Collector’s Corner: Collection Update, Vol. 6!

The last time I filled you all in on the new additions to my collection was in March, so I think it’s time for another update! I haven’t been buying many DVDs, but still have plenty of items to share, as the money I would usually spend on DVDs has gone toward other fun collectibles. My mom and I recently discovered an antique mall we’d passed a billion times but had never gone in… and they have several vendors specializing in movie memorabilia. I’ve also made a couple of very lucky thrift store finds!

Without further ado, here’s everything entertainment-related I’ve added to the collections since March.

DVDs

Ghost World (2001; Criterion Edition, spine # 872)
This is one of my all-time favorite films, and I treasure my original copy, an ex-Blockbuster rental which my mom blind-bought from a bargain bin when I was a teen. (She saw a girl with blue hair on the cover and thought I might like it. It’s been a favorite ever since!) I usually don’t buy films I already own, but I’ve been considering the Criterion of Ghost World for a while. A fantastic illustrated cover and “director-approved” special features? I put it on my “maybe” list for a future Barnes sale, but as luck would have it, my mom once again found the film for me, snagging an only-watched-once copy at a better-than-sale price.
A Shriek in the Night (1933)
I was lucky to stumble across this new-to-me Ginger Rogers film in perfect condition at a local Goodwill! The DVD looks pretty low-budget and doesn’t appear to include any special features, but I don’t mind, since I only spent two bucks on it. I can’t wait to discover this film, another step toward my completion of Ginger’s filmography.
Sliding Doors (1998)
Another Goodwill find. This was still in the cellophane wrap! It’s been a while since I’ve seen this film but I remember liking it a lot and am excited to watch it again.
The Loretta Young Show, Season 2
This was one of those lucky thrift store finds. It was still in the shrink wrap! I’ve never watched The Loretta Young Show but am a fan of the actress from her films and was very excited to find this. While I would prefer to start my viewing at season one, I couldn’t pass this up for two bucks.

Books

Alfred Hitchcock’s Ghostly Gallery
1962 hardcover. You may remember from previous collection updates that I’m a sucker for these Hitchcock-branded story collections. I haven’t sought to collect them all (there are a lot), but when I see one in an antique shop, I pick it up. This one offers up “eleven spooky stories for young people” including The Truth About Pyecraft by H. G. Wells and The Isle of Voices by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Uncommon Knowledge by Judy Lewis
1994 hardcover edition. Judy Lewis was the daughter of Loretta Young and Clark Gable. This memoir tells the story of her life, and how she discovered the truth of her identity, having grown up believing she was adopted.

Magazines

Liz Taylor memorial magazine “LIZ: Tribute to the Queen of Hollywood 1932 – 2011”
LOOK, July 5, 1949
Elizabeth Taylor cover celebrating MGM’s 25th birthday!

Radio-TV Mirror, October 1953
Eve Arden covers this magazine (with Perry Como, Meta Roberts, and Herb Shriner less prominently featured). I really bought this for the Eve Arden cover, but am interested to read it more thoroughly as it seems to contain stories about a lot of old TV stars I’m unfamiliar with!

Screen Stories, November 1953
One of my best purchases of the year so far — it’s got a How to Marry a Millionaire cover! One of my all-time favorite movies! Betty Grable gets the most prominent cover placement in full cover, with smaller photos of Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall accompanying her in black and white. Other films featured in the mag include Mogambo, Blowing Wild (starring TMP favorite Barbara Stanwyck!), Sins of Jezebel, and Torch Song.

Vintage mags unrelated to movies:
- LIFE, November 3, 1947
  Cover features a striking black and white photo of two ballerinas.
- True Romance, November 1944
  These mags full of wild tales (and sometimes have ads for classic movies). This issue includes “The Strange Story of Twin Orphans” and the hilariously-titled “EXTRA! What are your chances of having a normal child?”

Wall Art & Miscellany