Clara Bow’s Vanilla Marlow
"I wanna go home. I miss my cook." Ruth is beside the stove cooking up Fred MacMurray's Egg Burgers De Luxe for our breakfast and Clara Bow's Vanilla Marlow is "done and done" and settling down in the refrigerator. We are going for it in a big way on day two of the...
Joan Crawford’s Creamed White Onions in Red Pepper Cup
"I need sex for a clear complexion, but I'd rather do it for love." An interesting take on the whole thing thanks Joan... There has been MUCH discussion on the ins and outs of our love lives during the cooking and many interesting things are coming out of it. There...
Gary Cooper’s Griddle Cakes
"The general consensus seems to be that I don't act at all." What a joy to come downstairs after a long lie-in to find Ruth at the magi-mix preparing Gary Cooper's Griddle Cakes in her cowgirl pyjamas. Not only that but also mixing up the dough for Claudette Colbert's...
Marlene Dietrich’s Lamb Chops en Casserole
"I was raised almost entirely on turnips and potatoes, but I think that the turnips had more to do with the effect than the potatoes." Well I am pleased to say that Marlene's Lamb Chops en Casserole contains both potatoes AND turnips which gives weight to the idea...
Fred MacMurray Wine
"The two films I did with Billy Wilder, 'Double Indemnity' and the 'The Apartment' are the only two parts I did in my entire career that required any acting." Isn't Fred handsome? The Summit has begun. I am in Delaware ("Small Wonder") with America's Sweetheart of...
Herman Bing’s Weiner Schnitzel
Had a go at Herman's wonderfully eccentric recipe for Weiner Schnitzel last night and was mightily pleased with the results. Charley read the bizarre cooking instructions out loud in his lovely booming voice and declared it to be closer to poetry than a recipe. The...
Berlin Film Festival
"The Madonna of the Screen" Just back from the Berlinale which was FABULOUS! There was a "City Girls" retrospective of some fabulous women centred films of the 1910s and 1920s. Didn't get to see as many as I wanted to but managed to catch "Dancing Mothers" and loved...
Tex Ritter’s Chili
Well I guess when you've been out riding the range all day you want a chili that doesn't take too long to make, so Tex's chili recipe is pretty basic. I have to admit that I cooked it for a lot longer than 15 minutes and added 2 Oxo cubes just to (quite literally)...
What is Hominy?
"After all, a girl is - well, a girl. It's nice to be told you're successful at it." My new (and most expensive ever) film star recipe book has arrived on my doorstep and I am beside myself with excitement. There are some super fab recipes in there including one (at...
Dick Powell’s Baked Noodles
"The best thing about switching from being an actor to being a director is that you don't have to shave or hold your stomach in anymore.” I tried Dick’s recipe for Baked Noodles on Saturday as I’m searching for a good veggie recipe to serve my sisters next Sunday –...
Anna Sten’s Russian Sandwich
Oh the Russian Sandwich is a thing of great beauty! I cannot WAIT for an unsuspecting guest to be at my house one lunchtime so I can ask the question, "would you care for a sandwich?" then disappear into the kitchen to make one of these TOWERING SPECTACULAR CIRCULAR...
Lionel Barrymore’s Baked Steak
"I've got a lot of ham in me." On the page next to Ginger's Coffee Parfait was a recipe for prize ham actor Lionel Barrymore's baked steak. As I was hankering after what my old friend Kinky would call a "big hairy steak" last night I rustled it up and it was mighty...
Ginger Rogers’ Coffee Parfait
“My love for ice cream emerged at an early age - and has never left!” Well, I attempted Ginger's "Coffee Parfait" last night which would have been some kind of ice cream I guess if I hadn't made such a mess of it. I feel I was the victim of what Ruthie earlier...
Slim Summerville’s Pineapple Omelet
Puddin' Head As soon as I saw this recipe I fancied having a go. One of the more bizarre of the film star recipes turned out to be actually very tasty. Wasn't sure if it was a main course or a desert but I had it with a nice green salad in front of the box and it was...
Cary Grant’s Steak a la Victor Hugo
"You're just a bunch of molecules until you know who you are." I'm trying to work it out Cary, honestly I am... So the double boiler was put to its second use of the weekend - attempting for a second time to make the weirdo sauce that TWO stars have published as a...
Claudette Colbert’s Caramel Custard
"Govern a family as you would cook a small fish - very gently." OK so Claudette wore a very nice hat throughout "It Happened One Night" but her Caramel Custard wasn't up to much.However, I blame the double boiler - I need to practice. And maybe actually the...
Clark Gable’s Stuffed Pork Tenderloins
"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" Yeh, well neither do I... Annoyingly my enjoyment of "It Happened One Night" was increasingly marred by the fact that Clark's slicked back hairdo became all floppy fronted as the "night" wore on. This reminded me way too much of...
Anna May Wong’s Tea Cakes
"I see no reason why Chinese and English people should not kiss on the screen, even though I prefer not to." I saw an Anna May Wong film at the NFT on Thursday night. It's the first time I've seen her in a TALKIE. A very low, very posh voice indeed. I...
Ida Lupino’s Lemon Mousse
Have you ever made something that was so delicious you just couldn't believe you had made it yourself? So it was last night when I rustled up Ida's Lemon Mousse which I ran out of time for on Saturday. OMIGOD. That is the most delicious desert EVER. A winner, a...
Jimmy Stewart’s Chicken Pie with Clara Lou Sheridan’s Caramel Carrots
The rolling pin is a virgin no more. I don't remember EVER making pastry without my mum being by my side telling me how it is done so I was VERY pleased with myself on Saturday when my chicken pie was a triumph! Both Rosalind and Jimmy Stewart himself complimented me...
Claire Dodd’s Grilled Spring Lamb Beggs
Am installed in my country retreat for 6 weeks. Marvellous. On the night my host and hostess left for South Africa there were loud guffaws at the suggestion that I'd be cooking up a storm in their kitchen. Rita has a magnet on her fridge which reads, "If you can't...
The New Year’s Resolution
“I never gave away anything without wishing I had kept it; nor kept it without wishing I had given it away.” That Louise Brooks one was a super intelligent woman. I may use her as my mentor for 2007. However, the more I think about the quote above the more perplexed I...
Lillian Roth’s Fig Cake
“When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin' Along” Our project's staunchest supporter Paulette gave her verdict on the Lillian Roth Fig Cake this morning as we all nursed mighty hangovers after going to the superb "Class Club" at the Barbican. Her and hubby declared...
Zuzu’s Petals
Season's Greetings! As is tradition there was a Christmas screening of "It's a Wonderful Life" at Rosalind's place. Her very own Jimmy Stewart had NEVER SEEN THE FILM. It caused much amusement as Rosalind and I kept passing each other tissues and when it had finished...
Errol’s Fish Dish Again
Had a lovely re-run of Errol Flynn's Baked Fish Havanaise with Paulette last night. It is the one and only dish that I can remember the ingredients for at the supermarket so I guess that makes it a house special. I had a bit of a cry last night discussing the...
Gracie Fields and Goose Fat
"I wanna go home - I miss my cook" Am experiencing withdrawal symptoms as I haven't been near a stove for weeks so the Silver Screen Suppers project has slowed to a halt. I'm back from the land of the long white cloud but currently of no fixed abode so cooking is...
Skeets Gallagher’s Souffle of Tomatoes
I am in strange black walled Blade Runneresque internet cafe in Auckland - the only non Chinese person here. All the salty snacks are Chinese, all the cold beverages ditto and even blog instructions are in Chinese so I have to use graphic memory to work out how to...
Evelyn Brent’s Spaghetti Mark 2
I have just had an almost perfect weekend. Much hilarity at the World's Biggest Blind Date attempt as mobile phone technology failed to match up to the task of 600 singletons attempting to find their assigned date in a ram jammed bar offering free drinks. Bizarrely I...
Charles Ruggles’ Tuna Special Salad
Rather too much socialising and not enough cooking going on this side of the pond at the moment. Also packing. I move out of the STAR's apartment on Wednesday and then wing my way to New Zealand. To take the ukulele or not to take the ukulele that is the question....
Roy Rogers’ Corn Fritters
I know I should really have a picture of Roy with TRIGGER but I just couldn't resist this jigsaw puzzle picture with puppies. Also, as it was almost certainly always his cowgirl co-star and wife Dale Evans who made the fritters there should probably be a picture of...
Walter Connolly’s Corned Beef Hash
I had an intriguing conversation with a friend of the Chaw-Bacon in a telephone box in the rain yesterday afternoon. Apparently the friend has had a "big falling out" with the CB because of his, "appalling misogynistic attitudes" and “blind spot when it comes to...
Winnie Lightner’s Italian Salad
Ah the Archers was a humdinger this week. "Stolen kisses in the cowshed" said Ruth after a passionate embrace with Sam - ha ha. I was right there with them. Not only was there passionate intrigue but also a superb comedy moment when Linda Snell put her foot in it by...
Greta Garbo’s Swedish Meatballs
"Life would be so wonderful if we only knew what to do with it." How true Greta, how true. The lovely Buster is in town. He came over for Greta’s Swedish Meatballs last night and damn they were good, even if I do say so myself. I think I am actually getting quite a...
Mary Brian’s Orange Circles
Have just been on a stroll up to Kilburn High Road to my friendly butcher to seek out "round steak" for Greta Garbo's Swedish Meat Balls. After scouring the interweb to try and find out what the English equivalent cut of meat would be to no avail I decided that the...
Sylvia Sidney’s Steamed Chocolate Pudding
"Hollywood! It's like an old chair - if it's useful, keep it; if not, give it to Goodwill." I like Sylvia Sidney. She always looks a bit sulky. I liked her Chocolate pudding too - absolutely scrumptious. Paulette kindly had a go at this recipe as she is a whizz with...
Evelyn Brent’s Spaghetti La Fascisti
Got to be quick as it is home-time and I have a gaggle of girls coming over for dinner tonight. I have prepared the spaghetti sauce in advance and it is in the fridge in two large saucepans. A bit like a student supper really but I selected it in celebration of the...
Ruth Chatterton’s Beefsteak a la Victor Hugo
Exhausted by a day of battles with healthcare professionals I was craving a big hairy steak so I bought an EXPENSIVE bit of organic rump on the way back to the Wood. It appears that with just a week's notice, funding for my disease modifying drug has been withdrawn. I...
Maureen O’Sullivan’s Toasted Cheese Sandwich
"Good morning, I love you. You never forget, do you, Tarzan?" Ah, now I understand. American cheese.... Ha ha ha ha ha. My long awaited book explaining British equivalents for American foodstuffs has arrived. I could have done with it during some of the pimiento /...
Richard Arlen’s Mexican Chili Con Carne
"Some people are just nice guys and nothing, not even Hollywood, can change it." I LOVE Richard Arlen and mainly because I made his Chili Con Carne last night and it was quite honestly the most delicious Chili I have ever eaten outside of Texas! Despite the fact that...
Tim McCoy’s Corn Pudding
Well either Paulette and I are exceedingly greedy or Tim McCoy's cowboy comrades had tiny appetites. Reputedly serving 6-8 Tim's delicious eggy, peppery corn dish was polished off by just two of us on Friday night with a bottle of red. I do admit though that when I...
Buster’s Tuna Toast Comforter
"Some say my acting rose to the level of incompetence and then levelled off." What else is a girl to do after having been dumped by text than go home and cook herself some comfort food. That hunk Buster came up with the goods. Four of my favourite things in once...
Joan Marsh’s Chicken Salad
"Is it?" Aha! A new spirit of optimism is upon me after a weekend at the seaside. Life is pretty damn good at the moment, not least because I have a new "Favorite Recipes of the Famous Movie Stars" book produced by the Milwaukee Gas Light Co in 1934 and autographed by...
Mary Pickford’s Chicken and Pineapple Salad
"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down." Well, another sad and sorry singleton's Sunday for me, hanging around...
Janet Gaynor and Cheese "Fondue"
Ahhhh, sweet victory after two debacles in the kitchen d'etting. Saturday dawned in a rather ominous fashion - well, mainly as I knew that I simply couldn't put off La Gaynor anymore. I felt her looking at me constantly. From every direction. In fact, showed a clip to...
Kay Johnson’s Chocolate Soup Pie
"As long as they pay me my salary, they can give me a broom and I'll sweep the stage. I don't give a damn. I want the money..." A refreshinghly honest opinion from a star of the silent era - found in her private diaries though, not published in a fan mag....
Anna May Wong’s Egg Foo Yung
Guest post from the lovely Ms Caroline Frick in the US of A! In the Photoplay Cook Book from which this recipe hails, Anna May reportedly defined Egg Foo Yung as "The simplest Chinese recipe of all...a delicious luncheon dish." Therefore, I chose to slap it together...
Anne Baxter’s Magic Orange Cups
"Do at least a few of the things that really seem fun. Nobody should be afraid to have fun ...even if it's silly." This apparently was Anne's comment in a magazine when she was asked why she was wearing toe rings... Oooh I love Anne Baxter in "All...
Food Raid of a Star’s Cupboard
Well, I moved into the home of a genuine Hollywood star last night. An OSCAR winner no less but I am unable to reveal his identity - top secret. He will henceforth be referred to as THE STAR. I am flat sitting for THE STAR for two months in a fab 1930s block right...
Shirley Temple’s Mammy’s Pecan Bars
Well, I am not going to lie. It has been a rough re-launch of the Stateside Silver Screen Suppers Campaign. But here is why: Many cookbooks from the early period CLEARLY were intended for those people who are A. naturally gifted in the kitchen or B. had extensive...
Hattie McDonald’s Chicken With Dumplings
"Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn't, I'd be making $7 a week being one." I had a look through my recipes to see if I had any "Gone With The Wind" related ones and found a great article in a 1941 "Modern Screen" magazine that was...