Joan Crawford’s Bisquick Cheese Straws
What would you say if I told you that I have made my OWN Bisquick? I found a recipe on the internet and decided that as we can't get it in the UK (and our supermarkets don't seem to have anything approaching its genius) I decided to rustle up my very own stash...
Claudette Colbert Cake
Ooh, I had an outfit a bit like that on Second Life. Been so long since I went there though I'll have forgotten how to do everything I'm sure. I did enjoy meditating by the fountains with doves flying around though. Oh and I did like my little...
Sonja Henie’s Scandinavian Cookies
I'm feeling a bit like that today Sonja! Not sure if it is the weather (beautiful hot sunny day here in London), my new "Friends of the Zoo" membership (Tuesday is Zooday from now on) or just general joyfulness for no apparent reason. I'm not going to...
Joan Crawford’s Creamed White Onions in a Red Pepper Cup
Slightly chaotic at Silver Screen Suppers Towers tonight as I attempt a singleton's version of Joan's recipe designed to serve eight people. She sure did love to entertain. I am left with the sneaking suspicion that because I had to divide 2 tablespoons of...
Anna May Wong’s Tea Cakes
A momentous day today for Renee who after 7 years working for the Archive is now off to another job, still within the company but not where I can hear her cracking up with laughter about something almost every day. She's been behind my right shoulder for about a...
Joan Crawford’s Pork Chops with Apple Rings
Today I am featuring my first ever guest post. C. Aubrey’s review of his attempt at Joan’s Pork Chops made me laugh out loud so I thought I would feature it here in full. Through consultation with Matthew Coniam over at www.movietone-news.com we have...
Joan Crawford’s Welsh Rarebit with Kidney Beans
Well I wasn't expecting to enjoy that but I did! A weird combination on paper, but on toast, not bad! Picture here... Mind you, my enjoyment may have been partly to do with a raging hangover caused by much beer, wine and whiskey consumed yesterday during...
Marion Davies’ Meadow Cheese Cake
Had a fantastic time last night at the Wind-Up. It's Walthamstow Arts Trail week and Mo had made an incredible outfit from 78rpm record covers - cardboard ones making the body of the dress and train and folded paper one making frilly decorations and a fabulous...
Joan Crawford’s Charcoal Broiled Steak
This is my favourite Joan Crawford "look" and if I had the guts I'd have my hair like this. I'd wear the same kind of trashy outfits she wears in "Rain" too, she looked superb even though she was playing a woman of ill repute. Her full-on lips caused quite...
Dorothy Dwan’s French Dressing, Joan Crawford’s Salad Number Two and French Banana Salad
Rosalind and Jimmy are true friends. Even though they didn't like the sound of Joan's Banana Salad (bananas / mayonnaise / peanuts / lettuce) they both tried some. Jimmy's initial one word comment upon tasting it of: "NO!" was pretty succinct. ...
Joan Crawford’s Charcoal Broiled Steak
Joan's steak was a big success with Charley. He said something along the lines of "enormo-cheese!" when it came out of the oven which in Charley speak is a compliment to the chef. It really was a delicious hunk of cheesy mustardy meat, I could eat another...
Errol Flynn’s Baked Fish Havannaise
Aw Errol - you were such a softy really. Are you on a BOAT with that cat?! I'm recovering from a late night DJing job at probably the nicest wedding we have ever played at. The bride was so HAPPY. I've been to so many weddings lately where the bride...
Joan Crawford’s Almond Soup
I am only going to forgive Joan for her Almond Soup because she is wearing such a nice hat. What can I say about it without being rude? It was not to my taste is probably the best way of putting it. Still, Gary C is in town tonight and I'll be serving this...
William Powell’s Vatrouskis version 2
I made a second batch of the Vatrouskis this morning and took them into work. A big hit. I may have to make another lot tomorrow as they went on the special "treats" spot around 9.40 and were gone by 9.45! Might try a variation with filo pastry...
Joan Crawford’s Salad Number One
Welcome to Joan Crawford month. I've set myself the probably impossible task of testing all of her recipes except the Meat Loaf this month. Still saving up for the legendary Meat Loaf - ingredients cost about £60! Am planning to make it on my...
Oliver Hardy’s Spaghetti
I've had an excellent response to this month's newsletter from the Artist Formerly Known as Gene. If any lady out there is thinking of having a Joan Crawford style dinner party, he has offered his services as the "bearded artist" she suggests inviting as the...
William Powell’s Vatrouskis and Joan Crawford’s Peanut Butter and Bacon Canapes
I'm in a drunken stupour at 8pm listening to Blur's "Girls and Boys" on the radio and feeling a special relationship to the bassline just because I sat next to Alex James on Market Kitchen and absorbed some of his aura. Oh how lovely. Maybe this is what...
Joan Crawford’s Pork Chops With Fried Apple Rings
Charley was like a monkey at the zoo when he saw Joan's Pork Chops come out of the oven! I must admit they did look delicious all smothered with red onions and doused in 1/4 pound of butter. They were really very good, top marks Joan. Glad they were...
Carole Lombard’s Barbecued Spare Ribs
I am not normally a jealous person but when a new test cook in the USA sent me a photo of the stove on which she cooks I went BRIGHT GREEN with envy. A 1936 “Magic Chef” cooker that is a joy to behold. Check out the picture on the Flickr page – Magic Chef. Rebecca...
Shirley Temple’s Pecan Squares
Anyone who has read The Celestine Prophecy knows that coincidences can be meaningful. Well, I've had a whole heap of them this evening. Yesterday I felt that, almost a year after splitting with Sidney. I was ready to get back in the fray. So I took the plunge and...
Jimmy Stewart’s Chicken Pie
Well it took me almost all day to make Jimmy's pie but it was worth it. Utterly delicious. I managed to break one of my favourite plates, cover the kitchen in home made chicken stock and smash a pyrex dish (which I thought was impossible) in the process but the...
Dorothy Lamour’s Strawberry Ice Cream
I am returned from the wilds of Essex where my niece Lucy got hitched to the lovely Helen. There was no "best man" for me to get myself into trouble with which was just as well. I seem to remember giving a rendition of "I Love Rock and Roll" on the karaoke at some...
Lupe Velez’s Tamale Pie
Did anyone get today's Independent or Daily Telegraph? FABULOUS picture of the Shellac Sisters at the Vintage at Goodwood Festival - but would you believe it, I was in the LOO so am not in the picture! I don't mind at all, I always look too goofy in photos and it...
Margaret Sullavan’s Peanut Butter Hermits
Nice hairdo Margaret. Hair very much on my mind at the moment as I prepare for Vintage at Goodwood. Shall I go and have a radical haircut so that I can do some proper Victory Rolls? As I got a surprise bonus at work today perhaps I should? EVERYONE is going to be...
Rudolph Valentino’s Secret Spaghetti Sauce and Ginger Rogers’ Coffee Parfait
My heart nearly burst with pride when I saw the photos of three test cooks I have never met cooking up a storm one Sunday for the Silver Screen Suppers project. Nathalie, Zsa Zsa and Esther obviously had a whole heap of fun making Rudoph's Spaghetti and Ginger's...
Irene Dunne’s Shrimps and Rice
It's a shame that the top of Irene's head has been chopped off by my computer, her hairdo is ace. If I had the guts, I'd have mine cut like this so I could rock Irene's look at the Vintage at Goodwood Festival next weekend. I've just been out and about in Camden...
Anna May Wong’s Chinese Almond Duck
Had another bash at Anna's duck dish last night as Daryl (we must get him a film star name) came round for dinner. The duck was definitely not as nice as when I made it for Edmund and I tried to work out why. Was it because I'd used a different type of mushroom? ...
Louise Brooks’ Knickerbocker Supreme of Chicken
Oh what a beauty! Louise is definitely in my top three most beautiful screen icons. I just love her on screen, and love all her studio shots and publicity photos too. What a babe. I made her favourite recipe tonight for two lovely men that I have no doubt if she...
Anna May Wong’s Tea Cakes
I've got a day off work today and it is bliss. I've got a batch of tea cakes in the oven and I'm still not dressed at 11am. I'm sure that Anna May would have worn something a little more slinky than a muu muu in the kitchen but there is a certain pleasure in cooking...
Marion Davies’ Meadow Cheesecake
Well, Marion's cheesecake was the biggest hit yet with my work colleagues. Marie pronounced it to be "Possibly the BEST CAKE IN THE WORLD!" and Edward G said, "great, really great, REALLY great" between mouthfuls. It was still warm from the oven as I had...
Marion Davies’ Cheesecake
It is taking me a long time to get used to the idea that I can live exactly as I please now I have my own place. Tonight I am experimenting with doing exactly what I want... I've been DJing with my Sisters all day at a crazy corporate event in...
Anna May Wong’s Chinese Almond Duck version 2
Edmund read Tuesday's post and decided that he would like Anna May's Duck for his dinner last night. He missed the party and wanted to peruse my new flat. As a man with a penchant for the 1930s I knew he'd like it. As nosey as I am, he particularly enjoyed...
Anna May Wong’s Chinese Almond Duck
Oh my goodness, it feels like being in an industrial kitchen this evening as I try and cook TWO main courses. AMWs duck - for the first time ever - plus my all time favourite non-silver-screen-suppers dish - Leon's Sausage, Kale and Flageolets Casserole. It doesn't...
Vincent Price’s Hungarian Goulash
To say that my housewarming was a humdinger would, I think, be an understatement. What a wonderful and crazy night it was. I tried to make a list of everyone who rocked up, I got to 61 people and then realised I was still drunk so had to stop... It was...
Josephine Baker’s Spaghetti Bolognaise
Apologies, apologies. I am very behind with sending out recipes to test cooks. I have been running around getting ready for my housewarming and hereby PROMISE to get back on track when I am surrounded by empty beer cans and overflowing ashtrays on Saturday. Or if...
Charlie Chaplin’s Apple Roll
Today I am very excited to report that at last we have a Charlie Chaplin recipe to test. This is almost the Holy Grail for us (when Marilyn Monroe’s diaries are published in October we will have it!) and this is such a ridiculously exciting moment. Is this sad? That...
Carole Lombard’s Cherry Tart
Well I learned several lessons making Ronald's pie last night. First one was that a small mistake in a recipe can cause absolute chaos! This is why I am so grateful to all my test cook volunteers, because if I make a howler like there was in Ronald's, hopefully...
Ronald Coleman’s English Pot Pie
"They talk of the artist finding liberation in work, it is true. One can be someone else in another, more dramatic, more beautiful world." Oh how true Ronald! That's what it is like in Silver Screen Suppers world. Liberated! More dramatic and more beautiful. ...
Ginger Rogers’ Coffee Parfait
Hello sailor!!! I am loving Ginger tonight because unlike her Butterscotch Date Pudding, the Coffee Parfait is a resounding success. Ginger has gone from having the worst ever Silver Screen Suppers recipe to having one of the best. SCRUMPTIOUS! ...
Fred MacMurray’s Chocolate Fudge Upside Down Cake
Love the quizzical look Fred! Also love your cake, which is baking as I write, filling my kitchen with a delicious chocolate aroma good enough to eat. YUM. It's for my boss's birthday tomorrow - this has got to be better than taking him an apple right? I'm on a new...
July Cookalong – Carole Lombard’s Barbecued Spare Ribs
I feel a bit like that today Carole - yipee! The first ever Silver Screen Suppers newsletter has gone out today and our first cookalong begins. I wonder how many folk around the world will try out Carole's Barbecued Spare Ribs in July - if you do please email us, we...
Gloria Swanson Frock Contest Part 2!
The wonderful portrait painter Brian Dennis won this dress - designed by Gloria Swanson - in our recent competition. He is now spreading the love and running his own contest for one lucky lady (or indeed a slender man) to have their portrait painted in the legendary...
Carole Lombard’s Barbecued Spare Ribs
Shoulders! They are playing the National Anthem and I am feeling all tearful and worried for our boys. COME ON ENGLAND! It's such a momentous match, so very exciting. I'm watching it at home as I am hosting a post match barbecue so have to tend to cooking stuff at...
Marlene Dietrich’s Lamb Chops en Casserole
Our Pittsburgh turned Dallas based test cook Josef VS sent in a report on Marlene's Lamb Chops a while back and it's popped to the top of the "to-blog" list. I'm working my way through them all because round 3 of testing starts in July! It's always fascinating to...
Gary Cooper’s Buttermilk Griddle Cakes
Well howdy doody there Coop! Nice cowboy stance you great big hunk you! The lovely Will up there in Doncaster made Coop's Griddle Cakes the day after he tried out Veronica's Spiced Beef and Peas. The result being that he felt that he was, "as big as a house"! It...
Veronica Lake’s Spiced Beef and Peas
It's time for me to get back on track writing up test cook reports on recipes. My mind has been scattered to the four winds with all this moving business but it feels like heaven to be in my new place and all kinds of new resolutions are being made. So, as I am about...
Johnny Weissmuller’s Apricot Meringue Pie
Johnny’s pie was a flop. I think that I overcooked the custard and under whisked the meringue. It tasted good but it was such a floppy consistency it would have made a perfect custard pie in a Mack Sennett movie. A lesson learned – do not attempt to make an apricot...
Maurice Chevalier’s French Onion Soup
My first proper dinner for friends in my new flat was TERRIFIC! Progress on the jigsaw was made and Rosalind found a bag of coins that had emerged from the lock up and decided to see how much money I had forgotten about. She made neat piles of 1ps, 2ps,...
Carole Lombard’s Barbecued Spare Ribs
Oh Carole! Lounging poolside on a fur rug, only YOU could get away with that! Well on Saturday the entire contents of my lock-up were transported in a van and carried up four flights of stairs by two beefcakes for hire and 5 true and trusted friends. Everything is...
William Powell’s Beets Piquants
Oh the lovely William. His moustache puts me in mind of Charley’s. I am so, so, so loving my new home. Boxes everywhere and lots of scrabbling going on every time I need to find anything but I’m loving it. 10 year old Shirley popped in for a snoop...