Filmland Follies

               Did the title make you do a double take?                         Filmland Follies is named for a reason - I write about Old Hollywood, which typically sticks to movies. However, yesterday in a crossword I found a clue which I realized was more obscure than it should be. The clue was "sister of Fred Astaire." So I was inspired to write this blog post to celebrate said sister, who though she never followed her brother to Hollywood, deserves to be known further than the sphere of crossword-solvers who also love entertainment history. Adele on an ocean liner, mid-1920s.               So here is my little tribute to dancer, actress, singer, wartime volunteer, British peeress, and crossword puzzle answer - Adele Astaire.               Adele Austerlitz was born in 1896 in Omaha, Nebraska to a German-American mother and an Austrian immigrant father.  A year and half later, her brother Fred was born. Adele was enrolled in dancing school at an early age, and quickly sho

                "My favorite Valentine is the one that says, 'Sweets to the sweet!' - and means it!" says Jane Withers in a 1939 issue of Modern Screen magazine. Jane began her film career at age three and was one of the most popular child stars of the 1930s and 40s. After a supporting role in the 1934 Shirley Temple vehicle Bright Eyes , Jane was signed to a seven-year contract with 20th-Century Fox. She was typically cast as a troublemaker or bratty character in contrast with that of Shirley's good girl persona. In later life she did voice work for Disney films and is known as a noted philanthropist and doll collector. Today in 2021, Jane is 94 years old!               I love to bake, so if I can combine that with old movies I won't pass up the chance! In this article, written when Jane was twelve, she shares her love for candy-making and four of her recipes for Valentine's Day treats. Here they are, in case you'd like to try them out yourself or s