Dick Powell and Joan Blondell home movies: "No. 3, Normie"

About This Movie

So, this is a fascinating little gem from 1936 featuring Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in what looks to be some intimate home movies. The scenes are silent, adding a certain charm, and they oscillate between black and white and color - really interesting to see how that was done back then. You have this relaxed atmosphere with them just enjoying time around a backyard swimming pool, and you can’t help but feel a bit of nostalgia for that simpler moment in time. There’s a young boy, likely their son Norman, who adds a genuine family vibe. It's not your typical studio production, but that’s what makes it distinctive - just raw, candid moments of life.

This particular piece is part of a rare collection housed at the UCLA Film & Television Archive, making it a unique find for collectors. Silent home movies from this era are not commonly circulated, which adds to the intrigue. Often, such films capture behind-the-scenes glimpses of Hollywood lives, and this one does just that, providing an intimate look at two major stars in a familial setting. The mix of black and white with color footage is also a conversation starter regarding the technology of the period.