Remembering Ann Dvorak
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 344
Well, I guess we remember Ann Dvorak here everyday, but on this particular day let’s take a moment to think about the Divine Miz D on the 34th anniversary of her passing. It was on December 10, 1979 that Ann succumbed to cancer at the Straub Clinic & Hospital in Honolulu. This photo was taken the previous July by her childhood friend Leona Cary who was visiting Ann and making plans to relocate to Hawaii from California. She looks much older than her 68 years, but she was already sick at the time and her body had endured years of alcohol abuse, along with the physical and mental abuse from her last husband. But, those Dvorak eyes are still there and big as ever, and for Ann to be clutching a kitty is definitely in character. Despite being on a very fixed income and residing in less than optimal living conditions, that always active mind of hers was still racing in many different directions and she didn’t seem defeated by her circumstances.
On this December 10th, let’s raise a glass and remember the woman who gave us many memorable performances and some great off screen stories as well.
Having seen few, if any, pictures of Ann from late in her life, I was somewhat shocked when I came upon this photo in “HFR”. Though I don’t believe you specifically mentioned it in the book, I think she was probably a lifelong smoker, which would also have contributed to her looking older than her actual years.
I think she had stopped smoking by the end, but she definitely was a smoker for a number of years.
A very poignant tribute on this day. Nicely done.
And, this, just one day after the loss of another old Hollywood, and old Warner Brothers, luminary — the lovely and talented Eleanor Parker.