Free DVD giveaway!

While I work on my post for the Film Preservation blog-a-thon, I decided to give all my readers a chance to win a free DVD of the 1933 Warner Brothers feature "Footlight Parade". This film stars James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Guy Kibbee, Hugh Herbert, Frank McHugh, and............well do I really need to go on?? Maybe just to add the splendid choreography of Busby Berkeley!

All you have to do to enter the contest is write a brief note in the comments section at the end of this post about why you LOVE or HATE our blog-god, El Brendel. It's that simple. Entries will be taken from now until Saturday, February 20th, 12:00PM EST, at which time all names will be put into a hat and the winner will be drawn. ANYONE can enter (and it's open to people world wide!!!) so tell all your friends to come over and visit and if you want to post this giveaway on your own blog or website, just go right ahead!!

Film Preservation blogathon!

The fine folks over at Ferdy on Films and the Self-Styled Siren have joined together in an effort to bring attention to the desperate need of film preservation around the world. This blogathon's goal is to "help ensure that not another frame is lost by supporting the work of film preservationists, restorers, and archivists", through monetary donations. All proceeds raised will go to the National Film Preservation Foundation. If you have an interest in participating or donating, head on over to their Facebook page and check out the details.

Glass slides: 10 for '10

In 2009 I started the year by posting a few glass slides to kick of the new year. I think it's a good tradition to keep expanding on. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

For 2010 I give you a picture of Baby New Year (Marjorie White) kicking out old Father Time (El Brendel). HAPPY NEW YEAR one and all!!!

Merry Xmas true believers!

To all my readers I extended to you the happiest wishes for a merry and festive Christmas (or whatever you celebrate this holiday season)! I will return shortly with more goodies from the El Brendel and old movie basket so stay tuned.

Until then, here is a shot of the LOVELY Janet Gaynor from 1937's "A Star Is Born" to show us what the well appointed Xmas tree should look like!

Sexy time Saturday #10

Here is the last bunch of photos from Carreras Ltd. (of London) "Film Stars", second series of 54 cigarette cards. They date from 1938 and according to the back of the cards "KEEP THIS ATTRACTIVE SERIES OF REAL PHOTOS IN THE CARRERAS SLIP-IN ALBUM OBTAINABLE FROM ALL TOBACCONISTS (Price One Penny)". I posted the first batch of scans in February and those can be seen here.

The sisters - on the set of "Carmen"?

In August, I posted a bunch of candid photos of two sisters on the sets of a half dozen Hollywood productions. A reader of the blog, Ian Elliot, tracked down their information and identified the pair as Venezia and Italia Frandi. Recently I have acquired 2 keybook stills from 1927's "The Loves of Carmen" and I have identified a woman I believe to be Italia lurking in the background. Although the shirt she is wearing appears different, it looks like she is wearing the same skirt in both pics. Let me know what YOU think:

Italia on the set of "The Loves of Carmen"