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This is the 41st installment of the classic actress beauty tips that I have read about and tested. Art from “Facing it with Joan Blondell” published in the Dec. 1932, issue of The New Movie Magazine. Screen shot by Comet Over Hollywood When it comes to skin care, I’m always intrigued to try somethi read more

From the outset, Blonde Crazy promises to be a midwestern hotel chamber piece. It’s a story of the help: including opportunistic bellboys (James Cagney) and plucky chambermaids (Joan Blondell). He does her a service by nabbing her a job, and in such a world, he probably expects some recompens read more

Margaret Sullavan, Ann Sothern, and Joan Blondell “Cry ‘Havoc’” Cry ‘Havoc’ (1943) is an American World War II drama directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Margaret Sullavan, Ann Sothern, and Joan Blondell. The film features a strong supporting cast tha read more

Joan Blondell 1906 - 1979 Joan Blondell is the TCM Star of the Month this December. It is safe to assume that rights issues have stood in the way of the network programming two of Joan's most acclaimed performances in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1945 and Nightmare Alley, 1947. However, I can't imag read more

Sunday, December 8 is the final event in my 6-part Pre-Code speaker/screening series at the American Cinematheque! THE STYLE OF SIN: JOAN CRAWFORD AND JOAN BLONDELL Pre-Code Film with Kimberly Truhler Sunday, December 8 Egyptian Theatre Hollywood, CA Talk starts at 1:00 pm  followed read more

All film fans have their cinematic version of comfort food and mine is the musicals of choreographer Busby Berkeley. These busy, bubbly productions full of wit, beauty and excitement are pleasant to have on in the background, but deserving of the most devoted attention. I’m especially fond of read more

Throughout decades of movie fandom I’ve seen astonishing sights and transcendent works of art, and yet, if you asked me what I want to see at any given moment, I would probably ask to watch Glenda Farrell and Joan Blondell doing stuff. Whatever production they are in, they never let you down, read more

Two actresses born on August 30th share a career and two roles.  Both were born in New York City and started Broadway careers in the 1920s.  One was whisked away to Hollywood in 1930 and appeared in over 90 films.  The other only made a handful of movies, the first one in 1952. read more

Share This! Here she is…Miss Public Enemy No. 1! Though acclaimed by most at the film that catapulted star Joan Blondell to the national scene, Blondie Johnson is at best an average movie. Though billed as the next entry in Warner Brothers’ long line of gangster classics and containing hints read more

Share This! What well-known lawyer just secured a divorce for a well-known woman – just married that well-known wife? Joan Blondell was one of the stalwart stars of the 1930s, especially the pre-code years. Never one to cause a scene (at least at the studio) she often times did over a dozen fi read more

Share This! What well-known lawyer just secured a divorce for a well-known woman – just married that well-known wife? Joan Blondell was one of the stalwart stars of the 1930s, especially the pre-code years. Never one to cause a scene (at least at the studio) she often times did over a dozen fi read more

Share This! 1939 is often lauded as Hollywood’s greatest year, and in a year highlighted by such films as Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, it is not surprising that a rather smallish film like The Amazing Mr. Williams escapes attention. One of three read more

Share This! 1939 is often lauded as Hollywood’s greatest year, and in a year highlighted by such films as Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, it is not surprising that a rather smallish film like The Amazing Mr. Williams escapes attention. One of three read more

Share This! “Gentlemen, due to the fact that I have met one of the younger married women of your city, I regret exceedingly that I will be unable to autograph….” Anne (Joan Blondell) to Ken (Warren William)” Rarely do we venture into pre-code era movies, but that doesn’ read more

Share This! “Gentlemen, due to the fact that I have met one of the younger married women of your city, I regret exceedingly that I will be unable to autograph….” Anne (Joan Blondell) to Ken (Warren William)” Rarely do we venture into pre-code era movies, but that doesn’ read more

There are many early films that I'll watch to check out a star in their debut or breakout film role. That was the case with the new Warner Archive release of Sinners' Holiday (1930). It features the one-two punch of Joan Blondell and James Cagney in their first screen appearances. I'll admit I didn' read more

It’s been awhile since I included any new winners of The Veronicas, and that’s simply because I wanted to balance it out with one actor and one actress, and it’s been hard to get a coveted five movies per actor.  With that, we finally have a pair entering the vaunted hall of past read more

Blondell was married three times, first to cinematographer George Barnes in a private wedding ceremony on 4 January 1933 at the First Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, Arizona. They had one child, Norman S. Powell, (who became an accomplished producer, director, and television executive) and divor read more

(Image via Doctor Macro) From frisky pre-codes to a small supporting role in 1978′s Grease, there’s no denying Joan Blondell’s talent and screen presence. And it’s no surprise that she became such a star, with her show biz upbringing. Rose Joan Blondell was born into a family read more

This week’s installment of Old Hollywood Book Reviews looks at a biography everyone should go out and read!  I’ve given a few books unanimous praise but this one gets a pass all the way around.  Joan Blondell: A Life Between Takes by Matthew Kennedy is a must-read for fans of Blondell read more