Tag Archives: Bette Davis

By Robert J. Avrech | July 2, 2017

July 4th Flashback: When Hollywood Loved America

Tweet A long time ago, in a universe far, far away, in a place called Hollywood, the movie studios and the actors who flourished in the dream factories, celebrated their love of America and enthusiastically indulged in overt displays of patriotism. L.B. Mayer (b. Lazar Meir) the powerful head of MGM, was a pioneer of […]

Posted in America, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, July 4th | Also tagged Ann Blythe, Ava Gardner, Betty Compson, Betty Grable, Colleen Moore, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Helen Twelvetrees, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Leila Hyams, Madge Evans, Marian Marsh, Marilyn Monroe, Mary Doran, Rita Hayworth | 12 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | May 5, 2017

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

Posted in Art, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Family, Hollywood, Hollywood Cars, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Jewish Holidays, Judaica, Judaism, Kirk Douglas, Movie Posters, Painting, Photography, Photography, Los Angeles, Pico-Robertson, Photography, Signs, Quotes, Shirley Temple, True Hollywood Confessions | Also tagged Antonio Leonelli, Arthur Dove, Birger Sandzén, Charles Gates Sheldon, Clark Gable, Colt's Revolver, Counting the Omer, Jackie Chan, James Garner, Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen, Maerten van Heemskerck, Natalie Wood, Randall Knives, Rick McGinnis, Robert Doisneau, Robert Mangold, Rockwell Kent, Senta Berger, Shirley Jones | 8 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | January 27, 2017

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

Posted in Art, Friday Fotos, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Judaism, Painting, Photography, True Hollywood Confessions | Also tagged Boris Karloff, Days of Heaven, Double Indemnity, Erwin Blumenfeld, Gabriel Metsu, Gerrit Dou, Marc Riboud, Masao Yamamoto, Nestor Almendros, Rick McGinnis, Samuel van Hoogstraten, Thurston Hopkins | 10 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | July 3, 2016

Flashback: July 4th, When Hollywood Was Patriotic

Posted in Actors, America, Ava Gardner, Colleen Moore, Helen Twelvetrees, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, July 4th | Also tagged Ava Gardner, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Helen Twelvetrees, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Leila Hyams, Madge Evans, Marilyn Monroe, Timothy Oulton | 7 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | January 29, 2016

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

Posted in Anna May Wong, Art, Bette Davis, Friday Fotos, Gregory Peck, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Photography, Quotes | Also tagged Adam de Coster, Anna May Wong, Artemisia Gentileschi, Ava Gardner, Ed Ruscha, Gerrit van Honthorst, Gregory Peck, Jack Youngerman, Jeanne Eagels, Musical Group on a Balcony, Pierre Bonnard, Self-Portrait as a Lute Player, Sir William Rothenstein, Three Singers | 10 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | August 19, 2015

Talking About Carly Talking

Tweet A major, but frequently overlooked ingredient that contributed to the glamorous image of Hollywood’s greatest stars were their voices. Under the studio system, actors were given rigorous voice training. They were taught to enunciate clearly, and how to emphasize certain words in order to give better line readings. They were drilled on how […]

Posted in Actors, Carly Fiorina, Hollywood | Also tagged Actor's Voices, Barbara Stanwyck, Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Howard Hawks, Irene Dunne, Kim Novak, Lauren Bacall, The Secret to Great Hollywood Acting, Vertigo | 15 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | July 24, 2015

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

Posted in Art, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Friday Fotos, Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography | Also tagged Alfred Hitchcock, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Bartolome Esteban Perez Murillo, Carlo Maratti, Cary Grant, Eva Mariel Saint, Eve Arnold, Fred Astaire, Giambattista Pittoni, Giandomenica Tiepolo, Govert Flinck, Hedy Lamarr, Jacob Hogers, Jayne Mansfield, Joan Crawford, Josef von Sternberg, Kim Novak, Lolita, Marlene Dietrich, Matthias Stomer, Natalie Wood, Nicholas Ray, Nicolas Poussin, Nicolas-Guy Brenet, Paolo Cagliari, Rembrandt van Rijn, Rita Hayworth, Shelly Winters, Sue Lyon, Vertigo | 5 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | July 4, 2015

A Hollywood July 4th

Tweet A long time ago, in a universe far, far away, in a place called Hollywood, the movie studios and the actors who were under contract to them, celebrated their love of America, and enthusiastically indulged in overt displays of patriotism.

Posted in America, Holidays, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, July 4th | Also tagged Joan Crawford, Leila Hyams, Madge Evans, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hay | 6 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | July 3, 2015

Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions

Posted in Art, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Friday Footwear, Friday Fotos, Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography, Livia Yarden, Marilyn Monroe, Movie Posters, Movies, Myrna Loy, Painting, Screenwriting, True Hollywood Confessions | Also tagged Andy Warhol, Ann Margaret, Ann-Margret, Audrey Flack, Ava Gardner, Caravaggio, Carole Lombard, Clyfford Still, Ed Rusha, Grace Hartigan, Humphrey Bogart, Jacopo Amigoni, James Cagney, Joseph Cornell, Lauren Bacall, Louise Brooks, Lupe Velez, Natalie Wood, Nicholas Poussin, No One Man, Petrus Christus, Raymond Chandler, Spellbound, Spencer Tracy, Susan Hayward, Veronica Lake | 10 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | May 8, 2015

Friday Photos: Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Tweet Baltimore. Garland, Texas. Iran. Yemen. ObamaCare. Iraq. Syria. Shia. Sunni. Clinton Cash. IslamoNazis. IRS. Benghazi. Lois Lerner. Thug. Federal Deficit. Islamic State. Hillary. Server. Delete 30,000 emails. War on police. Minimum wage. Mohammed cartoons. Racist. Transgender. Income inequality. BDS. Beheadings. Chemical weapons. Iranian nukes… How about some pictures to help set aside—at least for […]

Posted in Anna May Wong, Art, Bette Davis, Brigitte Bardot, Clara Bow, Eve Arden, Friday Fotos, Hollywood Cars, Marlene Dietrich, Myrna Loy, Painting, Photography, Vertigo | Also tagged Ballet, Clara Bow, Clyfford Still, Dancing Lady, Degas, Eve Arden, James Nares, Jane Russell, John Singer Sargent, Kim Novak, Livia Yarden, Mark Rothko, Myrna Loy, Ted Allan, Vertigo, Whistler | 8 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | October 24, 2014

Hollywood in Stitches, Part I

Tweet “Hurry up and wait!” Anyone who has worked on a major Hollywood production is familiar with this ironic cry. There is a tremendous amount of down time on a Hollywood film. It takes hours to set up lights, rig camera and sound, and make sure the sets and props are in place. Thus, actors […]

Posted in Glamour, Hollywood, Hollywood in Stitches, Hollywood Stars, Hollywood Still Photography | Also tagged Busby Berkeley, Hollywood Stars Knitting, Ingrid Bergman, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Mary Pickford, Notorious, Now Voyager, Sally Sage, Sylvia Sidney | 17 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | May 9, 2014

Hollywood Star Ads: Buy Me, Be Me

Tweet Ever since there were movie stars there have been star product endorsements. Corporations and their advertising companies were quick to understand that those larger than life figures floating like angels on the silver screen were potent persuaders. Thus, the synergistic relationship between one product, the movie star, and a consumer product — cigarettes, perfume, […]

Posted in Glamour, Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe, Star Ads | Also tagged Carole Lombard, Emerson Radio, Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, Jon-Joy Cosmetics, Lektro-Lite, Lucy & Desi, Lux Soap, Olivia de Havilland, Royal Crown Cola, Whitman's Chocolate | 13 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | January 3, 2014

Hollywood Mothers

Tweet On screen, they are larger than life. Hollywood stars seduce us with their glamor. They become the vehicles of our dreams and desires. We rarely imagine them as ordinary people. And so, when we see a Hollywood star posing with family members—mortals like you and me—it comes as something of a shock. But after […]

Posted in Hollywood, Hollywood Moms, Hollywood Stars, Joan Blondell | Also tagged Claudette Colbert, Doris Day, Greer Garson, Joan Blondell, Linda Darnell, Rock Hudson, Tyrone Power | 14 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | September 2, 2013

Hollywood on Hollywood

Tweet Labor Day affords us the opportunity to reflect on work, our jobs, present and past. Good jobs, bad jobs, we’ve all had our share of both. Work should set you free. Honest labor puts money in your pocket which allows you to spend that money as you see fit. Ideally, work infuses the individual […]

Posted in Hollywood, Hollywood Stars, Labor Day, Obama Watch, Quotes, Torah | Also tagged Anthony Hopkins, Anthony Quinn, Barbra Streisand, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, Hollywood Gossip, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Joan Crawford, John Travolta, Judy garland, Kirk Douglas, Lawrence Olivier, Louise Brooks, Mae Clarke, Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Montgomery Clift, Robert Mitchum, Rod Steiger, Shirley MacLaine, Steve McQ, W.C. Fields, Walter Matthau, William Holden | 18 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | December 31, 2012

Old Hollywood, New Year

Tweet Seraphic Secret works hard to favor the glass half-full view of life. When bad stuff happens, which it does all the time, we try not to plunge into a clinical depression. But let’s face it, 2012 was a difficult year for Conservatives — and for America. Obamacare has become the law of the land, […]

Posted in Hollywood, New Years | Also tagged Barbara Kent, Debbie Reynolds, Marilyn Monroe, Myrna Loy, Rita Hayworth, Sari Maritza, Shirley Temple | 18 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | August 23, 2012

2016: Obama’s America, Plus a Mild Digression About Bette Davis

Tweet Into the San Fernando Valley we rode, 10.2 miles from Casa Avrech, to see Dinesh D’Souza’s documentary 2016: Obama’s America. Karen ordered our tickets in advance through Fandango. There are no theater listings for 2016 in the LA Times. They claim there was a computer glitch, but I think we all know what’s really […]

Posted in 2012 Election, 2016: Obama's America, Movies, Obama Watch, Remembering Ariel | Also tagged Dinesh D'Souza, George Obama, In This Our Life, Stanley Ann Dunham, Stanley Timberlake | 20 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | March 30, 2012

Friday Fashion: Hollywood Hats for Passover

Tweet Passover is almost here. Cleaning, changing dishes, and buying Passover food takes up a huge amount of time and energy. Observant Jews also take the opportunity to purchase new clothing in honor of the holiday in which we celebrate our deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Orthodox women cover their heads in synagogue—a sign of modesty—thus […]

Posted in Anita Page, Friday Fashion, Holidays, Hollywood, Hollywood Hats, Passover | Also tagged Cecil Beaton, David Lean, Edward Stevenson, Fashions of 1934, Grace Kelly, House of Flying Daggers, Irene Dunne, Joy of Living, Kalloch, Leslie Howard, Mary Nolan, Miriam Hopkins, The Old Maid, Wendy Hiller, William Powell, Ziyi Zhang | 10 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | November 10, 2011

Sidney Fox: Lost in Hollywood

Tweet In 1930, film mogul Carl Laemmle, Jr., attended Lost Sheep, a Broadway play that had garnered positive reviews. A young actress, Sidney Fox, b. Sidney Leiffer, received particularly good notices for her performance. The influential New York Times observed: “As Rhoda, little Sidney Fox [she stood only 4′ 10″ tall] won the hearts of […]

Posted in Hollywood, Movies, Sidney Fox | Also tagged Bela Lugosi, Carl Laemmle Jr., Charles Beahan, Conrad Nagel, Humphrey Bogart, Murders in the Rue Morgue, Preston Sturges, Strictly Dishonorable, The Bad Sister, Zasu Pitts | 9 Responses

By Robert J. Avrech | August 26, 2011

Friday Fotos: Mirror, Mirror

Tweet The business of creating glamour was hard work. And the Hollywood still photographers employed by the studios did a great deal of the heavy lifting. Thorugh their craft they helped manufacture stars by producing shimmering, glamorous images that hinted at beings who were human gods. Who has not seen the stunning George Hurrell photo […]

Posted in Brigitte Bardot, Hollywood Mirror | Also tagged Barbara Stanwyck, Brigitte Bardot, Classic Hollywood, Glamour, Helen Twelvetrees, Hurrell, Lillian Gish, Myrna Loy | 4 Responses

How I Married Karen

The new book
by Robert J. Avrech

Available in All Major Book Stores

Adobe Digital Edition's version is available through the Lulu store!
About Me
Robert J. Avrech
Los Angeles, California
I'm an Emmy Award winning screenwriter. I'm also an observant Jew, a religious Zionist, a conservative Republican, and a member of the NRA. I've been writing and producing in Hollywood for over twenty-five years. But the focus of my life is my family: my radiant wife, Karen—with whom I have been in love with since I was nine years-old—and my two daughters, who, thankfully, look like Karen. Not too long ago, we had three children. But our son, Ariel, died at the age of twenty-two from cancer. We miss him terribly. We think about him practically every minute of every day. People tell us that time heals, but Karen and I know this is not true. Time grinds away doing its terrible work. Ariel is gone. Yet absence becomes presence.

Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
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Annual Ariel Avrech
Memorial Lectures
Young Israel of Century City

Fourteenth: June 11, 2016
Daniel Greenfield: “Fighting Anti-Semitism and Defending Israel in the Age of BDS.”

Blog Post
MP3 Audio Stereo (100 MB)

Thirteenth: May 22, 2016
Ben Shapiro: “How You Can Save Israel”

Blog Post
MP3 Audio Stereo (70 MB)

Twelfth: June 7, 2015
Larry Elder: “The New Black Anti-Semitism”

Blog Post
MP3 Audio Mono (50 MB) | Stereo (100 MB)

Eleventh: June 8, 2014
Michael Medved: “Shifting Alliances: Why Liberals No Longer Reliably Support Israel — And Conservatives Do.”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 97MB)

Tenth: June 9, 2013
David Horowitz: “The War Against Judaism on the University Campus.”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 16MB)

Ninth: June 3, 2012
Joel B. Pollak: “The Mainstream Media’s Betrayal of Israel.”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 15MB)

Eighth: June 5, 2011
Yossi Klein Halevi: “What is Expected of a Survivor People: Lessons My Father Taught Me.”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 18MB)

Seventh: June 13, 2010
Dennis Prager: “Happiness is a Mitzvah, Not an Emotion.”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 80MB)

Sixth: June 21, 2009
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky: “Conformity in Jewish Life: Vice, Virtue or Affectation?”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 64MB)

Fifth: June 15, 2008
Rabbi Dr. Gil S. Perl: “What Was the Rosh Yeshiva Reading: Intellectual Openness in 19th Century Lithuania.”

Blog Post | Audio (mp3 70MB)
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