Just the other morning, I was eating an early breakfast with my husband with TCM Cinéma playing in the background. I often turn on the television first thing when I come downstairs because there is usually a 1930s/1940s film playing. Honestly, what better way is there to get your day going?
The picture playing that morning was Follow the Fleet (1936), a delightful musical with Fred Astaire and his frequent leading lady, Ginger Rogers. There is a moment in the film when Fred and his band start playing in front of some guests visiting their ship. All of sudden, Fred-baby breaks into one of his epic song & dance routines. I immediately started bouncing up and down in my chair with joy! Then I made the statement to my husband that “everyone needs a bit of 1899 to start their day”, referring to the year of Fred’s birth. (Since Fred and I share a birthday, this was common knowledge.😉) It was then that I got the idea for a blogathon themed around the year 1899.
So, how about welcoming in 2024 by turning the clock back 125 years? 🥳
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The purpose of this blogathon is to celebrate the lives and works of those Old Hollywood players who were born in the year 1899. It is scheduled to take place from 29 December 2023 (Friday) to 2 January 2024 (Tuesday).
Here is a list of some better-known 1899’er celebrities:
- Ramon Navarro (Feb. 6)
- Gale Sondergaard (Feb. 15)
- Gloria Swanson (Mar. 27)
- George O’Brien (Apr. 19)
- Aline MacMahon (May 3)
- Fred Astaire (May 10)
- Irving Thalberg (May 30)
- Charles Laughton (Jul. 1)
- George Cukor (Jul. 7)
- James Cagney (Jul. 17)
- Ernest Hemingway (Jul. 21)
- Paul Kelly (Aug. 9)
- P. L. Travers (Aug. 9)
- Alfred Hitchcock (Aug. 13)
- Alma Reville Hitchcock (Aug. 14)
- Glenn Strange (Aug. 16)
- Colleen Moore (Aug. 19)
- Charles Boyer (Aug. 28)
- Douglas Shearer (Nov. 17)
- Hoagy Carmichael (Nov. 22)
- Noël Coward (Dec. 16)
- Humphrey Bogart (Dec. 25)
You are not limited to the names above and are more than welcome to talk about lesser-known players from the day. Feel free to use this page for inspiration. (Note: John Gilbert is erroneously included, having been born in 1897.)
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Here are the rules of the blogathon:
- If you wish to participate, let me know the topic of your choice either on this page or by contacting me on Twitter.
- Considering the large array of topic/title possibilities, no duplicates will be allowed this time.
- Previously published articles are more than welcome, as long as it is noted in the title or text or your work. (Example: “Revisiting the Films of George Cukor”, “Rewind Review: Casablanca”, etc.)
- Submit your contribution any time you wish before, during, or even after the event, as it is most convenient for you.
- Have fun!
You are invited to take a banner and to spread the word about the Party Like It’s 1899 Blogathon! 😊
Thank you in advance for your participation and support! 💕
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PARTICIPANTS
Poppity Talks Classic Film: Douglas Shearer, Green Dolphin Street (1947)
Realweegiemidget Reviews: Gloria Swanson, Sunset Boulevard (1950) & Airport 1975 (1974)
Whimsically Classical: The films of James Cagney & Humphrey Bogart
Taking Up Room: Pat O’Brien, Bombardier (1943)
Stone Gasman: Jobyna Ralston, The Kid Brother (1927)
Classic Film and TV Corner: Humphrey Bogart, Tribute to Bogie & Bacall
Dubsism: Charles Laughton, Sports Analogies Hidden in Spartacus (1960)
Speakeasy: Article on Paul Kelly and his 1899’er wife Dorothy Mackaye
The Stop Button: Akim Tamiroff, The Magnificent Fraud (1939)
Crítica Retro: Colleen Moore, Ella Cinders (1926)
Dominique Revue: Focus on Orlando Martins
The Everyday Cinephile: The films of Lotte Reiniger
Silver Screenings: Ramon Navarro, Ben-Hur (1925)
Old Books and Movies: Fred Astaire, favourite dance numbers
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Hi there, can I add my previously published article on Sunset Boulevard with Gloria Swanson..?
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Sounds terrific, Gill! 😀 I just watched SUNSET BOULEVARD in it’s entirety the other day. For some reason, I just couldn’t get through the film without falling asleep! (A terrible oddity especially since I love Billy Wilder.)
Thanks for participating!
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Count me in with Sunset Boulevard, thanks. Lovely idea for a blogathon.. so many great names born this year.
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Can I write about the films of James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart?
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Oooh, how lovely, Kayla! Absolutely! I really look forward to reading about this! 😀
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If Gloria not allowed as I also entered this for a blogathon, can you add me with Charles Boyer in Lost Horizon (1974)..?
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It’s no problem at all for Gloria but Charles is a-ok as well. You just let me know of your preference. 🙂
By the way, isn’t it crazy that most of Gloria’s silent films are lost? Such a shame.
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Sticking with my first plan! He only has a wee role in this from what I can remember so will save this for another day.
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Alrighty then! I’ve really grown to love Charles Boyer and have even had the pleasure of discovering his French-speaking performances. There was no one quite like him. 😀
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Hi, Erica! I’d like to review “Bombadier” starring Pat O’Brien if that’s OK? This is such a great idea. 🙂
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Hi Rebecca and thank you! You’ve got it! I’ve never seen this but the cast looks wonderful. For some reason I’ve been seeing a lot of Randolph Scott lately!
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Yeah, there are times like that, aren’t there? It’s a really good movie. Thanks, Erica!
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This sounds so much fun, Erica. I’m in! Not quite sure what approach I”l take to this yet, so I will get back to you soon. Hope things are good. Maddy
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Actually ignore my last comment. Please put me down for a tribute to Bogie(born 1899) and Bacall. Maddy
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😁Excellent choice, Maddy! Those two made magic together. I’m so glad that you are joining because you are very much the life of the party! ❣️
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The world may not be ready for the Sports Analogies Hidden in Charles Laughton’s “Spartacus'” but they’ll get it (if you’ll have it 🙂 )
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Oooh J-Dub, this sounds like something that everyone needs in their lives! 😀 I love your creativity and am delighted that you have decided to join! Let the Battle of the Muscles commence!
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Hi Erica, can I add to my tribute to Gloria Swanson with my previously published review of her in Airport 75.?
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Sure thing, Gill! The more the merrier! 🤗 It’s a great opportunity to revisit some great posts!
I’ve been watching some interviews with Gloria and she was really something else. 😁
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Will have to hunt these down, love Gloria in this film.. she wrote her own script. But in Sunset Boulevard she’s something else.. as for those posts revisited, thanks!
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a question for you: back maybe 15 yrs ago I had an article published in a print mag about Paul Kelly. I’ve been meaning to rewrite/update it and post a new version to my blog. Would you be ok with that being part of the blogathon? I’ll also include a lot about his wife Dorothy Mackaye also born in 1899.
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Hi Kristina! Sorry for not getting back to you right away.
Your article about Paul Kelly sounds lovely and it would be a grand addition to the blogathon! How awesome that you got your work published! I’m sure it will be as rewarding for you to update and revisit it as it will be for the rest of us to discover it. Thank you for joining!! 😀
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excellent, thank you! It’s a fascinating story and this is the perfect opportunity to get to work on it again. Great idea for an event, looking forward to it.
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Hello Erica! What a great idea for a blogathon! By the way, I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! Here’s the link to my award post:
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Thanks so much, Sally! 😀
That’s terribly kind of you to nominate me and I’m very much obliged to you! I still haven’t had time to respond to Maddy’s (Classic Film & TV Corner) nomination, either. I’m finishing up a professional training and have just started giving English lessons in addition to endlessly catering to my children. Talk about a job that never stops!
Hopefully it will calm down a little after the training is over and the weeks smooth out. Of course, then the Christmas vacation will be upon us. Oh, dear!
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Hi! I had to be extra–how about Akim Tamiroff (b. 1899) in The Way of All Flesh (1940) for The Stop Button 🙂
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Hi Andrew! That sounds terrific! I have just put you down for it and really look forward to reading your contribution! 🙂
Sorry for taking a few days to get back to you. I at the finish line of some professional training.
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I’m actually going to change it up a little 🙂 The Magnificent Fraud (1939) instead. Comedy vs. super depressing drama sounds better rn. 🙂 (Still Akim Tamiroff)
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Hi! Could I write about Colleen Moore in Ella Cinders (1926)?
Thanks!
Le from Crítica Retro (www.criticaretro.blogspot.com)
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Hi Lê! That sounds wonderful! I really enjoy seeing Colleen on-screen and I’ve gotten the chance to see quite a few of her pictures thanks to a French cinema channel (Canal+) that spotlighted her during the month of November.
Thanks so much for joining! 😍
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Hi, Erica!! Sent you a message a little while back wanting to contribute to your blogathon (thanks for tagging me!) with Orlando Martins! Let me know when you can. Best and love!
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Dominique!!! 🥰 Hello, my dear! I’m sorry for not having gotten back to you. I recently started working as an English teacher and went through intense training so I’ve lost my bearings a bit. Working with young kids really pumps my energy!
I’m so happy that you are joining the blogathon and I’ll put you down for that right away. 😁
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Yay!! No worries!! I’m so happy to hear that you’re working as an English teacher! The students are a lucky group of kids. I just *know* you are wonderful at your job. I’m so, so, so happy for you, Erica!!
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What a fun idea for a blogathon! Could I join and write about the films of Lotte Reiniger?
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Hiya, Shawn! Apologies for my delayed response.
I would love for you to join the blogathon and look forward to discovering Ms. Reiniger’s work. 😀
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Hi Erica! I sent a link to my contribution piece to you through DM on Twitter. Hope you receive it! If not, let me know.
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Hello again! Oh, thank you so much! I will definitely check it out and make sure to add it to the top of the entry roster. Thanks so much for your participation! 😀
The kids’ school vacation has just begun and I’ll have a relatively quiet week before the New Year, at which time I’ll be working pretty steadily! With time I’ll get used to it and be able to balance out movies & blogging in my spare time. I really appreciate your kind words concerning the kids. It’s a tough job but I also have pretty high expectations about myself. 😉
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🙌🏾 Sounds good. Enjoy your holiday, Erica, and remember to take some time to celebrate yourself in the process. Even if it’s just turning the music up loud for a song or two. You 👏🏾 deserve 👏🏾 it 👏🏾!!
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Hi there! I’d like to do Roman Novarro in the 1925 version of Ben Hur, if not already taken.
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It’s all yours, Ruth! I’m so glad that you chose to talk about Ramon. He was such an interesting fella. I remember seeing a picture of him and Charlton Heston together that gave me goose bumps. 🙂
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Hi there Erica,
Here’s my two posts for Day 1 of your blogathon featuring Gloria Swanson…
from Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews
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Thanks so much, Gill! I’ve got them both linked! Thanks so much for your work which I really look forward to reading. 😀
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And on Sunset Boulevard…
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Hi Erica, I just posted a review of Ramon Novarro in Ben-Hur (1925) here:
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Thank you, Ruth! I really look forward to reading your article! 😀
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Hi Erica. Here’s my piece. Hope you don’t mind but I changed from a Bogie & Bacall tribute to a piece on their film Dark Passage. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Maddy
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Hi Maddy! I don’t mind in the slightest and am delighted to have your contribution. Thanks so much! 😀
We had a small yet lovely Christmas. How about you?
I’ve been so busy with my new work schedule but am also grateful to have these opportunities. Hopefully I can rest a little over the next couple of days before it gets crazy again. LOL
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Thanks!
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If it’s not too late I would like to write a post on my favorite Fred Astaire numbers. My blog is: Old Books and Movies
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There’s plenty of time! I appreciate you joining in and will put your choice down right away. 😀
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