Movies Archives - The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit

Sep262018 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Now Playing: On the Waterfront

Movies

From the September 26, 1954 edition of the Dayton Daily News comes this ad for Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando. The movie, a genuine box office smash, had already been out a few months when this ad ran. Although it didn't earn nearly the money that blockbusters such as White Christmas or Rear Window did, it earned eight Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Aug182018 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Now Playing: Vintage Movie Ads of the 1950s (Part 1)

Advertising, Movies

Kicking off the latest series on GFS is a gallery of vintage newspaper print ads for movies. There is a specific style and charm to old movie ads that I just love. It pretty much doesn't matter what the movie even is. In fact, in digging through papers to find these ads I came across several for films I had never even heard of. So enjoy browsing through this time capsule of entertainment ads from a bygone era, and be sure to stop by the lobby for some refreshing treats!

Oct22016 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Hollywood Beauty #6: Paulette Goddard at Halloween

Movies, People

If there's one thing I love even more than Halloween, it's a Halloween pinup. This 1940s Paulette Goddard photo is rather tame by my usual standards but it's a beauty just the same.

May252016 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

A Gallery of Amazing Disney Concept Artwork

Movies

The animated movies produced by the Walt Disney company in through the 1950s feature some of the most evocative and memorable images of any films from the period, animated or otherwise. A large part of that brilliance is thanks to the work some of the industry's best artists. This gallery features two such artists -- Mary Blair and Eyvind Earle, whose visual imprint is evident in these paintings. Their work shown here served as concept art for many of Disney's most beloved motion pictures. Enjoy!

Mar292016 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Gone But Not Forgotten — Patty Duke

Movies, People, TV & Radio

RIP Anna Marie "Patty" Duke (December 14, 1946 – March 29, 2016), star of The Patty Duke Show, The Miracle Worker, Me, Natalie, and Valley of the Dolls, as well as a Top 40 pop singer.

Dec292015 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Outstanding Behind-the-Scenes Production Images from Star Wars

Movies

I love behind the scenes movie stuff, particularly anything to do with the classic Star Wars trilogy. So imagine my joy when I stumbled upon this great crop of images taken during the filming of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. Most of these images are instantly identifiable, while a few will test your love of a galaxy far, far away. Click on any image for the full-size version.

Oct172013 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

13 Classic Horror Movie Posters from the 1950s

Ephemera, Movies

To be honest, I couldn't even tell you of these classic 1950s horror movies are any good. But I can say with certainty that their posters are. So to celebrate beautiful design, and one of the golden ages of American horror cinema, here is a gallery of 13 classic horror movie posters from the 1950s. Gaze upon them if you dare... And once you're done with these, check out my other poster galleries for '80s horror movies, juvenile delinquent movies, and '50s sci-fi movies.

Oct152013 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Beautiful RKO Radio Pictures Ad for Disney’s Silly Symphonies

Ephemera, Movies

In 1937, RKO Radio Pictures assumed the distribution rights for Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies animated shorts from United Artists. To help promote the acquisition, RKO ran this beautiful advertisement in its 1937-38 exhibitor book, which also features ads for movies like Stage Door (starring Katharine Hepburn). The first RKO Mickey Mouse short, Hawaiian Holiday, debuted in September 1937. The first RKO Silly Symphony cartoon, The Old Mill, came out in November of the same year and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subjects (Cartoons). RKO distributed just eight Silly Symphony installments through 1939, when Walt Disney Productions stopped making them to focus more on feature films. The Mickey Mouse shorts continued through 1953 on RKO, although they wer...

Oct92013 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Here’s a Set of Neat Halloween III: Season of the Witch Lobby Cards

Ephemera, Movies

When Halloween III: Season of the Witch was released in October 1982, fans of the horror series were no doubt surprised at the total lack of Michael Myers. That and anything resembling a good story. But all you needed to do was look at any of these lobby cards for the film to know that this would be very much unlike the first two Halloween flicks. Turns out that masks, old men, and dudes in business suits aren't the crucial ingredients for a classic horror movie. Who knew? Still, that Silver Shamrock tune is so very catchy.