Megan McGurk

Keri Russell’s Emotional Transparency Has Anchored Three Decades of TV But, offscreen, she’s not even sure that she wants to be an actress.

My profile of the delightful Keri Russell, the darkly funny, surprisingly introverted former New Mickey Mouse Club member who—even after Felicity, The Americans and The Diplomat!—has never fully embraced the idea of herself as an actress: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Happy Carole Lombard Day!

2 page magazine layout. Left has large photo of Lupino in long-skirted dress kicking leg high in the air in a dance pose. Right page has article text and three small photos of Lupino with pets, husband and family. The article begins with title in large text and its lede in medium size font: The Lupino Legend By Adela Rogers St. John She can break your heart or make you laugh. She's five feet two of dynamite and she has Hollywood on its ear. Here begins the fascinating life story of the "Mad Lupino" born to the theater, daughter of a famous clown, and destined, some say, to be the greatest actress of our time

“The Lupino Legend” in Cosmopolitan magazine — first of a two-part article on Ida Lupino published in January and February 1943.

“She can break your heart or make you laugh. She's five feet two of dynamite and she has Hollywood on its ear.”

Sass Mouth Dames Film Club series 36 kicks off next month.
You Can't Have Everything (1937)
Too Many Husbands (1940)
The Major and the Minor (1942)
Tickets available at Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.ie/e/sass-mouth...

Pre-Code Films on TCM in October 2025 Hey, my book is out this month! Buy my book! Also, there are always movies to watch. It’s a good thing.

Pre-Code movies showing on @tcmtv.bsky.social in October, including a night of films coming from my new book! -- pre-code.com/pre-code-fil...

#filmsky #moviesky #photosky #photography

Championing a directional lighting technique, George Hurrell became Hollywood’s preeminent portrait photographer in the 1930/40s.

If you’re in Washington DC in the next 6 months, check out this exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.

First look at Sass Mouth Dames Film Club series 36 in November, when we celebrate Alice Fay, Gypsy Rose Lee, Jean Arthur, and Ginger Rogers. Tickets available in October.

If you’re still celebrating Garbo’s birthday, why not check out the radio play I wrote about showbiz hopefuls? House of the Seven Garbos is a three-part series from Sass Mouth Dames podcast, available wherever you get your shows.

YouTube video by soapbxprod Lillian Burns Sidney MGM head dramatic coach 1996 Interview Part 1 of 9

Treat yourself to the nine-part interview with Lillian Burns Sidney, born on this day, the acting coach who taught a generation of MGM stars, including Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Esther Williams and Debbie Reynolds. A legend.
youtu.be/GJrxV2lkvEw?...

Went into the office to give a workshop today. Good time to hang up Marilyn.

On this day in 1929, Joan Crawford left her hand and footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

If looks could kill, Palance would have died way before the credits. #TCMParty #SuddenFear #NoirAlley

Barbara Stanwyck by the White Studio, NYC 1927.

Yessssss 🙌

For more than 40 years, Richard Fleischer directed big stars like Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, and Jane Russell. But he was only star struck with Sylvia Sidney, on the set of Violent Saturday (1955). Sylvia made it easy for him: “Just tell me when to cry.” He titled his memoir after her advice.

*cackles*
Our little cinema speakeasy 🔥

Sake! Someone told me last week that their bank flagged the film club charge. They must think it’s a porn thing 😝

Thanks a mil!

The Parkinson interview with Anita Loos airs on BBC Four Thursday after Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Frances Drake, Toby Wing, and Lona Andre pose with their temporary tattoos supporting the NRA (the National Recovery Administration, not the gun nuts).
Movie Classic magazine, January 1934.

🙌👑

Get me a bromide!

The ultimate!

The Women was released on this day in 1939. Praise be.

They had me at Hollywood trilogy.

“Go home and tell your mamas you’ve been born again tonight.”
Gary Cooper, swoon merchant.
Sass Mouth Dames Film Club series 35 kicks off next week with City Streets (1931. Get your tickets at Eventbrite.

The photo was taken on the set of Chained (1934). Joan wasn’t in Wife vs. Secretary.

How the heck did they miss this?

Promo shot of Sylvia Sidney in her screen debut for City Streets (1931).

Only two more weeks until the return of Sass Mouth Dames Film Club. Join us for the screen debut of Sylvia Sidney in City Streets (1931). Tickets include a glass of wine and snacks. Not bad for a tenner.
www.eventbrite.ie/e/sass-mouth...

Oh, no! I love that place.