Category Archives: Motion picture actors and actresses
Attack of the Killer…Shrews?
With it being the Halloween season, it seems appropriate to take note of a gruesome creature of movie land that may have haunted our dreams, or is kitschy enough to have made us roll our eyes in disbelief. You’ve heard … Continue reading
Celebrating 200th anniversary of Frankenstein
2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. In the novel, Shelley (1797-1851) tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who builds a sapient creature in his laboratory through an ambiguous … Continue reading
Hoppy’s Saddle is not Hoppy’s Saddle – The Mystery Solved
In 1982, Grace Bradley Boyd donated to the American Heritage Center a large cache of documents, photographs and memorabilia that belonged to her late husband William L. Boyd, or “Hopalong Cassidy” as he was better known. “Hoppy” was well-known to … Continue reading
Spotlighting Communism & Hollywood in the papers of Sesame Street’s Mr. Hooper
One of the most recognizable figures of the first thirteen years (1969-1982) of PBS’s Sesame Street was Mr. Hooper the grocer, played by veteran actor Will Lee. He was one of the four original human characters on the show. Before … Continue reading
Exhibit at the American Heritage Center honors Barbara Stanwyck, 1907-1990
The astounding and legendary life and career of Barbara Stanwyck began in Brooklyn, New York. The youngest of 5 children born to common laborers, Stanwyck was originally known as ‘Ruby Stevens.’ She became orphaned by the age of 4. After … Continue reading
Celebrating Black History Month: The June Vanleer Williams Story
African-American journalist and editor June Vanleer Williams is not necessarily well-known, but what a rich life she led. Williams was an actress, a casting director, a journalist, a playwright, a poet, and an active member in Karamu House, which is the … Continue reading
Brassy Barbara Stanwyck and Pre-Code Hollywood
In 1934, the Hays Code began to be strictly enforced in Hollywood to clean up alleged indecency in movies. All evil-doers had to meet their just rewards. What spurred the prudish policing? Hardboiled flicks like Baby Face. This 1933 film had … Continue reading
