Favorite of February- Loretta Young

 After dealing with some internet problems we are back into the swing of things here on the blog!
 

Last month Turner Classic Movies spotlighted the glamorous actress Loretta Young. She was the star of the month. After seeing a handful of her films I was inspired to write up a brief post about her. Hope you enjoy it!

American actress Loretta Young (born Gretchen Michaela Young) was a well loved actress in old Hollywood. Although not consistently mentioned among the well known Hollywood icons such as Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth and Grace Kelly, she was a gem on the Silver Screen.

 

 

After moving to California from Utah, still a toddler, Gretchen (Loretta) received her first bit part in The Only Way (1914). Her mother’s brother-in-law was an assistant director for the film. When Loretta was a teen she again returned to the screen receiving a small role in a 1920s film titled Naughty But Nice.

 By the 1930's Loretta was considered a successful actress, she starred in many roles often co-starring with big stars like Clark Gable in Call of the Wild.

Her success continued and reached its height in the 1940's when her usual 30's roles of a "nice girl facing hard times" was shed. In 1947 Loretta was nominated for and won an Oscar for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter, the tale of a farm girl who rises through the ranks and becomes a congresswoman. Later that decade she received another nomination for Come to the Stable (1949), but this one was lost to Olivia de Havilland for her performance in the Heiress. 

 

Later, she retired from films in 1953 and began a second, equally successful career as hotess of the "The Loretta Young Show", a half-hour drama anthology series which ran for eight years on NBC.  In addition to hosting the series, she frequently starred in episodes. Although she is most remembered for her stunning gowns and swirling entrances, over the series eight-year run she displayed again and again that she was an accomplished actress. She won Emmy awards for best actress in a dramatic series in 1954, 1956 and 1958.

Not only was Loretta Young a strong actress but also one with fantastic style. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her performances in her films as well as the costumes!

Sincerely, Vera