Commentary “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a ….” You doubtless know the rest of that line, which the American Film Institute rates as the most famous movie quote of all time. This line is from the final scene of “Gone with the Wind” (1939), uttered by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) as he leaves Scarlett…
‘Three Loves Has Nancy’: A Short but Sweet 1930s Romance
Commentary How short is too short to be a great movie? In the 1930s, Hollywood had the formula of telling a complete story in just over an hour perfected to an art. Films from the early 1930s were very fast-paced because the technology of the early talking films didn’t allow for much movement of the…
Valentine’s Day Memories, Thoughts, and Counsels
Commentary There’s so much “heavy” stuff—China, Russia, the economy, the cynical politics of climate change, etc.—to think about these days, but let’s never lose sight of the sunnier side of life. And what could be sunnier than love? So I’m going to share some stories appropriate for Valentine’s Day. One shining reminder of the beauty…
‘How Humankind Came To Be’ Carries a Good Message for the Test of Life, Teachers Say
Mary Rose Martin, an elementary school teacher, sees life as a test and agrees that the purpose of life is to pave the way to heaven. Upon reading “How Humankind Came to Be,” an article Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi published in The Epoch Times last month, she wrote to the newspaper: “Living in the…
Pastor Who Witnessed His Own Birth: The Creator Cares for Humanity Beyond Our Understanding
Walt Scotson, a retired pastor from Billings, Montana, experienced something incredible that allowed him to take an open and inclusive view of other people’s beliefs. Scotson said he witnessed his own birth and since then has felt an unseen element impacting his life in powerful and deeply spiritual ways. “I had a unique experience when…
‘Perfect Strangers’ From 1950: Duty and Truth
Commentary When you hear the name Ginger Rogers, what comes to your mind? This classic movie star is best remembered for the nine musicals she made with her dancing partner Fred Astaire, starting in 1933. However, by the late 1930s, they had made eight musical comedies together, and Rogers was tired of being primarily associated…
‘The Elephant Song:’ Breening a Modern Play
Commentary If you’ve read my articles before, you’re probably familiar with the term “to breen.” This made-up verb, coined by “Variety” back in the 1930s, is the Old Hollywood version of bowdlerization. Named after Joseph I. Breen, it’s the process of applying the Motion Picture Production Code to film stories and scripts to render them…
‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ From 1953: Rediscovering 3 Famous Actresses
Commentary “How to Marry a Millionaire” is a film showcasing three A-list actresses: Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, and Marilyn Monroe. These names are instantly recognizable to anyone who is aware of 1940s and 50s culture. Lauren Bacall made many film noirs with her husband, Humphrey Bogart, Betty Grable was a beloved pin-up girl during World…
‘The Devil and Miss Jones’ From 1941: Fighting for What’s Right
Commentary Any film with the word “devil” in its title is sure to capture one’s attention. For instance, the title “The Devil and Miss Jones” is sure to raise anyone’s curiosity. Who is Miss Jones, and what happened when she met the devil? Don’t let the title mislead you. This is a very cheerful, lighthearted…
Discovering Vintage Hairstyling: An Interview with Lauren Rennells
Commentary Vintage beauty is one of my favorite areas of study. Whether in a classic movie, an old advertisement, or an antique illustration, it’s delightful to see how beautifully feminine women looked in the mid-20th century. Today, with the huge industry of online businesses, real vintage and reproduction clothing is available more readily than ever…
-
Recent Posts
-
Archives
- May 2025
- April 2025
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- September 2013
- July 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- December 1
-
Meta