Vanguard of Hollywood

Tamango (1958) and Dorothy Dandridge's Last Years

Dorothy Dandridge Tragically Dies at Age 42, and Endures More in Her Last Six Years of Life Than Anyone Ever Should, But the Amazing Strides She Made with Her Career Onscreen Are Still Felt and Appreciated Today.  Join Shannon for Her Farewell to This Month's Star, Dorothy Dandridge.

Carmen Jones (1954)

Dorothy Dandridge is Nominated for an Oscar, Proves She’s Sexy, Becomes a Mega Star, and Takes the Cannes Film Festival by Storm! From 1954, it's Carmen Jones.

Bright Road (1953)

Dorothy Dandridge Works Hard for Her Daughter, Fights Jim Crow on the Nightclub Scene, Insures Her Designer Gowns for $250,000, And Proves She’s An Actress to Be Reckoned With. From 1953, it's Bright Road.

Star of the Month: Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge Is the First Female African American Movie Star, Marries a Nicholas Brother, Loves to Cook, And Gives Marilyn Monroe a Leotard! Join Shannon for her introduction to this month's Star of the Month, Dorothy Dandridge.

The Unguarded Moment (1956)

Esther Williams Breaks Her Neck, Finds Fulfillment Post-Stardom, Becomes a Godmother to an Olympic Sport, and Proves This Million Dollar Mermaid Could Act! Shannon concludes this month's celebration of Esther Williams with the 1956 film, The Unguarded Moment.

Duchess of Idaho (1950)

Esther Williams Juggles Motherhood and Stardom, Van Johnson Is Adorable, Lena Horne Steals the Show, and Paula Raymond Is a Should-Be-Star! This week is all about 1950's Duchess of Idaho.

Bathing Beauty (1944)

Esther Williams Says No to MGM For a Year, Revolutionizes Synchronized Swimming, Looks Perfect Underwater, And Can Light the Pool On FIRE! From 1944, it's Bathing Beauty.

Star of the Month: Esther Williams

Esther Williams Is Sassy, Almost An Olympian, An Excellent Cook, Learns How to Swim Pretty, and Invents the Swimming Musical! Join Shannon as she introduces her Star of the Month, Esther Williams.

The Boston Strangler (1968)

Tony Curtis Takes Mug Shots, Hides His Handsomeness, Talks Painting Technique with The Rolling Stones, And Makes the Cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Join Shannon for her final week celebrating Star of the Month Tony Curtis: It's 1968's The Boston Strangler.

The Great Race (1965)

Tony Curtis Reminds Us to Say "Thank You," Jack Lemmon Gets a Pie in the Face, and Tony and Natalie Wood Almost Light Each Other On Fire!