“Thanks a Million” on DVD (I Think)
Year of Ann Dvorak: Day 51
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Yesterday, Lou Lumenick over at The New York Post reported that the 1935 20th Century Pictures feature Thanks a Million is going to be released as part of the Fox Cinema Archives burn on demand series. There’s no release date listed in the article or on Amazon, which, as far as I can tell, is a distributor for these titles. As soon as more details are available, I’ll be sure to pass that info along.
I am always happy when an Ann Dvorak movie becomes readily available, though Thanks a Million is far from my favorite. It was actually a pretty big hit at the time, but hasn’t really held up well, and I much prefer the noirish Dick Powell of the 1940s to the boyish crooner of this era. Ann was loaned out from Warner Bros. for this one at the request of producer Darryl F. Zanuck who had previously worked for Warner Bros. Hit or no hit, Ann thought her role in Thanks a Million was garbage and this film would ultimately bring Ann to engage in a full-blown war with Warner Bros.
Still..Ann and Patsy Kelly do a fun “Sugar Plum” rendition that is fun to watch. Look especially at Ann in the close ups during the song, you can see an upbeat, fun loving Ann Dvorak that is just great!! Of note is that her facial expressions during the song are priceless Ann Dvorak…
Ann actually HATED the “Sugar Plum” number. I think the word she used to describe it was “ridiculous.” It’s to her credit as an actress that she looks like she’s having fun!