Robert Taylor, a star at MGM for close to a quarter of a century, was one of Hollywood's best-loved actors, popular with moviegoers and colleagues alike. Taylor was born in Nebraska on August 5, 1911. As a young man he was interested in both medicine and music; he ultimately selected music and was headed toward a career as a professional cellist when he followed a favorite professor to Pomona College in California. Once in California, Taylor fell into acting and a career at MGM; ...
Read moreActress Coleen Gray may not be a household name today, but she is greatly appreciated by fans of film noir, having given outstanding performances in some of the all-time noir classics. Gray was a very fine actress, and it may be that her chameleon-like ability to submerge herself into her roles worked against her being as well remembered as some other actors of her era. It's also interesting to note that some of the films for which Gray is best known today – Nightmare Alley (1947) being a pri...
Read moreDick Powell was, in my opinion, one of the smartest men ever in the movie business. He kept his career constantly evolving as he aged and times changed, making wise decisions and excelling in turn as a singer, actor, director, and producer. Powell also seems to have been universally admired by his colleagues, not always an easy feat while maintaining a high-powered career in the entertainment industry. Powell was born in Arkansas in 1904. After graduation from Little Rock Coll...
Read moreTyrone Power was one of the greatest stars of the classic film era. His spectacularly good looks were such that at times it's overlooked that he was also a fine actor whose skills grew more impressive with the passage of time. He was highly effective starring in everything from swashbucklers and Westerns to musicals and romantic comedies to film noir and costume dramas. His early death at the age of 44 was a great loss to all who love the movies. Power has always been my favorite acto...
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