Poor Joan. She ended up being a woman in control, but she sure was victimized in her early roles. Lon Chaney threw knives at her (with his feet!) in “The Unknown,” and here Gibson Gowland plays cut-up with a pious young Joan. The two starred together in one feature, 1928’s “Rose-Marie,” though I can’t imagine how giant scissors fit in a drama about the Royal Canadian Mounties. Maybe this is a shot of the stars clowning around on the set.
Hey Dan! I had no idea about the “back story” and details here (all I knew was that it was Joan in 1927) – love and appreciate you filling me in on the details, as always! I think the only early (20’s & early 30’s) Joan film I’ve seen is “Rain”. Someday I’d like to see them all.
Matthew,”Our Dancing Daughters” is wonderful–Joan as a flapper. But my favorite is the aforementioned “The Unknown.” Lots of pre-code scenes that will leave you slack-jawed! Have you seen many later Joan films? “Mildred Pierce” is a must-see, “Sudden Fear” is a lot of fun, and of course “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” I love that you post lots of old star photos–keep up the good work!
Hmmm… trying to remember the Joan films I’ve seen. Off the top of my head. I know I’ve seen Rain, Mildred Pierce, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, The Women, and Straight Jacket. All of them many times. Looking forward to seeing more in the future! Wish I had more time to post more images since I have 1000’s waiting in the wings. Love the 30’s/40’s Hollywood era and sprinkle images around as I can but blog isn’t exclusively about old movie stars. Or gratuitous shirtless hockey players. Can post some links to hollywood golden era blogs/sites if you’re interested.
I like to see what you find–you come up with the best stuff.
I like Straight Jacket too, especially where she is playing a teenager at 50 something.
Your Island is a good mix–Golden Age cinema, surreal images, lurid pulps, ladies hats, lovely flowers, and lovelier gratuitous half naked men. None of it makes sense until you remember what the great detective Nero Wolfe says of the brain–“The mind is not a filing cabinet, but a cesspool.” (Paraphrased). You never know just what is going to float up into view, like a dream.
Thanks, Dan! Glad you are enjoying the selection… may seem random but these are the things that flash through my brain (as well as my computer). Hugs from the 90F/30C maritime el norte!
MATTHEW'S ISLAND 
Poor Joan. She ended up being a woman in control, but she sure was victimized in her early roles. Lon Chaney threw knives at her (with his feet!) in “The Unknown,” and here Gibson Gowland plays cut-up with a pious young Joan. The two starred together in one feature, 1928’s “Rose-Marie,” though I can’t imagine how giant scissors fit in a drama about the Royal Canadian Mounties. Maybe this is a shot of the stars clowning around on the set.
Hey Dan! I had no idea about the “back story” and details here (all I knew was that it was Joan in 1927) – love and appreciate you filling me in on the details, as always! I think the only early (20’s & early 30’s) Joan film I’ve seen is “Rain”. Someday I’d like to see them all.
Matthew,”Our Dancing Daughters” is wonderful–Joan as a flapper. But my favorite is the aforementioned “The Unknown.” Lots of pre-code scenes that will leave you slack-jawed! Have you seen many later Joan films? “Mildred Pierce” is a must-see, “Sudden Fear” is a lot of fun, and of course “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” I love that you post lots of old star photos–keep up the good work!
Hmmm… trying to remember the Joan films I’ve seen. Off the top of my head. I know I’ve seen Rain, Mildred Pierce, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, The Women, and Straight Jacket. All of them many times. Looking forward to seeing more in the future! Wish I had more time to post more images since I have 1000’s waiting in the wings. Love the 30’s/40’s Hollywood era and sprinkle images around as I can but blog isn’t exclusively about old movie stars. Or gratuitous shirtless hockey players. Can post some links to hollywood golden era blogs/sites if you’re interested.
I like to see what you find–you come up with the best stuff.
I like Straight Jacket too, especially where she is playing a teenager at 50 something.
Your Island is a good mix–Golden Age cinema, surreal images, lurid pulps, ladies hats, lovely flowers, and lovelier gratuitous half naked men. None of it makes sense until you remember what the great detective Nero Wolfe says of the brain–“The mind is not a filing cabinet, but a cesspool.” (Paraphrased). You never know just what is going to float up into view, like a dream.
Thanks for the daily dream!
Thanks, Dan! Glad you are enjoying the selection… may seem random but these are the things that flash through my brain (as well as my computer). Hugs from the 90F/30C maritime el norte!