Reel Old Movies

Gloria Swanson, one of Hollywood's most popular and bankable stars of the early Golden Age of movies, talks to TV journalist Mike Wallace in 1957 about why she is not making films, sex appeal, Hollywood in the 1920s, marriage, plastic surgery and more.

"The Covered Wagon" is not as well known today as some classic movies, but the silent movie is considered the first big budget epic Western, or as Variety said at its 1923 release: "It is the biggest thing since Griffith made 'The Birth of a Nation.'" The movie was one of the era's top box office hits, premiering in New York on March 16, 1923. Even Warren G. Harding, president at the time, screened it at the White House and sent an endorsement. It was also ground-breaking in the ambitious scale in its production of the tale of the pioneers heading West across the United States in the 1840s.  The plot of "The Covered Wagon" covers ground that will be well-trod in later Westerns: A wagon train sets out in 1848 for Oregon territory and encounters treacherous river crossings, internal power struggles, prairie fires, Indian attacks, an action-packed buffalo hunt, gold fever and more.  J. Warren Kerrigan and Lois Wilson J. Warren Kerrigan plays Will,...

Tinseltown celebrates movies at the 2023 Academy Awards on March 12, and if you can't get enough movie magic, consider a few more from the Golden Age of Hollywood.  Whether you want to pair up past and present for a double feature at home or are just looking for recommendations similar to your favorites, here are a few movie classic suggestions based on this year's Best Picture nominees.  What else would you suggest? Share with @ReelOldMovies on Instagram 2023 Best Picture nominee: "Top Gun: Maverick" Classic movie you might like: 1927's "Wings" The first Academy Award winner for best picture, “Wings” is the extravagant World War I production that is part drama, part comedy, part romance. This silent film from almost 100 years ago also features aerial dogfights, male bonding and a sassy and sexy leading lady.  2023 Best Picture nominee: "The Banshees of Inisherin"  Classic movie you might like: 1941's "How Green Was My Valley" Fr...

The 2023 Academy Awards are Sunday, March 12, but the first decades of Oscar honors were fertile ground for history-making movies.  Take a look at a few of the best, some of the firsts and a couple of the mosts when it comes to the Academy Awards' golden statuette and the Golden Age of Hollywood.  The first best picture nominees The first Academy Awards took place in 1929, honoring movies made from mid-1927 to 1928.  It was also the only year that two categories for "best" picture were included: One was for "Unique and Artistic Picture" and the other for "Outstanding Picture." The Artistic Picture category was dropped the following year, and the Outstanding Picture would evolve into the Best Picture category today. The movies nominated in each of the categories included: Outstanding Picture: "Wings" ** Won "The Racket" "7th Heaven" Unique and Artistic Picture: "Sunrise"  ** Won ( Watch for free ) "Chang...

On this date in Hollywood history -- March: Jean Harlow's birthday, Cyd Charisse's birthday, "The Covered Wagon" premiered, Steve McQueen's birthday ...  Discover what happened on days throughout March in Hollywood history, from historic film premieres and industry milestones to anniversaries of birthdays/deaths of beloved Old Hollywood figures, and more. (This story will be updated throughout the month)  March 3 The "Blonde Bombshell" Jean Harlow was born March 3, 1911, and was one of the legendary leading ladies of Old Hollywood. She rose to fame with 1930's "Hell's Angels" and would go on to star in two dozen movies before her untimely death just seven years later. Her biggest hits included "Platinum Blonde" (1931), "Red-Headed Woman" (1932), "Dinner at Eight" (1933), "Wife vs. Secretary" (1936) and "Libeled Lady" (1936). "Red Dust," made in 1932, featured Harlow at her most...

Ten minutes of lost footage is now restored to the Lon Chaney classic silent horror movie, “The Unknown” (1927), and the new print is screening for audiences for the first time in the United States. 

From understated flapper dresses to flamboyant frocks, the stars' fashion throughout almost 100 years of Academy Awards continues to inspire. As stars and movie fans gear up for 2024’s Oscar ceremonies on March 10, look back at some of the attire worn at the earliest Academy Awards ceremonies through the 1970s, featuring fashion favorites such as Audrey Hepburn and Diahann Carroll. And because Edith Head and Givenchy aren’t designing custom creations for the masses, we’ve rounded up a few dresses inspired by the glamorous ladies of Old Hollywood so you’ll always be ready for your close-up! Audrey Hepburn in 1965 Audrey Hepburn lived up to her elegant reputation in this white satin Givenchy-designed gown at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1965, where she was a presenter. “My Fair Lady,” in which she starred with Rex Harrison, won for best picture. (Photo: Getty Images) A dress inspired by Hepburn’s … More dress details and where to buy Audrey Hepburn in 1954 So nice, she's on the...

Watch an edited down chariot race scene of the 1925 movie blockbuster “Ben-Hur” with overlay of modern cinematic action music (Adobe free music).  The 1925 silent movie blockbuster "Ben-Hur" catapulted Ramon Novarro to stardom. 

On this date in Hollywood history -- February: MGM's first "all-talkie" movie premiered ... Clark Gable's birthday ... Raquel Welch and Burt Bacharach passed away ... Discover what happened on days throughout February in Hollywood history, from historic film premieres and industry milestones to anniversaries of birthdays/deaths of beloved Old Hollywood figures, and more. (This story will be updated throughout the month)  February 1  👯‍♀️”One more crack from you and you’ll be holding a lily!” Bessie Love deals with her critics in “The Broadway Melody of 1929.”  It was the first “all-talkie” musical movie from MGM and won the best picture Oscar. The box office smash, which premiered February 1, also helped set the stage (so to speak) for MGM to dominate the musical genre for decades to come. Anita Page and Bessie Love play two sisters who head to New York with dreams of making it on Broadway. Of course, they encounter some obstacles along the way. … View thi...