16 Classic Films Stars in Unexpected Horror Film Roles

October 21, 2020

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Movie Blog, Classic Film Blog, Classic Film Horror Recommendations, Classic Films Stars in Horror Movies, The Witches, Joan Fontaine

There are stars of the horror movie genre like Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Peter Lorre, John Carradine, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee just to name a few. And then there are Old Hollywood stars who took parts in horror films that were unexpected. Some Old Hollywood actors took the roles in horror films in desperation because they weren't being offered anything else. Others took the roles because they found it to be a different change of pace. Irregardless of the reasons why they took the roles in these films or whether it was a success or not, watching a seasoned, professional actor like Gregory Peck or Ruth Gordon act in a spooky film makes the film so much more thrilling to watch.

I put together a few films that I know Old Hollywood actors starred in but if you know of others I would love to hear about them. Some of my personal favorites from this list are; What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), The Sentinel (1977), The Changeling (1980), and Ghost Story (1981), although I found them all to be quite enjoyable. Which of these have you seen? Does it surprise you to see these Old Hollywood stars in spooky films like these?

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis in
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Bette Davis in 
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Olivia de Havilland in 
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Joan Crawford in 
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Barbara Stanwyck in 
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Joan Fontaine in 
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Ruth Gordon in 
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Ernest Borgnine in 
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Gregory Peck in 
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Joan Bennett in
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Burgess Meredith in 
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Roddy McDowall in 
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George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour in 
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The Twilight Zone Inspiration: Living Doll

October 19, 2020
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The Twilight Zone's 126th episode called Living Doll first aired on November 1, 1963. Despite it not being viewed as a typical horror episode, to me the story of a doll coming to life to reak havoc on unsuspecting people is pretty terrifying to me. So although The Masks is usually seen as the perfect Halloween episode, I think that The Twilight Zone offers an array of spooky episodes.

Living Doll stars Telly Savalas, Mary LaRoche, and Tracy Stratford. A single mother named Annabelle (LaRoche) has recently married a man named Erich (Savalas) who cannot have children. Erich takes out his daily frustrations on Annabelle's young daughter named Christie (Stratford). The trouble really starts when one day Annabelle buys Christie a doll called "Talky Tina" in order to cheer her up. Much to Erich's surprise the doll starts saying things to him like, "I don't like you" instead of her usual programmed sayings. 

Erich starts blaming Christie and then Annabelle on what the creepy doll is saying. What he doesn't realize is that this doll is more than alive, it's evil. Erich keeps getting threatened by the doll and in the end pays the ultimate price for his poor behavior as a parent. Is this episode about the dangers of poor parenting or a reminder than innocence should be protected at all costs? What can we learn from this episode is that we should always treat children with kindness and don't mess with dolls that talk back to you.

Rod Serling ends the episode by saying, "Of course, we all know dolls can't really talk, and they certainly can't commit murder. But to a child caught in the middle of turmoil and conflict, a doll can become many things: friend, defender, guardian. Especially a doll like Talky Tina, who did talk and did commit murder—in the misty region of the Twilight Zone."

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Be Inspired: 9 Ways To Feel Better About Your Looks

October 14, 2020

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Vintage Inspired Fashion, Retro Fall Fashion, 1970's Inspired Fashion, Vintage 1960's Sunglasses, Inspirational Blogger, Lifestyle New York Blogger

Confession. I have gained ten pounds since the pandemic lockdown. Inactivity has been cruel to me because without the ability to get out of the house and be active I have become a weight that I never, ever have been in my entire life. You can see the difference in my face and it goes directly to my midsection. How does it make me feel you wonder? Honestly I have been quietly struggling with it. I have been careful with how I eat per usual, attempting to take walks when I can, always busy at home, and taking my vitamins. I have been on the search for some exercise videos which are hard to find because with my disability there are a lot of things I have a hard time doing. But I haven't really been feeling good about this.

Did I tell you I can't fit into my favorite jeans? Can I also tell you how gut wrenching that has been for me? I always keep in inner dialogue with myself where I remind myself that I am in in 40's, I did have three kids, I am Latina, and I am disabled. So I do not expect to be slim like I was in my twenties but lately I have had a harder time managing the positive inner dialogue.

The other day I decided out of the blue to just throw on a cute outfit to create some content and walked over to the park with the kids. I slapped on some lipstick and brushed my hair and twirled about in the park for my shoots. But I have become very self conscious about two things; my midsection and the way I walk. Both horrible in my book but probably not as horrible as I think they are. Thats the trouble with negative inner thoughts and allowing them to wash over you. The  negative thoughts slowly feel like a weight on your shoulders and they become heavy.

At the park my daughter randomly started telling me how cute I am. I asked her,"Who me?" and she said," Yes mom you!" And if there is one person I trust immensely it is my daughter. My daughter and I talk a lot about body image and thinking positive and working on remembering things that we love about ourselves. We also talk about being forgiving for the things we think are "wrong" with ourselves. She made me feel good and totally cute. I walked with a spring in my crooked step and felt happier about it all. 

That day was a good reminder about forgiving myself for my imperfections. It was also a good day to begin to reevaluate how I have been viewing my looks. Reminding myself to be kind to myself and that in my own way I am still as beautiful as I was when I was ten pounds lighter.

I want you to look at this list and ask yourself if you have done any of these things to yourself. If you answer yes to a few of these you just might be compromising your self-esteem and self-worth without even realizing it.


  • You feel lost or overwhelmed when it comes to knowing what to wear.
  • You buy clothes and realize it doesn't feel right but you keep wearing it anyway.
  • You rush the shopping process and just grab whatever is there.
  • You buy pretty things but never wear them because you tell yourself you need to lose or gain weight before you can really look good in them.
  • You choose you clothing by asking others what they think instead of relying on your own tastes.
  • You avoid meeting new people because of your appearance.
  • You give up even before go shopping because you figure, "what's the point?"

Okay now that you have gone through this list. How about some easy tips and pointers that just might help change the way you think of yourself. It doesn't happen overnight but reprogramming the language you use when you talk about or think about yourself will really shift your perspective on things. 

  • When the negative thoughts begin to creep in, literally tell yourself to "SHUT UP!" Who needs to hear that nonsense anyway. Certainly not you.
  • Start using more positive language when you have inner dialogue with yourself. 
  • Toss out the way the world views beauty because aside from the fact that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, different places view people differently. Curvy women might not be seen as gorgeous in one part of the world and in another part of the world it is the ideal of beauty.
  • Buy clothing that you love and that you feel really good in.
  • Ignore the sizing chart. Buy the size that fits your figure best.
  • Trust your tastes and sense of style. We all have it and allow yourself to explore fashion in a fun way.
  • Give yourself positive feedback. Someone else might think your butt is too big in a skirt but your butt is probably big so remind yourself you feel and look good with what you are wearing.
  • Dress in clothes that reflect who you are. Wear what makes you feel comfy and happy.
  • Push aside thoughts about other woman and remind yourself that you are who YOU are. You are this certain age, with this certain figure, so work with what you have. Not against it.

Our bodies go through changes all the time. Sometimes faster than we imagined they would come. It it important to remind ourselves that the way we think about ourselves needs to shift as our bodies are shifting. That way we can really see ourselves as the cute, wonderful people we really are.

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13 1960's Horror Movies That Are Still Terrifying Today

October 11, 2020
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

There's nothing better during the month of October than watching spooky movies. Maybe pumpkins and hot tea come close but watching scary films has been a love of mine for ages. Horror films have progressed a lot through the years. During the 1960's horror films went from campy to psychological. They playing on more on what the mind thought was there rather than an actual monster hiding in your closet. 

1960's horror films also played on the idea of innocence lost as a part of its scare factor. The naive person getting caught in a nightmare they don't quite understand. In many of the films I listed here the innocent characters usually go on a journey that typical doesn't always end well. 1960's horror showed the viewer that it isn't always things that go bump in the night that can scare us but the fear of not understanding what is going on around us. 

Some of my favorite horror films from the 1960's are Peeping Tom (1960), The Birds (1963), and Night of the Living Dead (1968). I can watch a good spooky film anytime during the year but there is something extra special about watching it during the month of Halloween. The changing of the leaves and cool weather just make you want to cuddle up in front of a tv screen and watch something that  will spook you out. 

How many of these 1960's horror movies have you seen? What are some of your favorites?

Psycho (1960)

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Village of the Damned (1960)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Eyes Without a Face (1960)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Peeping Tom (1960)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

The Innocents (1961)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Mr. Sardonicus (1961)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Carnival of Souls (1962)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

The Birds (1963)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

The Haunting (1963)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Rosemary's Baby (1968)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Night of the Living Dead (1968)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

Eye of the Cat (1969)A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Horror Movies, 1960s Horror Movies, Vintage Horror, Vintage Halloween

A Vintage Nerd Book Club: Wear Vintage Now

October 08, 2020
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Sixties Inspired Fashion, Modcloth Plaid, Wear Vintage Now Book, Vintage Book Review, Book Blog, 1960s Inspired Fashion, Retro Fashion Blogger, Anthropologie Bowtie, Feminine Bowtie, Vintage Nerd

I get asked a lot about where to begin when it comes to vintage fashion and care. Honestly it can get very overwhelming if you don't know what styles you like best. I dressed 1970's in the 1990's so I knew some things about vintage but when I started dabbling with it again back in 2011 I felt like I didn't know anything anymore. It took me a while to figure out what decades I preferred to wear, what colors, and how to care for my pieces.

When Margaret from Denisebrain Vintage contacted me about reviewing her book dedicated to vintage fashion I couldn't wait to share it with you all. I know I could have used this book which to me is more like a vintage guide, when I came back into the vintage world all those years ago. It would have saved me so much time and money. 

In Wear Vintage Now you have chapters covering how to wear and care for vintage, how to find the right fit for your figure, and great tips on how to find the perfect vintage accessories. I love that Margaret also covers how to search for vintage online, all the decades of the 20th Century, the variety of ways you can style vintage, and knowing the true value of a vintage piece. 

I am a visual person and this book includes a multitude of photos to help you visualize all the tips that she shares. The description of each chapter is detailed and easy to follow. What I love about a book that is trying to show me or teach me something is when the information is broken down to make it easy enough to follow and understand. Shopping for vintage or create your own vintage style can already be overwhelming but this book can really help in your journey with vintage.

If you are looking for a guide to help you navigate fashion in the vintage world I highly recommend this book. Even if you are looking for a refresher on vintage fashion this book will do the trick. You can purchase this book HERE on Etsy. You can also find Margaret on Instagram HERE and her website Desnisebrain HERE.

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Sixties Inspired Fashion, Modcloth Plaid, Wear Vintage Now Book, Vintage Book Review, Book Blog, 1960s Inspired Fashion, Retro Fashion Blogger, Anthropologie Bowtie, Feminine Bowtie, Vintage Nerd
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Sixties Inspired Fashion, Modcloth Plaid, Wear Vintage Now Book, Vintage Book Review, Book Blog, 1960s Inspired Fashion, Retro Fashion Blogger, Anthropologie Bowtie, Feminine Bowtie, Vintage Nerd
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Sixties Inspired Fashion, Modcloth Plaid, Wear Vintage Now Book, Vintage Book Review, Book Blog, 1960s Inspired Fashion, Retro Fashion Blogger, Anthropologie Bowtie, Feminine Bowtie, Vintage Nerd

Outfit: Plaid Skirt from Modcloth, White Blouse from Collectif, Red Cardigan from Old Navy, 
Bowtie from Anthropologie, and Blue Beret from Amazon


Celebrating Avon's 134th Birthday

October 02, 2020

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Did you ever shop from Avon? I was actually a seller when I was thirteen. I had so much fun selling for them because I used their products all the time. I have good memories of using their products especially a Tinkerbell chapstick I coveted that my mother bought me when I was seven (circa ‘83).⠀

This year Avon is celebrating their 134th Anniversary. Avon began in 1886 and is the fourteenth largest beauty company in the world. ⠀
Avon always has an array of beauty products up for sale but in celebration for their birthday they have been releasing Iconic products. One of these sets is a Iconic Mini Lip Color Set. It came well packed and everything about it is adorable and lush. I’m a lipstick kinda girl so this was right up my alley. Three beautiful shades that I can wear any day of the week. 
Aren’t these lipsticks so pretty? If you shopped from Avon, what products did you buy?

 
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