“Strange Love of Molly Louvain†on DVD
Hooray for the Warner Archive who are releasing Ann Dvorak films on DVD faster than I can write about them.
This week’s offering includes the Strange Love of Molly Louvain, directed by Michael Curtiz and co-starring Lee Tracy, Richard Cromwell, and Dvorak’s soon-to-be husband, Leslie Fenton. It’s standard pre-code dealings with Dvorak bearing a child out of wedlock, hooking up with a thug, getting mixed up in shady dealings, and going on the lamb incognito as a bleached blonde. While it’s not quite as riveting as Three on a Match, the Strange Love of Molly Louvain is one of the few films where Ann is the focus of the film and, as usual, she makes the most of it.
As I discussed previously, the film contains one of my all time favorite Ann Dvorak scenes where she gets to do a scat version of “Penthouse Serenade” and briefly performs one of her own compositions, “Gold Digger Baby.” Molly Louvain is also an important film in the annals of Ann Dvorak history because it’s where she hooked up with Leslie Fenton. The two had met a few weeks earlier on New Years Eve, but the sparks flew on the set of this film and the pair would soon elope to Arizona.
I need to give a quick note of credit to the blog All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing! who caught this DVD release before I did.
In light of this unexpected release, I am really looking forward to what other 1930s Warner Bros flicks the Warner Archive has in store for 2010.
what a great blog!! i am a big Ann Dvorak fan, always believing her to be one of the best but most underappreciated of her era. nice to see some others putting the spotlight on her!
btw didnt Leslie Fenton play Nails Nathan in Public Enemy???
Thanks for checking out the site. It’s always great to hear there are other Dvorak devotes out there.
Yup, Leslie Fenton did indeed play the doomed Nails Nathan in the Public Enemy.
Cheers!
-Christina
Watched the DVD last night, Christina. I loved it and Ann was excellent. She should have been a big star. I have the impression that Fenton’s influence on her career was not a good one. Also recently caught G-Men on DVD, which is also quite good and a complete DVD package.
Can’t wait for your book.
Cheers
Bruce
Worcester, MA
Hi Bruce,
Great to hear you enjoyed the film. Ann has some wonderful scenes and holds her own with Lee Tracy. I will not argue with your assessment about Leslie Fenton’s influence on Ann and her career decisions!
Happy New Year-
Christina
i agree with you that ann should have been a big star . there is a scene with ann and paul muni,in scarface, which is one of my favorite iconic images of an actress. i am glad that you are writing a book about her.i look forward to it. i have been waiting a long time for this one.
i agree with you that ann dvorak shouhd have been a big star.i have an old clipping,torn from a newspaper when i was a teen ager. it shows ann and paul muni in a scene from scarface.this photograph of ann is one of my favorite iconic images of an actress.
i forgot to say thank you for creating a website for ann dvorak fans. as you know,there is not much out there about this undeservedly obscure jewel. i am glad that her talent and beauty will finally get the attention and recognition she has deserved all along. thank you for doing this for all of the fans out there. it is a great tribute,a work of love[absolutely!] and long overdue. thank you again.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for all your kind words and support. It’s always great to hear from other Ann fans out there! -Christina