Reviews
Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is a treasure trove of information about this under-mentioned star. The wealth of information is stunning and the writing is full of passion and warmth. Without doubt nobody but Rice could have ever written this book. This book is a fabulous tribute to someone who deserves to be remembered., Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is more than the biography of an overlooked movie star. Author Christina Rice has meticulously researched the life of Dvorak, whose strong, self-reliant characters made her an important presence in the pre-Code era. Written in a reader-friendly style, Ann Dvorak explores the highs and lows of the actress who dazzled viewers in the classics Ann Dvorak and Ann Dvorak ., "Ann Dvorak has always been an enigmatic figure, whether you're looking at her electric vitality in the 1932 Scarface or her feline grace in 1947's The Private Affairs of Bel Ami. Fifteen years separate these unique performances, and there's no one like Ann Dvorak, yet the story of her career remains untold. In Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel, Christina Rice corrects this oversight. We learn about the ambitious young dancer, how her unusual looks and singular intensity pulled her into acting, and how her path to stardom ended in regretful obscurity. This is a compelling story, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sad, but Christina Rice tells it honestly and objectively. Her dedicated research makes it possible to see both Ann Dvorak and her milieu with clarity. Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is a sensitive biography of a real talent.--Mark A. Vieira, author of George Hurrell's Hollywood" --, "Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice explores the life and career of one of the first actors who dared to challenge the studio system that ruled Tinseltown, and who found success when many were struggling to adapt to the era of talkies. -- Dick Donahue, Publishers Weekly" -- Publishers Weekly, Ann Dvorak has always been an enigmatic figure, whether you're looking at her electric vitality in the 1932 Scarface or her feline grace in 1947's The Private Affairs of Bel Ami . Fifteen years separate these unique performances, and there's no one like Ann Dvorak, yet the story of her career remains untold. In Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebe l, Christina Rice corrects this oversight. We learn about the ambitious young dancer, how her unusual looks and singular intensity pulled her into acting, and how her path to stardom ended in regretful obscurity. This is a compelling story, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sad, but Christina Rice tells it honestly and objectively. Her dedicated research makes it possible to see both Ann Dvorak and her milieu with clarity. Ann Dvorak l is a sensitive biography of a real talent., "Ann Dvorak may be the biggest Hollywood star you've never heard of. By 19 years old, she had established herself with a leading role in the 1932 classic "Scarface." But, on the verge of going supernova, the young star seemingly gave it all up for love. Now, after 15 years of research, librarian Christina Rice's long-anticipated biography, Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel , has reignited interest in the star's story. --Nathan Masters, KCET" -- Nathan Masters, KCET, "Ann Dvorak has always been an enigmatic figure, whether you're looking at her electric vitality in the 1932 Scarface or her feline grace in 1947's The Private Affairs of Bel Ami. Fifteen years separate these unique performances, and there's no one like Ann Dvorak, yet the story of her career remains untold. In Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel, Christina Rice corrects this oversight. We learn about the ambitious young dancer, how her unusual looks and singular intensity pulled her into acting, and how her path to stardom ended in regretful obscurity. This is a compelling story, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sad, but Christina Rice tells it honestly and objectively. Her dedicated research makes it possible to see both Ann Dvorak and her milieu with clarity. Ann Dvorak l is a sensitive biography of a real talent." -- Mark A. Vieira, author of George Hurrell's Hollywood, "Recommended movie star reading.. .Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice. Ann Dvorak looked to be on the road to stardom at Warner Bros, but she chafed too often at restrictions placed upon her. Yet who besides the most devoted film fanatic knows of Miss Dvorak? Fascinating read on a fascinating actress. --Liz Smith, New York Social Diary" -- Liz Smith, New York Social Diary, "Rice is a superb writer with just the right touch -- not too heavy, not too light. We really get to know Ann Dvorak." -- Eve Golden, author of John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars, "Ann Dvorak has always been an enigmatic figure, whether you're looking at her electric vitality in the 1932 Scarface or her feline grace in 1947's The Private Affairs of Bel Ami . Fifteen years separate these unique performances, and there's no one like Ann Dvorak, yet the story of her career remains untold. In Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebe l, Christina Rice corrects this oversight. We learn about the ambitious young dancer, how her unusual looks and singular intensity pulled her into acting, and how her path to stardom ended in regretful obscurity. This is a compelling story, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes sad, but Christina Rice tells it honestly and objectively. Her dedicated research makes it possible to see both Ann Dvorak and her milieu with clarity. Ann Dvorak l is a sensitive biography of a real talent." -- Mark A. Vieira, author of George Hurrell's Hollywood, " Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice explores the life and career of one of the first actors who dared to challenge the studio system that ruled Tinseltown, and who found success when many were struggling to adapt to the era of talkies." -- Publishers Weekly, "A scrupulously researched, consistently insightful and thoroughly welcome biography. Fans and students of Hollywood's fascinating pre-Code era will particularly appreciate a chance to learn more about one of its most sophisticated, intelligent, and hauntingly beautiful actresses." -- Margaret Talbot, author of The Entertainer: Movies, Magic, and My Father's Twentieth Century, "Recommended movie star reading...Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice. Ann Dvorak looked to be on the road to stardom at Warner Bros, but she chafed too often at restrictions placed upon her. Yet who besides the most devoted film fanatic knows of Miss Dvorak? Fascinating read on a fascinating actress. --Liz Smith, New York Social Diary" -- Liz Smith, New York Social Diary, "Dvorak's story is the intriguing examination of a facet of Hollywood little reported on. Rice captures the loneliness and pain of losing stardom, and just being lonely within old age. It's biographies like these, and authors like Rice, who keep the memory of these forgotten stars burning bright. Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is part Hollywood biography and paean to a star who may not have always known what she wanted, but was well aware of what she didn't want. Worth seeking out! --Journeys in Classic Film" -- Kristen, Journeys In Classic Film, Rice is a superb writer with just the right touch--not too heavy, not too light. We really get to know Ann Dvorak., "Ann Dvorak may be the biggest Hollywood star you've never heard of. By 19 years old, she had established herself with a leading role in the 1932 classic "Scarface." But, on the verge of going supernova, the young star seemingly gave it all up for love. Now, after 15 years of research, librarian Christina Rice's long-anticipated biography, Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel , has reignited interest in the star's story." -- Nathan Masters, KCET, Ann Dvorak may be the biggest Hollywood star you've never heard of. By 19 years old, she had established herself with a leading role in the 1932 classic "Scarface." But, on the verge of going supernova, the young star seemingly gave it all up for love. Now, after 15 years of research, librarian Christina Rice's long-anticipated biography, Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel , has reignited interest in the star's story., Recommended movie star reading... Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice. Ann Dvorak looked to be on the road to stardom at Warner Bros, but she chafed too often at restrictions placed upon her. Yet who besides the most devoted film fanatic knows of Miss Dvorak? Fascinating read on a fascinating actress., Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice explores the life and career of one of the first actors who dared to challenge the studio system that ruled Tinseltown, and who found success when many were struggling to adapt to the era of talkies., Now, thanks to Rice's epic effort to research and reconstruct her life, Dvorak will be much more than just a ghost of Old Hollywood., A scrupulously researched, consistently insightful and thoroughly welcome biography. Fans and students of Hollywood's fascinating pre-Code era will particularly appreciate a chance to learn more about one of its most sophisticated, intelligent, and hauntingly beautiful actresses., "Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is more than the biography of an overlooked movie star. Author Christina Rice has meticulously researched the life of Dvorak, whose strong, self-reliant characters made her an important presence in the pre-Code era. Written in a reader-friendly style, Ann Dvorak explores the highs and lows of the actress who dazzled viewers in the classics Scarface and Three on a Match. --Susan Doll, author of Florida on Film: The Essential Guide to Sunshine State Cinema" --, ""A scrupulously researched, consistently insightful and thoroughly welcome biography. Fans and students of Hollywood's fascinating pre-Code era will particularly appreciate a chance to learn more about one of its most sophisticated, intelligent, and hauntingly beautiful actresses."--Margaret Talbot, author of The Entertainer: Movies, Magic, and My Father's Twentieth Century" --, "Recommended movie star reading... Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel by Christina Rice. Ann Dvorak looked to be on the road to stardom at Warner Bros, but she chafed too often at restrictions placed upon her. Yet who besides the most devoted film fanatic knows of Miss Dvorak? Fascinating read on a fascinating actress." -- Liz Smith, New York Social Diary, "Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is more than the biography of an overlooked movie star. Author Christina Rice has meticulously researched the life of Dvorak, whose strong, self-reliant characters made her an important presence in the pre-Code era. Written in a reader-friendly style, Ann Dvorak explores the highs and lows of the actress who dazzled viewers in the classics Ann Dvorak and Ann Dvorak." -- Susan Doll, author of Florida on Film: The Essential Guide to Sunshine State Cinema, "Ann Dvorak may be the biggest Hollywood star you've never heard of. By 19 years old, she had established herself with a leading role in the 1932 classic "Scarface." But, on the verge of going supernova, the young star seemingly gave it all up for love. Now, after 15 years of research, librarian Christina Rice's long-anticipated biography, Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel, has reignited interest in the star's story. --Nathan Masters, KCET" -- Nathan Masters, KCET, " Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is more than the biography of an overlooked movie star. Author Christina Rice has meticulously researched the life of Dvorak, whose strong, self-reliant characters made her an important presence in the pre-Code era. Written in a reader-friendly style, Ann Dvorak explores the highs and lows of the actress who dazzled viewers in the classics Ann Dvorak and Ann Dvorak ." -- Susan Doll, author of Florida on Film: The Essential Guide to Sunshine State Cinema, Dvorak's story is the intriguing examination of a facet of Hollywood little reported on. Rice captures the loneliness and pain of losing stardom, and just being lonely within old age. It's biographies like these, and authors like Rice, who keep the memory of these forgotten stars burning bright. Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is part Hollywood biography and paean to a star who may not have always known what she wanted, but was well aware of what she didn't want. Worth seeking out!, "Now, thanks to Rice's epic effort to research and reconstruct her life, Dvorak will be much more than just a ghost of Old Hollywood." -- LA Weekly, "Dvorak's story is the intriguing examination of a facet of Hollywood little reported on. Rice captures the loneliness and pain of losing stardom, and just being lonely within old age. It's biographies like these, and authors like Rice, who keep the memory of these forgotten stars burning bright. Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel is part Hollywood biography and paean to a star who may not have always known what she wanted, but was well aware of what she didn't want. Worth seeking out!" -- Journeys in Classic Film
