Ann Dvorak | Hollywood Yesterday

Remembering the Extraordinary Ann Dvorak on Her Birthday!

August 2, 2023 By Joi

Ann Dvorak and John Wayne, Flame of Barbary Coast

One of my absolute favorite old Hollywood actresses, Ann Dvorak, is pictured here with a Cowboy I’m fairly sure you know so well you even know his nickname (John Wayne, the Duke… of course!).

I chose these photos and the movie they made (Flame of Barbary Coast) intentionally to shine a light on something that both intrigues and frustrates me as an old Hollywood fan. I’ve talked about it so often on Hollywood Yesterday that you probably already know where I’m heading with this…. why is it that some stars are, to this day, household names while others – just as talented, beautiful, intriguing, and every bit as important to classic cinema – are mostly forgotten, except among those of us who walk the streets of old Hollywood daily.

Ann Dvorak’s lack of name-recognition is one of the ones that saddens and bewilders me the most. She was a dynamic actress with a screen quality very few had – yes, even the household names. She stood out in every one of her films, whether they were excellent movies or less than stellar. She always left an impression and, quite frankly, OFTEN stole scenes right from under the bigger stars – those very well known to this day.

(Continued Below…)

Ann Dvorak and John Wayne, Flame of Barbary Coast

Ann Dvorak is the perfect example that the brightest stars aren’t always the ones that shine the longest. But if you ask me, that kind of makes them all the more rare and precious. You can watch them on the screen and bask in their light while it did shine brightly.

Then you can go to Twitter (or X, I guess it calls itself now?), Instagram, or your local grocery store and talk about this rare star… introducing them to new audiences and doing your part to make spark the flames and allow them to shine brightly once again!

Speaking of which, I’m off to Twitter (X) and Instagram to talk nonstop about Ann Dvorak right now. See you there! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

P.S. Happy birthday Ann, I love you muchly!

Paul Muni and Ann Dvorak in Scarface (1932)

October 3, 2022 By Joi

Paul Muni and Ann Dvorak

As far as I’m concerned, Scarface (1932) was the BEST Scarface and it isn’t even close. Paul Muni in the role of Tony Camonte is simply breathtaking and the cast around him is phenomenal.

Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley, George Raft, Osgood Perkins… each is outstanding, Ann Dvorak in particular. As Cesca, Tony’s younger sister, Ann Dvorak gives a performance that you remember long after the movie is over.

You can find the 1932 Scarface on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Ann Dvorak, I Was an American Spy (One of Her Last Movies)

September 25, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak

The picture here is the beautiful Ann Dvorak in the 1925 war drama I Was an American Spy (directed by Lesley Selander). This was, unfortunately, the second-to-last movie Ann made. Her last film, The Secret of Convict Lake also came out in 1951.

I’ve undoubtedly confessed my love and admiration many times on Hollywood Yesterday (as well as on Twitter). I will be adding a lot more of this wonderful actress (who has become one of my top ten favorites) as I accumulate more photos of her to add! Unfortunately my resources are currently pretty limited but, trust me, I am scouring eBay, Amazon, and everywhere possible to find more for my personal collection, as well as more to add to the old Hollywood blog.

You can find I Was an American Spy on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Also See: Read my review of the wonderful Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice.

Pictures of the Day: Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, Henry Fonda, and Barbara Bel Geddes

August 29, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, and Barbara Bel Geddes in The Long Night

After finishing my review of Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice, I felt it was only appropriate that Ann Dvorak be the picture of the day.

I mean, come on, some things make so much sense even I can figure them out after just one cup of coffee.

This photo is from the wonderful 1947 film-noir The Long Night. Directed to perfection by Anatole Litvak, the film stars Henry Fonda, Ann Dvorak, Vincent Price, and Barbara Bel Geddes. I’m really surprised this film doesn’t get more attention, I personally think it’s outstanding. The performances by the four leads could not be better – particularly the performances of Ann Dvorak and Barbara Bel Geddes – they’re absolutely the heart of the film… and this from Henry Fonda’s biggest fan!

Unfortunately The Long Night isn’t shown on television very often, so if you see it, watch it then and there! You can also find The Long Night on dvd (Amazon link). I desperately need it for my Ann Dvorak collection, so it’ll be flying into my cart right away.

Henry Fonda and Barbara Bel Geddes

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice (Review)

August 29, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice

About a year ago, I watched two films back-to-back (The Secret of Convict Lake and The Long Night). The first film was next on my list as I worked my way through one of my favorite actress’ filmography (Ethel Barrymore) and The Long Night was next on my list as I worked my way through the filmography of my favorite actor (Henry Fonda).

I saw the films on the same day, as part of a double feature I decided to treat myself too. Funny thing happened by the time the movies were over, though… the name I kept thinking about and the performances I kept reliving didn’t involve either Henry Fonda OR Ethel Barrymore… I was completely infatuated with the brilliance of Ann Dvorak (a secret we’ll keep from Ethel and Henry).

As I kept mulling over her strong, yet vulnerable, screen presence, talent, and beauty, a few questions kept coming up in my mind…

How is Ann Dvorak NOT a household name? With beauty that rivals the most beautiful stars of old Hollywood and talent that rivals the most talented, how is her name not one easily recognized by even the most casual movie fans?
Why did Hollywood not use her in more films? Where are her many blockbusters… the films where she is the leading lady and Hollywood’s most sought-after actors are clamoring for her attention?
Why was The Secret of Convict Lake her last film? She was so wonderful in the role and had so many great movies and performances left in the tank. Why were there not more films?

I mean, this is someone who didn’t just stand toe to toe with the likes of Henry Fonda, Gene Tierney, Ethel Barrymore, and Glenn Ford.. she stole scenes right out from under them!

I immediately gave Ann Dvorak the greatest compliment I, personally, can give a star – I took out my “Old Hollywood” notebook and began a list of her films… as eager to explore through her filmography as I’ve ever been about any star.

Again, mums the word to Ethel and Henry.

After my third Ann Dvorak film (Scarface), I began searching for books, articles, magazines, photos… anything and everything I could get my hands on! Another huge compliment for a star is when I begin to “collect them.”

Basically I was throwing every compliment I could at Ann Dvorak.

Many times, as an old Hollywood fan, you set yourself up for great disappointment when you begin to look for a biography of an actor or actress. I can’t tell you the number of stars I desperately want a biography about (Ann Sheridan and Ethel Barrymore, I’m looking at you ladies). While I love a great autobiography, there is SO MUCH to be said for the balanced facts a biography provides. You get the whole picture… the good and the not so good… and I was desperate to learn all I could about Ann Dvorak and see if I could find answers to the questions bouncing around in my brain.

I was ECSTATIC to find that, not only does a biography exist, but it was written by one of my favorite authors, Christina Rice (I read her wonderful Jane Russell biography just this past summer).

An Ann Dvorak Biography + a Gluten-Free Muffin… Heaven!

This wonderful biography was all but impossible to put down. One day, while I was in the middle of chapter one, I decided to take a “break” and eat a gluten-free muffin one of my daughters and brought to me and maybe watch an episode of I Love Lucy.

By the time the delicious muffin was gone, Lucy Ricardo had not been invited into the den and I was beginning chapter three.

When doing old Hollywood book reviews, I never want to give anything away. I want readers to enjoy each page, each surprise, and each “Holy cats!” moment just as I did… with or without muffin crumbs on their chin. It’s always a difficult balance to strike… telling you, my friends, WHY you should read the book without giving anything in particular away. It’s 100 times more challenging when it’s a book I’m all but dying for you to read!

However, I never divulge too much information (or share snippets of a book currently in print) because…

I don’t want to rob readers of the thrill of uncovering the gold nuggets for themselves.
It wouldn’t be fair to an author who had poured so much of their heart and life into their book.

What I try to convey is WHY I know you’ll love the book and WHAT separates the book from other books… what makes it special. That’s where this book is an absolute breeze!

Top Three Reasons You Will Love “Ann Dvorak Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel” by Christina Rice

If you’re like me, you’re desperate for answers to questions about Ann Dvorak’s career and life. She’s a mysterious star and one very little is known about. This fascinating book puts a magnifying glass in the reader’s hand and walks them through Ann Dvorak’s life, helping them find the answers. And these answers are not as simple as you’d think.
One of the most fascinating things with any old Hollywood biography or autobiography is, as I always say, the people you meet along the way. From Ann’s co-stars, family, and friends, there are plenty of interesting people who jump off the page at you – some you already know such as Joan Crawford, Paul Muni, and Bette Davis. Ann’s mother is also a pretty fascinating character and one who, I believe, would make an interesting biography in and of herself!
Ann Dvorak wasn’t just a gorgeous, glamorous, and talented actress, she was very much a human.. and a very relatable one, at that. She made a couple of errors in judgment and let her romantic heart lead her astray more than once. Like so many stars, she got in her own way a few times. Come on, what’s more relatable than that?! I have a special love for people that, while I’m reading about them, pull me so into their story that I want to ask them, “What are you thinking?! You deserve better!” and maybe an occasional, “Dump him!” Ann Dvorak was bold, smart, savvy, strong, and beautiful but, my goodness, did she have a romantic spirit and was she ever consumed with wanderlust?! More so than just about any star I’ve read about. What’s funny is that, while she frustrates me as a fan (I want more films by gosh!), she also delights me as a fan. While she got in her own way, professionally, she lived an exciting life and did so on her terms. Frankly I wouldn’t want it any other way.

What Makes “Ann Dvorak Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel” Special? Why Does it Stand Out?

Possibly the easiest question I’ve ever posed to myself. I can answer it in one sentence: The passion of the author Christina Rice. I read voraciously – not just old Hollywood biographies but historical biographies as well. My bookshelves include Amelia Earhart, Cleopatra, Harriet Tubman, and Abraham Lincoln as well as Audrey Hepburn, Ann Dvorak, James Stewart, and so on. For as long as I can remember (well over 20 years), I have always been in either the beginning, middle of, or end of at least two biographies. I never take a breath in between them simply because they’re like oxygen to me!

I have never encountered an author more passionate about the individual they were writing about than Christina Rice is about Ann Dvorak. The respect and affection she has for Ann Dvorak is obvious on every single page and it makes the book an absolute joy to read. As an Ann Dvorak fan, I’m ecstatic that she is in such capable and loving hands when it came time for the world to hear her story.

Christina Rice’s research and work is mind-boggling. It has to be a challenge to research such an enigmatic and mysterious star, and yet she did an absolutely breathtaking job. I’ve found that it’s even a challenge to find photos of Ann Dvorak. I always tell people, I will post more about her on the blog and tweet more about her as soon as I am able to find more available photos!

I am overjoyed to have had the opportunity to “meet” Ann Dvorak through this author’s wonderful efforts and am overjoyed she has her to keep her star shining. I’m also actually very grateful that a biography wasn’t attempted before the right woman for the job came along.

Simply put, there is no other author who could have shared Ann Dvorak’s story with the world.

(Review concluded below…)

Ann Dvorak

From the Back Cover of Ann Dvorak Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel:

“Rice is a superb writer with just the right touch―not too heavy, not too light. We really get to know Ann Dvorak.”―Eve Golden, author of John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars

“This book is more than the biography of an overlooked movie star. Author Christina Rice has meticulously researched the life of Dvorak, whose strong, self-reliant characters made her an important presence in the pre-Code era. Written in a reader-friendly style, Ann Dvorak explores the highs and lows of the actress who dazzled viewers in the classics Scarface and Three on a Match.”―Susan Doll, author of Florida on Film: The Essential Guide to Sunshine State Cinema and Locations

“Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel is a treasure trove of information about this under-mentioned star. The wealth of information is stunning, and the writing is full of passion and warmth. Without a doubt, no one but Rice could have ever written this book, which is a fabulous tribute to someone who deserves to be remembered.” – Michelle Morgan, author of Marilyn Monroe: Private and Confidential

“Ann Dvorak has always been an enigmatic figure, whether you’re looking at her electric vitality in the 1932 Scarface or her feline grace in 1947’s The Private Affairs of Bel Ami. Fifteen years separate these unique performances, and there’s no one like Ann Dvorak, yet the story of her career remains untold. In Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel, Christina Rice corrects this oversight. We learn about the ambitious young dancer, how her unusual looks and singular intensity pulled her into acting, and how her path to stardom ended in regretful obscurity. This is a compelling story, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sad, but Christina Rice tells it honestly and objectively. Her dedicated research makes it possible to see both Ann Dvorak and her milieu with clarity. Ann Dvorak l is a sensitive biography of a real talent.”―Mark A. Vieira, author of George Hurrell’s Hollywood Glamour Portraits, 1925-1992

Final Words

I’ve already exceeded the number of words I normally like to keep my reviews under. We live in a Twitter and Instagram society… you simply have to keep it short and sweet and let people get on with their lives! I normally follow this rule beautifully, in spite of having a gift for gab. However… every now and then there will be a star, movie, or book I’m so excited about I can’t seem to put a sock (or gluten-free muffin) in it. It’s doubly hard here, because this concerns one of my favorite stars and, now, one of my favorite books. I hope very much that you’ll grab a copy of Ann Dvorak Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel (Amazon link) by Christina Rice as soon as possible. The extraordinary book is from The University Press of Kentucky, who happen to publish some of the best biographies you’ll ever read. I’m so blessed to be able to receive books from them in exchange for telling my readers about them. During my relationship with them, this is actually the first book I requested to review!

Smartest thing I’ve done in some time.

I hope you’ll also check out Christina Rice’s beautiful website devoted to Ann Dvorak. There are so many stunning photos and wonderful information!

Ann Dvorak Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel (Amazon link)

Upcoming Old Hollywood Book Reviews… So Many Wonderful Books to Tell You About!

June 15, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel

I am putting the “Pictures of the Day” on pause for a few weeks while I focus on a couple of extraordinary books I want to finish reading and review. As I often say on here as well as on Twitter, I actually enjoy reading old Hollywood and classic television biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs as much I love watching old movies (and that’s a LOT!).

I also love reviewing these wonderful books because, honestly, what better way to keep these wonderful stars’ names and faces alive and well than to introduce them to others?

I am currently reading three biographies that are among the best I’ve ever read and cannot wait to tell you all about them.

One of a biography of one of my top 10 favorite all-time actresses, Ann Dvorak. To make the deal even sweeter, it’s written by one of my favorite authors, Christina Rice. Needless to say, I’m enjoying every single word of this one and am anxious for the entire journey I’m taking with Ann and Christina.

I’m nearly finished with another fascinating biography, Natalie Wood: A Life by an author that is new to me, Gavin Lambert, but one that I will now seek out EVERY book written by him.

I also have a few others I have recently finished that I want to tell you all about in the coming days as well.

As for the Pictures of the Day, there will still be pictures and they will still be under the category “Pictures of the Day,” they just won’t be daily. This book fanatic wants to focus on the books. Summer is the perfect time to escape into the delicious, adventuresome, and fascinating world of old Hollywood and I have some extraordinary books to tell you about!

The Natalie Wood biography review should be published in a few days and Ann Dvorak will be right on her heels.

Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful, warm weather! ~ Joi

Natalie Wood Biography

Paul Muni and Ann Dvorak, Scarface (1932)

February 7, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak and Paul Muni

There was something about the onscreen dynamic of Ann Dvorak and Paul Muni that I find hypnotizing. When they’re on the screen together, I simply can’t look away. It’s been that way since the first time I saw Scarface (1932, directed by Howard Hawks) and it was the same, recently, when I watched it for the sixth or seventh time.

They had a certain way of playing off of one another that made you SO WISH they had made many more movies together!

YOu can find the 1932 Scarface (the best one in my opinion) on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video. It’s outstanding – every delicious minute of it.

Picture of the Day: Ann Dvorak, Scarface (1932)

July 20, 2021 By Joi

Ann Dvorak, Scarface

Ann Dvorak is one of the greatest actresses to ever walk the face of the earth. This very fact makes it incredibly frustrating to me that she isn’t better known. Of course anyone who loves old movies and classic Hollywood knows her but the average person would see a picture of her and say, “Oh, she’s beautiful? Who was she???”

Sigh.

I think, with Ann, a lot of the problem is the same as it is with many other talented stars – her films aren’t shown on television as often as a lot of other classics are and, when they are, she usually isn’t the one being spotlighted.

Make no mistake about it, though. The lady was a phenomenal actress.

You can find the 1941 film Scarface on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

The Secret of Convict Lake: Wonderful Western with a Spell-Binding Cast

July 18, 2021 By Joi

Gene Tierney and Glenn Ford: The Secret of Convict Lake

Gene Tierney, Glenn Ford, and Ethel Barrymore lead an outstanding cast in the 1951 Western The Secret of Convict Lake. Directed by Michael Gordon, it’s one of the first Westerns I’d recommend to someone who is either new to Westerns or doesn’t think they like the genre.

As a Westerns fanatic, I’m convinced there is no way under the sun to NOT like a Western… one only thinks they don’t like them until they see the right ones.

Ann Dvorak, Ruth Donnelly, Barbara Bates, Gene Tierney, and Ethel Barrymore

This is one to start with. The acting is flawless, the cast outstanding, and the story holds your interest from start to finish. The excellent cast includes Gene Tierney, Glenn Ford, Ann Dvorak, Ruth Donnelly, Ethel Barrymore, Zachary Scott, and Barbara Bates.

You can watch The Secret of Convict Lake on STARZ on Amazon Prime. Finding the dvd can be a bit of a challenge.. trust me, I’m looking! There’s one on Amazon that’s a “Spanish Release” but it doesn’t play on most American dvd players.