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Biography
Filmography
Television
Discography
Radio
Bibliography
Searching For
Related Viewing
Archives
Links
About Me
Contact Me
June 23, 2010
I just discovered that the new Film Noir Classics Collection will include Cornered starring Dick Powell.
Dick has been luckier than most classic stars in the amount of his material that is available on DVD. There are still some rare gems, and of course the lost Convention City, but with more than 45% of his films available on DVD, and 57% on DVD or VHS, he gets a decent amount of exposure. There is hope out there for new generations to discover his work and to admire him for it.
Perhaps one of these new fans is the person who spent $76 on his pants from The Tall Target.
June 15, 2010
I have been having some trouble with my webmail. When I receive e-mails and try to reply to them, about half the time, the messages I sent come back to me. Therefore, I have created a new e-mail address that I can use if my webmail fails to reach you. The e-mail address is DickPowellWebmaster@gmail.com, so feel free to reach me there, or at Webmaster@dickpowell.net.
I love hearing from you!
June 11, 2010
Would you like to own a pair of Dick Powell's pants?
Well, you can! A pair of his pants from the film The Tall Target are up for bid. I know people like to collect personal items from the stars. I have my fair share of autographs and such. However, owning some of their clothes seems a bit stalkerish.
But if you're feeling like you can't do without these fibers which once hugged Dick Powell's legs, be sure to put in a bid!
June 6, 2010
It's been a week since Cinevent ended, and I think I'm adjusted to normal life again, although I have this overwhelming itch to check out what all the other shows are like. If you know of any worthwhile ones within a 4 hour driving radius of Columbus, let me know.
I didn't think as much of the movies this year as I have in the past. For some reason, none of them really clicked with me as being this year's find. Usually I discover a film or a star that I can't wait to see again. This year, I was only mildy amused.
Of course, seeing Betty Hutton in The Fleet's In was a treat. I've always loved her, and the film was pretty good too, but I expected to like that one. This year the only surprise was a cartoon called The Poor Little Match Girl, which was incredibly sad and beautifully done.
One thing I love about Cinevent and seeing the movies there is the fact that the audience applauds after the films. This is something I usually hate, but it somehow seems appropriate to do here. It releases some of our excitement at seeing these films screened, and since most of the people who made the movies are dead now, I get the feeling that they might just be able to hear our approval.
with Martin Grams, co-host from my Radio Once More appearance
I saw a decent amount of movies this year. It is always hard to toggle between the screening room and the dealer room, and I tend to spend most of my time during the day with the dealers. When that room closes, I pop into the screening room. This is hard on my energy level because Cinevent weekend I usually run on six hours of sleep, but it is worth it.
This year I saw County Hospital, Chicago, Open All Night, Murders in the Zoo, The Fleet's In, The Monster and the Girl, The Charley Chase festival, Unaccustomed As We Are, Roadhouse Nights, Woman on the Run, Dancing on a Dime, and Sarong Girl.
a poster from a film from last year's Cinevent
After the show, I like to scour blogs that discuss it, partially to extend the glow of it a bit longer, but also to see what reactions were like. I find myself wishing I'd talked to more people, and I put names on a list to watch out for next year.
I have to say, I disagree with Bruce Hershenson's idea to scale the time period of the movies and memorabilia upward to accomodate younger fans. If Cinevent predominantly catered to movies from the 60s and 70s, I don't think I'd go. The appeal is that you can't see a lot of these movies elsewhere, or buy this memorabilia in thrift stores or specialty shops. I could go to the mall and buy a poster from Rocky (albiet, not an original). I can't go to the mall and buy a poster from Bringing Up Baby.
Of course, Bruce is right that young people, people my age, like those later films. In fact, my friend Tim who came to the show for the first time this year bought a framed Rocky re-print poster. However, he's also a fan of the Stooges, Dick Tracy, and Michael Shayne. His wallet just did not accomodate buying original posters for these interests, like the two Dick Tracy lobby cards in the auction that he desperately wanted, but couldn't afford at the $200 reserve price.
I was able to pick up some goodies. Most beneficial to this website is a set of The June Allyson Show, and I've created a page for one of the episodes in the television section, the other to follow soon. I also got a few Dick Powell stills, a few of Edgar Bergen, a couple of lobby cards from The Bride Goes Wild, and a few DVDs.
Anyway, while Cinevent exists as it is, it will be a highlight of my year, and I'm so thankful I live in Columbus and am able to attend faithfully.
May 25, 2010
I received some bad news yesterday. It seems that Bob Powell passed away April 18 due to his lung cancer.
Bob Powell in the hospital visited by Richard Jr. and Chuck Powell
Bob is the son of Howard Powell, Dick's older brother. He contacted me through this website about a year ago and quickly offered to let me borrow his scrapbooks dedicated to his famous uncle. I was floored by his generosity and quickly accepted the offer. Many of the newspaper articles and supplemental materials you see on this website are courtesy of Bob.
We also talked about our families. Bob originally contacted me hoping I had been in contact with some of his family members, as he was looking to meet those he had not spoken to before. We began building a Powell family tree, which is still a work in progress.
Bob was obviously a family man. He and I discussed creating websites, as he had created a simple one using a Mac when his grandson was born. I stubbornly dissented, saying that HTML was not so bad, but I remembered Bob's advice when I took a class this spring that required I use a Mac to create a website.
He told me about his wife Caryl, who he loved so much, and he told me about how much fun they had celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with the family. He told me about how they met at Denison University in Ohio, the college I almost attended.
When I told him about my boyfriend Joel, he asked me why we were not married, or at least engaged. He told me money was no excuse, that love doesn't wait for money, and we would find a way to make it work. I knew this advice came from his strong love for his own wife. And when Joel proposed in February, Bob told me he was proud and very happy for me.
I am so grateful to Bob because of how much he helped me. He introduced me to Richard Jr. and to Bruce MacMillan, a man whose love for Dick Powell runs very deep. Bob tried his hardest to get me in contact with the other Powell children and to give me motivation to keep up with my research even when I was busy with school and work. I wish I could thank him for being so kind to me, a complete stranger, and thank him for helping to keep his uncle's memory alive. The generosity and love of people like Bob make life worth living.
My condolences go out to his family and friends.
May 21, 2010
In one week, I will be roaming through the halls of the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, a maze of movie memorabilia and movie fanatics.
I call Cinevent "the most wonderful time of the year" because that's what it is. It's better than Christmas, better than birthdays, better than any other day for a movie fan. It is an overwhelming barage of stimulants, from a screening room that runs films all day and a dealer's room so large, it is impossible to see everything in the four days, and a poster auction filled with rare and insanely priced goodies.
Because of this setup and the impossibility to see it all, Cinevent leaves its patrons wanting more, and they return year after year from all over country to attend.
I first heard about Cinevent in a movie poster collector's book. I had never collected movie memorabilia before, but the idea sounded interesting. At the time, I was more interested in the movies that were going to be shown than in the merchandise that was sold there. I didn't go because of two reasons. I had no one to go with me and I didn't feel comfortable going alone, and Memorial Day weekend usually fell on my boyfriend's birthday.
A few years later, it fell the weekend before Joel's birthday and I decided I was going to go. After all, it was in Columbus so I didn't have many excuses. I convinced my sister, a non-old movie fan to come with me one day just so I wasn't alone, but really it wasn't necessary. She came on Sunday, and by then I was surrounded by friends, a group of three fellow movie fans I met on a message board years ago.
My second year I felt more confident, and was thoroughly addicted to the high of being there. I met many more friends, found more memorabilia, and officially made Cinevent my Memorial Day tradition.
This will be my fourth year, and I am anxiously anticipating the bargains I will find, the friends I will see, and the movies I will watch. For those of you who will attend, don't be shy to come over and say hello. For those of you who have never gone, you must. It is an experience worth having year after year.
May 3, 2010
Last summer, when Bob Powell let me borrow his Dick Powell scrapbooks, I was delighted to find several of Dick's personal letters to his brother Howard, Bob's father. I saved this one to be posted in May, the month in which it was written.
The great thing about this letter is Dick's sense of humor. We see the way he joked with his close friends and family, something that isn't always obvious in his statements to the press. We also see a signature that I have never seen before, but have read about in Stuart Jerome's book about Warner Brothers. Apparantly, Dick thought it was funny to sign things, "Love and Kisses." Here we see that put to use.
It is 75 years old, which is hard for me to believe because I feel so close to the author. This is something I love about history, the way the past can come alive if we really study it.
April 25, 2010
I have discovered a recent video of Rhonda Fleming and Richard Erdman talking about film noir, most notably Cry Danger. This is a very interesting video and worth watching.
April 6, 2010
Unfortunately, it has been a while since I have posted anything new. I was working on filling in the television and radio sections with photos, reviews, and transcripts, but school is upon me and I have very little time to devote to the site.
Fortunately, though, spring is upon us, and I thought I would celebrate with an outdoorsy photo of Dick and Joan riding bikes.
Until I am able to post again, do not forget to keep checking TCM's schedule for Dick Powell movies. They are showing Meet the People in a couple of days. This is Dick and June's first movie together, and it has a great cast.
March 9, 2010
Hello everyone!
I will be a guest once again on an online radio website. This time it will be with Yesterday USA Radio Network on Saturday March 13 at 10:30 PM EST.
Please be sure to tune in on time, because this segment will be much shorter than the one on Radio Once More.
March 2, 2010
It is impossible to have a bad day when you're listening to Louie Armstrong, and viewing him with a frown is doubley hard. Just check out this clip from Going Places and you'll see what I mean.
I'm so glad that Dick was famous enough to get work with the really great names from his time. In addition to his famous friends such as Edgar Bergen and Ronald Reagan, he had romances with Marion Davies, Joan Blondell and June Allyson, and he worked with Will Rogers, Olivia de Havilland and Robert Mitchum.
The popularity of these stars continue to draw people to Dick, both through his movies and his personal connections, even when they aren't searching for him.
I can't tell you how many times I popped a movie into the VCR and was delighted to see that Dick was in it. I hope new movie fans have the luck I did in discovering him.
February 18, 2010
In 1934, Dick Powell was on the list of the top 13 movie stars of the year.
He was also on the list of top 10 money makers that year.
February 7, 2010
I will be appearing as a guest on Radio Once More on February 15. The program runs from 9 p.m. to midnight eastern time. I will be chatting with the host about this website, and he will play some Dick Powell radio shows and music. Be sure to tune in!
January 25, 2010
Here is another fun Youtube video, a Movietone News reel announcing Dick Powell's marriage to Joan Blondell.
January 14, 2010
I just found this video on Youtube and wanted to share it with all of you. It's a sad tribute because Dick is largely forgotten in his hometown, but there are pockets of fans all around the world.
I would love to get into contact with Red Gilbert, the owner of Dick's birthplace, and Virginia Mabry. If you can help, please contact me.
January 5, 2010
Dick Powell was a fixture of Hollywood and had many celebrity friends. Those friends turned out in droves to his funeral.
I apologize for the bad scan of this article. I will try to get a better one uploaded soon. However, you can see if you strain your eyes that an impressive 800 people attended the service to pay tribute to Powell.
January 2, 2010
Forty-seven years ago, Dick Powell died of cancer after slipping into a coma. The world lost an important Hollywood figure, and his family lost a beloved member. Today we remember him for all he did during his lifetime, and all the joy he continues to bring us through his movies, musical recordings, and radio shows.
Comments from Dick's Find a Grave page
"You were a bright star in the early Hollywood sky. Thanks for the music and memories." ~Michael Pittaro
"You sir, were a great Marlowe." ~Bogey
"Thank you for your work in all of those wonderful Busby Berkeley musicals." ~Susan Nunes
"May God Bless You. Remembering you always." ~Paula
"I certainly remember your fine work on Four Star Playhouse. Rest well." ~ K. Williams
"The public is often given a chance to experience wonderful talent. My experience with yours was very satisfying. Thank you." ~Charlotte
"Thinking of you today. May you rest in peace." ~Effie K.
"Thank you for the pleasure of your talent that you gave the people through your films worldwide and hope you will always be remembered. My favorite movie, Susan Slept Here. Rest in peace." ~M.G.
"May you be in God's care on this anniversary day." ~Cindy
"To a great actor." ~Jai
"Mr. Powell, you'll always be one of the true original crooners. Your movies are timeless! Here's a toast to you!" ~Katherine
"In loving memory. Rest in peace." ~Mario
"I remember when I was a little boy that you were in the next booth with June at NICKODELL restaurant at Selma and Argyle in Hollywood. You were a real gentleman. God bless you, Sir." ~Christian
"I have enjoyed many of your performances." ~Jennifer M.
"Loved you in the movie Susan Slept here with Debbie Reynolds." ~Linda Haughton
"Thanks for entertaining us. God Bless." ~Sandra
"God's blessings on your family." ~Arianna
"Some of your songs are still being played today. How wonderful they sound. I just close my eyes and hear you singing them all over again." ~Fan
"I remember how sad it was when you died. Rest in peace." ~Barbara R. Davis
"To a man with few imperfections. Love always." ~Samantha
January 1, 2010
Happy New Year to everyone!
December 30, 2009
I am always impressed to find how Dick Powell influenced the world after his death.
For Christmas, I received Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour". In it, Bianculli notes that the person who gave the Smothers Brothers a shot on television with their "The Smothers Brothers Show" was Aaron Spelling, courtesy of Four Star.
If Dick hadn't noticed Spelling's talent and given him a chance, the world might never have known "Melrose Place" or "90210", and the Smothers Brothers might never have had a show on television, and in consequence, "Saturday Night Live" might not have ever come about.
Of course, this is all speculation, but Dick was a man whose legacy lives on; even if his name is not omnipresent, his influence is.
December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Don't forget, Dick is on TV both tonight and tomorrow in Christmas in July and Susan Slept Here on Turner Classic Movies.
December 20, 2009
Still not in the Christmas spirit? Here's something that will surely get you there: Dick Powell singing Jingle Bells.
Here is another Christmas treat, a clip from the Central Theater's Christmas Reel with Dick Powell and the crew from Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, including Norman Powell and Aaron Spelling.
December 11, 2009
Vintage Hollywood Gossip
Are Dick Powell and Mary Brian headed for the alter?
It is crazy how much publicity Dick Powell got early in his career after appearing with Mary Brian in Blessed Event. Warner Brothers cooked up a scheme to couple the two stars and made sure they appeared frequently in public.
Here, the press covers a visit between Mary and Dick's father Ewing.
In an interview later in life, Mary claimed she and Dick never had a romantic relationship and that they saw a lot of each other outside the studio because they both enjoyed dancing and were good friends.
Interestingly, a real-life romance that Dick had with a co-star, Marion Davies, was not publicized at all. Although it was common knowledge that Marion was W. R. Hearst's mistress, the press could not cover such a liason.
A romance between Marion and Dick, then, should have been a welcome diversion from Marion's long-term relationship, but the press kept their affair under wraps, and when Dick chose to settle down with Joan Blondell instead, the matter quickly faded away.
November 23, 2009
Thank you to everyone who entered the "I Love Dick Powell" film contest. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each entry.
The winner is Eric Brunt whose love for Dick's musicals shines brightly in his essay.
Whenever I think of the name Dick Powell my mind always conjures up the same thing. Brad Roberts, struggling New York composer, singing "Shadow Waltz" through an open window to Ruby Keeler.
It's his first scene in Gold Diggers of 1933 but the character has already been established. Likeable, confident, happy, romantic, and most importantly - a great singer.
This was a role Dick Powell would play again and again, but it suits him like a glove. The second he is on the screen you like him. He's the guy you'd want to be friends with. You throw him a song with a nice melody and he makes it special. You can see on the screen that he's putting everything into it. With him singing you've often found the high-point of the movie you're watching.
Throw in Ruby Keeler and you've got magic. Classic musicals don't get much better than that.
I like to think Dick Powell was the same in real life as he was in those 30's musicals. However even after telling Ruby Keeler "I Only Have Eyes for You" they never became romantically involved out of the pictures.
His eyes were on another female in his musicals, Joan Blondell. The marriage between the two ended in divorce but I could have told him it would never work. Joan couldn't carry a tune.
He wisely went for a musical star this time, June Allyson. With June he created a perfect duet, a marriage that lasted until his death.
Despite his knack for musicals Dick wanted to move on to other roles. The funny thing was he was good at whatever he played. He delivers a great performance in Murder, My Sweet where he plays the famed detective Philip Marlowe. Dick was the first to play Marlowe as well, two years before Bogart played him in The Big Sleep.
Even though he was a very talented actor his legend lies in the 30's musical. It was there where he made two of the finest musicals cinema has ever seen. Today, even 80 years from the first movie musical, nothing can be made of the same quality as 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933. Removing Dick Powell from either of these films would be taking away one of the best parts.
In the shadows of 30's cinema there is no one I'd rather have come and sing to me than Dick Powell.
Honorable mention goes to Sally McMechen whose interest in Powell grew slowly but strongly.
In my very young teenage years, the early fifties, I recall having a conversation with my best friend's mother. We were discussing our favorite movie stars. Lillie said that she just loved Dick Powell.
I didn't say anything to her about the choice, but would think about it through the years. I wondered why in this world she would choose such an uninteresting, staid, lackluster, dull man like Dick Powell.
In the fifties we didn't see or know about the old movies. There was no such thing as a Turner Classic Movie Channel etc. Many, many years later I saw my first Dick Powell film from the early years, and then I knew why Lillie "just loved Dick Powell."
I absolutely adore his magnificent voice. Even beyond that - there is a quality in his voice, face, and eyes as he sings that transmit from him to the listener a happy, in love with life pure joy. My spirits soar when I hear him sing. He is so sure of his talent, and electric. I have never seen those qualities quite so in any other singer.
When I get to heaven, I will tell Lillie that she was completely right about Dick Powell.
Congratulations to the both of you! Keep watching for more contests.
November 14, 2009
In honor of Dick Powell's birthday, November 14th, dickpowell.net is hosting an "I Love Dick Powell" film contest.
The winner will receive a copy of Dames on DVD.
To enter, just submit to me why you love Dick Powell. The entry could be a short paragraph or a long essay, just as long as it properly expresses your sentiments. The best entry will win the DVD.
All entries must be submitted to me by November 22nd at midnight Eastern Time to be considered. I will post the winner here the following day.
E-mail your submissions to webmaster@dickpowell.net.
Don't forget to invite your friends!
November 13, 2009
Dick Powell is on the radio!
Tonight at 6:20 PM on KUAR, Little Rock, Arkansas's public radio, Stephen Koch will present "Arkansongs." The program will feature Dick Powell, among other famous Arkansas musicians.
For more information, click here.
For fans of Powell who do not live in the Arkansas area, check out the podcast section of the website here.
November 4, 2009
Instead of spending my free hour following a test Tuesday on what I should have been doing--homework, I compiled more sheet music images for the Discography section of this website.
Over the years, I have discovered that Dick appears on the sheet music of some songs he never recorded. Maybe they were introduced on the radio on shows like the Pow Wow Club and Campana Serenade. Hearing him sing these unknown pieces would be quite a treat, but even if we cannot, at least the sheet music survives.
October 25, 2009
Thanks to Bob Powell for the following information.
Today the Valley Center Historical Society is giving a historic home tour of a house that Dick and June lived in. Richard and Pamela Powell will be in attendance. Apparently, they do not remember living in the house, but since Dick moved the family so much thanks to his love of buying and selling homes, this is understandable.
During the tour, a screening of The Reformer and the Redhead will be running on a loop.
See the Valley Center Website for more information.
October 5, 2009
Dick Powell was a very special guy who was loved by many people. His fame was not wasted in Arkansas, his state of birth. Many times, the state honored him, and in one such instance, the governor gave him the license plate numbered 1.
September 18, 2009
I adore Mickey Rooney. He was (and is) an excellent performer with more energy than anyone I have ever seen. His dedication to his field is admirable; it would be wrong to deny his place in history as one of the top stars of the classic era. He worked with Dick Powell in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and apparantly formed enough of a friendship to go out with Dick during WWII. He recounts a highly entertaining, if not entirely factual story about himself, Dick, Fred Astaire, and James Cagney in his autobiography. I find the story hard to believe simply because of the cast involved, but I suppose anything is possible. Here is Mickey's story:
"In New Orleans, I went out after a show with three of the guys-- Fred Astaire, Jimmy Cagney, and Dick Powell-- and got as drunk as I have ever been in my life, before or since. We started out with a couple of Sazeracs, a famous New Orleans drink made out of bourbon, absinthe, bitters, and sugar. A couple of them are enough to numb anyone, and we were no exception. Then, numbed, we went on a pub crawl, mixing more Sazeracs with champaigne. In one bistro, all four of us ended up dancing on the bar as the band played 'There's Going to Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.'
I fell off first. When I looked up from the floor, Powell was going down. Then came Cagney, laughing to beat hell. Astaire broke into a big grin. He'd won, so he decided to keep on dancing. The last thing I remember that night was Astaire, leaning out of a cab window shouting at the top of his lungs, 'Ah, Shit! Ah, Shit!' The rest of us were too ossified to even cry out. I woke up the next morning lying crosswise on a big bed in this hotel, naked, with the sun shining in the window. I looked around and saw three other naked bodies: Astaire, Cagney, and Powell. There was nothing lascivious about it. We were just four drunks who ended up passing out together in a hot humid hotel.
'I'm afraid,' I said, when I opened one eye and found Cagney staring at me, 'I'm going to die.'
Cagney answered, in a croaking voice, 'I'm afraid I'm not going to die.'"
August 31, 2009
I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Bob Powell, who graciously offered to let me borrow his Dick Powell scrapbooks. Bob is the son of Howard Powell, Dick's older brother, and his generosity has helped me tremendously. Here is one of the articles that the family saved. It was written in the mid 1950s and probably appeared in a Chicago newspaper.
August 4, 2009
You can find amazing things on ebay if you look hard enough. Once I found a seller who boasted a collection of caricature artworks that used to be on display at the Ambassador Hotel. In fact, the artwork was painted right on the walls, and when construction workers were ordered to dismantle the place, one managed to save many of the pieces.
During its heyday, the Ambassador lounge was an area where the stars gave interviews and relaxed away from their fans. According to the seller, it was a private room reserved for celebrities, so the average guest could not access it.
Dick Powell was immortalized on the walls along with co-star Ruby Keeler and her husband Al Jolson. The artist is pictured with her handiwork. I have not been able to find her name, but if anyone knows this or any other information, please let me know.
The hotel itself has a very interesting history. It hosted the famous Cocoanut Grove and held the Academy Awards for several years.
July 16, 2009
Some stars are inexorably identified with their pets. Deanna Durbin had Tippy, Doris Day has her countless four-legged friends, and Alfalfa Switzer met his untimely end due to his hunting dogs. Dick Powell had pets too, and here he is with his dog Ranger in the middle 1930s.
July 3, 2009
If you are a big fan of any of the stars from the golden age of Hollywood, you probably have attempted to track down entire filmographies. You might have also stumbled upon a cartoon with your favorite star in caricature.
Volume 3 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection contains a disk devoted to Hollywood and celebrity caricatures. It is quite a lot of fun to watch these shorts and to try to identify each of the celebrities parodied in it.
In a short called The Woods are Full of Cuckoos, we can find a rare caricature of Dick Powell as "Dick Fowl."
Also in the easily decipherable cast is Walter Finchell (Walter Winchell), Bing Crowsby (Bing Crosby), Al Goatson (Al Jolson), Ruby Squealer (Ruby Keeler), and Louella Possums (Louella Parsons), among others.
June 26, 2009
There is a supplemental short on the Dames DVD called And She Learned About Dames. In it, a group of finishing school girls dream about meeting celebrities when they win a magazine contest to visit Hollywood. James Cagney, Ruby Keeler, and Kay Francis are on the list of favorites, but the real attraction is Dick Powell.
The mousiest girl of them all daydreams about what it would be like to kiss Dick. She gets a makeover and sends in a picture of her new self to the magazine, and wins!
Lyle Talbot escorts her around Warner Brother's studio. They run into Hugh Herbert who shows them a group of chorus girls rehearsing for a scene from Dames. The film switches to stock footage of the film, but we're made to believe these are real videos from rehearsals. Hugh isn't his usual character from the films here; he is tame, without the "woo woo woo" bit.
Next the duo meets Busby Berkeley who explains his method of finding the beautiful girls for the chorus. He also talks a bit about what is special about Dames.
Finally, Miss Complexion gets her wish, to meet Dick Powell. He is introduced through song rehearsing "I Only Have Eyes For You."
And she gathers up her courage to ask for a kiss, for the principal, of course, who couldn't be there to accept it herself. He grants her a kiss, and she dreamily tells him that all of the girls in the school are just crazy about him. "How many girls are in your school?... I get it!" The short closes with a barrage of kisses.
This short is an unusual way to promote a movie, sort of a combination of behind-the-scenes and a trailer, but it is highly memorable, even though Dick is really on the screen for less than a minute.
June 12, 2009
We often look back at the 1950s as a time of cookie-cutter homes and traditional values. Although that was not always the case, magazines of the time liked to play up the family life of Hollywood celebrities. Columnists were often invited to a star's home to take photographs and write about a typical day in the life of that person, complete with amusing but inconsequential stories about the spouse and the children. As both Dick and June were famous, and they had such adorable children, they were featured quite frequently as a family. Here is a typical spread of the Powell family in the 1950s, from the December issue of Photoplay magazine in 1950.
June 2, 2009
The first season of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre will be released June 9th. Rather than release random episodes, VCI has gone through the trouble to compile entire seasons, a ideal format for collectors. Although marking the set as "Season One" implies there will be others, sales determine everything, so don't hesitate to pre-order yours today.
May 26, 2009
Thanks to all who made Cinevent 41 such a great experience! It is always a treat to spend long days watching rare movies and chatting with other film lovers. Thanks especially to Al, Chandler, Dan, Louie, Richard, Steve, and Sharon for helping me scout out Dick Powell memorabilia. Until I can get some of the new goodies scanned, I will draw from some of my stockpiled items.
It was easy to sell even the most common of products if a celebrity was affiliated with it in some way. Here is a cookbook with each page devoted to a particular star with a short recipe on one of their "favorite" dishes. Whether or not the star actually enjoyed the meal was not important.
May 10, 2009
I have always read that movie magazine articles should be taken with a grain of salt. Although many of them have great information, the articles are often peppered with half-truths and outright lies.
Luckily, due to the price of the average magazine and the extent to which I have relied on these articles for my research, I have not discovered many obviously fabricated articles.
This is not to say I have not found my fair share, and here is a prime example:
When I bought this magazine, I was excited to read something unique, something I had not heard about before. However, after reading a couple of paragraphs, I found myself laughing at the absurdity of the story. Did people really believe this stuff?
I just discovered that the new Film Noir Classics Collection will include Cornered starring Dick Powell.
Dick has been luckier than most classic stars in the amount of his material that is available on DVD. There are still some rare gems, and of course the lost Convention City, but with more than 45% of his films available on DVD, and 57% on DVD or VHS, he gets a decent amount of exposure. There is hope out there for new generations to discover his work and to admire him for it.
Perhaps one of these new fans is the person who spent $76 on his pants from The Tall Target.
June 15, 2010
I have been having some trouble with my webmail. When I receive e-mails and try to reply to them, about half the time, the messages I sent come back to me. Therefore, I have created a new e-mail address that I can use if my webmail fails to reach you. The e-mail address is DickPowellWebmaster@gmail.com, so feel free to reach me there, or at Webmaster@dickpowell.net.
I love hearing from you!
June 11, 2010
Would you like to own a pair of Dick Powell's pants?
Well, you can! A pair of his pants from the film The Tall Target are up for bid. I know people like to collect personal items from the stars. I have my fair share of autographs and such. However, owning some of their clothes seems a bit stalkerish.
But if you're feeling like you can't do without these fibers which once hugged Dick Powell's legs, be sure to put in a bid!
June 6, 2010
It's been a week since Cinevent ended, and I think I'm adjusted to normal life again, although I have this overwhelming itch to check out what all the other shows are like. If you know of any worthwhile ones within a 4 hour driving radius of Columbus, let me know.
I didn't think as much of the movies this year as I have in the past. For some reason, none of them really clicked with me as being this year's find. Usually I discover a film or a star that I can't wait to see again. This year, I was only mildy amused.
Of course, seeing Betty Hutton in The Fleet's In was a treat. I've always loved her, and the film was pretty good too, but I expected to like that one. This year the only surprise was a cartoon called The Poor Little Match Girl, which was incredibly sad and beautifully done.
One thing I love about Cinevent and seeing the movies there is the fact that the audience applauds after the films. This is something I usually hate, but it somehow seems appropriate to do here. It releases some of our excitement at seeing these films screened, and since most of the people who made the movies are dead now, I get the feeling that they might just be able to hear our approval.
I saw a decent amount of movies this year. It is always hard to toggle between the screening room and the dealer room, and I tend to spend most of my time during the day with the dealers. When that room closes, I pop into the screening room. This is hard on my energy level because Cinevent weekend I usually run on six hours of sleep, but it is worth it.
This year I saw County Hospital, Chicago, Open All Night, Murders in the Zoo, The Fleet's In, The Monster and the Girl, The Charley Chase festival, Unaccustomed As We Are, Roadhouse Nights, Woman on the Run, Dancing on a Dime, and Sarong Girl.
After the show, I like to scour blogs that discuss it, partially to extend the glow of it a bit longer, but also to see what reactions were like. I find myself wishing I'd talked to more people, and I put names on a list to watch out for next year.
I have to say, I disagree with Bruce Hershenson's idea to scale the time period of the movies and memorabilia upward to accomodate younger fans. If Cinevent predominantly catered to movies from the 60s and 70s, I don't think I'd go. The appeal is that you can't see a lot of these movies elsewhere, or buy this memorabilia in thrift stores or specialty shops. I could go to the mall and buy a poster from Rocky (albiet, not an original). I can't go to the mall and buy a poster from Bringing Up Baby.
Of course, Bruce is right that young people, people my age, like those later films. In fact, my friend Tim who came to the show for the first time this year bought a framed Rocky re-print poster. However, he's also a fan of the Stooges, Dick Tracy, and Michael Shayne. His wallet just did not accomodate buying original posters for these interests, like the two Dick Tracy lobby cards in the auction that he desperately wanted, but couldn't afford at the $200 reserve price.
I was able to pick up some goodies. Most beneficial to this website is a set of The June Allyson Show, and I've created a page for one of the episodes in the television section, the other to follow soon. I also got a few Dick Powell stills, a few of Edgar Bergen, a couple of lobby cards from The Bride Goes Wild, and a few DVDs.
Anyway, while Cinevent exists as it is, it will be a highlight of my year, and I'm so thankful I live in Columbus and am able to attend faithfully.
May 25, 2010
I received some bad news yesterday. It seems that Bob Powell passed away April 18 due to his lung cancer.
Bob is the son of Howard Powell, Dick's older brother. He contacted me through this website about a year ago and quickly offered to let me borrow his scrapbooks dedicated to his famous uncle. I was floored by his generosity and quickly accepted the offer. Many of the newspaper articles and supplemental materials you see on this website are courtesy of Bob.
We also talked about our families. Bob originally contacted me hoping I had been in contact with some of his family members, as he was looking to meet those he had not spoken to before. We began building a Powell family tree, which is still a work in progress.
Bob was obviously a family man. He and I discussed creating websites, as he had created a simple one using a Mac when his grandson was born. I stubbornly dissented, saying that HTML was not so bad, but I remembered Bob's advice when I took a class this spring that required I use a Mac to create a website.
He told me about his wife Caryl, who he loved so much, and he told me about how much fun they had celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with the family. He told me about how they met at Denison University in Ohio, the college I almost attended.
When I told him about my boyfriend Joel, he asked me why we were not married, or at least engaged. He told me money was no excuse, that love doesn't wait for money, and we would find a way to make it work. I knew this advice came from his strong love for his own wife. And when Joel proposed in February, Bob told me he was proud and very happy for me.
I am so grateful to Bob because of how much he helped me. He introduced me to Richard Jr. and to Bruce MacMillan, a man whose love for Dick Powell runs very deep. Bob tried his hardest to get me in contact with the other Powell children and to give me motivation to keep up with my research even when I was busy with school and work. I wish I could thank him for being so kind to me, a complete stranger, and thank him for helping to keep his uncle's memory alive. The generosity and love of people like Bob make life worth living.
My condolences go out to his family and friends.
May 21, 2010
In one week, I will be roaming through the halls of the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, a maze of movie memorabilia and movie fanatics.
I call Cinevent "the most wonderful time of the year" because that's what it is. It's better than Christmas, better than birthdays, better than any other day for a movie fan. It is an overwhelming barage of stimulants, from a screening room that runs films all day and a dealer's room so large, it is impossible to see everything in the four days, and a poster auction filled with rare and insanely priced goodies. Because of this setup and the impossibility to see it all, Cinevent leaves its patrons wanting more, and they return year after year from all over country to attend.
I first heard about Cinevent in a movie poster collector's book. I had never collected movie memorabilia before, but the idea sounded interesting. At the time, I was more interested in the movies that were going to be shown than in the merchandise that was sold there. I didn't go because of two reasons. I had no one to go with me and I didn't feel comfortable going alone, and Memorial Day weekend usually fell on my boyfriend's birthday.
A few years later, it fell the weekend before Joel's birthday and I decided I was going to go. After all, it was in Columbus so I didn't have many excuses. I convinced my sister, a non-old movie fan to come with me one day just so I wasn't alone, but really it wasn't necessary. She came on Sunday, and by then I was surrounded by friends, a group of three fellow movie fans I met on a message board years ago.
My second year I felt more confident, and was thoroughly addicted to the high of being there. I met many more friends, found more memorabilia, and officially made Cinevent my Memorial Day tradition.
This will be my fourth year, and I am anxiously anticipating the bargains I will find, the friends I will see, and the movies I will watch. For those of you who will attend, don't be shy to come over and say hello. For those of you who have never gone, you must. It is an experience worth having year after year.
May 3, 2010
Last summer, when Bob Powell let me borrow his Dick Powell scrapbooks, I was delighted to find several of Dick's personal letters to his brother Howard, Bob's father. I saved this one to be posted in May, the month in which it was written.
The great thing about this letter is Dick's sense of humor. We see the way he joked with his close friends and family, something that isn't always obvious in his statements to the press. We also see a signature that I have never seen before, but have read about in Stuart Jerome's book about Warner Brothers. Apparantly, Dick thought it was funny to sign things, "Love and Kisses." Here we see that put to use.
It is 75 years old, which is hard for me to believe because I feel so close to the author. This is something I love about history, the way the past can come alive if we really study it.
April 25, 2010
I have discovered a recent video of Rhonda Fleming and Richard Erdman talking about film noir, most notably Cry Danger. This is a very interesting video and worth watching.
April 6, 2010
Unfortunately, it has been a while since I have posted anything new. I was working on filling in the television and radio sections with photos, reviews, and transcripts, but school is upon me and I have very little time to devote to the site.
Fortunately, though, spring is upon us, and I thought I would celebrate with an outdoorsy photo of Dick and Joan riding bikes.
Until I am able to post again, do not forget to keep checking TCM's schedule for Dick Powell movies. They are showing Meet the People in a couple of days. This is Dick and June's first movie together, and it has a great cast.
March 9, 2010
Hello everyone!
I will be a guest once again on an online radio website. This time it will be with Yesterday USA Radio Network on Saturday March 13 at 10:30 PM EST.
Please be sure to tune in on time, because this segment will be much shorter than the one on Radio Once More.
March 2, 2010
It is impossible to have a bad day when you're listening to Louie Armstrong, and viewing him with a frown is doubley hard. Just check out this clip from Going Places and you'll see what I mean.
I'm so glad that Dick was famous enough to get work with the really great names from his time. In addition to his famous friends such as Edgar Bergen and Ronald Reagan, he had romances with Marion Davies, Joan Blondell and June Allyson, and he worked with Will Rogers, Olivia de Havilland and Robert Mitchum.
The popularity of these stars continue to draw people to Dick, both through his movies and his personal connections, even when they aren't searching for him.
I can't tell you how many times I popped a movie into the VCR and was delighted to see that Dick was in it. I hope new movie fans have the luck I did in discovering him.
February 18, 2010
In 1934, Dick Powell was on the list of the top 13 movie stars of the year.
He was also on the list of top 10 money makers that year.
February 7, 2010
I will be appearing as a guest on Radio Once More on February 15. The program runs from 9 p.m. to midnight eastern time. I will be chatting with the host about this website, and he will play some Dick Powell radio shows and music. Be sure to tune in!
January 25, 2010
Here is another fun Youtube video, a Movietone News reel announcing Dick Powell's marriage to Joan Blondell.
January 14, 2010
I just found this video on Youtube and wanted to share it with all of you. It's a sad tribute because Dick is largely forgotten in his hometown, but there are pockets of fans all around the world.
I would love to get into contact with Red Gilbert, the owner of Dick's birthplace, and Virginia Mabry. If you can help, please contact me.
January 5, 2010
Dick Powell was a fixture of Hollywood and had many celebrity friends. Those friends turned out in droves to his funeral.
I apologize for the bad scan of this article. I will try to get a better one uploaded soon. However, you can see if you strain your eyes that an impressive 800 people attended the service to pay tribute to Powell.
January 2, 2010
Forty-seven years ago, Dick Powell died of cancer after slipping into a coma. The world lost an important Hollywood figure, and his family lost a beloved member. Today we remember him for all he did during his lifetime, and all the joy he continues to bring us through his movies, musical recordings, and radio shows.
Comments from Dick's Find a Grave page
"You were a bright star in the early Hollywood sky. Thanks for the music and memories." ~Michael Pittaro
"You sir, were a great Marlowe." ~Bogey
"Thank you for your work in all of those wonderful Busby Berkeley musicals." ~Susan Nunes
"May God Bless You. Remembering you always." ~Paula
"I certainly remember your fine work on Four Star Playhouse. Rest well." ~ K. Williams
"The public is often given a chance to experience wonderful talent. My experience with yours was very satisfying. Thank you." ~Charlotte
"Thinking of you today. May you rest in peace." ~Effie K.
"Thank you for the pleasure of your talent that you gave the people through your films worldwide and hope you will always be remembered. My favorite movie, Susan Slept Here. Rest in peace." ~M.G.
"May you be in God's care on this anniversary day." ~Cindy
"To a great actor." ~Jai"Mr. Powell, you'll always be one of the true original crooners. Your movies are timeless! Here's a toast to you!" ~Katherine
"In loving memory. Rest in peace." ~Mario
"I remember when I was a little boy that you were in the next booth with June at NICKODELL restaurant at Selma and Argyle in Hollywood. You were a real gentleman. God bless you, Sir." ~Christian
"I have enjoyed many of your performances." ~Jennifer M.
"Loved you in the movie Susan Slept here with Debbie Reynolds." ~Linda Haughton
"Thanks for entertaining us. God Bless." ~Sandra
"God's blessings on your family." ~Arianna
"Some of your songs are still being played today. How wonderful they sound. I just close my eyes and hear you singing them all over again." ~Fan
"I remember how sad it was when you died. Rest in peace." ~Barbara R. Davis
"To a man with few imperfections. Love always." ~Samantha
January 1, 2010
December 30, 2009
I am always impressed to find how Dick Powell influenced the world after his death.
For Christmas, I received Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour". In it, Bianculli notes that the person who gave the Smothers Brothers a shot on television with their "The Smothers Brothers Show" was Aaron Spelling, courtesy of Four Star.
If Dick hadn't noticed Spelling's talent and given him a chance, the world might never have known "Melrose Place" or "90210", and the Smothers Brothers might never have had a show on television, and in consequence, "Saturday Night Live" might not have ever come about.
Of course, this is all speculation, but Dick was a man whose legacy lives on; even if his name is not omnipresent, his influence is.
December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Don't forget, Dick is on TV both tonight and tomorrow in Christmas in July and Susan Slept Here on Turner Classic Movies.
December 20, 2009
Still not in the Christmas spirit? Here's something that will surely get you there: Dick Powell singing Jingle Bells.
Here is another Christmas treat, a clip from the Central Theater's Christmas Reel with Dick Powell and the crew from Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, including Norman Powell and Aaron Spelling.
December 11, 2009
Vintage Hollywood Gossip
Are Dick Powell and Mary Brian headed for the alter?
It is crazy how much publicity Dick Powell got early in his career after appearing with Mary Brian in Blessed Event. Warner Brothers cooked up a scheme to couple the two stars and made sure they appeared frequently in public.
Here, the press covers a visit between Mary and Dick's father Ewing.
In an interview later in life, Mary claimed she and Dick never had a romantic relationship and that they saw a lot of each other outside the studio because they both enjoyed dancing and were good friends.
Interestingly, a real-life romance that Dick had with a co-star, Marion Davies, was not publicized at all. Although it was common knowledge that Marion was W. R. Hearst's mistress, the press could not cover such a liason.
A romance between Marion and Dick, then, should have been a welcome diversion from Marion's long-term relationship, but the press kept their affair under wraps, and when Dick chose to settle down with Joan Blondell instead, the matter quickly faded away.
November 23, 2009
Thank you to everyone who entered the "I Love Dick Powell" film contest. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each entry.
The winner is Eric Brunt whose love for Dick's musicals shines brightly in his essay.
It's his first scene in Gold Diggers of 1933 but the character has already been established. Likeable, confident, happy, romantic, and most importantly - a great singer.
This was a role Dick Powell would play again and again, but it suits him like a glove. The second he is on the screen you like him. He's the guy you'd want to be friends with. You throw him a song with a nice melody and he makes it special. You can see on the screen that he's putting everything into it. With him singing you've often found the high-point of the movie you're watching.
Throw in Ruby Keeler and you've got magic. Classic musicals don't get much better than that.
I like to think Dick Powell was the same in real life as he was in those 30's musicals. However even after telling Ruby Keeler "I Only Have Eyes for You" they never became romantically involved out of the pictures.
His eyes were on another female in his musicals, Joan Blondell. The marriage between the two ended in divorce but I could have told him it would never work. Joan couldn't carry a tune.
He wisely went for a musical star this time, June Allyson. With June he created a perfect duet, a marriage that lasted until his death.
Despite his knack for musicals Dick wanted to move on to other roles. The funny thing was he was good at whatever he played. He delivers a great performance in Murder, My Sweet where he plays the famed detective Philip Marlowe. Dick was the first to play Marlowe as well, two years before Bogart played him in The Big Sleep.
Even though he was a very talented actor his legend lies in the 30's musical. It was there where he made two of the finest musicals cinema has ever seen. Today, even 80 years from the first movie musical, nothing can be made of the same quality as 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933. Removing Dick Powell from either of these films would be taking away one of the best parts.
In the shadows of 30's cinema there is no one I'd rather have come and sing to me than Dick Powell.
Honorable mention goes to Sally McMechen whose interest in Powell grew slowly but strongly.
I didn't say anything to her about the choice, but would think about it through the years. I wondered why in this world she would choose such an uninteresting, staid, lackluster, dull man like Dick Powell.
In the fifties we didn't see or know about the old movies. There was no such thing as a Turner Classic Movie Channel etc. Many, many years later I saw my first Dick Powell film from the early years, and then I knew why Lillie "just loved Dick Powell."
I absolutely adore his magnificent voice. Even beyond that - there is a quality in his voice, face, and eyes as he sings that transmit from him to the listener a happy, in love with life pure joy. My spirits soar when I hear him sing. He is so sure of his talent, and electric. I have never seen those qualities quite so in any other singer.
When I get to heaven, I will tell Lillie that she was completely right about Dick Powell.
Congratulations to the both of you! Keep watching for more contests.
November 14, 2009
In honor of Dick Powell's birthday, November 14th, dickpowell.net is hosting an "I Love Dick Powell" film contest.
The winner will receive a copy of Dames on DVD.
To enter, just submit to me why you love Dick Powell. The entry could be a short paragraph or a long essay, just as long as it properly expresses your sentiments. The best entry will win the DVD.
All entries must be submitted to me by November 22nd at midnight Eastern Time to be considered. I will post the winner here the following day.
E-mail your submissions to webmaster@dickpowell.net.
Don't forget to invite your friends!
November 13, 2009
Dick Powell is on the radio!
Tonight at 6:20 PM on KUAR, Little Rock, Arkansas's public radio, Stephen Koch will present "Arkansongs." The program will feature Dick Powell, among other famous Arkansas musicians.
For more information, click here.
For fans of Powell who do not live in the Arkansas area, check out the podcast section of the website here.
November 4, 2009
Instead of spending my free hour following a test Tuesday on what I should have been doing--homework, I compiled more sheet music images for the Discography section of this website.
Over the years, I have discovered that Dick appears on the sheet music of some songs he never recorded. Maybe they were introduced on the radio on shows like the Pow Wow Club and Campana Serenade. Hearing him sing these unknown pieces would be quite a treat, but even if we cannot, at least the sheet music survives.
October 25, 2009
Thanks to Bob Powell for the following information.
Today the Valley Center Historical Society is giving a historic home tour of a house that Dick and June lived in. Richard and Pamela Powell will be in attendance. Apparently, they do not remember living in the house, but since Dick moved the family so much thanks to his love of buying and selling homes, this is understandable.
During the tour, a screening of The Reformer and the Redhead will be running on a loop.
See the Valley Center Website for more information.
October 5, 2009
Dick Powell was a very special guy who was loved by many people. His fame was not wasted in Arkansas, his state of birth. Many times, the state honored him, and in one such instance, the governor gave him the license plate numbered 1.
September 18, 2009
I adore Mickey Rooney. He was (and is) an excellent performer with more energy than anyone I have ever seen. His dedication to his field is admirable; it would be wrong to deny his place in history as one of the top stars of the classic era. He worked with Dick Powell in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and apparantly formed enough of a friendship to go out with Dick during WWII. He recounts a highly entertaining, if not entirely factual story about himself, Dick, Fred Astaire, and James Cagney in his autobiography. I find the story hard to believe simply because of the cast involved, but I suppose anything is possible. Here is Mickey's story:
"In New Orleans, I went out after a show with three of the guys-- Fred Astaire, Jimmy Cagney, and Dick Powell-- and got as drunk as I have ever been in my life, before or since. We started out with a couple of Sazeracs, a famous New Orleans drink made out of bourbon, absinthe, bitters, and sugar. A couple of them are enough to numb anyone, and we were no exception. Then, numbed, we went on a pub crawl, mixing more Sazeracs with champaigne. In one bistro, all four of us ended up dancing on the bar as the band played 'There's Going to Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.'
I fell off first. When I looked up from the floor, Powell was going down. Then came Cagney, laughing to beat hell. Astaire broke into a big grin. He'd won, so he decided to keep on dancing. The last thing I remember that night was Astaire, leaning out of a cab window shouting at the top of his lungs, 'Ah, Shit! Ah, Shit!' The rest of us were too ossified to even cry out. I woke up the next morning lying crosswise on a big bed in this hotel, naked, with the sun shining in the window. I looked around and saw three other naked bodies: Astaire, Cagney, and Powell. There was nothing lascivious about it. We were just four drunks who ended up passing out together in a hot humid hotel.
'I'm afraid,' I said, when I opened one eye and found Cagney staring at me, 'I'm going to die.'
Cagney answered, in a croaking voice, 'I'm afraid I'm not going to die.'"
August 31, 2009
I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Bob Powell, who graciously offered to let me borrow his Dick Powell scrapbooks. Bob is the son of Howard Powell, Dick's older brother, and his generosity has helped me tremendously. Here is one of the articles that the family saved. It was written in the mid 1950s and probably appeared in a Chicago newspaper.
August 4, 2009
You can find amazing things on ebay if you look hard enough. Once I found a seller who boasted a collection of caricature artworks that used to be on display at the Ambassador Hotel. In fact, the artwork was painted right on the walls, and when construction workers were ordered to dismantle the place, one managed to save many of the pieces.
During its heyday, the Ambassador lounge was an area where the stars gave interviews and relaxed away from their fans. According to the seller, it was a private room reserved for celebrities, so the average guest could not access it.
Dick Powell was immortalized on the walls along with co-star Ruby Keeler and her husband Al Jolson. The artist is pictured with her handiwork. I have not been able to find her name, but if anyone knows this or any other information, please let me know.
The hotel itself has a very interesting history. It hosted the famous Cocoanut Grove and held the Academy Awards for several years.
July 16, 2009
Some stars are inexorably identified with their pets. Deanna Durbin had Tippy, Doris Day has her countless four-legged friends, and Alfalfa Switzer met his untimely end due to his hunting dogs. Dick Powell had pets too, and here he is with his dog Ranger in the middle 1930s.
July 3, 2009
If you are a big fan of any of the stars from the golden age of Hollywood, you probably have attempted to track down entire filmographies. You might have also stumbled upon a cartoon with your favorite star in caricature.
Volume 3 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection contains a disk devoted to Hollywood and celebrity caricatures. It is quite a lot of fun to watch these shorts and to try to identify each of the celebrities parodied in it.
In a short called The Woods are Full of Cuckoos, we can find a rare caricature of Dick Powell as "Dick Fowl."
Also in the easily decipherable cast is Walter Finchell (Walter Winchell), Bing Crowsby (Bing Crosby), Al Goatson (Al Jolson), Ruby Squealer (Ruby Keeler), and Louella Possums (Louella Parsons), among others.
June 26, 2009
There is a supplemental short on the Dames DVD called And She Learned About Dames. In it, a group of finishing school girls dream about meeting celebrities when they win a magazine contest to visit Hollywood. James Cagney, Ruby Keeler, and Kay Francis are on the list of favorites, but the real attraction is Dick Powell.
The mousiest girl of them all daydreams about what it would be like to kiss Dick. She gets a makeover and sends in a picture of her new self to the magazine, and wins!
Lyle Talbot escorts her around Warner Brother's studio. They run into Hugh Herbert who shows them a group of chorus girls rehearsing for a scene from Dames. The film switches to stock footage of the film, but we're made to believe these are real videos from rehearsals. Hugh isn't his usual character from the films here; he is tame, without the "woo woo woo" bit.
Next the duo meets Busby Berkeley who explains his method of finding the beautiful girls for the chorus. He also talks a bit about what is special about Dames.
Finally, Miss Complexion gets her wish, to meet Dick Powell. He is introduced through song rehearsing "I Only Have Eyes For You."
And she gathers up her courage to ask for a kiss, for the principal, of course, who couldn't be there to accept it herself. He grants her a kiss, and she dreamily tells him that all of the girls in the school are just crazy about him. "How many girls are in your school?... I get it!" The short closes with a barrage of kisses.
This short is an unusual way to promote a movie, sort of a combination of behind-the-scenes and a trailer, but it is highly memorable, even though Dick is really on the screen for less than a minute.
June 12, 2009
We often look back at the 1950s as a time of cookie-cutter homes and traditional values. Although that was not always the case, magazines of the time liked to play up the family life of Hollywood celebrities. Columnists were often invited to a star's home to take photographs and write about a typical day in the life of that person, complete with amusing but inconsequential stories about the spouse and the children. As both Dick and June were famous, and they had such adorable children, they were featured quite frequently as a family. Here is a typical spread of the Powell family in the 1950s, from the December issue of Photoplay magazine in 1950.
June 2, 2009
The first season of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre will be released June 9th. Rather than release random episodes, VCI has gone through the trouble to compile entire seasons, a ideal format for collectors. Although marking the set as "Season One" implies there will be others, sales determine everything, so don't hesitate to pre-order yours today.
May 26, 2009
Thanks to all who made Cinevent 41 such a great experience! It is always a treat to spend long days watching rare movies and chatting with other film lovers. Thanks especially to Al, Chandler, Dan, Louie, Richard, Steve, and Sharon for helping me scout out Dick Powell memorabilia. Until I can get some of the new goodies scanned, I will draw from some of my stockpiled items.
It was easy to sell even the most common of products if a celebrity was affiliated with it in some way. Here is a cookbook with each page devoted to a particular star with a short recipe on one of their "favorite" dishes. Whether or not the star actually enjoyed the meal was not important.
May 10, 2009
I have always read that movie magazine articles should be taken with a grain of salt. Although many of them have great information, the articles are often peppered with half-truths and outright lies.
Luckily, due to the price of the average magazine and the extent to which I have relied on these articles for my research, I have not discovered many obviously fabricated articles.
This is not to say I have not found my fair share, and here is a prime example:
When I bought this magazine, I was excited to read something unique, something I had not heard about before. However, after reading a couple of paragraphs, I found myself laughing at the absurdity of the story. Did people really believe this stuff?
