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Alexis Smith in Steel Against the Sky

In 1941, Alexis Smith was top-billed in the movie Steel Against the Sky. Previously, she had only had two substantial film roles (in Dive Bomber and The Smiling Ghost). The fact that Alexis Smith was billed first here, even though she had much less screen-time than her two co-stars, was presumably good news for the actress. Following Steel Against the Sky, she would appear in a number of big movies alongside many big stars throughout the rest of the decade.

Clocking in at just over an hour in length, Steel Against the Sky was Warner Brothers programmer meant to appear on the screen as part of a double feature. The plot concerned a family of bridge builders, with two brothers fighting over the daughter of the boss. Alexis Smith is quite appealing here and, while she doesn't have all that much to do, she nonetheless does very well with her role. She also has great chemistry with her co-star Craig Stevens, so much so that the pair got married in real life a few years later.

Here are some promotional images of Alexis Smith an her co-stars (Craig Stevens and Lloyd Nolan) from Steel Against the Sky:

Here are some images of Alexis Smith in Steel Against the Sky:

Alexis Smith and Gene Lockhart

Alexis Smith during her extreme close-up

Eleanor Parker in The Mysterious Doctor

In 1943, Eleanor Parker was second-billed in The Mysterious Doctor. It was her biggest role up until that time (she had made her feature film debut the previous year in Busses Roar).

Only an hour long, The Mysterious Doctor was a B-movie programmer made to be shown as part of a cinema double feature. The story revolves around a small town in Cornwall with a supposedly haunted tin mine, with many references to the British war effort thrown in to make it current for 1943.

Eleanor Parker has several scenes in The Mysterious Doctor and her character is actually is somewhat integral to the plot, not completely superfluous as sometimes female characters in these types of films are. Still, she didn't have too much to work with here but Eleanor Parker's acting ability is quite evident throughout and she manages to breathe some life into her role. And, of course, she looks beautiful too!

Here's a clip of one of Eleanor Parker's scenes in the movie where she gets a chance to scream in terror:

Here are some pictures of Eleanor Parker in The Mysterious Doctor:

Eleanor Parker and Bruce Lester

Emma Relph in Heaven 17's Penthouse and Pavement music video

Years ago I bought Heaven 17's Penthouse and Pavement LP and have been a fan ever since. Later, I saw the video for one of their greatest songs, "Penthouse and Pavement" and quickly became a fan of that as well. The music video (easily viewable several places online), besides having a fun concept, also features the talents of a gorgeous actress named Emma Relph. Besides a handful of smaller roles on a few somewhat obscure TV shows and films, her most prominent part was as a cast member in the 1981 UK sci-fi/horror miniseries Day of the Triffids.

Here are some images of Emma Relph in the music video for "Penthouse and Pavement" by Heaven 17 (click to view full size):

Janet Leigh in Just This Once (1952)

In 1952, Janet Leigh was first-billed in the romantic comedy Just This Once. She was the object of desire for two leading men, Peter Lawford and Richard Anderson.

Of course, Janet Leigh was no stranger to romance or comedy at this point in her career. In Just This Once, she deftly handles her role: she is funny and charming and looks stunning the entire time. The plot revolves around a thrifty, engaged to be married, lawyer (Janet Leigh) who must straighten out the finances of a millionaire playboy (Peter Lawford). It's a simple premise, but the movie moves along briskly with great performances all around and many funny scenes. I'm a big fan of old and new "rom-coms" and I definitely felt that this was a particularly enjoyable example.

Here are some images of Janet Leigh and her Just This Once co-star Peter Lawford:

Here's a picture of Janet Leigh with Marilyn Erskine:

And finally, two pics of Janet Leigh with her two leading men from Just This Once, Peter Lawford and Richard Anderson:

Some promo pics of Jill Townsend in The Spirit Is Willing

As you might know, Jill Townsend's first movie was The Spirit Is Willing. Here are some fantastic black and white promotional photos of her in the 1967 film.

Jane Greer in You for Me (1952)

Jane Greer with her You for Me co-stars Peter Lawford and Gig Young

In 1952, Jane Greer starred in her first and only romantic comedy, You for Me. The movie was certainly a change of pace for Jane Greer who, at the time, was best known for playing the femme fatale in the film noir classic Out of the Past and other assorted non-comedic roles (for example: Station West) In You for Me, Jane Greer played the object of desire for two leading men, Peter Lawford and Gig Young, giving the actress a chance to show skills opposite someone besides Robert Mitchum (her co-star in two of her most popular previous films).

Here are some vintage newspaper advertisements and reviews of You for Me.

Here are a few promotional photos of Jane Greer and her co-stars from You for Me: