lisbeth has been tramping all over Europe with little discretion. Steve informs her that he's heard "600 or 700 times" about her antics and she's supposedly well known throughout the region. Seriously? Was Lisbeth the only woman in the free world giving up the goose?
Spawns and Sequels: Strangers May Kiss is a virtual rewrite of sorts of The Divorcee and Let Us Be Gay, both starring Shearer, but without marriage being involved. In The Divorcee, Shearer gives her husband a taste of his own medicine by "balancing their accounts" when she finds that he cheated on her. In Let Us Be Gay, Shearer divorces her unfaithful husband and gallavants around Europe as a revitalized and revamped woman.
The Final Word: Strangers May Kiss is not as popular or well received as The Divorcee but the movie is just as worthwhile. The message is similar - - that the rules are different for men and women and women who share the wealth are deservedly shunned and for feminists, it's a frustrating message. The message probably dates the movie more than anything else.
That being said, Strangers May Kiss is a fascinating look at Pre-Code Hollywood. The film, with its depictions of decadence, gin-swizzling and perceived sexual immorality, would never been made a few years later, after the Code came into play, so seeing it here, almost flaunted for the viewer's pleasure and Depression-era escapism, is a treat.
Strangers May Kiss was filmed and released 80 years ago but Norma Shearer remains as fresh and lovely today as she did all those years ago. making this film a joy to watch.
Strangers May Kiss is not yet available on DVD, unfortunately, but Turner Classic Movies has the film in its rotation.
For a scene from Strangers May Kiss:
To watch the film for free in its entirety click here. (What are you waiting for?)
Starring: Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, and Paul Lukas
Director: Rouben Mamoulian
Writers: Dashiell Hammett (story), Max Marcin (adaptation), and Oliver H.P. Garrett (screenplay)
Release Date: April 18, 1931
Runtime: 83 minutes
Synopsis: Nan is a racketeer's daughter and in love with the improbably named Kid, who also improbably makes his living as a shooting gallery showman. Kid is happy with his career path, Nan wants him to join the family business so they can marry and she can continue living in the lifestyle to which she's become accustomed. Her views change when her father implicates her in a murder, telling her she will never spend a day in the "stir", and Nan is convicted. While incarcerated, Nan's father convinces Kid to join the gang in order to free Nan. Upon her release, Nan wants nothing more to do with the mob and wants Kid out as well but she may be too late.
Flick Facts:
* Sylvia Sidney replaced infamous "It" Girl Clara Bow in the role of Nan when Bow failed to show up on the first day of filming.
* Star Sylvia Sidney had an impressive career in Broadway, films and then television, spanning an amazing seventy years. Her last appearance was in a televised remake of Fantasy Island in 1998, a year before her death at age 88 in 1999.
* Actor Gary Cooper had a high profile relationship with actress Clara Bow, his intended co-star, in the 1920s. He would eventually have other high profile romances with actresses Lupe Velez, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly and Patricia Neal, as well as with the socialite-spy Countess Carla Dentice di Frasso.
* Gary Cooper was producer David Selznick's first choice to play Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind (1939). Cooper turned down the role, publicly saying that "Gone With the Wind is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I'm glad it will be Clark Gable who's falling flat on his nose and not me."
* Gary Cooper won Academy Awards for his performances in Sergeant York (1942) and High Noon (1953) and received an Honorary Oscar in 1961, which was emotionally accepted by good friend James Stewart, as Cooper was too ill with cancer to accept.
* Actor Paul Lukas had a successful stage and film career in Hungary, Germany and Austria before arriving in Hollywood, where he specialized in womanizers and villians.
* Paul Lukas won an Academy Award for his performance in 1943's Watch on the Rhine, beating out former co-star Gary Cooper.
* This was one of actress Paulette Goddard's first film roles, as an uncredited nightclub patron. She would later go on to more prominance in Modern Times, The Women and The Great Dictator, among others, and as the third Mrs. Charlie Chaplin.
* City Streets was director Rouben Mamoulian's second film. He would later go on to direct such notable flicks as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Queen Christina and Silk Stockings. He was also fired from the classic noir Laura and resigned from the Elizabeth Taylor extravaganza Cleopatra. Footage shot in both films was not used in the final product.
* City Streets has the distinction of being the first film to use the sound flashback. It was director Rouben Mamoulian's idea to repeat dialogue heard earlier in the film over a huge close-up of Sylvia Sidney's tear stained face as she recalls the past.
* City Streets was shot at Paramount Studios in New York City.
* Writer Dashiell Hammett was creator of classic literary characters Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon) and Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man). City Streets was his only original screenplay.
* Dashiell Hammett would begin a thirty year long afffair with playwright Lillian Hellman in 1931, the same year City Streets was released. The affair would be memorialized in the film Julia, where Jason Robards, playing Hammett, won an Oscar and Jane Fonda, playing Hellman, was nominated for an Oscar. Julia also has the distinction of being Meryl Streep's first film performance.
Chic Chick Sounds:
There is no soundtrack for the Pre-Code City Streets but there is a small variety of music played during scenes that is uncredted. "Sobre las olas (Over the Waves)" is played during a scene at the shooting gallery. "Sing, You Sinners", "Happy Days Are Here Again", and "I'm Yours" is played by the band during the nightclub scenes. "Prelude to Act I of 'Die Meistersinger'" is played at the end of the film.
City Streets is one of many gangster/crime noir films that were released during the early 1930s. What makes it notable in my opinion is the presence of Gary Cooper. This was "Coop's" first and only role as a gangster and the long, lean actor makes an interesting one. He is lacking the dark, sinister look that was so common with cinematic gangsters during that time and resembles more a man fresh off the farm, or horseback, than racketeer.
There are definitely flashes of the future Coop to come and you cannot help but be attracted to the warm approachability and All American good looks and toothy grins exhibited by him.
Sylvia Sidney is lovely, if a bit aloof . She's a good actress but didn't connect with me the same way other actresses of her era like Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford did.
The storyline is a bit stereotypical, the prison scenes very clean and sanitary, with Sidney looking coiffed and nicely attired and the ending is no real surprise but it's still a neat little picture to view.
Best Parts of City Streets: The young, poised on stardom Gary Cooper, who is amazing to watch. He simply steals any scene he is in. The names of certain characters is also delightfully 1930s Pre-Code (Kid; Pansy; Big Fellow Maskal). I also thoroughly enjoyed the 1930s ladies' fashions and the interior design. Worst Parts of City Streets: Predictability! There are no real surprises thrown at the viewer, with the exception of Gary Cooper making his living working at a shooting gallery. And Sylvia Sidney's character at times seems a bit too meek for a racketeer's daughter. Example: Wanting to prevent the man she loves from walking into a trap, she runs after him, telling him not to go. For about five feet. Then she stops and looks worried. Huh?
Spawns and Sequels:City Strees itself was actually a remake of a 1928 film. While there was no sequel of City Streets, there were many films before and after City Streets that followed its basic format.
The Final Word: If you're a fan of Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Lukas and/or Rouben Mamoulian, City Streets should be required viewing. The film was shot while talkies were still relatively new but this film doesn't suffer from the scratchy, jumpy issues that can plague some early talkies. There are certain aspects of the film that are very dated (Cooper makes his living at a shooting gallery; Sidney seems to have no real purpose in life other than getting married; Sidney's father is borderline ridiculously comical and very nearly unbelievable as being in the mob) but it is still an enjoyable film to view. An interesting aside: I came to the conclusion that radios in cars must have been a novelty at the time with the repeated shots of Cooper tuning the car's radio each time he drove.
City Streets is not yet available for purchase or rental on DVD but is shown periodically on Turner Classic Movies.
