Joan Bennet, like you've never seen her before

1. Joan checking over bills. 2. Autographing pictures during lunch. 3. Trying out her new grill for frying bacon. 4. Reading to her daughter. 5. Joan and her daughter selecting lunch at the Farmer's Market. 6. Playing outside with her daughter. (wearing a gorgeous pair or trousers and a darling snood) 7. Joan adding finishing touches of red paint to propeller of Melinda's airplane. 8. Reclining on her bed while making her morning telephone calls on three telephones. 9. Maid helping Joan dress for dinner. 10. Joan descending her circular stair to hall. 11. Joan piling her children into the family station wagon. 12. Keeping a file of all her scripts in her basement.

A few things you might not know about the glorious 5'4" actress Joan Bennet; Aside from being an extraordinary actress Joan also sang in many of her films with her own voice, she was never dubbed. Joan was also nearsighted meaning she was unable to see distant objects clearly and wore glasses when not in the public view. I am also nearsighted and I rarely wear my glasses in public, but when I see pictures of classic film stars in there glasses I feel a bit more empowered to wear my glasses more often. Yay for wearing glasses! Joan was married four times and had five daughters; Adrienne Ralston Fox (became Diana Markey) born on February 20th 1928, Melinda Markey born on February 27 1934, Stephanie Wanger born on June 26 1943 and Shelley Wanger born on July 4 1948. Her 78 feature-length films include three bit parts in silents and 6 TV-movies. She also made five films for German director Fritz Lang, this is way more than any other American actor or actress who worked with him (many actors reportedly disliked working with Lang). Joan came from a family full of actors both her father and mother were actors as well as her grandmother, Rose Wood and her grandfather a prominent Shakespearean stage actor Lewis Morrison, birth name: Morris W. Morris.

Photographer: Peter Stackpole

Photo Credit: Life 1940

Public Enemies

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"Public Enemies" is based on the true story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Johnyy Depp) and the FBI agent on his trail Melvin Purvis. I am so excited to see this upcoming film set to release July 1 so I can drool over Johnnys dapper attire and manuresims as well as all of the costumes, hairstyles, cars and sets! This story takes place during the 1930's Great Depression, and Dillinger and his gang are on the run and can not be stopped. J. Edgar Hoover announces that John Dillinger is America's first Public Enemy Number hence the name of the movie. The film is adapted from Bryan Burrough's book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34, the crime drama is directed and co-written by "Collateral" helmer Michael Mann.

I bet you couldn't tell he is one of my all time favorite actors. This is not only because he is an amazing actor, really handsome, and a snappy dresser inside and outside of work, but also because my bf met him a few years ago at a private party in North Hollywood (which I envy him for) and they spoke for quite sometime. Johnny Depp Quizzed my bf on all of the movies he told him he liked that Johnny had been in, asking all sorts of questions like who directed each movie, and so on. Luckily my boyfriend has an incredible memory so he knew every single answer to all of his questions, my bf thinks if he hadnt Johnny wouldn't have been so interested in talking with him. All in all my boyfriend walked away from the conversation with an even better opinion of Johnny Depp he said he was extremely friendly, intellectual, interesting and actually interested in what my boyfriend was telling him. Freaking amazing right?

Bathing bombshells in color

Yvonne De Carlo, who later in life starred as Lily in "The Munsters" tv series actually had her Jaguar equipped with spider web hubcaps, a gargoyle hood ornament and a glossy black sunroof by George Barris who created the ghoulish “Munsters” car.

Carole Landis was born Frances Lillian Mary Ridste early in her career she died her hair blonde and changed her name to Carole after her favorite actress Carole Lombard.Ann Rutherford, daughter of former Metropolitan Opera tenor John Rutherford (stage name: Juan Guilberty), and an actress mother, Ann was raised in California where she made her stage debut at the age of six in Raggedy Ann.
Joan Blondell daughter of a vaudeville onstage comic named Eddie Joan Blondell who was one of the original Katzenjammer Kids. At 3 Joan was already on stage she toured the circuit with her parents and joined a stock company at age 17. Donna Reed left Iowa to attend secretarial school at Los Angeles City College. Donna was named Campus Queen, her photograph appeared on the front page of the Los Angeles Times, soon she was inundated with offers from agents and studio executives.
Ann Miller moved from Texas to Hollywood with her mother when she was 10, she had been tapping since she was 5. A 13 year old Ann lied about her age dancing in local vaudeville houses and even playing a few bit-parts in films before being recommended to a talent scout by Lucille Ball.

Ann Sheridan was bon Clara Lou 0f Denton, Texas, her sister sent in a picture of Ann in a bathing suit to Paramount Studios. Paramount was sponsoring the "Search for Beauty" contest, the prize a screen test and a bit part in a movie. Ann won the contest and was signed to a contract at the age of 19.

Photo Credit