Posts By Christina Rice
Ann Dvorak & Max Factor
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 362
In the waning days of the Year of Ann Dvorak, I am really digging into the vaults for content.
Here are scans of four 8×10″ negatives of make-up man Max Factor applying product to our darling Ann. She was used on a handful of ads to endorse his products, though I would imagine it was a stipulation of her Warner Bros. contract rather than anything she received side money for.
Since she’s wearing an outfit from Three on a Match in these photos, I am assuming these were shot during the production of that film. That would place these around May/June of 1932, right before she walked out on her contract for that honeymoon we have talked about so often here.
Isn’t our girl just stunning in the capable hands of Mr. Factor?
Ann Dvorak’s First “Biographer”
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 361
I may be the first person to have written a full length biography on Ann Dvorak, but I am certainly not the only one who has tried to shine a light on Ann in the 60 plus years since she retired.
A few years back I did a post about the scant few who have devoted some time to Ann, and today I wanted to briefly revisit one of them. Doug McClelland was a film historian who authored numerous books relating to cinema including one called Susan Hayward: The Divine Bitch (now that’s a title!). In 1969, he wrote a cover feature on Ann Dvorak for the periodical “Film Fan Monthly.” If I am not mistaken, this was the first time anyone wrote at any length about Ann following her departure from entertainment. The facts may not have all been straight and the filmography incomplete, but I came across his piece very early on and it proved to be a great jumping off point for the research.
I never had the opportunity to meet McClelland, who passed away around the time I really started getting serious about the Dvorak research. I have heard nothing but good things about him and am very envious that he was able witness Ann on Broadway in the “Respectful Prostitute” in 1948. Even though he wrote the “Film Fan Monthly” article when Ann was still alive, he refrained from contacting her. I wonder how she would have responded if he did.
I am sorry Mr. McClelland is not around to see my full length biography, but I am grateful for his efforts to acknowledge her contribution to film long before anyone else did.
Ann Dvorak is Making Some Lists
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 360
As the year winds down, the good vibes for Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel keep rolling in. This week, the book ended up on two lists which I am very proud to be included.
Last year when Thomas Gladysz posted his best 2012 film books on the Huffington Post, I’ll admit to daydreaming about my Ann Dvorak book making an appearance on this year’s. Fortunately, I was not disappointed! The book even got an extra “highly recommended” push. Considering the overwhelming amount of intriguing film books that were released this year, including two bios on Gloria Swanson and the Barbara Stanwyck tome, it’s amazing that Ann Dvorak hasn’t gotten lost in shuffle. The full list can be viewed here.Â
The second list Ann made this week really appeals to the geeky librarian side of me. Liz French, Associate Editor over at Library Journal selected Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel as her Solstice Stocking Stuffer, calling it “an entertaining, well-written read and fascinating look at a Tinseltown ‘almost-was.'” Considering the sheer volume of books that cross the desks of the reviewers over at LJ, it’s rather incredible to be singled out like this.
“Merry Christmas from Ann Dvorak”
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 359
This autographed photo of Ann Dvorak from Manhattan Merry Go Round is one of my personal favorites. Not only has the holiday inscription given me a lot of milage over the years with X-mas cards and assorted online greetings (though curiously I don’t seem to have used it on this blog), it’s also one of my treasured “finds.”
I came across this photo online around 10 years ago. This was back when I was in grad school and used to avoid writing papers by blowing hours on the Internet scouring movie memorabilia websites or Googling “Ann Dvorak” and literally looking at every hit. This particular image was for sale on the website of an antique dealer, and the price? $15! That’s right, this Christmas greeting from Ann was less that 20 bucks with shipping. Merry Christmas to me! (Though I think I bought it in May).
Wishing the Dvorak faithful a very Merry Christmas!
Ann Dvorak at Home for the Holidays
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 358
As you’re frantically finishing up holiday shopping/baking/gift wrapping or maybe just enjoying some extra time after work, here’s a great shot of our Ann gearing up for the 1933 holidays. This photo was taken at her home located in Van Nuys at 6948 Woodman Avenue. If you were to look closely at this photo, as I have, you’d see that the various packages Ann is wrapping are ready members of the Fenton clan. This was Ann’s second Christmas as Mrs. Leslie Fenton, but the first was spent in Europe so it looks like the Fentons may have been making up for it!
Wishing the Dvorak faithful a safe and happy Christmas Eve!
This Day in Ann Dvorak History: Parting Ways With Warner Bros.
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 357
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On December 23, 1936, gossip grand dame Louella Parsons reported that after a year of battles in and out of the courtroom, Ann Dvorak and Warner Bros. had finally decided to part ways. Ann had spent many months earlier in the year trying to get out of her contract early, but her efforts had been futile. After losing her lawsuit and any attempted appeals, Ann had reluctantly returned after being loaned out to RKO for two film. Perhaps by December Jack Warner felt he had made his point as the victor in the proceedings and reasoned it was a good time to wash his hands of her. Whatever Warner’s motives may have been, it turned out that The Case of the Stuttering Bishop would be Ann Dvorak’s last film under her Warner Bros. contract. Ann’s last day on the Burbank lot was actually December 19th, and when filming wrapped her last paycheck was already cut and handed to her. With that, Ann Dvorak left the place that had been her home away from home for the previous three years.
Ann in the Snow
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 356
Only ten posts left in the Year of Ann Dvorak, and I honestly could not think of anything to write today. So, here’s a photo from the honeymoon scrapbook of Ann in 1932, possibly in St. Moritz, Switzerland, bundled up and enjoying the snowy  landscape.
Happy Sunday!
Ann Dvorak’s Los Angeles, Pt. 20 – 1235 5th Street, Santa Monica
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 355
And now we have arrived at the 20th and final post of Ann Dvorak’s Los Angeles. Once upon a time there was an unassuming multi-housing building at 1235 5th St in the city of Santa Monica. It was there in the late 1950s that former silent film actress Anna Lehr retreated after being kicked out of her Malibu home by her son-in-law, Nicholas Wade. The move caused a schism between Lehr and her daughter Ann Dvorak, and the pair would become estranged for well over a decade.
In the late 1960s, Ann Dvorak would seek refuge in the small unit while she attempted to leave her abusive husband permanently. It didn’t quite work out at the time. When Dvorak came back to Santa Monica from Hawaii in 1973 to care for Lehr, who was dying of cancer, Ann finally removed herself from the often troubled marriage. Lehr passed away in early 1974 and Ann remained at 1235 5th Street until Nicholas Wade died the following year, at which time she moved back to Hawaii.
1235 5th Street no longer remains, which is just as well since much like the Malibu properties discussed yesterday, Santa Monica didn’t represent the happiest time in Ann Dvorak’s life.
And that happy note concludes Ann Dvorak’s Los Angeles.
Ann Dvorak’s Los Angeles Pt. 19 – Topanga Beach Road, Malibu
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 354
I admit that I have been putting this post off for awhile because the locations of these Mailbu addresses have always puzzled me. I’ve poured through old maps at the library, and I am guessing what is now called Topanga Beach Drive was Topanga Beach Road in Ann’s day. Furthermore, I do not think the structures at 18722, 18708, and 18704 Topanga Beach Road exist anymore. Most of the locations of Ann Dvorak’s Los Angeles are still around and can be visited, which makes me less enthusiastic about Malibu. Plus, as a resident of the  San Fernando Valley, Malibu may as well be in China so I have never taken the time to drive out there and explore.
Ann initially lived at 18722 and owned the other two adjacent properties as investments, though she did put her mother up in one of them. Once Ann’s third husband, Nicholas Wade came into the picture, Ann’s fortunes declined and she eventually had to sell the property she was living in and move to one of the smaller locations. Wade had also set his sights on these properties to serve as production facilities and away went Mama Lehr, causing her to be estranged from her daughter for a number of years. Eventually, Ann would lose both those properties after some lousy business deals were made on her behalf while she was hospitalized for an extended period of time.
Geeze, perhaps the other reason I avoided this post is because Malibu represents a rather down time in Ann’s life. Although before Nicholas Wade came into the picture there were happy times on the beach, as the above photo demonstrates.
I am fairly certain that the area described on this Surfwriter website is where Ann lived. Â If this is the correct location, then this part of Ann Dvorak’s Los Angeles is truly gone.
Leonard Maltin on “Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel”
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 353
I am not too proud to admit that when I saw Leonard Maltin’s comments about Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel, I started crying. And not just gently weeping, but full blown bawling.
When I first encountered Ann on that fateful day in the mid-1990’s while watching Three on a Match twice in one sitting, the first thing I did when the film ended (the second time) was to consult my Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide to find out who this Ann Dvorak person was. The book had gotten wet somehow and was an expanded mess with no cover, but I was loath to replace it because I had highlighted all the movies I had seen. To have the man himself deliver such high praise nearly two decades later is surreal and beyond cool. Talk about ending the year on a high note!
I should also point out that Maltin offers a Classic Movie Guide which has been around for a few years but I was unaware of. Looks like I may be getting myself a Christmas present.