Phantomlady

Ann Blyth passed away Wednesday, though thankfully she leaves us with an impressive body of work. A tremendous actor, she turned in a stellar performance as Veda in MILDRED PIERCE (1945) at the age of 17. She gave generously of her time when I was researching the Phantom Lady book. During our conversation, I was struck by her wit and pointed humor. This photo is from the 1949 comedy ONCE MORE, MY DARLING.
Forever in our hearts, Ann Blyth.

TO CATCH A THIEF’s Cary Grant in his own gray summer suit.

One of the highlights of our recent UMLA student tour of Paramount was the small costume display tucked into the archive. Do you have a favorite?

1) Cary Grant, To Catch a Thief
2) Paulette Goddard, Standing Room Only
3) Susan Hayward, publicity
4) Nancy Olson, Sunset Boulevard
5) Marie Stoddard, To Catch a Thief

One of the highlights of our UMLA student tour of Paramount was the small costume display tucked into the archive. Do you have a favorite?

1) Cary Grant, To Catch a Thief
2) Paulette Goddard, Standing Room Only
3) Susan Hayward, publicity
4) Nancy Olson, Sunset Boulevard
5) Marie Stoddard, To Catch a Thief

Last week’s tour of Miami’s MDC Freedom Tower with the University of Navarra students was moving and powerful. If you haven’t had a chance to visit since the reopening last fall, I highly recommend.

This week, we took a field trip to historic Virginia Key Beach Park with students from the University of Navarra (Pamplona, Spain) for this year’s Miami Stories in Motion course.. A special day packed with local history and nature.

More snapshots from the Paramount lot. Trailblazing director Dorothy Arzner is receiving prominent placement in the studio’s history. See this display in the archive. Did you know, that at Frances Ford Coppola’s request, the dressing room building was renamed after Dorothy Arzner in 2018 to honor her legacy? Coppola credits Arzner as being instrumental to his career, both inspiring his filmmaking and keeping him fed while he was at UCLA film school (she would place lunch for him underneath his seat every day).

Photo 4, by Alex J. Berliner.

The Prospect Hotel, inspired by vintage Hollywood, is a hidden gem in LA. For this, my first visit, I was assigned the Vivian Leigh room. Next time, Mae West, Bogart, Gardner? It’s anybody’s guess.
Located just up the block from and .