#WomenWeLove: Actor, Sylvia Sidney

By Stephen Rutledge on August 8, 2022 1:15 pm

1930 publicity shot, public domain August 8, 1910 - Sylvia Sidney: "I'd be the girl of the gangster, then the sister who was bringing up the gangster, then the mother of the gangster... and they always had me ironing somebody's shirt." Her vulnerable yet spunky persona … [Read more...]

#WomenWeLove: Early Film Star, Anita Page

By Stephen Rutledge on August 4, 2022 3:03 am

In Our Modern Maidens, 1929, MGM, public domain Anita Page (1910 - : "Social contacts? Yes, they count a lot. If you are seen you are discussed. If you are a recluse (unless you're Garbo) you are very apt to be forgotten." When Gene Kelly sang You Were Meant For Me to … [Read more...]

#WomenWeLove: Mexican Movie Star, Dolores Del Río

By Stephen Rutledge on August 3, 2022 10:10 am

1935 publicity Photo for In Caliente, public domain Dolores Del Río (1904 - 1983) : "I hate intolerance and blundering stupidity. And those who are ridden in fear. I have had much laughter and much success. And many tears and dark sorrow. Now, gently, a philosophy has … [Read more...]

#QueerQuote: “I Think the Republican Party Should be Placed in Drydock and Have the Barnacles Scraped Off Its Bottom.” – Tallulah Bankhead

By Stephen Rutledge on August 1, 2022 9:30 am

Today we celebrate the birthday of Miss Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968). I am a gay man of a certain age, and in my time, in my tribe, telling Tallulah stories and imitating the famed personality was de rigueur at brunches and parties. But, nowadays, do the kids even know who she … [Read more...]

#Remembering “It Girl”, Clara Bow

By Stephen Rutledge on July 29, 2022 3:03 pm

Via PICRYL, public domain Clara Bow: "They Are Snobs. Frightful Snobs. I’m a Curiosity in Hollywood. I’m a Big Freak, Because I’m Myself!” I really do understand. I know firsthand the pain and shame of a brilliant acting career cut down by sex scandals, men, drugs, drink … [Read more...]

#WomenWeLove: Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

By Stephen Rutledge on July 28, 2022 3:03 pm

This portrait of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was painted by Aaron Shikler in 1970 and was placed on public display in the East Room in 1971 Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (1929- 1994) "There are two kinds of women, those who want power in the world and those who … [Read more...]

Was George Bernard Shaw an Early Gay Rights Activist?

By Stephen Rutledge on July 26, 2022 1:05 pm

1936, public domain George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950): "If You Want to Tell People the Truth, Make Them Laugh, Otherwise They'll Kill You." Shaw is one of my favorite figures in history. He was a man of Theatre and Film, a vegetarian, a Socialist, and a rabble … [Read more...]

#WomenWeLove: Funny Lady, Gracie Allen

By Stephen Rutledge on July 26, 2022 11:55 am

Publicity photo of Gracie Allen from the Burns and Allen CBS Radio program, Wikimedia Commons Grace Allen (1895- 1964) "They laughed at Joan of Arc, but she went right ahead and built it." Gracie Allen made her stage debut in vaudeville as a singer and dancer when she … [Read more...]

#QueerQuote: “Fate Sucks. I Swear.” – Gus Van Sant, spoken by Matt Dillon as Bob in “Drugstore Cowboy” (1989)

By Stephen Rutledge on July 24, 2022 10:10 am

Avenue Pictures, via YouTube In early spring 1989, if I had been somewhat clairvoyant while on the set of the film Drugstore Cowboy, I would have realized that in the 21st century I would be living in Portland, Oregon, in fact, residing in a house just a mile from where we … [Read more...]

#QueerQuote: “That Queer, Penetrating Personality Was More Important Than His Shape, Which Could Be Easily Altered.” – James Whale

By Stephen Rutledge on July 22, 2022 1:29 pm

Boris Karloff, Whale and John J. Mescall on the set of Bride Of Frankenstein (1935) James Whale (1889 -1957) was a great film director, a true artist, and the subject of one of my favorite films, Bill Condon‘s Gods And Monsters (1998) with Sir Ian McKellen's masterful … [Read more...]