Irene Dunne: First Lady of Hollywood (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series) [Hardcover]

Wes D. Gehring (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series | Publication Date: February 2004

This is the first full-length biography of Irene Dunne, 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), the 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 memorable 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, bi-coastal marriage. The author also examines Dunne's pivotal roles on stage and in film, her movement among the genres of melodrama and screwball comedy, her ties to director Leo McCarey, and her post-war film career. Gehring's research and insightful analysis shed light on what made Irene Dunne so unique and her performances so memorable.

Includes 16 pages of photos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This biography, a reprint from 2003, traces the life and career of actress Irene Dunne (1904-1990). Gehring (film, Ball State U.) details her childhood, bicoastal marriage, and roles on stage and in films. She was most popular during the 1930s and 1940s and acted in melodramas, musicals, and screwball comedies. The connection she had with her favorite director Leo McCarey is discussed, as well as the films The Awful Truth, Love Affair, and others, her postwar films, and retirement. Included is a detailed filmography. (Reference & Research Book News )

About the Author

Wes D. Gehring is Professor of Film at Ball State University and an Associate Media Editor of USA Today Magazine, for whom he also writes the column "Reel World." He is the author of eighteen critically acclaimed books, including Romantic vs. Screwball Comedy (Scarecrow, 2002), and his articles have appeared in numerous journals.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810848201
• ISBN-13: 978-0810848207
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,737,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Tepid Dunne Biography, Not Worth the Price!, October 17, 2004

By 

a viewer "a viewer" (antioch, tn United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Irene Dunne: First Lady of Hollywood (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series) (Hardcover)

For the exhorbitant price of $45.00 and higher, I expected a nice coffee-table style book chronicling Dunne's career and her life as well, loaded with pictures. This is not what I received.

What I received was a 178 page synopsis style of Dunne's non-scandalous life (rare for a Hollywood star...she was married to the same man for 45 years!! Amen to that...refreshing...) devoted to her family, a jewel to work with, and never gave a bad performance. Along with Barbara Stanwyck she was the best actress never to have received an academy award (she was nominated five times).

However, the author skims over Dunne's life, briefly analyzes the periods of her career and says almost nothing of Dunne's later years!! There Are a few pictures in the middle insert...but none of Dunne as a child or as a mature woman.

Irene Dunne was a classy lady who deserves better than what she gets here...a tepid, rushed biography (which doesn't even include a dust jacket) finely printed on glossy paper with the high price that is just not worth it. I'm sorry I bought it as I really learned nothing new about Dunne that I didn't already know. This book is acceptable at perhaps $7.95. $45.00??? Ridiculous! Trust me!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Thesis not a Biography, September 10, 2005

By 

Douglas M - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Irene Dunne: First Lady of Hollywood (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series) (Hardcover)

If you want a university style thesis on Irene Dunne, then you will be happy with this highly priced book. It is analytical as one might expect from an academic but the author has failed to make a story out of it. This makes for a very tedious read. Dunne was a model citizen and there are so many aspects of her public life beyond her prolific film careeer which are of interest. The content simply is not here. It is indicative of the academic approach that each chapter contains a lengthy index which is of almost no interest to the reader. Such Indices are better left at the end. The author also has the annoying habit of itemising things which give the feeling that the book was compiled from a series of dot points instead of a smooth flow of text. Finally, illustrations are scarce and this always contributes to a "dry" read. One plus, however, is that the book has been published in a nice hardback edition (minus dustcover) and an easy size to handle.

Overall, Margie Shultz, in her bio-bibliography of Dunne, does a much better and simpler job. In fact, I would say the biography of Irene Dunne is yet to be written.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Well Dunne" of a Book!, February 20, 2005

By 

Amy Christner "I.D.& V.J. Fan" (Southern Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irene Dunne: First Lady of Hollywood (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series) (Hardcover)

I think this book is excellent for students and people who are discovering the world of classic Hollywood. It goes into detail without getting "too personal". Please realize that this book is intended for educational purposes (although it is entertaining at points about her life).

If anyone wants to know more about Irene Dunne personally, then you should start collecting old movie magazines from the 1930s to the present. Otherwise, I would recommend this piece of well-written art, to anyone who is willing to learn about a great actress and a great human-being! Thanks for your tribute to Irene, Prof. Gehring. Since she didn't write a book herself, there are lots of us fans who really appreciate your hard work (not to mention how envious we are that you got to talk to her). We commend you!