As a Los Angeles resident, I often find myself strolling down The Hollywood Walk of Fame. What’s troubling about the Walk (beyond the cheap tattoo parlors, dirty lingerie joints, and discarded Popeye’s Chicken wrappers) is how many motion picture names I don’t recognize.
In an effort to curb my ignorance and set the record straight on some of those beguiling pink terrazzo stars, I’m starting a new series on the “Scene Unseen” Blog entitled, “The Hollywood Walk of Who?”
First up, DOROTHY ARZNER – 1500 North Vine Street.
After beginning her career as a script writer and film editor for Paramount Pictures, Arzner became one of the first female directors in the history of feature films. After threatening to leave Paramount for rival Columbia, the powers that be put her in charge of Fashions for Women in 1927, which proved a commercial success.
Read more after the jump…
In 1929, Arzner was given the reigns on Paramount’s first “talkie” – The Wild Party starring Clara Bow. Unhappy with the immobility of the microphone, she had sound technicians rig a mic onto a fishing pole above the actress, essentially creating the first boom.
Not only did Arzner overcome the rampant Hollywood sexism of the time, but she also managed to do so as an outspoken lesbian. She struck quite the tomboy look, wearing suits, ties, and styling her hair in a close cropped wave.
Talk about punk rock!
Over the years, she helped launch the careers of Katherine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, and Lucille Ball. In 1936, Arzner became the very first female to join the Directors Guild of America.
Rumor has it that Todd Haynes (I’m Not There, Safe, Far From Heaven) is planning on directing a biopic about Dorothy Arzner’s life. Let’s hope he does…and let’s hope that the film leads to her re-discovery and appreciation as a pioneer of cinema…not only as a female, but as a director.
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This is a very cool idea for a series, Chris. I also had never heard of Dorothy Arzner until you wrote this. Very interesting person. I would love to see Haynes make a film about her!
OOH! Is Yehudi Menuhin on your list?
Great idea, Chris. And thanks for starting out with such an interesting person – I never realized a woman created the first boom. Don’t we all love learning something new?
Melissa…he is now!
Sweet! All should know about Yehudi. He was an incredible man and artist.
This is a great post. I think, especially within the arts, it is important to understand where we come from. Aestheticly and technically.
Id love to see a biopic about a person like Dorothy Arzner, these days most biopics that get made are about people we are all quite familiar with.
Really great idea for the blog. I have never heard of this director. I’m glad I’m taking the time to read backwards through earlier postings. Now I can do more research, too.
Bravery is something that’s always fascinated me. The people we see as brave often assert they are simply doing what they must do. I love that kind of drive.
Fortunately, I’m an acknowledge pussy, so I never have to face this issue.