Barbara Stanwyck withstands a furious rally by Olivia de Havilland to become the Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney Champion of 2018

The 2018 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Champion is Barbara Stanwyck. After two previous final fours where she came up empty handed, the third time was the charm for Missy, as she withstood a furious rally by Olivia de Havilland to win 78-76. Babs joins Carole Lombard and Audrey Hepburn as actresses to win the championship on their third try. Babs also becomes the 4th actress from the 30's era to win the tourney as that era continues to dominate. She joins Carole Lombard, Ginger Rogers and Irene Dunne in that distinction. The 30's era has now won 4 of the 8 tourneys. Yep they have won half of the tourneys played. Impressive. With this win, Babs also notched her 25th tourney win, placing her the all-time actress with most wins, one win ahead of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. It may have been a tough loss for Olivia, but I wager she will be the favorite to win next year. Because she got stronger with each round and proved to be Babs toughest competitor. Her 76 votes would have been more than enough to win any other tourney match except  for this one. Hope everyone had a great time and please come back for next year's tourney.

It's Stanwyck vs De Havilland for the Favorite Classic Movie Actress Crown of 2018

Here we go with the championship match between Barbara Stanwcyk and Olivia de Havilland. The winner will become the favorite classic movie actress of 2018. Poll closes on Tuesday evening at 6pm.

BARBARA STANWYCK

30'S ERA CHAMPION

Lifetime Tourney Record (24-7)

Number of title match appearances: this is Barbara's 2nd championship match

(lost to Bette Davis 49-47 in 2014 championship match,
lost to Audrey Hepburn 52-45 in 2017 semi-final match)

2018 matches:

defeated Jeanette MacDonald 63-27

defeated Norma Shearer 58-35

defeated Una Merkel 65-32

defeated Myrna Loy 55-47
defeated Marilyn Monroe 61-54

what's at stake: to continue the dominance of the 30's era actresses

who have won 3 of the 7 previous tourneys

VS

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
40'S ERA CHAMPION
Lifetime Tourney Record (15-5)
Number of title match appearances: this is Olivia's first championship
2018 matches:
defeated Rosalind Russell 54-32
defeated Lauren Bacall 48-46
defeated Judy Garland 52-45
defeated Gene Tierney 53-49
defeated Elizabeth Taylor 60-55

what's at stake: would become the 3rd actress from the 40's era to win the 
championship, joining Bette Davis and Greer Garson

The Final Four Matches are now underway

Whoo..here we go with the Final Four of the 2018 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney.
In the semi-final match 1, it's 30's era champion and three time final four finalist Barbara Stanwyck up against 50's era champion and first time final four finalist Marilyn Monroe. In the 2nd match, its 40's era champion and first time final four finalist Olivia de Havilland (and the only actress of the four still alive) vs 60's era champion and three time final four finalist Elizabeth Taylor. Matches will close on Saturday at 6pm.

A Final Four Primer

Here are some facts and numbers are our final four finalists (Stanwyck, De Havilland, Monroe and Taylor) who are competing in the 2018 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney.

BARBARA STANWYCK

30'S ERA CHAMPION

Lifetime Tourney Record (23-7)

Number of Final Four appearances: this is her 3rd Final Four

(lost to Bette Davis 49-47 in 2014 championship match,
lost to Audrey Hepburn 52-45 in 2017 semi-final match)

2018 matches:

defeated Jeanette MacDonald 63-27

defeated Norma Shearer 58-35

defeated Una Merkel 65-32

defeated Myrna Loy 55-47

what's at stake: to continue the dominance of the 30's era actresses

who have won 3 of the 7 previous tourneys

 VS

MARILYN MONROE
50'S ERA CHAMPION
Lifetime Tourney Record (12-5)
Number of Final Four appearances: this is Marilyn's first Final Four
2018 matches:
defeated Dorothy Dandridge 42-40
defeated Debbie Reynolds 51-45
defeated Deborah Kerr 51-46
defeated Susan Hayward 56-44
what's at stake: could become only the 2nd actress to win in
their first final four appearance since Irene Dunne did in 2011

********************************

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
40'S ERA CHAMPION
Lifetime Tourney Record (14-5)
Number of final four appearance: this is Olivia's first final four
2018 matches:
defeated Rosalind Russell 54-32
defeated Lauren Bacall 48-46
defeated Judy Garland 52-45
defeated Gene Tierney 53-49

what's at stake: would become the 3rd actress from the 40's era to win the 
championship, joining Bette Davis and Greer Garson
VS

ELIZABETH TAYLOR 
60'S ERA CHAMPION
Lifetime Tourney Record (17-5)
Number of Final Four appearances: this is Liz's 3rd Final Four
(lost to Bette Davis in 2014 semi-final match 46-25
lost to Audrey Hepburn 51-47 in 2017 championship match)
2018 matches:
defeated Diana Rigg 49-27
defeated Shirley Jones 56-35
defeated Julie Andrews 55-42
defeated Shirley MacLaine 57-45
what's at stake: would become only the 2nd actress from the 60's era to win, 
joining Natalie Wood



The Final Four begins Thursday, April 5th at 7pm

The Final Four in the 2018 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney is now set

It's official..we now have our final four for this year's Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament. And a foursome we got: Barbara Stanwyck, Olivia de Havilland, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.

In the 30's era bracket final, one of two top pre tourney seeds to make the final four, Stanwyck had her closest match of the tourney but outlasted Myrna Loy 55-47. Babs is the only actress to notch 50+ votes each round. This will mark her third trip to the final four, as she previously went back in 2014 (losing to Bette Davis in the championship match) and 2017 (losing to Audrey Hepburn in the semi-final match). Could the third time be the charm for Missy? Well it was for Carole Lombard and Natalie Wood, and the 30's era has dominated the tourney by winning 3 of the 7 tourneys, more than any other era. And Stanwyck joins Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor as the only back to back final four finalists.

In the 40's era bracket final, which had the closest match, Olivia de Havilland defeated a feisty Gene Tierney 53-49, marking Olivia's first final four appearance. She was one match away back in 2014 from making the final four until she lost to eventual champion Bette Davis by one single vote.

In the 50's era bracket final, Marilyn Monroe , who has one of the worst records in tourney history, and usually is gone by the second round, changed all that with a decisive victory over Susan Hayward 56-44. Monroe fans came out in full force to get their gal to her first ever Final Four.

And finally in the 60's era, the second of four top pre tourney seeds to make the final four, Elizabeth Taylor racked up a round leading 57 votes over Shirley MacLaine's 45 votes to reach the final four for the 3rd time in her career. She joins Barbara Stanwyck as a three time final four finalist, losing in 2014 to champion Bette Davis and in 2017 to champion Audrey Hepburn.

So the stage is now set as we started with 64 actresses down to 4. The two semi-final matches will begin on Thursday evening. 

Day 2: WITH A SONG IN MY HEART

Welcome April! Welcome to ALL GOOD THINGS!

This month, in salute to Spring returning to the land (OK, Fall for all y'all folks "down-under"), our theme will be:
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART
Featuring classic Hollywood Musicals, we begin with a timely favourite, "EASTER PARADE".

Trying our hands at something different, kids, this will be multiple choice!
Also, instead of pictures, you get to listen to the tunes! Let us know what you think in the comments!

Round 4 (The Elite 8) matches now underway

Ok this round, The Elite 8 has the final era match-ups. Meaning whoever wins this round, punches their ticket to the Final Four. Whoo! Polls close Tuesday evening at 6pm.

30's ERA FINAL MATCH

40's ERA FINAL MATCH

50's ERA FINAL MATCH

60's ERA FINAL MATCH

H A P P Y . . E A S T E R, . . F I L M - F A N S !!
Paula Prentiss and her furry friend hope that you feel the special blessing of this occasion!

Happy April Fool's Day! Here are two darling birthday babies, who are also "April Fools", celebrating their birthdays on April 1st, Debbie Reynolds & Jane Powell.

Traditionally a day for Family and Feasting - and watching classic movies, today starts another month of fun with films.

Farewell March Madness! Hello April Fools!

Welcome APRIL!

The final day of MARCH MADNESS is now history! THANK YOU for visiting daily to see our stellar line-up of classic film Super-Stars!

Day #31 results: CAROLE LOMBARD's fan love-love-love Carole, whether sweet n' dear or tough n' sassy. TIE! DEAD HEAT!