Ann Sheridan | Hollywood Yesterday

Ann Sheridan in Nora Prentiss (Pictures of the Day)

May 11, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann Sheridan, Nora Prentiss

It seems almost impossible, but it’s the absolute truth – You can spend your life absorbed in old movies and still find new stars who blow you away. Maybe you had seen them in a movie or two but they hadn’t had the moment to truly shine in the ones you’d seen… and it’s not until you see them in their finest hour that you truly appreciate them.

If we’re being honest, this phenomenon is one of my favorite things about watching classic movies and television shows… meeting fascinating stars along the way!

Naturally, over the years, I’ve seen the gorgeous Ann Sheridan in movies. However, it was usually as a supporting character (such as the case with Castle on the Hudson, to name one). It wasn’t until recently, when I saw her in a few starring roles that I truly came to appreciate that Sheridan magic.

And did she ever have it?!

She is always a strong force to be reckoned with when she’s a supporting actress, but when the lady takes the lead, you’d better hang onto something.

If you’ve never seen the following movies, I wholeheartedly recommend them to you.

Nora Prentiss (DVD on Amazon)

Woman on the Run (Movie on Prime)

King’s Row (Movie on Prime)

Getting to Know… Ann Sheridan

March 11, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann Sheridan, Thank Your Lucky Stars

Ann Sheridan was Clara Lou Sheridan on February 21, 1915 in Denton, Texas. Nicknamed the “Oomph Girl,” Ann’s beautiful sultry looks may have helped her break into movies (she won the “Search for Beauty” contest which awarded her a Paramount screen test) but her undeniable talent kept her there.

She was signed to a contract at the young age of 18. While she was racked up a number of small roles under her real name of Clara Lou Sheridan, in 1945, her name was changed to Ann.

In 1936, after several dozen films, she went to Warner Brothers. It was here when she received her nickname the “Oomph Girl” – a name she absolutely despised.

She was dropped by Warner Bros. in 1948, but came back in Howard Hawks’ hilarious comedy I Was a Male War Bride (1949) with Cary Grant.

“I used to go to Grauman’s Chinese or Pantages and sit there waiting to see my faceless body on the screen. Texas began to look awfully near and awfully good, and “Clara Lou” had a sweet sound to my ears.” ~ Ann Sheridan

Fast Facts About Ann Sheridan

Height: 5′ 5½”
Was named Max Factor’s Girl of the Year in 1939.
While at Paramount, she was used as a body double (hands, legs, shoulders).
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7024 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
After making San Quentin (1937) with Humphrey Bogart, the two became friends and began referring to each other as “Sister Annie” and “Brother Bogie”.
According to an article in The Newark Evening News, she spent her off-time during the 1941 strike from Warner Brothers rebuilding abandoned cars at a friend’s garage!
She had a noticeable gap between her front teeth, so she wore a porcelain cap when having her picture taken.
Ann Sheridan passed away on January 21, 1967, a month away from what would have been her 52nd birthday on February 21.
She was considered for the role of Isla (Casablanca) and Scarlett (Gone with the Wind).

Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Raft – They Drive by Night

A Few Recommended Ann Sheridan Movies

Nora Prentiss (DVD on Amazon)

Woman on the Run (Movie on Prime)

King’s Row (Movie on Prime)

Pistols and Petticoats (Movie on Prime)

It All Came True (Movie on Prime)

Castle on the Hudson (Movie on Prime)

They Drive by Night (DVD on Amazon) or Prime

Thank Your Lucky Stars (Blu-Ray on Amazon)

Ann Sheridan Quote About…. Ann Sheridan (Love This One!)

January 11, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Ann Sheridan, Nora Prentiss Promotional Photo

“I can whistle through my fingers, bulldog a steer, light a fire with two sticks, shoot a pistol with fair accuracy, set type, and teach school . . .” ~ Ann Sheridan

Dodge City: A Great Western with a Seemingly Non-Western Cast!

December 1, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, and Ann Sheridan, Dodge City (1939)

Dodge City (Amazon link) is a fairly underrated Western, but one that is very, very good. VERY good. When I first sat down to watch the film (a few months back), I had no idea what to expect. For one thing, you don’t exactly associate any of its main three stars with Westerns, do you?! And yet, each one came across as though they were as accustomed to Westerns as horses and cowboy hats.

In a role he handled perfectly, Errol Flynn is the hero (Wade Hatton) in charge of bringing law and order to a wide open town (Dodge City). He has an eye for the lovely Abbie Irving (Olivia de Havilland) but she wants nothing to do with him because he had to shoot her brother.

Dodge City Trivia

Errol Flynn’s character, Wade Hatton, was based on Wyatt Earp.
This was the 5th of 9 movies made together by Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn.
The barroom fight (which was pretty darn epic) was the largest ever filmed at the time.
Olivia de Havilland wanted the saloon singer role that went to Ann Sheridan. During this period of time, reportedly, the wonderful actress was uninspired by the roles she was getting. The fact that, during a professionally unhappy time she STILL turned in a wonderful performance shows just how devoted to her craft she was.
Alan Hale appears in this film – it is always fun to see “Skipper” show up in a movie!

You can find Dodge City on Amazon.

Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn, Dodge City

Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, and George Raft: They Drive by Night

September 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Raft

They Drive by Night is one of those films where the casting department basically says, “This WILL work!” I mean…. Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, and George Raft? They all but dared the director and writers not to make the film a success. Excellent cast.

Humphrey Bogart and George Raft play brothers who are trying to make ends meet as independent truckers. Ann Sheridan plays a truck-stop waitress and Ida Lupino is a headstrong executive. A murder changes all of their lives and gives each of the four wonderful opportunities to show their talent.

They do not disappoint.

You can find They Drive by Night on Amazon (DVD link).