Monday, October 30, 2017

A Visit to McCrea Ranch (and McCrea Blu-ray News!)

Over the last half-dozen years I've been privileged to pay several visits to the McCrea Ranch, once owned by Golden Age movie actors Joel McCrea and Frances Dee.

My most recent visit was this past April, when my husband and I took three friends in town for the TCM Classic Film Festival for a visit.

That wonderful trip was documented by Aurora in a lovely post at Once Upon a Screen, complete with an extensive photo gallery. Aurora posted it a few days ago to mark the occasion of Joel and Frances's wedding anniversary; they were married on October 20, 1933. Joel passed away on their anniversary date in 1990.

We had the opportunity that day to spend time chatting with Joel and Frances's grandson Wyatt. The resulting 25-minute interview is now available on YouTube, and I hope anyone interested in the McCrea Family will find it enjoyable and informative.

There's even more great McCrea-Dee news, as Kino Lorber has just announced it will release the couple's best film together, FOUR FACES WEST (1948), on DVD and Blu-ray this December 19th.

FOUR FACES WEST is a very special movie which I reviewed just about eight years ago. I very highly recommend it to anyone who loves McCrea or Dee; it's a wonderful chance to see them acting together.

To learn more about the McCrea Ranch, please visit the ranch's Facebook page as well as the Conejo Recreation and Park District page. I strongly encourage anyone interested to visit the ranch, where California movie and ranching history intersect.

Previous visits to the McCrea Ranch: November 5, 2011, March 16, 2013, and February 14, 2014.

January 2018 Update: Here is my review of the FOUR FACES WEST Blu-ray.

4 Comments:

Blogger barrylane said...

I saw the interview and everyone makes a nice impression, but none more so than Wyatt who came across like a right guy.

7:45 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thanks, Barrylane, and you couldn't be more right about Wyatt. He is a very genuine, down-to-earth gentleman I've enjoyed getting to know a bit over the last few years. He's a wonderful storyteller and dedicated to preserving the history of his grandparents and their ranch.

Best wishes,
Laura

8:51 AM  
Blogger Jerry Entract said...

I've watched the interview too, Laura, with great pleasure. Lots of interesting stories, some beautiful photos of the delightful house and Bunk House. And.... how nice to see Wyatt raise his hat to each lady in turn. Such nice manners and respect are not something one sees much anymore - sadly.

11:56 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thank you, Jerry! I'm delighted you enjoyed Wyatt's stories and hope some of you will get the chance to visit the ranch and meet him at some point.

Best wishes,
Laura

11:50 PM  

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