30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 29

Day 29- Whose private lifestyle shocked you the most

This was another tough one.  I think reading about Clara Bow was possibly the most shocking.  I don’t know if it counts as “private lifestyle,” but (I’m sure many if not all of you know this), but her life was tragic and awful.  Her birth was very difficult and both she and her mother nearly died.  They were extremely poor all through her childhood, her mother had an accident and was diagnosed with psychosis because of epilepsy and Clara became her caretaker.  Clara was a tomboy and was teased for her poor clothes and her looks.

Once she got to Hollywood, the insiders still thought she was strange looking, but audiences loved her.  In addition, other Hollywood stars made fun of her strong New York accent.  Later still, after she had already become the “it” girl, she attempted suicide, was admitted into a psych ward, where she received shock treatment, and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.  She suffered from insomnia, which was chalked up to her childhood trauma (I’ve read that her father sexually abused her, but I don’t know whether that is true or not).  There were many rumors about her (mostly that she was slut), but most of them aren’t true.  She may have known many men, but the allegations of her orgies, incest, etc. is not really based on truth, it seems. 

Clara Bow died from a heart attack in 1965 while watching a Gary Cooper film at home.  Everything I’ve read about her is so tremendously sad.  (Sorry for the major ramble… I’ve read things elsewhere, but most of this info I got from Wikipedia)

Whose private life surprised you?

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 28

Day 28- A movie you never expected yourself to enjoy

High Noon.  I don’t like westerns, and hadn’t yet realized my love of Gary Cooper.  I had heard it wasn’t really a “western,” but I was dubious.  Once I saw the movie, I realized it was true.

How about you guys?  What movie did you not expect to like?

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 26

Day 26- Which unsolved scandal would you most like the answer to

As ever, so many, but these are things I really want to know:

-Well, it’s not a scandal, but I want to know all of the things I don’t understand about Ida Lupino’s life.  What was her relationship like with her daughter, and what was her relationship with Howard Duff really like?

-The real story behind Errol Flynn’s dalliances with underage girls (also, did he and Olivia de Havilland, or didn’t they?)

-Which of Coop’s alleged affairs are legitimate?  I know he was with Patricia Neal, obviously, but did he actually have an affair with Ingrid Bergman?

-What really happened to Thelma Todd?  Who did it?

-How do Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine really feel about each other?

-What really happened to Natalie Wood?

I guess that’s enough, although I’m sure that I’m forgetting something very important, but oh well.  What about you guys?

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 22

Day 22- If you could go back in time and trade places with an Old Hollywood star, who would it be

I was contemplating this one, and I obviously relate more to the women, but I wouldn’t have traded lives with any of them because of everything they were up against, and how they were treated… even the powerful ones!  The person I think I could most see trading places with would have been Gary Cooper.  He died far too young (at only 60, after being ill for a long time), and I don’t necessarily approve of all of his romantic dalliances, but EVERYBODY liked him.  He seemed to almost always get what he wanted, without having to hurt anyone else or burn any bridges, and it speaks volumes that no one disliked him, even women he had previously had affairs with.  That almost never happens.  I strive to please everyone while still getting what I want, so I really respect that he didn’t take any crap, but still was beloved by all.

Who would you like to trade places with?

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 20

Day 20- Favorite Silent film star

I’m so predictable.

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Gary Cooper… but another silent actor who I think was beautiful was Charles Farrell although I somehow STILL haven’t seen any of his films!  How negligent of me.

Who’s your favorite silent star?

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 19

Day 19- Who’d you like to party it up with in the afterlife

I think we all know the answer to this question.  Of course there are others I would like to chill with there, but top two:

Ida Lupino

and

Gary Cooper

How about you?

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 9

Day 09- Old Hollywood stars you wish had worked together

Well, hmm, I would like to see Ida Lupino and Carole Lombard (because Ida really loved Carole’s work) in something with Clark Gable.  Ooh, and Ida and Carole could both be in love with him, but Carole would end up with him, but that would be perfectly OK because Ida would end up with Gary Cooper.  Yes, I think that would be a good movie!

Obviously, this would be a screwball comedy. :D

30 Days of Old Hollywood: Day 6

Day 06- Favorite movie from your favorite Actor

As usual, I can’t pick just one, but I will limit myself to 2:

High Noon (1952)

and

Meet John Doe (1941)

(you have no idea how difficult it is for me to only choose two, but I figure one comedy and one… drama/western is fair…)