Tag Archives: Ann Dvorak

“The trouble with Hollywood is everybody is crazy for money.” — Ann Dvorak

Anna McKim chose “Ann Dvorak” as her stage name. She chose a challenging name to pronounce (for American audiences, that is) over her easily-pronounceable real name. Who does that?? Well, she does. It says a lot. It’s mischievous. I love … Continue reading

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August 2021 Viewing Diary

Pig (2021; d. Michael Sarnoski) I wish I could write at length about some of these. I just don’t have the time these days. I absolutely loved Pig, about an isolated woodsman-truffle-hunter (Nicolas Cage) whose beloved truffle pig is stolen. … Continue reading

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She’s got legs. And she knows how to use them.

The Crowd Roars (1932) Viva Las Vegas (1964) Joan Blondell – whose legs we see in the first grab – lived long enough to appear – very entertainingly – in an Elvis movie (Stay Away Joe, 1968). She and Elvis … Continue reading

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July 2021 Viewing Diary

Sally, Mary and Irene (1925; d. Edmund Goulding) For some reason, I forgot to include this gem in my June viewing diary. Considered lost forever, it is one of Joan Crawford’s earliest films – and one where she is actually … Continue reading

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Podcast: Watch With Jen: a Pre-Code discussion!

Had so much fun appearing as a guest on Jen Johans’ podcast, Watch With Jen, for a discussion of Pre-Code films, the Wild West of Hollywood in between (roughly) the years 1930 and 1934. I pitched a couple of ideas, … Continue reading

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June 2021 Viewing Diary

La Notte (1961; d. Michelangelo Antonioni) Pauline Kael included La Notte in her infamous essay titled “The Come-Dressed-As-the-Sick-Soul-of-Europe Parties”. Now you can debate her on this opinion – and I think she’s off (although I think it’s a hilarious title). … Continue reading

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The Long Night (1947), Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013), The Fugitive Kind (1959)

The Long Night Directed by Anatole Litvak I saw this movie for the first time during my wintry month out on Block Island. I watched it in the teeth of one of the biggest storms I have ever experienced up … Continue reading

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The Great Escape (1963), Possessed (1947), Three on a Match (1932)

The Great Escape Directed by John Sturges I saw this for the first time on the big screen, at a packed showing at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. It’s meant to be seen large. It’s meant to be seen … Continue reading

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Ann Dvorak’s “Edgy Elegance”

A fantastic in-depth piece by Imogen Smith about this restless talented pre-Code actress. There is still much I have not seen, but her performance in Three On a Match is burned in my brain. That’s a fantastic movie, anyway, the … Continue reading

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Ann Dvorak: Glamour

John has chosen Ann Dvorak for his “Monday Glamour” series. Go check it out. I love this series of his – and I was excited to read his take on Ann Dvorak, especially because I’m reading the Howard Hawks biography … Continue reading

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