Written by a regular contributor to Classic Images, this first book on Ann Sothern contains MANY rare pictures from the author's personal collection.
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37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Glimpse at the Legendary Ann Sothern by A Devoted Friend and Fan,
By Tee (LA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Cordially Yours, Ann Sothern (Paperback)
Ann Sothern had one of the longest careers of any actress in the American film industry, starting in bit roles in 1929, she wound up making her final film 58 years later and winning an Academy Award nomination for it (THE WHALES OF AUGUST, 1987). If top superstardom alluded her, she was nevertheless a popular star with moviegoers of the late 1930's and 1940's and in the 1950's enjoyed her greatest success on television where she ranked with her longtime friend Lucille Ball and Eve Arden as one of the three biggest sitcom queens of the era. While best known as a comedienne, Ann was a capable dramatic actress and a very accomplished singer in movie musicals. Back in 1990, film historian Margie Schultz wrote the first book on Sothern, an academic title mainly meant for research libraries and now comes the first biography of the actress written by her longtime friend, film historian and frequent contributor to CLASSIC IMAGES magazine, Colin Briggs.
This is a excellent career study of the versatile star along with many personal glimpses into the star's life. Major movie buffs will enjoy the "how I, a fan, became friends with my favorite movie star" thread that runs through the book as Colin tells of how, amazingly, he developed a pen friendship with Sothern as a teenager in the early 1950's one that flourished until he was able to finally come to the states from Australia to meet Ann for the first of many visits a good twenty years later. His excitement at meeting and knowing Ann is infectious and will no doubt cause many a buff to wistfully imagine a similiar friendship with their own favorite from the golden era. The book includes a detailed filmography and thoroughly covers all aspects of Ann's life and career and while not overly intrusive in personal matters, does go into Ann's marriages with actors Roger Pryor and Robert Sterling and her ill-fated romance with the much younger Richard Egan. Ann herself occasionally provides some major scoops, revealing she dated Ronald Reagan after his divorce from Jane Wyman and her suspicions that Nancy has kept any Sothern invites to Hollywood functions honoring Reagan at bay. Ann also reveals how she broke up Grace Kelly's affair with Ray Milland (Mrs. Milland was Ann's best friend) and her side of the Bette Davis - Lillian Gish battles on the final film for all three actresses. There are also poignant episodes, notably a 1970's accident at a Jacksonville, Florida dinner theater. Ann recounts the lawsuit and trial to Colin and in a bit of unintended humor proves even during this trying period she could be every inch the movie queen, "We had a 5-day jury trial - 6 people - and would you believe that 5 of them had never heard of me. That gives you a rough idea about Jacksonville!" This book jammed pack with photographs of Ann thoroughout her life, almost one per page in this 315 page book with excellent reproduction. Lots of gorgeous publicity stills of Ann through the years, movie scenes, personal candids including many with her family and Colin himself with Ann. This is in fact the most attractive volume I've seen yet published by the new show business nostalgia publishing house, BearManor Media, with a fine book and cover design with excellent size print type. Ann Sothern long wanted Colin Briggs to do a book on her, obviously trusting him to compassionately and favorably account the stories of her life and career. It was a trust well deserved by this lovely, surprisingly moving book, which has unseen poignancy of it's own as the CLASSIC IMAGES website currently informs us that Mr. Briggs passed away the very month the book was published (December 2006). Fortunately, he did get to see his work in published form and it is also fortunate for Ann Sothern fans and future movie historians that he was able to share his remarkable views of this talented lady for posterity.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Tribute to a Versatile Star,
By
This review is from: Cordially Yours, Ann Sothern (Paperback)
Ann Sothern was asked years ago if she had a preference regarding a biographer. She immediately responded with the name of Colin Briggs. This is precisely what came to pass to the benefit of all concerned, and notably film fans.
The blonde actress met Briggs years ago and they had a professional relationship as well as an enduring friendship. They sang together and Sothern was impressed enough to tell Briggs, who resided in Brisbane, Australia, that if he ever decided to reside in the United States that she would like to help him with his singing career. Briggs, whose encyclopedic knowledge of cinema resulted in him frequently appearing on Australian television to entertain audiences with his broad command of the industry, was an accomplished singer as well as actor and both appeared in and directed many stage vehicles in Australia. Ann Sothern was a performer of exceptional versatility as well as beauty and Briggs is to be commended for sharing his vast knowledge of her long and accomplished career with the rest of us. Marsha Hunt was on target in stating that Sothern had one of the most beautiful faces of any actress to grace the screen. Her blonde hair and flawless creamy complexion were capped off by a face of cameo elegance, the perfection of which was enhanced by cinematic photography. Perhaps the standout scene of Sothern's career, which combined her singing and acting talents, as well as accenting her natural beauty, came in "Lady be Good" when she sang "The Last Time I Saw Paris" with Champs Elysees superimposed in the background. Comedy came naturally to Ann Sothern, but whereas so many blonde performers were depicted for zaniness, she came across as a wise Eve Arden type without the acid commentary. Sothern's image was that of a crafty woman who knew the score. She established that image early on in the highly successful "Maisie" series, in which her character took charge and saved the day. How shrewd Ann Sothern was in films directed by two of the all-time cinema greats. In 1949 audiences were impressed by her performance in Joseph Mankiewicz's "A Letter to Three Wives" in which she played Kirk Douglas's wife. Her native intelligence was needed to prevent a disaster when her highly unsophisticated bosses, a materialistic couple concerned about selling products, visit her suburban Connecticut home for dinner. The situation calls for great tact for another reason as well. As a successful radio soap opera writer Sothern earns much more money than her schoolteacher husband, whose erudition and education prompt him to view the outsiders with great scorn. Ann Sothern acts with finesse, avoiding the disaster of a blowup and loss of a job that pays a large income. Sothern's pragmatic intelligence was also on display in Fritz Lang's 1953 film noir gem "The Blue Gardenia," when she serves as first sergeant at the apartment she shares with younger fellow telephone operators Anne Baxter and Jeff Donnell. She offers experienced advice when Baxter needs it at a time when she is accused of killing wolfish artist Raymond Burr. Then there was the Ann Sothern who triumphed in the peak early years of television with her comedy smash hit "Private Secretary" which latter was called "The Ann Sothern Show." It was a good period for her professionally as she also sang in nightclubs, including stints in Las Vegas. Sothern longtime friend Colin Briggs does an excellent job of providing an intimate glimpse into the life of a remarkable performer.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ann Sothern's Life Story,
By
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This review is from: Cordially Yours, Ann Sothern (Paperback)
Ann Sothern was one of the stars of the Golden Era of Hollywood. Colin Briggs knew her well as a fan and friend. His book leaves nothing to be desired. There are numerous photographs and a complete filmography with interesting comments about many of Sothern's films. Her stage and televison, and radio work is covered in the excellent text.There are two pictures of Ann Sothern in a production of Mame. This will give any prospective fan and reader an idea of the rare material contained in this wonderful book. Ann Sothern would be so pleased to read this account of her life and career and so will any purchaser of this great biography.
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