“Conversations with Classic Film Stars:
Interviews from Hollywood’s Golden Era”
Book Giveaway via Twitter
Okay, it’s time for our next book giveaway! CMH will be giving away FOUR COPIES of “Conversations with Classic Film Stars: Interviews from Hollywood’s Golden Era” courtesy of University Press of Kentucky, via TWITTER from September 5 through October 1. (plus TWO more copies via Facebook and this Blog, details to follow on Wednesday).
In order to qualify to win one of these prizes via this contest giveaway, you must complete the below entry task by Saturday, October 1 at 10PM EST. However, the sooner you enter, the better chance you have of winning, because we will pick a winner on four different days within the contest period, via random drawings, as listed below… So if you don’t win the first week that you enter, you will still be eligible to win during the following weeks until the contest is over.
- September 10: One Winner
- September 17: One Winner
- September 24: One Winner
- October 1: One Winner
We will announce each week’s winner on Twitter @ClassicMovieHub, the day after each winner is picked at 10PM EST — for example, we will announce our first week’s winner on Sunday September 11 at 10PM EST on Twitter (sorry about that date, we mean no disrespect).
If you’re also on Facebook, please feel free to visit us at Classic Movie Hub on Facebook for additional giveaways (or check back on this Blog in a few days) — because we’ll be giving away TWO MORE copies via Facebook/Blog as well!
…..
ENTRY TASK (2-parts) to be completed by Saturday, October 1 at 1oPM EST — BUT remember, the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win…
1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post
THE QUESTION:
Who are some of your favorite Classic Film Stars and why?
2) Then TWEET (not DM) the following message*:
Just entered to win “Conversations with Classic Film Stars” #BookGiveaway courtesy of @KentuckyPress and @ClassicMovieHub
*If you do not have a Twitter account, you can still enter the contest by simply answering the above question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog — BUT PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ADD THIS VERBIAGE TO YOUR ANSWER: I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
NOTE: if for any reason you encounter a problem commenting here on this blog, please feel free to tweet or DM us, or send an email to classicmoviehub@gmail.com and we will be happy to create the entry for you.
…..
About the Book: In Conversations with Classic Film Stars, retired journalists James Bawden and Ron Miller present an astonishing collection of rare interviews with the greatest celebrities of Hollywood’s golden age. Conducted over the course of more than fifty years, they recount intimate conversations with some of the most famous leading men and women of the era, including Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joseph Cotten, Cary Grant, Gloria Swanson, Joan Fontaine, Loretta Young, Kirk Douglas, and many more. Each interview takes readers behind the scenes with some of cinema’s most iconic stars. The actors convey unforgettable stories, from Maureen O’Hara discussing Charles Laughton’s request that she change her last name, to Bob Hope candidly commenting on the presidential honors bestowed upon him. Humorous, enlightening, and poignant, Conversations with Classic Film Stars is essential reading for anyone who loves classic movies.
…..
Click here for the full contest rules.
Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible.
And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).
Good Luck!
And if you can’t wait to win the book, you can purchase it on amazon via the below link (click on image):
Good Luck!
…..
–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
,
This book looks amazing!!! I have so many favorite movie stars: John Wayne, William Powell, Cary Grant, Olivia de Havilland, Carole Lombard… I could go on and on. Movie Stars from the Golden Era were so classy and actually STARS, unlike those of today who are “celebrities.”
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
Oh man…in no particular order: Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Sophia Loren, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy, Vivien Leigh, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant
I can’t just pick one, but a few stand out. To me, they all brought such depth, fascination, style, charisma, beauty, yes even the men, talent, and mesmerizing depiction of their characters, especially the ones I’ve chosen. The fact that the studios controlled so much of their private lives may have added to the mystique, but still their body of work was impressive. No amount of direction will replace lack of talent. I’ve read several books covering their backlot lives and they are STILL fascinating. Maybe MORE so.
Truly the Golden Age. These new movies are mostly crap, not only in storyline but in genuine acting talent also. Very few meet even the B List quality of times gone by. What a genuine treasure this book would be! And I’m willing to share after I have read!
All great choices and reasoning 🙂 Thanks for entering and Good Luck!
What a wonderful looking book, I’d love to have a copy. Two of my favorite classic stars are Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn so you know I love The African Queen. I was always impressed with their versatility and the edge that they brought to their characters. Thanks again for the great book.
Cary Grant, as his characters seemed to get so much fun out of life.
Randolph Scott, as they always stood for what was right.
John Wayne–ditto.
Spencer Tracy, as he could outact anyone without even trying.
Lon Chaney, as he was the master. I wish he’d been able to do more in the sound era.
Lillian Gish, Chaney’s counterpart.
Walter Pidgeon, who had such a magnificent voice.
Robert Ryan, who could be a baddie, a hero, and an everyman.
Dana Andrews, another magnificent voice who seemed to play the guy you wanted your sister to fall in love with.
Charlton Heston, the king of the epics.
And Cathy O’Donnel, for the simple fact I have a crush on her.
Great choices! 🙂
My favorites include, W.C. Fields, the most modern of the classic film comedians and the funniest; Dick Powell, a good singer and hoofer but exceptional at delivering snappy noir dialogue; Van Heflin, an underrated actor and a master at quiet scene-stealing; Peter Cushing, the best horror actor who brought a believability and truth to the silliest of material; and Peter Lorre, who instantly made every film he appeared in 100 times better as soon as he arrived on screen.
All great choices 🙂
Oh my favorite classic film stars are so many but to name a few John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. I love collecting autographs so this book would be awesome to add to my collection. Fingers crossed!!
All wonderful choices 🙂
Hi Theresa, just realized that you haven’t tweeted the message yet. Could you please tweet the required message, or let me know here if you don’t have a twitter account. Thanks!
My favorite classic film stars are Carole Lombard, Jean Harlow, Clara Bow, William Powell, Cary Grant, and Clark Gable. The grace, humor, and glamour are nearly palpable whenever any of them appear on screen. I have yet to see any in a bad film and I feel each of them left a unique mark on Hollywood that should never be forgotten. Each were innovators in my mind and were way ahead of their time.
John Wayne because he was a true American cowboy and I love the Quiet Man. Humphrey Bogart, who is wonderful in The Maltese Falcon and Katherine Hepburn who did so many great films.
I have so many favorites. Katherine Hepburn is definitely one of my faves: I don’t think there’s a single one of her films I don’t like – my favorite being “Bringing Up Baby.” I feel the same way about Jimmy Stewart – my favorite of his is “Harvey.” I’m also a big horror film fan, and I don’t think you could ever go wrong with anything with Vincent Price – I definitely have to watch “House of Wax” every Halloween. I also love Maureen O’Hara – “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Miracle on 34th Street” are two of my faves.
My favorite classic film stars include Myrna Loy, Jack Lemmon, Henry Fonda, Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, William Powell, James Stewart, Bette Davis, Judy Holliday, Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Robert Walker, Gene Tierney, Paul Newman, James Dean, and Natalie Wood.
I would include more, but I will spare you.
Haha, great choices so far 🙂
Too many to mention them all. But off the top of my head: Cary Grant, Maureen O’Hara, William Powell, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlowe, James Garner, Irene Dunne, Doris Day, Kate Hepburn, Jack Lemmon, Buster Keaton, Judy Garland, Joan Blondell, Humphrey Bogart, Eve Arden… Gee whiz, I could go on all day. They all possessed ‘star quality,’ outstanding talent and a photogenic appeal that makes it impossible to kook away when they’re on screen. It’s with good reason these masters of their craft immortally live on as classics.
I have a lot of favourites, but my top 2 are Joan Crawford and Garbo. Joan is really inspiring to me. The way she came from nothing to being one of the biggest stars in the world; a real Cinderella Story. I love how she changed and evolved her looks with the changing of the decades and she could act wonderfully in any genre of film. Garbo I also admire because she wasn’t the traditional movie star. She stayed true to herself- she was REAL. She didnt care what she looked like, what people thought of her, etc. I love so many other people like Norma Shearer, Myrna Loy, Jean Arthur, Greer Garson, Irene Dunne…I could go on for hours!! I don’t like as many male stars as I do women though. But women were the biggest powerhouses in those days.
Hi Sara, Great choices — I haven’t seen your tweet yet though. Please remember to tweet the message so that you can officially enter, and if you don’t have a twitter account, please remember to let me know here, via this blog post. Thanks!
Gotta say James Stewart and Gregory Peck are the top two, they’ve been in countless movies I’ve always loved. To pick a third, I’d probably say Lauren Bacall, Key Largo is a classic.
Hi Adam, Haven’t seen your tweet yet. Please remember to tweet the message so that you can officially enter, and if you don’t have a twitter account, please remember to let me know here, via this blog post. Thanks!
not even a question, marlon brando! i was first introduced to him my senior year in high school in my english class. my teacher showed the class On The Waterfront, and we even read A Streetcar Named Desire. I really wanted to know more about his life and maybe other movies he was in. Fast foward into college, I started watching more and more of his movies and even started doing research on his life. I was just amazed on what he went through. Everything about him was nothing I ever thought of. Yet, his acting was unlike anything I ever saw. He made every character so real and filled with emotion that any viewer would connect to. I loved the wat he broke the entire acting barrier and started doing something that no actor or actress had ever even thought of. He spent hours doing research and even putting himself in a hospital to prepare for a movie role. I dont have a lot of respect for what he did in his personal life, cheating on women, constant eating, being impossible on film sets, and much more. His acting was beyond anything I have ever seen before.
Some of my favorite Bando movies: On The Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire (he was hot!), Guys and Dolls, The Men, The Wild One, and Viva Zapata.
I also love Karl Malden, Lee J Cobb, Viven Leigh, Jean Simmons, and jersey boy Frank Sinatra.
Pingback: Conversations with Classic Film Stars: Facebook/Blog Giveaway Contest (August) | Classic Movie Hub Blog
Who to choose, there are so many. Barbara Stanwyck, Cary Grant, Joan Crawford to name a few. I’m inspired by people who can overcome adversity while growing up and go on and make their dreams and aspirations come true.
Talk about an open-ended question! I could post a long list, but I’m just going to go with Mitzi Gaynor — maybe not as big a star as most of the others mentioned so far, but she’s still performing (and looks great!) at 85!
I love William Powell for his classic sofistication and sense of humor. He makes every movie he stars in wonderful and my pre-teen daughter can’t get enough of his antics.
There are so many stars that I love, but just to name a few: James Stewart, Cary Grant, William Holden, Jack Lemmon, Gregory Peck, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, Rock Hudson, Jane Wyman, Olivia de Havilland, Joan Fontaine, Natalie Wood, Deborah Kerr, Ingrid Bergman, Teresa Wright, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, Ginger Rogers…okay that was more than a few but I could easily name a dozen more.
Generally speaking, these stars are always a welcome presence in any film I watch, whether it’s one of my favorite movies or one that I end up not enjoying as much. I consider them all charismatic performers, and they were equally fascinating off-screen too.
I have many favorite classic film stars, but I’ll narrow it down to these few: Audrey Hepburn for her humility, modesty, charm, generous heart & elegant spirit, and style; William Holden for his ability to make even the most amoral cynic a sympathetic character; Lena Horne for her refusal to be anything other than what she was, a black woman, and for her lush voice; Van Johnson for his surprising versatility and cheeriness on & offscreen; June Allyson’s perseverance in becoming a star, her husky voice and sunniness; and Lee Marvin for his generosity despite his tough guy image.
I love old movies. Favorites include Gregory Peck, who always came across as a gentleman and a decent human being, both in movies and in interviews. I fell in love with him in Roman Holiday. I love Dana Andrews, always a little mysterious and vulnerable. ‘Best Years of Our Lives’ is probably my favorite movie. Dana is not a classic hero to all but is definitely a hero to one.
Barbara Stanwyck was always so likable, a tough broad which is a description that you have to earn and which commands great respect.
The main thing I love about classic Hollywood is that the secrets were kept secret. I’m sure there were some skeletons in the closet but I miss the days when I did not know every detail of their lives and they could live as perfect in my mind.
Donald O’Connor and William Powell would be my choices. Donald made the most difficult dances look easy and always like he was having fun doing them. His numbers in “Singing In The Rain” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” stand up to any one of the other big stars in those films.
William Powell made the urbane look normal so the “everyman” could identify. The “Thin Man” series is the perfect example of this.
If I had to narrow it to two : Katherine Hepburn, for short force of personality and acting skill, and Sterling Hayden, because he was a badass who didn’t even much like acting, would rather be sailing. Honorable mention, Ann Sheridan, nearly lost in the mists of time.
My favorite stars. Wow hard question one William Powell. Funny charming has away of making you feel your in the room with him. Plus he can play any role. Funny or drama. I like Bogy for the same reasons. Females Bacall, with Bogy and years later. Betty Davis she can put fear in you with that voice and those eyes. Ugh
Too many to count! Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Veronica Lake, all incredibly talented and all have been an inspiration.
My #1 classic film star is Cary Grant. He can play any role. He’s classy, funny and of course, very handsome! I love so many of his movies, it’s hard to pick a favorite! I also love Jimmy Stewart. I think my love for him started with “It’s a Wonderful Life” and he was my Dad’s favorite too! My favorite female is Gene Tierney, a classic beauty. Other favs are Maureen O’Hara, Lizabeth Scott, Humphrey Bogart, I can go on and on! They don’t make ’em like they used to! 🙂
My favorite stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood include, Kay Francis, William Powell, Kathryn Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, and more. These were true stars, glamorous, talented, a joy to watch on film.
I have always kept a list of my top 20 favorite classic actors and actresses, but I’ll just give you my top 3 of each.
Actors:
1. William Powell always and forever. The perfect combination of charm, sophistication and comedy timing.
2. Ronald Colman. So handsome, and a voice beyond compare,
3. Fred Astaire. Have you seen him dance?
Actresses:
1. Greer Garson. Such a great actress, and so beautiful. I always wanted to be her.
2. Jeanette MacDonald. Probably a minority taste, but I love her singing and her sly, sexy performances at Paramount.
3. Carole Lombard. What a gifted comedienne, but also great in dramatic roles.
Cary Grant–handsome, suave, sexy, funny. Favorite movie: My Favorite Wife
Gene Kelly–crazy talented dancer, sensitive eyes, creative choreographer. Favorite movie: An American in Paris.
Judy Garland–beautiful strong voice, wide range of roles, lovely smile. Favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz
Elizabeth Taylor–visually stunning, can’t take your eyes off her. Favorite movie: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Pingback: Gene Kelly Biography: Facebook/Blog Giveaway Contest (June) | Classic Movie Hub Blog
My favorite Classic Movie Stars:
Men
1) Orsen Wells for his genius
2) Humphrey Bogart for his real man qualities
3) Fred Astaire for him making it look so easy to dance in that way
4) John Wayne for his presence in every film
5) Boris Karloff for the ability to make you fear, and love, the creature
Women
1) Vivian Leigh for her soaring talent
2) Bette Davis for being real in all situations
3) Joan Crawford for her power and presence
4) Jean Harlow for no holds barred sex appeal
5) Evelyn Ankers for her monster movies appeal
Hi Woody, These are some answers! All good… It seems that I included the wrong link for the twitter contest… So just wanted to let you know that the contest is for the Gene Kelly biography, and I will be happy to enter you in that contest in lieu of this contest if that’s all right with you. http://www.classicmoviehub.com/blog/gene-kelly-biography-contest-giveaway-via-twitter-in-june/