Irene Dunne: First Lady of Hollywood FROM THE PUBLISHER
"This is the first biography of one of the most versatile actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age. A recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors award in 1985, Dunne's acting highlights include five Best Actress Oscar nominations, occurring in almost as many different genres: the western Cimarron (1931); two screwball comedies, Theodora goes Wild (1936) and The Awful Truth (1937); the romantic comedy Love Affair (1939); and the populist I Remember Mama (1948). Her other films include My Favorite Wife (1940), Penny Serenade (1941), Anna and the King of Siam (1946), and Life with Father (1947)." After delving into Dunne's childhood and early acting forays, the book reveals details about key events in her life and career, including a difficult, bicoastal marriage. The author also examines Dunne's pivotal roles on stage and film, her movement among the genres of melodrama and screwball comedy, her ties to director Leo McCarey, and her postwar film career. Gehring's research and insightful analysis shed light on what made Irene Dunne so unique and her performances so memorable.
SYNOPSIS
Gehring teaches film at Ball State U., is an associate media editor and columnist for USA Today Magazine, and author of 19 books, including biographies of Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, Robert Benchley, Red Skelton, and Carole Lombard. He traces the life of American film actress, Irene Dunne (1898-1990), from her childhood days spent in Louisville, St. Louis, and Madison, Indiana, through her Hollywood career to her retirement, and receipt of the Kennedy Center Award in 1985. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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