Remember when 2020 came and I mentioned I was excited that everyone was proclaiming this year as the new “Roaring 20s” and how that got me a little excited?

As a refresher, according to History.com, the Roaring 20s was a time of:

a surging economy created an era of mass consumerism, as Jazz-Age flappers flouted Prohibition laws and the Harlem Renaissance redefined arts and culture.

Well, so far the economy is not surging, and the laws being flouted are those flouting the stay-at-home orders. But it does seem like the Age of Coronavirus might redefine a new era of arts and culture. I hope everyone is staying safe out there.

And while we may be apart, we can always bond over some classic films that deal with isolation, disease, and pandemics. My recommendations are included below!

Month in ReviewStefanie CosmanApril 27, 2020News, Hollywood, cinemaComment

Happy New Years! Ringing in 2020

Happy New Years! And congratulations, you survived 2019.

Already, people are hailing the coming decade as the new “Roaring 20s” which has me a little excited.

According to History.com, the Roaring 20s was a time of:

a surging economy created an era of mass consumerism, as Jazz-Age flappers flouted Prohibition laws and the Harlem Renaissance redefined arts and culture.

Month in ReviewStefanie CosmanJanuary 13, 2020News, Hollywood, cinemaComment

A Few of Her Favorite Things: Doris Day

The other day, my husband randomly asked me, “Is Doris Day still alive?” As many of you know, we lost Doris last year, May 13, 2019. She lived a long full life, though. She was 97 years old, and in those 97 years, Doris work embodied that of the All-American girl. Her legendary career included numerous hit singles, many classic movies, The Doris Day Show, and her passionate advocacy for animals.

Ava Gardner’s Favorite Things

Audrey Hepburn. Elizabeth Taylor. Marilyn Monroe. And up there with the rest of the screen siren greats, stood Ava Gardner. The ultimate femme fatale, she skyrocketed to fame when, in a stroke of marketing genius, her image graced entire sides of buildings to promote the film noir classic The Killers.

Ava Gardner became a star, and fans came to see her films in droves.

Have you ever wondered about the mysterious Ava Gardner?

Designer, Her Favorite Things, Perfume, Ava Gardner, Beauty Tips, Classic CinemaStefanie CosmanDecember 24, 2019Ava GardnerComment

Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly’s Favorite Things

She was more than an actress; Grace Kelly took beauty and fame to a whole other level when she became the Princess of Monaco. And she became the embodiment of her own name.

But she was more than just a pretty face. At Grace Kelly’s funeral, a touching eulogy was read by actor James Stewart, who said ‘You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met’.

Classic Cinema, Designer, Grace Kelly, Her Favorite Things, Inspiration, Love, WeddingStefanie CosmanNovember 12, 2019grace kelly, royalty, princess, fragrancesComment

Classic Hollywood Recipes to Keep You Warm

I am a tremendous fan of Jean Harlow -- not just her work, but the woman behind the silver screen. Her life was plagued by scandal and, in the end, tragedy. But before that, she was the kind of film star who, if she happened to meet you on the street, might invite you to that evening's barbecue. She truly wanted to make her guests feel welcome, and was known as more of a tomboy than a glamour girl to those who knew her best -- more at home in pants than in sequined dresses.

Which is perhaps why I had to try out one of her recipes, in preparation for the upcoming colder months.

Classic Cinema, Jean Harlow, Recipes, SimplicityStefanie CosmanNovember 11, 2019RecipesComment

Classic Hollywood Haunted: A Carole Lombard Ghost?

An avid Carole Lombard fan, I feel a certain reverence visiting Las Vegas’ Pioneer Saloon. If you are wondering why I feel such a veneration for Carole Lombard, it might help to read The Beautiful Ghost Story Behind I Love Lucy.

If you aren’t familiar with Carole Lombard’s life story already, the main thing you should know is that Classic Hollywood starlet (and comedienne extraordinaire) Carole Lombard died tragically in a plane crash on nearby Mt. Petosi. Her husband, King of Hollywood Clark Gable (aka Rhett Butler) was devastated.

Carole Lombard, SupernaturalStefanie CosmanOctober 28, 2019Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, classic cinemaComment

A True Alfred Hitchcock Ghost Story

In honor of Halloween, this month I am focusing on Hollywood tales of a spooky nature. Enjoy!

Sometimes when I am reading interesting stories from Old Hollywood, accounts vary tremendously. This one about a shrunken head is too good to ignore, regardless of the differences in details.

It seems that Clark Gable once gave Carole a shrunken head as a gift -- you see, they were both the ultimate pranksters. It was their thing -- to try to one up each other.

But this time, Clark had gone too far. Carole accused him of putting a curse on her, and threw the shrunken head out the window on the way to a party as they passed through Coldwater Canyon. This is where the story diverges. It is well-documented that they went back to pick up the head (I guess she was afraid of the fury of the shrunken head, perhaps because she was known to consult with psychics and mediums? I am sure they would advise her that was not good ju-ju).

Carole Lombard, SupernaturalStefanie CosmanOctober 21, 2019Ghosts, carole lombard, Clark Gable, Alfred Hitchcock, HalloweenComment

Movie Stars of the 1920s Favorite Getaway: Hearst Castle

An invitation to "the Ranch" back in the days of Old Hollywood was like finding a real life golden ticket to meet someone who, in many ways, was like Willy Wonka -- without the chocolate. The guests of Hearst Castle included the greatest of the glittering Hollywood elite: David Niven, Joan Crawford, Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn, and Cary Grant.

If you were in the news, you might find yourself lucky enough to garner an invitation -- Hearst was in the publishing world, after all, and he loved to meet the people that made headlines.

Now, Hearst Castle is a State Park. For the fee of $25 per tour, you can enter the place that once upon a time, was esconced in mystery, only accessible to very few.

Classic Cinema, Golden Age of Cinema, SupernaturalStefanie CosmanOctober 7, 2019Comment