Time to turn the clock back quite a few years with this month’s magazine throwback to the studio era via Motion Picture Monthly. Not sure when I picked this up or where but rest assured it was probably while hunting through some antique shop or memorabilia show over the past 40 odd years. The reason? I can only assume it was Alan Ladd who has always been a favorite thanks to his association with westerns and noir movies.

Not only is Ladd on the cover but on page 7 you can find an ad on his latest release opposite the beautiful Gail Russell in Salty O’Rourke from director Raoul Walsh.

Under Picture Parade are a number of mini reviews of the latest films in release and a rating system, Excellent/Good/Fair. Those that earned the Excellent moniker include A Song to Remember, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, None But the Lonely Heart, Saratoga Trunk, Keys of the Kingdom, The Song of Bernadette, Wilson and finally Winged Victory.

Not into Ladd adventures? How about the latest Jane Powell feature highlighted on page 15?

It wasn’t uncommon to see the Studio “Stars” being used to market products back in the day and here is Miss Loretta Young spreading the word about Lux Toilet Soap. It must be good if 9 out of 10 screen stars use it.

A full article on the latest Siren to turn heads in Hollywood AND Canada’s own, Yvonne De Carlo is included as is Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood where one can read all about there favorite film star. Hedda covers the gossip on the likes of John Payne, Joan Fontaine, Dana Andrews, Olivia De Havilland, Lizabeth Scott and when it comes to the latest on the Bogart/Methot/Bacall triangle, Hedda had this to say…..

Articles inside the May issue include one on “Mickey Rooney – Front Line Entertainer,” a glance at Lauren Bacall and an inside look at Joan Blondell who I’ve always admired and enjoyed over the years seeing her in films from the 30’s right up to the late 70’s prior to her death in 1979.

Under the “Try Your Star’s Favorite Dish” we have recipes shared by the likes of Bob Hope (Macaroni Casserole with Tomato Sauce), Bette Davis (Breast of Lamb), John Garfield (Barbecued Spareribs) and how about this one from Ann Sheridan….

This next ad for Jergens Lotion caught my eye. Mainly because I’m not familiar with the actress “Belita”. Time for a quick bit of research. Apparently an Olympian skater following in the skating strides of Sonja Henie from England to Hollywood in what amounted to a minor career on camera with only 13 credited appearances according to the IMDB. As for the Monogram feature Golden Girl highlighted atop the ad, I can’t find anything on it or that it was ever actually produced. A mysterious lost film? Do tell if any of you stopping by know anything about the film or the actress/skater.

Isn’t it ironic that a racy ad like this appears in a magazine fronting for movies that could never resort to a scene like this on camera. The “Code” wouldn’t dare allow it.

I can only assume that a Motion Picture Monthly was aimed at the ladies. Among the many stars featured in cosmetic and clothing ads along with those already mentioned are June Haver, Marilyn Maxwell, Dusty Anderson, Lauren Bacall, June Allyson, Laraine Day and Rhonda Fleming seen hear hawking the new perfume Spellbound to coincide with the new Hitchcock release.

In a self penned article that doesn’t quite fit today’s world, Turhan Bey, goes on about the problems he experiences on the road thanks to “women drivers.” They apparently don’t follow the rules of the road all that well when he’s on them after a long day at the studio and trying to return home.

Universal Monster fans are sure to recognize Acquanetta seen here in an ad for lipstick. I just can’t figure out why she’s tagged here as a star for Monogram? Up to this point she’d appeared in five films. All of them for Universal including Captive Wild Woman, Jungle Woman and one of the Lon Chaney Inner Sanctum films, Dead Man’s Eyes. I may be wrong but I don’t think she ever appeared in a film for Monogram on the so called Poverty Row. Another mystery lost to time?

The ads keep coming. Go Western with Dale Evans.

I must say I never expected to spot an ad with Vera Hruba Ralston. Fans of John Wayne know her from his days working at Republic and more specifically studio head, Herbert J. Yates, who was determined to make a star out of her. It wasn’t meant to be though he did marry her. As for the rather plain Vera, she costarred with the Duke in 1945’s forgettable Dakota and 1949’s enjoyable The Fighting Kentuckian which is likely more famous among film buffs for starring Duke alongside Oliver Hardy as opposed to Miss Vera.

As for the featured star of the month, Alan Ladd, there is a four page article on the Paramount star with pictures of his home life and wife/agent Sue Carol. All this for just fifteen cents.

That’s it for this month’s throwback to a time long past. See you in June.