Lindsay Lohan "looks like" Lana Turner.

Lindsay Lohan (born July 2, 1986). Began her career as a child fashion model before making her movie debut in Disney's remake of, The Parent Trap(1998). Lohan gained further fame between 2003 and 2005 with leading roles in the films: Freaky Friday, Mean Girls and Herbie.

Lana Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995), was discovered and signed to a film contract by MGM at the age of sixteen, Turner first attracted attention in the film, They Won't Forget (1937). She also performed in the films: Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), Johnny Eager (1941), Ziegfeld Girl (1941) and Somewhere I'll Find You (1942). She is known as one of the first Hollywood scream queens for her role in the horror film, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(1941) and her reputation as a glamorous femme fatale was enhanced by her performance in the film noir, The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). Her popularity continued through the 1950s, in such films: The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) and Peyton Place (1957), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Battle of the Blondes: Veronica Lake VS Lana Turner.

I think the battle between these two femme fatales .. Veronica Lake and Lana Turner, maybe their memorable hairstyles.

Veronica Lake (November 14, 1922– July 7, 1973), best known for her role in femme fatale roles in film noir with Alan Ladd during the 1940s, and her peek-a-boo hairstyle.

This Gun For Hire(1942). Crime/drama/noir, directed by Frank Tuttle and based on the novel A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene. The drama features Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird Cregar, and Alan Ladd.

Please click here to view This Gun for Hire(1942) review.

The Blue Dahlia(1946). Film noir directed by George Marshall and written by Raymond Chandler. The film marks the third pairing of stars Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake.

Three Navy officers, Johnny Morrison, Buzz Wanchek and George Copeland, return to their home in, Hollywood, California. Buzz is suffering from shell shock and has a metal plate in his head, George was released because of his eyesight and Johnny was given leave after his heroic actions.

Johnny soon learns his wife Helen, is having an affair with Eddie Harwood, owner of the Blue Dahlia nightclub. Helen drunk, confesses to Johnny, that their son Dickie, died in a car crash while she was driving drunk. Johnny leaves soon after.

Not knowing who Helen really is, Buzz goes to her apartment for a drink. After Eddie ends the affair, Helen blackmails him into seeing her again. Johnny, meanwhile, is picked up by Joyce Harwood, who is separated from Eddie. Neither shares their name and they spend the night in separate rooms in a Malibu inn.



The next morning, the radio announces that Helen has been murdered and all evidence points to Johnny. Newell, the house detective told police that Johnny had a fight with Helen and also saw Buzz and Eddie, at her apartment. Buzz and George, are later picked up for questioning.

Johnny, checks into a hotel under another name, Corelli, the hotel manager, finds Johnny's picture with Dickie and tries to blackmail him. Johnny beats Corelli up, then discovers that on the back of the photo, that Eddie is really the murder. Corelli, sells the info. on Johnny to a gangster named Leo, who kidnaps him.

Buzz and George go to see Eddie, at the Blue Dahlia, where they meet Joyce. As Joyce picks at a blue dahlia flower, the music playing in the background reminds him of the music he heard at Helen's apartment on that fateful night.

Eddie forces Johnny, to admit that he was involved in the shooting of a bank messenger. Leo tries to kill Johnny, but shoots Eddie instead. Johnny runs to the Blue Dahlia, where he finds the police trying to get Buzz to admit he killed Helen. Johnny tells Joyce, to turn up the music and Buzz remembers leaving Helen alive in her apartment. So who killed Helen?

This is Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake third film of the decade. William Bendix, wise-cracking lines are perfect for this film. This is a good crime story that keeps you guessing.

Lana Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995). She became well known as a glamorous femme fatale, for her performance in the film noir, The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). Her popularity grew and one of her most popular films of the 50s was, The Bad and the Beautiful.

The Postman Always Rings Twice(1946). Drama-film noir based on the 1934 novel of the same name by James M. Cain. This adaptation of the novel is the best known, featuring Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Leon Ames, and Audrey Totter.

Please click here to view Postman Always Rings Twice(1943) review.

The Bad and the Beautiful(1952). Melodramatic film that tells the story of a film producer who alienates all around him. It was directed by Vincente Minelli and stars Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame and Gilbert Roland.

Four's a Crowd (1938)

Four's a Crowd (1938), is a romantic comedy directed by Michael Curtiz and released by Warner Brothers. Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell, Patric Knowles, Walter Connolly, Hugh Herbert, Melville Cooper, Franklin Pangborn, Herman Bing, Margaret Hamilton, Joseph Crehan, Joe Cunningham, Gloria Blondell, Carole Landis and Lana Turner. The fourth of nine movies made by Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn.

The story begins when the newspaper might be shut down when owner, Pat Buckley, gets into a argument with the Editor-in-chief, Robert Lansford . Meanwhile, Lansford hopes to add John Dillingwell's business to his PR firm, and uses his position at Buckley's paper to write a good review for Dillingwell. He soon finds out that Dillingwell's daughter Lorri, is Buckley's fiancee. Lansford decides to try to charm Lorri while Christy makes a play for Buckley. In the end, you don't know who Lansford will end up with?

Video: first of 11.



Errol Flynn , gives a wonderful comic performance. One of my favorite scenes where he is chased by dogs snapping at his heels chasing him off his girlfriends property. Olivia de Havilland, looks gorgeous as the daughter of millionaire Connolly. A fluffy romance, but... worth watching if you enjoy watching these stars.

Margaret Hamilton (December 9, 1902 – May 16, 1985) was known for her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. A former schoolteacher, she worked as a character actor in films for seven years before she was offered the role that we all love her for.

In later years, Hamilton made many cameos on television sitcoms and commercials. She also was an advocate for children and animals, and was commitment to public education.

Johnny Eager (1942).

Johnny Eager(1942). Film noir. Cast: Robert Taylor and Lana Turner. Van Heflin won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

The story begins when gangster Johnny Eager first gets out of jail, and pretends to be a taxi driver, but he really owns a gambling house. As he is leaving Burns office, his parole officer, Johnny runs into Lisbeth Bard and it is love at first sight. Lisbeth talks Burns into paying a surprise visit to Johnny. Johnny, who lives in luxurious appartment at a closed dog track, is tipped off by someone in Burns's office. Johnny meets them at his cousin's small apartment, where Barns thinks he lives..

Later, at the track, Johnny begins to suspect that Lew Rankin, is cheating on him and has him followed. That night Johnny and his henchmen, Jeff Hartnett, check up on Lew at Tony Luce's gambling house. Johnny is surprised to see Lisbeth, whose drunken date owes Tony money. Johnny takes Lisbeth home, where he runs into her stepfather, John Benson Farrell, the district attorney, who is keeping the dog track from opening.

He comes up with a plan to make her believe that she's guilty of a murder committed when he stages a fake fight with another gangster. So he can blackmail her stepfather. Has he found a way to get his permit for his gambling house?



The story takes many twists and turns before the end of the film. Van Heflin, gives his Oscar-winning supporting role as the man who tries to be Johnny's conscience.

Patricia Dane (August 4, 1919 – June 5, 1995) . She began her career designing clothes for a New York City dress firm. Dane's, first two performances were uncredited roles in the films, Ziegfeld Girl and I'll Wait For You, both were in (1941).

She played the part of "Jennitt Hicks" in the film, Life Begins For Andy Hardy and she also played "Garnet" in the film, Johnny Eager (1942). Dane received good reviews in the film Grand Central Murder (1942).

Dane took a break from her film career when she married bandleader Tommy Dorsey (8 April 1943 - September 1947), but returned with the role of "Iris March" in the film, Fighting Mad (1948). Her final film performances were uncredited parts in the films, Road To Bali (1952) and The Harder They Fall (1956).

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Lana Turner.

Personal Quote:

I planned on having one husband and seven children, but it turned out the other way around.

Great On Screen Couples: Lana Turner and John Garfield.

One of Turner's favorite film performances was in , The Postman Always Rings Twice(1946), which co-starred John Garfield. As claimed in a documentary, Turner did not get along with him and when she found he was her male lead, she said: "Couldn't they at least hire someone attractive?" This classic film noir marked a turning point in Lana's career. So, I guess sometimes when you do not care to much for someone.. that can also produce "a great on screen performance".

 Please click here to read Postman Always Rings Twice review.

Happy Birthday: Lana Turner!

Lana Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995). While attending Hollywood High School, Turner decided to skip a typing class and bought a Coke at the Top Hat Cafe, where she was seen by William R. Wilkerson, publisher of The Hollywood Reporter. Wilkerson referred her to Zeppo Marx. Marx's agency introduced her to film director Mervyn LeRoy, who cast her in her first film, They Won't Forget (1937). Based on a novel by Ward Greene called, Death in The Deep South, which was loosely based on a real life case: the trial and lynching of Leo Frank after the murder of Mary Phagan in 1913. It is considered by many critics to be one of the best dramas of the 1930s. Turner earned the nickname "The Sweater Girl" from her form-fitting sweater she wore in the movie.



In late 1937, she signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and graduated from high school. Her next performance was opposite Mickey Rooney in the Andy Hardy film, Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938). It was this appearance that made Louis B. Mayer convinced that Turner could be the next Jean Harlow.



Mayer gave her the leads in many teen films: Dramatic School (1938), These Glamour Girls (1939) and Dancing Co-Ed (1939). From the beginning of her career, Turner stood her ground on her beliefs and was one of the few actresses to go against Mayer's wishes.

During World War II, Turner became a popular pin-up girl due to her popularity in films: Ziegfeld Girl (1941), Johnny Eager (1942) and four films she did with Clark Gable. The Turner/Gable films were only heightened by rumors about a relationship between the two.

Another one of her well known films was, Slightly Dangerous (1943). A Romantic comedy film starring Lana Turner and Robert Young. A story of a bored young woman who runs away to New York City and ends up impersonating the long-lost daughter of a millionaire. The film was directed by Wesley Ruggles.



After the war, Turner performed in the film, The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). The film noir was the turning point in her career and was Turner's first femme fatale performance.

In August 1946, it was announced Turner was going to replace Katharine Hepburn in the historical drama, Green Dolphin Street (1947). a story about a girl named Sophie who was in love with Edmund, but her parents forced her to marry wealthy Octavius. Years later, Edmund returns with his son, William. Sophie's daughter, Marguerite, and William fall in love. Marguerite's sister, Marianne, also loves William. Timothy, secretly loves Marianne and kills a man in a fight. Both men deserts from the navy and start a business together. One night, drunk, William writes Octavius, demanding his daughter's hand but, being drunk, he asks for the wrong sister.

For this role she darkened her hair and lost 15 pounds. It was her first starring role that did not center on her looks.



Later that year, Turner landed a role in the film, Cass Timberlane, a role that Jennifer Jones, Vivien Leigh and Virginia Grey were also considered for. Production of Cass Timberlane was very exhausting for Turner, as it was filmed while she was making the movie, Green Dolphin Street. She was paired again with Clark Gable in the film, Homecoming, their chemistry on screen was so wonderful that they were nicknamed "the team that generates steam".

In 1948, Turner performed in the film, in The Three Musketeers, opposite Gene Kelly, Van Heflin and June Allyson. She then went on to perform in the film, A Life of Her Own (1950). A melodrama, directed by George Cukor. The story is about an aspiring model who leaves her small town to find fame and fortune in New York City.

During the 1950s, Turner was casted in the musicals: Mr. Imperium (1951), The Merry Widow (1952). The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) and later starred with John Wayne in the adventure film, The Sea Chase (1955). She was then cast in the epic, The Prodigal (1955). A story of a young Hebrew named Micah, who wants to live a more exciting life, demands his inheritance so he can go to the big city. There he falls in love with a beautiful priestess who only uses him for what she can get..

Later, Turner performed in the film, Peyton Place (1957), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film is about the lives and loves of the residents of a New England mill town, where everyone hides behind a tranquil facade.

Turner accepted the lead role in the remake of, Imitation of Life (1959) under the direction of Douglas Sirk. Which turned out to be the biggest hit of Turner's career.

She also made a film with Bob Hope in, Bachelor in Paradise (1961). Other well known films she performed at this time were: Portrait in Black (1960) and Madame X (1966), which was her last major starring role.

Please click here to read past Lana Turner movie reviews.

Lana Turner movies I have seen:

A Star Is Born (bit), (1937)
Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
Calling Dr. Kildare
Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Weekend at the Waldorf (1945)
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Green Dolphin Street (1947)
The Three Musketeers (1948)
A Life of Her Own (1950)
The Merry Widow (1952)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
Latin Lovers (1953)
The Sea Chase (1955)
Peyton Place (1957)
Imitation of Life (1959)

A Life of Her Own(1950).

A Life of Her Own(1950). Directed by George Cukor. Cast: Lana Turner, Ray Milland and Ann Dvorak

Aspiring model Lily Brannel James, travels to New York City to apply to the Thomas Caraway Model Agency. After she is hired by Tom Caraway, Lily quickly become friends with former top model, Mary Ashlon, who shares with her the rules of the business. Mary plans a double date for her and Lily with advertising executive Lee Gorrance and lawyer Jim Leversoe. At the club, Mary drinks a little too much, Lily takes her home and Mary gives her a good-luck porcelain slipper. Later that same night, Mary takes her own life..

The following day, Lee visits Lily, but he shows no feeling over Mary's death. Lily goes on to become successful model continuing her a friendship with Jim, who introduces her to, Steve Harleigh, a Montana copper-mine owner on a business trip to New York. Although, Steve is married they begin seeing each other. When Steve is ready to head back to Montana, both he and Lily realize they have fallen in love, but know nothing can come of it .




Some time later, Steve returns to New York and against Jim's advice contacts Lily. Steve tells Lily he will be working almost full-time in New York, Lily rents a larger apartment where they can spend time together. Before long Steve says that his wife Nora is coming to visit him for his birthday. Lily wants him to tell Nora that he no longer loves her, but Steve confesses that Nora is an invalid because of a car accident for which he is responsible. Lily has to decide if her own happiness is worth destroying the life of another woman.

Lana Turner is excellent in this film and has some wonderful dramatic scenes. Margaret Phillips, as his wife, also does a wonderful performance.

Fun Fact:

Howard Keel, Cary Grant, George Murphy, and James Mason were among those considered for the role of Steve Harleigh, which eventually went to Wendell Corey, who worked on the production through mid-February 1950 but then allegedly asked to be released from the film because he felt he wasn't right for the role. Other sources claimed he was dismissed at the request of Turner and director George Cukor following an argument between the two stars. He was replaced by Ray Milland.

Ann Dvorak (August 2, 1911 – December 10, 1979), she was raised in the business that would later make her a star. Her father, Edwin McKim worked as a director for the Lubin Studios and her mother, Anna Lehr, was a silent film star. The couple split when Ann was four, and she and her mother moved to Hollywood.

As a child, she appeared in several films. She began working for MGM in the late 1920s as a dance instructor and gradually began to appear on film as a chorus girl. Her friend Joan Crawford introduced her to Howard Hughes. She performed in the pre-Code films: Scarface (1932),  Three on a Match (1932), with Joan Blondell and Bette Davis, Love Is a Racket (1932), and opposite Spencer Tracy in, Sky Devils (1932).

Known for her style and elegance, she was a popular leading lady for Warner Brothers during the 1930s. She appeared with Perry Mason in, The Case of the Stuttering Bishop (1937). She also acted on Broadway. With her then-husband, British actor Leslie Fenton, Dvorak travelled to England where she supported the war effort by working as an ambulance driver and continued to perform in many British films.

The Sea Chase(1955)

The Sea Chase (1955) World War II film. Cast John Wayne and Lana Turner. Director: John Farrow. Written by James Warner Bellah. The story is a about Wayne's character who is determined to get his German freighter home, while being chased by British and Australian naval ships.

In the beginning of World War II, at Australia's Sydney Harbor, Commander Jeffrey Napier of the British Navy stops by to see an old family friend, Karl Ehrlich, the German captain of the freighter Ergenstrasse. Even though he does not support the war, Karl remains loyal to his homeland and shows Jeff a German flag, he still holds dear. The Nazis have just invaded Poland and war is about to begin, Jeff discusses with Karl that the British are taking over the Ergenstrasse. Jeff then introduces Karl to his fiancee, Elsa Keller, unaware that they already know each other. When they are alone, Karl tells Elsa to leave Jeff alone or he will tell him about her past. She makes a promise to get even with Karl. Even with shortage of fuel and supplies, Karl is determined to hide from the British and return the Ergenstrasse to Germany. As Karl is leaving, the German General exposes Elsa as a secret agent and orders him to take her with him. You have to watch this cat and mouse game to see what happens next. :)

What got me to watch the film Sea Chase, was out of pure curiosity of the two lead characters, John Wayne and Lana Turner, in a film together. I remember thinking.."Are you kidding me? I have got to see this." For me, it turned out to be a very thought-provoking war film and ladies... Lana Turners wardrobe was fabulous.

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1943)

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1934) film noir based on the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain. Cast: Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Leon Ames, and Audrey Totter. Directed by Tay Garnett. Score written by George Bassman and Erich Zeisl.

Being a huge Lana Turner fan, I have always loved the film The Postman Always Rings Twice". Based on the novel by James M. Cain. Frank Chambers (John Garfield) tells us his story in narration. Frank was a drifter hitchhiking to no particular destination. He stops at a roadside diner that is looking for help. Encouraged by Nick (Cecil Kellaway) the owner, and his beautiful young wife Cora (Lana Turner), Frank takes the job. Cora is always asking Nick's help in improving the business. But Nick and Cora's mutual attraction is more than they can resist. Cora is unwilling to run off with a drifter who wants her to take care of his invalid sister. So the two lovers plan the murder of her husband so they can take over the diner..Lana Turner is believable as the cold hearted blond. Hume Croyn (Mr. Keats) is wonderful as Cora's lawyer. Mr. Keats or the District Attorney (Leon Ames) have no concern at all for finding the truth. Only fought for their personal interests."The Postman Always Rings Twice" is a great film noir that is entertaining, with a few wonderful twists and turns along the way.

Fun Facts:
Said to be Lana Turner's favorite role.

Contrast to Lana playing evil character, Lana wears white throughout the film.

Cecil Kellaway (August 22, 1893 - February 28, 1973) , spent many years as an actor, author, and director in the Australian film industry until he moved to Hollywood in the 1930s. Finding he could get only gangster bit parts, he got discouraged and returned to Australia. Then William Wyler called and offered him a part in the film, Wuthering Heights (1939).

 He received two Best Supporting Actor nominations, for The Luck of the Irish and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Academy Award winning actor Edmund Gwenn, whose real surname was Kellaway, was his cousin.

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1941)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(1941). Spencer Tracy plays Dr. Jekyll, who believes each person has a good side and a dark side, which can be controlled with the proper chemicals. After mixing together a drink that transforms him into his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, goes on a wild night on the town. Lust quickly turns to homicidal rage as Dr. Jekyll loses control of the experiment.

I thought Spencer's character was wonderful in his addiction to transformations from good Dr. Jekyll to evil Dr. Hyde. One of the reasons I enjoyed seeing this version of the story is the young, beautiful Ingrid Bergman. (A year from filming Casablanca.) Bergman was wonderful playing the destitute barmaid. Lana Turner, was also wonderful in her Ziegfeld character. The story is told by Jekyll, rather than Hyde.



Fun facts:

Spencer Tracy turned up at Clark Gable and Carole Lombard's second wedding anniversary party wearing his make up as Mr Hyde.

Victor Fleming was the Director. Who also directed : Gone With The Wind (1939), The Wizard of OZ (1939), and The Good Earth (1937).

Sara Allgood (October 15, 1879– September 13, 1950). She performed in early Hitchcock films, such as Blackmail (1929), Juno and the Paycock (1930) and Sabotage (1936).

Allgood was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 1941 for her role as Beth Morgan in the film, How Green Was My Valley(1941), but lost to Mary Astor. She also had memorable roles in the 1941 retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, It Happened in Flatbush (1942), Jane Eyre (1944), The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The Spiral Staircase (1946), The Fabulous Dorseys (1947) and the original Cheaper by the Dozen (1950).