Hollywood and the Roosevelts in Photos

I've been excited for the Ken Burns' documentary series The Roosevelts: An Intimate History for months. While some people are intrigued by the Kennedys, I've always been fascinated by the Roosevelts. In honor of the documentary series airing this week, I thought I'd share some cool photographs of the Roosevelts and old Hollywood.

FDR at the Hollywood Bowl during his campaign tour circa 1932 - Source

Eleanor Roosevelt chatting with her favorite actor Robert Taylor at FDR's 55th Birthday Party circa 1937 - Source

Eleanor Roosevelt with Jean Harlow at FDR's 55th Birthday party circa 1937 - Source

Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House with The Hollywood Victory Caravan circa 1942 - Source

FDR receiving a check for the National Institute of Paralysis from Hollywood circa 1944 - Source

Shirley Temple and Eddie Cantor with a gigantic birthday cake in honor of FDR - Source

Joan Crawford with a portrait of FDR after his death. - Source

Let's not forget Theodore Roosevelt! The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was built in 1927 and was named after him.

Stars & Their Hobbies ~ James Mason

James Mason, Cats

"Cats do not have to be shown how to have a good time, for they are unfailing ingenious in that respect."- James Mason

 

James Mason loved cats.

His wife Pamela Mason also loved cats.

Together they had lots of cats. In 1946, they had 12!

 

James Mason liked to draw his cats.

He and his wife even wrote a book about their cats entitled The Cats in Our Lives which was published in 1949. They later published a fiction anthology entitled Favorite Cat Stories of Pamela and James Mason.

 

James Mason loved cats. It's as simple as that.

Thank you to both Kate Gabrielle and Terry for the tip about James Mason! Terry has a write-up of Mason's hobby on his blog A Shroud of Thoughts  and Kate shared some of Mason's cat drawings on her blog Silents and Talkies.

My series Stars & Their Hobbies explores how notable actors and actresses from Hollywood history spent their free time. Click here to view a complete list of entries.

Stars & Their Hobbies ~ Clara Bow

Clara Bow, Sports

"I became a regular tomboy - played baseball, football and learned to box." - Clara Bow

Clara Bow playing baseball circa 1926 - Source

Clara Bow boxing in heels - Source

Clara Bow playing tennis

Clara Bow was a tough cookie. She had a rough childhood and growing up poor in Brooklyn didn't help things either. And although Hollywood would come to see her as the glamorous IT girl, at heart she was really a tomboy. She played baseball, tennis and other sports and was even a track-and-field star in high school.

Clara Bow and USC Football

She also really loved football and would attend as many USC Trojans games as she could. At the end of football season, she'd entertain the entire football team at her home. This led to a nasty accusation that she did more than just wine and dine them. She did date USC quarterback Morely Drury at one time but really she was just a fan of the sport. The scandal did adversely affect Bow adversely and she took former secretary Daisy DeVoe, who started the rumor, to court.

Clara Bow with Chester Colins circa 1927

Clara Bow also loved roller skating and could be spotted skating up and down her driveway.

Source

My series Stars & Their Hobbies explores how notable actors and actresses from Hollywood history spent their free time. Click here to view a complete list of entries.