Dorothy Arzner: Interviews

Dorothy Arzner was a pioneering female director in Hollywood's Golden Age, directing more studio films than any other woman. Her movies often focused on courageous women who make difficult decisions to remain true to themselves, reflecting her own life and career. After retiring from Hollywood, she became a filmmaking instructor and helped launch the first wave of college-trained moviemakers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Dorothy Arzner (1897–1979) was a pioneering figure in Hollywood, becoming one of the few women to direct films during the Golden Age. Her career spanned decades, during which she directed more studio films than any other woman in history. Arzner's films often focused on courageous women who faced difficult decisions in order to remain true to themselves, a theme that resonated with her own life experiences.

Arzner began her film career in 1919 as a script typist for the Famous Players-Lasky company, which later became Paramount Pictures. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a script supervisor, screenwriter, and editor before directing her first film, Fashions for Women, in 1927.

After the release of her final Hollywood film, First Comes Courage, in 1943, Arzner took a different direction in her professional life. She made several training films for the Womens Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II and directed many television commercials for Pepsi-Cola in the 1950s.

In conclusion, Dorothy Arzner was a trailblazing figure in Hollywood who made significant contributions to the film industry. Through her interviews, chronology, filmography, and own writings, including her unfinished autobiography, Dorothy Arzner: Interviews offers valuable insights into her life and career. Her films continue to inspire and empower women today, and her legacy as a director will be remembered for generations to come.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496848260