The legacy of Dorothy Arzner, the only female director during Hollywood's studio era to sustain a directing career and produce 20 feature films, is being celebrated by UCLA Film and Television Archive with the screening of “Dance, Girl, Dance” (1940) and “The Bride Wore Red” (1940) 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18 at the Billy Wilder Theater.
“Dance, Girl, Dance" features Lucille Ball, capturing the dance skills she displayed in a series of Goldwyn musicals before she starred in TV's “I Love Lucy." Ball steals the spotlight from Maureen O'Hara but nonetheless struggles as a ballet dancer and takes on a skin-baring job in a burlesque club to increase her chances of show-biz success. Bubbles (Ball) and Judy’s (O'Hara) friendship is on the brink when they set eyes on the same millionaire playboy who frequents the club.
Joan Crawford stars in Arzner's final film, “The Bride Wore Red,” as Anni, a cabaret singer who masquerades as a wealthy socialite at a Swiss resort and wins the heart of rich playboy Rudolph (Robert Young). Smitten, he breaks off his engagement to another woman to pursue Anni. Although Anni is fascinated by the glitz and glamour that an affluent lifestyle offers, she has fallen in love with the town's humble postman (Franchot Tone) and must decide if she will give up love for wealth.
For more information and tickets online, visit UCLA Film and Television Archive. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office starting one hour before showtime.
