“Hollywood has apologised to film fan Shirley Browne of Blythe, Northumberland, who didn’t like The Hucksters staring Clark Gable and Deborah Kerr. As a peace offering MGM sent Shirley a parcel containing sweets, fruit and tins of meat. ‘I considered The Hucksters to be a very poor film,” Shirley told The Daily Mirror, “so let Hollywood know about it. I’m glad I did.’”
Movie News – March 19, 1948
“The story of an unusual love is told in striking fashion in Notorious. Ingrid Bergman, probably one of the best dramatic actresses to appear for years, plays the leading role, and Cary Grant makes a splendid addition to his record of screen successes.”
The first day of spring, and the start of a new social history series: Spring and Summer of 1976, featuring news, weather, sport, cinema, television and music items from that era. Item number one is the television guide for 20 March 1976. Do you remember any of these programmes?
21 March 1976
“Football’s winter of defensive discontent ended with a bang yesterday as the strikers turned the clock back to the good old days and celebrated British summer time with a glut of goals. Top of the hit parade were dour, dogged old Arsenal with six against Euro-heroes West Ham at Highbury.”
22 March 1976
“British rock star David Bowie was arrested earlier today and charged with possession of marijuana. He was released on £1,000 bail. Bowie gave up music for the theatre, but returned to singing and his act soon became one of the more zany attractions on the pop scene. He is the star of a new science fiction film, The Man Who Fell to Earth, directed by Nicolas Roeg.”
23 March 1976
And now the weather…
“Yesterday, the first full day of summertime, snow blocked the Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen and the Crimea Pass near Blaenau Ffestiniog. A six-inch fall of snow also blocked the Llanberis Pass for a time. In other parts of Britain, wintry conditions brought eight inches of snow overnight. Sunny periods are forecast for today.”
The Horseshoe Pass (Wikipedia)
24 March 1976
Movies showing at Theatre One this week: David Essex in Stardust (aa) and That’ll Be the Day (aa), and your last chance to see Enter the Dragon (x). Also, Lip Service (x), The Revengers (x), and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (x). For members only: Bedspread and Country Girl. Just think, the censor had to watch all these movies. It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it…
As ever, thank you for your interest and support.
Hannah xxx
For Authors
#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on 36 occasions.
Charles Bronson’s character is walking towards three gunmen in which 1968 movie?
Quiz answers at the foot of this post.
Movie News – March 4, 1948
A Piece of (Hollywood) Cake
Movie News – March 5, 1948
“Eddie Voight, one of Hollywood’s most famous make-up artists, has decided that the film actress, Eve Arden, has more ‘binaural lure’ than any other actress in the world. This is Eddie’s phrase for ears that have sex appeal!”
Movie Quiz #9
Can you name this notorious actress?
Movie News – March 6, 1948
“The Lady From Shanghai is a hard to hear, hard to follow murder thriller made by Mr Orson Welles before he and Miss Rita Hayworth parted. Miss Hayworth looks lovely, but does not dance. Mr Welles’ ingenious photographic effects do not compensate for his inaudible and incomprehensible story.”
Movie News – March 7, 1948
“Scotland’s single attempt to introduce “no smoking” in cinemas has ended in failure. Six months ago, Mr R J Pennycook began the experiment at the Tonic Cinema, Queen’s Park, Glasgow. Mr Pennycook had visited American cinemas and been impressed by the pure atmosphere and clean-cut presentation on the screen.”
“Before long,” Mr Pennycook said, “young people stopped coming. Most of the grumbling came from girls. Folk who come now can smoke if they want to. After all, I suppose it is a part of their relaxation.”
Movie News – March 8, 1948
“Howard Hughes, multi-millionaire, plane designer, tool manufacturer and pilot, is trying to buy control of RKO, one of Hollywood’s most powerful film companies. There is no evidence that as a producer he has any special talent.”
Historian Betty Lasky described Howard Hughes’s relationship with RKO as a “systematic seven-year rape.”
Howard Hughes as depicted by Ernest Hamlin Baker for the July 19, 1948 cover of Time.
Movie Quiz #10
Can you name the actor and the movie?
Movie News – March 9, 1948
A promotion for Duel in the Sun, aka Lust in the Dust, “A Picture of A Thousand Memorable Moments.”
Note the telephone number – not seven or ten digits, simply 94.
Movie News – March 10, 1948
“Undercover Girl is the latest in the ever-popular Maisie series, and brings Ann Sothern to the screen once again in her incomparable role of the soft-hearted, hard-boiled Brooklyn girl who meets all difficulties with incurable optimism.”
Quiz #8 answer: Once Upon a Time in the West
Quiz #9 answer: Mae West. “When she is portraying a bad woman, she’s sumptuously, voluptuously, riotously bad, and she revels in complete vulgarity.” – Alma Whitaker on Mae West, in the Los Angeles Times.
Quiz #10 answer: Edward G Robinson in Little Caesar
As ever, thank you for your interest and support.
Hannah xxx
For Authors
#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on 32 occasions.
In the early 1370s, as a widow with several young children to look after, my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet faced an uncertain future. Then, John of Gaunt came to her aid. He placed her in the service of his new wife, Constance of Castile. Also, he offered direct financial support.
Meanwhile, Katherine’s sister, Phillipa, found herself a husband – none other than the poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, (pictured).
Why was John of Gaunt so generous towards Katherine? Events were about to take a dramatic turn…
In the autumn of 1372 the social status of my medieval ancestor, Katherine de Roet, increased significantly. The reason? She became John of Gaunt’s mistress.
A love affair between the couple had been on the cards for years. Now, with Katherine a widow, and despite the fact that John of Gaunt was married to Constance of Castile, he decided to act. Soon, she was pregnant, and attracting the displeasure of the royal court.
In 1373, my medieval ancestor, Katherine de Roet, mistress of John of Gaunt, was pregnant. Consequently, she retreated to her estate in Kettlethorpe.
Between 1373 and 1381, Katherine bore four children to John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster: three sons and a daughter.
Katherine named her first son John, after his father. Her children carried the surname Beaufort. It’s not known why that surname was chosen. My connection to Katherine stems from the Beaufort branch of my family.
In the 1370s, John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, appointed his mistress, my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet, as the governess to his daughters Philippa and Elizabeth. This was, of course, a ruse, so that John of Gaunt could remain close to Katherine.
Throughout her affair with John of Gaunt, Katherine kept a low profile, retreating to her estate in Kettlethorpe to give birth. For his part, John of Gaunt made sure that Katherine wanted for nothing. Clearly, he cared deeply for her. According to surviving documents, Katherine and John were good and loving parents. Indeed, the “Anonymous Chronicle” reports that Katherine “loved the Duke of Lancaster and the children born from him”.
John of Gaunt
In June 1377, King Edward III (pictured) died and the kaleidoscopic picture of the royal court turned again. In March 1378, my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet made public her affair with John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
Thomas Walsingham wrote in his chronicle that John of Gaunt, “casting aside every shame of man and the fear of God, allowed himself to be seen riding through the Duchy with his concubine, a certain Katherine Swynford (Katherine’s married name). Walsingham added that the people were indignant and despaired because of such scandalous behavior. In his opinion, it was because of Katherine, whom he called “a witch and a whore”, that “the most terrible curses and vile insults began to circulate against the Duke”.
Incidentally, my direct link to the kings of England begins with Edward III.
The chroniclers did not approve of my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet’s relationship with John of Gaunt. Henry Knighton wrote: “a certain foreigner Katherine Swynford lived in his wife’s house, whose relationship with him was very suspicious”.
Furthermore, the love affair disturbed members of John of Gaunt’s family, who feared its consequences. John of Gaunt himself in 1381 said that clerics and servants repeatedly warned him about the detrimental effect of his relationship with Katherine on his reputation, but he ignored them.
Considering that John of Gaunt and Katherine de Roet are my direct ancestors, I’m glad he did.
In April 1378, my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet was joined by her sister, Philippa Chaucer, wife of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, on her estate in Kettlethorpe. When able, John of Gaunt called on Katherine.
The chroniclers were still furious about Katherine and John of Gaunt’s love affair. They pointed out that Katherine’s income was greater than that of John’s wife, Constance of Castile.
Personal and political events were coming to a head, and they exploded with the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.
Richard II, King of England at the time of the Peasants’ Revolt
After the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 (pictured), chronicler Thomas Walsingham stated that John of Gaunt “blamed himself for the death of [those] who had been overthrown by unholy violence” and “reproached himself for his connection with Katherine Swynford, or rather forswearing her”.
As a result, John of Gaunt ended his affair with my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet Swynford and reconciled with his wife, Constance of Castile. One of the great romances of the medieval era appeared to be over.
In 1381, my medieval ancestor Katherine de Roet returned to her estate in Kettlethorpe (pictured, Wikipedia). She remained there for twelve years, her illicit relationship with John of Gaunt apparently over.
Then fate intervened again. John of Gaunt’s wife, Constance of Castile, died and free from his political obligations, John resumed his relationship with Katherine. To everyone’s surprise, and many noblemen’s displeasure, in 1396 he married Katherine.
Discontent amongst the nobles rumbled on. Then the Pope came to John and Katherine’s aid. He recognised their marriage as valid and legitimatised all of their children. John and Katherine’s long struggle was over. They could enjoy their autumn years together, in peace.
Concluding the story of my ancestors Katherine de Roet and John of Gaunt.
Together at last, Katherine and John no doubt entertained Katherine’s sister, Philippa, and her husband Geoffrey Chaucer. Maybe Geoffrey regaled them with his latest poems.
Katherine and John’s descendants, the Beaufort family, played a major role in the Wars of the Roses with Henry VII claiming the throne through his link to Margaret Beaufort, Katherine and John’s great-granddaughter.
Through her son John Beaufort and her daughter Joan Beaufort, Katherine became the ancestor of all English kings since Edward IV.
As ever, thank you for your interest and support.
Hannah xxx
For Authors
#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on 32 occasions.
From 1944, can you name the actress, actors and movie?
Quiz answers at the foot of this post.
Movie News – February 26, 1948
Movie Debut at 101
Movie News – February 27, 1948
Mr Harold Wilson, President of the Board of Trade (and future Prime Minister) said, “There are some who think that the renaissance in British film production has occurred because of a period of stagnation in Hollywood films. Many people in Britain think that Hollywood has got a little stale in its plots.”
Movie News – February 28, 1948
“Mrs Miniver is an outstanding example of how the British people took the blitz years, and did a lot to bring home to Americans what we in this country were going through.”
Movie Quiz #6
In 1949 this ending was considered daring because instead of taking the “hero’s” hand, the “heroine” walked past him. Can you name the movie?
Movie News – February 29, 1948
Marlene Dietrich Top Five “Most Fascinating Men”
Erich Maria Remarque, novelist
Alexander Kirk, US Ambassador
Igor Stravinsky, composer
Earnest Hemingway, novelist
Roberto Rossellini, film director
Movie News – March 1, 1948
“Producer Ronald Neame doesn’t encourage visitors on The Passionate Friends set just now. Ann Todd and Trevor Howard are busy on love scenes. They prefer to have as few onlookers as possible.”
Movie News – March 2, 1948
Movies on release this week: Two Thousand Women, Tropic Fury, The Lone Wolf in Mexico, Cigarette Girl, Cheers for Miss Bishop, I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now, Duel in the Sun, The Rich Full Life, Gone With the Wind, Fame is the Spur, Baxter’s Millions, Keeper of the Bees.
In 1951, an edited version of Two Thousand Women was released in America, under the title House of One Thousand Women.
Movie Quiz #7
The introduction of CinemasScope in 1953 increased the average shot length from eleven to thirteen seconds. It also encouraged “washing line” compositions, like this one from How to Marry a Millionaire. Can you name any of the actors or actresses featured?
Movie News – March 3, 1948
“Maureen O’Sullivan has played in thirty-eight films. Between the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth, however, there was a gap of nearly five years while Maureen nursed her husband through an illness, which he contracted during the war, and presented him with three children. The Irish girl is living proof that two careers in Hollywood can be carried on simultaneously with great success.”
Production of the audiobook version of Sunshine, book two in my Golden Age of Hollywood series, is now well underway. Kayla is adding sound effects to her narration, and they are greatly enhancing the story.
My latest Golden Age of Hollywood article for the Seaside News appears on page 43 of the magazine.
Quiz #5 answer: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G Robinson in Double Indemnity
Quiz #6 answer: The Third Man
Quiz #7 answer: Betty Grable, Rory Calhoun, Lauren Bacall, Cameron Mitchell and Marilyn Monroe
As ever, thank you for your interest and support.
Hannah xxx
For Authors
#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on 32 occasions.
A still from a movie released in August 1938. Can you name the film, the actor and the actress making her Hollywood debut?
Quiz answers at the foot of this post.
Movie News – February 19, 1948
A Prediction
Movie News – February 20, 1948
“In MGM’s The Rich Full Life, Spring Byington (pictured) appears in her 75th major characterisation in thirteen years. Having averaged nearly six pictures a year since she left the stage in 1933, Miss Byington’s reputation as Hollywood’s busiest actress is undisputed.”
Movie News – February 21, 1948
Joan Crawford Denies Charges
“Joan Crawford denied that she visited a sanatorium to watch a patient receiving electric treatment with a view to assisting her in her performance in the film Possessed.
Miss Crawford is being sued by the patient’s husband Mr Charles McKay. Miss Crawford admitted that she visited the sanitarium, but was so upset by what she saw that she left before the treatment was given. Mrs McKay has since disappeared and has not been found despite a police search.”
Movie Quiz #3
Can you name the actor, actress, dog and movie?
Movie News – February 22, 1948
The top man and woman earners in the United States between 1944 and 1946 were film producer Louis B Mayer and actress Deanna Durbin. Mayer earned $502,571 and Durbin $262,875. Mayer earned more money than any other American in eight of the past nine years.
Movie News – February 23, 1948
Despite the crisis in the film industry, Gainsborough Pictures is doubling its production this year, producing seventeen films compared with nine last year. Gainsborough has a reputation for working quickly, with an average shooting time of ten weeks. Using a specially built honeycomb set and four cameras, they expect to shoot Flowers for the Living in ten days.
Movie Quiz #4
An iconic image from 1932 featuring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, but can you name the movie?
Movie News – February 24, 1948
Shiela Sim, actress wife of Richard Attenborough was at home when her phone rang.
“Is that Mr Attenborough’s home?” asked a deep voice.
“Er…yes,” said Shiela Sim.
“Is it Mr Richard Attenborough the film star, or Mr Richard Attenborough the pawnbroker?”
“Yes, this is Mr Richard Attenborough the film star’s house.”
“Blast!” said the caller. “I wanted the pawnbroker.”
Movie News – February 25, 1948
“There’s plenty of comedy in Living in a Big Way, which has Gene Kelly starring in some novel dance routines. Marie MacDonald, known in Hollywood as The Body, has thirty-eight fashions to enhance her figure.”
Marie MacDonald married seven times, twice to the same man. Three of her marriages only lasted a year. A fourth lasted two years. Her first marriage was annulled after three weeks. She was also the victim of an alleged kidnapping, which was never proved.
Some book news. Dana, book three in my Golden Age of Hollywood series, is a Hot New Release in Canada. This is exciting because the book isn’t scheduled for release until late autumn/early winter.
Quiz #2 answer: Algiers, Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamarr
Quiz #3 answer: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Asta, The Thin Man
Quiz #4 answer: Red Dust
As ever, thank you for your interest and support.
Hannah xxx
For Authors
#1 for value with 565,000 readers, The Fussy Librarian has helped my books to reach #1 on 32 occasions.
Hannah Howe 