TERESA WRIGHT: SERIOUS SUNSHINE

There were many very pretty girls-next-door in 1940’s Hollywood: Evelyn Keyes, Cathy O’Donnell, Esther Williams,  Allene Roberts and of course…Donna Reed. But my favorite of favorites is Teresa Wright.

OLIVIA de HAVILLAND: SHINING STAR

The Ultimate Errol Flynn Leading Lady. The heart and soul of “GWTW.” She weathered victoriously against the hurricane that is Bette Davis. She was a fair maiden, a damsel-in-distress, an old maid learning cruel life lessons from those who should have protected her most. She played a good AND evil twin…fought her way out of an insane asylum and an elevator. She was an unwed mother. She was this and so much more in her illustrious career. She is Olivia de Havilland.

PAULETTE GODDARD: A REGULAR GIRL

She wasn’t a dramatic actress, but she could do drama. She wasn’t a comedic actress, but she could handle comedy. Her name seems to have fallen in between the cracks when one talks about the Lombards and Harlows, Stanwycks and Davises, Hepburns and Russells. She was regular. She was Paulette Goddard.

LIZABETH SCOTT

There’s nothing lonelier than being in a crowded West Village bar in Manhattan full of music, alcohol and conversation, and finding out one of your favorite actresses from ‘those old movies’ has passed away.

FRANCES GIFFORD

Bette & Barbara. Myrna & Irene. Ginger & Norma. Doris & Ingrid. Lana…Rita…Ava. See, I don’t even have to give you their last names. You know immediately who I’m talking about. They are Stars. Their brilliance shine like beacons through the decades. And they garner new fans year after year. But there are The Others; those who are just as attractive, just as talented, but bridesmaids…just under the radar of fame’s klieg lights.

And such is the case with FRANCES GIFFORD.