Howard Duff and Ida Lupino promoting their 1957-‘58 sitcom, “Mr. Adams and Eve”

“Women’s Prison” (1955) Ida Lupino plays an abusive prison superintendent. Below, three escaped prisoners played by Jan Sterling, Cleo Moore and Vivian Marshall hold her hostage.

Geraldine Fitzgerald for “Ladies Courageous” (1944). Photo by Ray Jones. www.royalbooks.com/pages/books/...

Louella Parsons on Ida Lupino in “They Drive By Night” — July 11, 1940: “I repeat what I said in my review-Ida is as good in this picture as Bette Davis at her best, which only goes to prove that some excellent actresses need only to change studios to get a new lease on life.”

Ida Lupino in “They Drive By Night” (1940)

Lana Turner in Photoplay, February 1940

Reading about the last couple years of Woodrow Wilson’s presidency made me curious to finally check out what “Wilson” (1944) is really like. Also it does have Geraldine Fitzgerald.

Ida Lupino starred with Henry Kendall in “The Ghost Camera” (1933) — one of 6 films she did in England before signing a contract with Paramount and moving to Hollywood in the summer of 1933.

Peter Lorre, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Sydney Greenstreet in “Three Strangers” (1946) “I've been everything from sweet to sinister. … I know one thing — I can never be any more monstrous than I am in 'Three Strangers.’” — Geraldine Fitzgerald, Screenland, Oct. 1946

Bette Davis in Movie Mirror, June 1932

"’Roberta’ is the latest invitation to the dance with the stunning team of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. These two! Their comedy is as nimble as their feet. Just to watch Astaire walk across the screen is a liberal education in rhythm“ — Motion Picture, May 1935

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in “Roberta” (1935). This was their third film together and one of the best—a very high bar. As often is the case for their RKO films of the 1930s, the music, for the dances and songs and the underscore, is absolutely fabulous.

Ida Lupino, 1937 “THE LOVELY LADY OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN - white, sunshine and space are dominant motifs of the lofty English house chosen and furnished for a home by Ida Lupino, now playing an important part in Paramount's musicomedy, ‘Artists and Models,’ with Jack Benny.”

Ida Lupino, 1943 “For the informal type of entertaining, now so much the vogue in Hollywood, Ida Lupino prefers slacks. She models one of her more tailored outfits… . Her newest Warner Bros. film is ‘THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS.’”

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “Roberta” (1935). Amongst the many great Astaire-Rogers films, this has always been amongst my favorites. I particularly love the casual, joyful tap number they do in this scene, “I’ll Be Hard to Handle.”

I found a new-to-me photo of Ida Lupino directing! Here she is with star of “Have Gun, Will Travel,” Richard Boone, in a promo for the third season premiere episode called “First, Catch a Tiger.” It aired September 12, 1959. #IdaLupinoDirecting

Hedy Lamarr and Robert Young in “H. M. Pulham, Esq.” (1941). The movie is a decent melodrama, but I would have preferrred it to have been centered on Lamarr’s character, “Marvin Myles.” Especially since this is easily the strongest performance I’ve seen from Lamarr.

Ida Lupino takes the preliminary oath of United States citizenship in 1947. She became a full citizen a year later. Born in London in 1918, she had moved to Hollywood in 1933. This photo is from the Los Angeles Times, May 1, 1947.

Director Ida Lupino confers with “The Virginian” title star James Drury as series star Doug McClure looks on—during filming of the “Dead-Eye Dick” episode aired Nov. 9, 1966. #IdaLupinoDirecting

Miriam Hopkins in Motion Picture, October 1931

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in their first on-screen dance partnership, The Carioca, from “Flying Down to Rio” (1933)

Helen Forrest, greatest big band singer of the swing era, poses with fellow vocalist Johnny McAfee and bandleader Harry James, ca. 1942

Ida Lupino, 1934 “Because they like her looks, a group of California's most distinguished dignitaries have given Ida Lupino … the honor of being the first woman admitted to membership in the Foot Printers, exclusive social organization of state, bench, bar and law enforcement officials.”

“[Glenda Farrell’s son] Tommy is allowed the prerogative, by his mother, of looking over all her beaux. If Tommy does not give the word, they are, as Glenda expresses it, ‘out’. Tommy has recently okayed—according to Glenda—Gene Raymond.” (The New Movie Magazine, Sep. 1933)

One more worthwhile but now-obscure Glenda Farrell film is “Life Begins” (1932), starring Loretta Young. Glenda originated this role on Broadway. The play flopped but it won Glenda a Hollywood contract where her performance in the film version launched her to stardom. Glenda Farrell, #BOTD 1901

Another fun but underseen Glenda Farrell movie is “Girl Missing” (1933). Here, Glenda plays the lead in a lively comedy-mystery. Glenda Farrell, #BOTD 1901

Glenda Farrell was born 125 years ago today! June 30, 1901 (yes, 1901) A film of hers that deserves more attention is “Snowed Under” (1936), starring George Brent. It’s a zany ensemble comedy where the supporting cast really gets to shine—particularly Glenda, Frank McHugh and Genevieve Tobin.

Ida Lupino, ca. 1946

Ginger Rogers and George Sidney in the pre-code comedy “Rafter Romance” (1933)

Ida Lupino between Johnny Mitchell and William Prince in the comedy “Pillow to Post” (1945)