Star of the Week

Today is the start of the Star of the Week series! Although i have done this in the previous year, i am redoing everything in a much better and more detailed way. So to mark the first star, we have that wonderful woman who starred in many screwball comedies, Irene Dunne!   

Name: Irene Marie Dunn
Date of Birth: December 20, 1898
                     in Louisville, Kentucky
Date of Death: September 4, 1990 (age 91)
Height: 5-5
Married: Dr. Frank Griffin (1928-1965, his death)
Divorced: -NA-
Academy Award Nominations:
Cimarron (1931)
Theodora Goes Wild (1936)
The Awful Truth (1937)
Love Affair (1939)
I Remember Mama (1948)

Trademark: Combination of madcap humor and elegance

Summary: A classically trained singer, Irene Dunne seemed the perfect fit for Hollywood. By 1930 she was signed by RKO in 1930. The following year she appeared in Cimarron, which she received an Oscar nomination for. Dunne continued to churn out hits during the 30s. When Columbia cast her in Theodora Goes Wild, Dunne was cast into stardom. She also received an Oscar nomination for the film. Dunne also showed a range for comedic roles too, in 1937s The Awful Truth with her friend Cary Grant (they would star in two other pictures, Penny Serenade and My Favorite Wife. She garnered a third nomination for The Awful Truth. In comedies is where she showed her prowess as a screwball comedienne.  Her favorite film was 1939s A Love Affair with Charles Boyer. However, it is the film I Remember Mama in which Dunne is most remembered. Eventually, Dunne decided to retire while she was still on top of the game. After retiring in the 50s, Irene Dunne continued to live a fulfilling life, enjoying her life with her husband and continuing her political and philanthropic efforts. Irene Dunne will always be remembered for her great roles as a screwball queen in the silver screen.

In my opinion, Irene Dunne is one of the most under-rated actresses of the 20th Century. How many people have heard of her? I feel that she is under-appreciated because she chose to retire early to spend time with her family. I just love Irene Dunne's movies, as should you! If you have never seen any of the movies mentioned below, go rent it! 

Notable Films: The Awful Truth, Love Affair, I Remember Mama, Penny Serenade

Favorite Performance: The Awful Truth
Best Performance: I Remember Mama. 
Favorite Film:  The Awful Truth. Hilarious movie with Dunne, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy and Asta the Dog.

Now for the hint about next week's Star of the Week: That character actor whose initials spell PL!