Hollywood Star Walk Category
Classic Hollywood
During the golden age of the studio system in the 1930 and ‘40s, all the major movie studios were overflowing with gorgeous leading ladies, handsome leading men, slap happy comedians and irreplaceable and irresistible character actors.
So much so that MGM touted that it had “more stars than there are in the heavens.” The heavens and the planets must been in some delicious alignment to have all of these performers find stardom in Hollywood.
MGM had Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Jimmy Stewart, Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, just to name a few. 20th Century Fox boasted such box office champs as Shirley Temple, Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Alice Faye and Betty Grable. Paramount made a superstar out of Marlene Dietrich and produced the Marx Brothers funniest and most anarchic movies. RKO had enormous success with its Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals. Warner Bros.’ stable of stars included tough guys Jimmy Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield and Edward G. Robinson, as well as one of the greatest actresses of the era, Bette Davis.
The studio system faded away in the 1950s when movies were losing in competition with television. But countless stars from the “Classic Hollywood” era have endured the ages. In fact, several of them are still with us today, including Lauren Bacall, Kirk Douglas, sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine, Leslie Caron, Lena Horne, Patricia Neal, Sidney Poitier and Elizabeth Taylor.
— Susan King, who has covered Hollywood for the Los Angeles Times for more than 25 years.
Here's a look at some of the classic stars of Hollywood. If you do not see the person you are looking for below please search our complete list of the stars on the Walk of Fame. And, if you haven’t yet, check out The Times virtual tour of the stars.
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20 thoughts about Classic Hollywood
I'm disappointed that you didn't include Doris Day under this category. She is one of the greatest movie stars ever and Warner Brothers' number one musical star of the Fifties. It is disappointing how under appreciated Doris Day is.
You are correct, that is an oversight. Consider her added. Thanks, Velda.
Why do you have current photos of Sidney and Lena?
where greer garson???
mrs miniver ....:(
Doris Day was the first name I looked for. She is so deserving and always overlooked. I love Doris Day!
Thank you for the suggestions -- we consider this a work in progress so as readers weigh in we will make changes. Check back soon for Greer Garson ( http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/greer-garson/ ) and Doris Day ( http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/doris-day/ ) -- who already are in the database -- on this list. And be sure to take the virtual tour as well: http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/
Mary Astor, while considered a "character actress," was a heavy weight player and added to the enjoyment of movies such as Dodsworth, The Maltese Falcon, The Great Lie. Unfortunately, MGM apparentally failed to see these films and casted her in roles as "mothers for metro." Yet MGM's indignity does not detract from Mary Astor's excellence as a actress.
I am quite disappointed that Lucille Ball isn't on here. She was brilliant and her work is still loved by millions from around the world. She should be on this list.
tyrone power should be at the top of the list, also young orson welles
I would suggest adding The great Douglas Fairbanks Senior (not the Jr.) to the very top of this list. The first action hero, one of the original founders of United Artists and one of the original founders of the orgranization that is known today as the Oscars.
With careers spanning several decades, this list should include Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Dennis Hopper, Samuel Jackson and Jack Nicholson.
Ken:
Clint Eastwood and Dennis Hopper are among the big names who cannot be found on the Walk of Fame. Read more about the selection process and other surprising omissions on our "About This Project: page: http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/
Morgan Freeman, Samuel Jackson and Jack Nicholson can be found on our Modern Hollywood page and at:
http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/morgan-freeman/
http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/samuel-l-jackson/
http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/jack-nicholson/
Greta Garbo ? Hardly imagine the absence if you're sorting high impact Hollywood.
There are lots of good comments here; I would only add that of all the actresses mentioned, Irene Dunne's absence is the most noticeable. Versatile: Music (Showboat), Comedy (The Awful Truth), and Drama (I Remember Mama), she deserves much more attention than she receives. She was never popular with the press, and I can only speculate it may have been because she was althogether too wholesome for a bunch of bottom feeders (not to mention she was a wascally wepublican). In any event, she was one of thee highest paid women in Hollywood and garnered 4 or 5 academy award nominations.
Someone who is overlooked and still very much with us is Marsha Hunt. Last November, Marsha appeared at Robert Ryan's Centennial tribute that I hosted at the Egyptian Theatre. After dinner and before the show, we located her star on Hollywood Boulevard because she had forgotten exactly where it was. Also: Directly in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre is noir bad guy, Charles McGraw- gone but not forgotten.
What about Dana Andrews, Kathryn Grayson and Jeanne Crain and Linda Darnell? They were big stars when I grew up.
where's audrey hepburn?
You certainly have some agreeable opinions and views. Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject.
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.
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Share a thought about The Times’ “Classic Hollywood” category
Which star best represents the group?
Does everyone here deserve to be on the list?
Who has been overlooked?