Silver Screen Magic with Irene Dunn

Born on December 20, 1898, Irene Dunne was a talented actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She was nicknamed “The First Lady of Hollywood” due to her regal manner and was always proud of her Irish American country girl roots. When she retired, she devoted her retirement to philanthropy and was chosen by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a delegate from the US to the United Nations. She advocated for world peace and highlighted refugee-relief programs. Dunne received a Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame and a papal knighthood—Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. She received a Kennedy Center Honor for her service to the arts in 1985. In 1990 Dunne died at the age of 91.

Director John Cromwell directed the 1946 American drama “Anna and the King of Siam." The film is based on the 1944 novel of the same name by Margaret Landon. It was based on the fictionalized diaries of Anna Leonowens, an Anglo-Indian woman who claimed to be British and became a governess in the Royal Court of Siam (now modern Thailand). The film starred Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, and others.

The storyline revolves around Anna Owens (Irene Dunne), a young English widow who accepts a job teaching the children of the King of Siam (Rex Harrison). Cultures clash, and to the dismay of his many wives, Anna often challenges the king, which he surprisingly respects. She eventually becomes his friend and confidante even though she has difficulty accepting the ways of the country. 

Director John M. Stahl directed the 1932 American pre-Code drama “Back Street." The film was based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Fannie Hurst. It starred Irene Dunne and John Boles.

The storyline begins in the early 1900s when independent Ray Schmidt (Irene Dunne) meets Walter Saxel (John Boles), and they fall in love. Walter is already engaged and even willing to break that, but unforeseen circumstances keep them apart. Years later they meet again, and he has become a successful businessman, husband, and father. They renew their love affair, and Ray becomes his “back street” mistress.

Director Wesley Ruggles directed the 1931 American pre-Code epic Western "Cimarron." The film starred Richard Dix and Irene Dunne. It won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Production Design.

The storyline revolves around Yancy Cravat (Richard Dix), a restless adventurer who seeks to find new settlements. His wife Sabra (Irene Dunne) longs for a calmer life. He leaves her and their children often for adventure. She begins fighting causes, running a newspaper, and eventually becoming involved in politics during his absences.

Director George Stevens directed the 1948 American drama “I Remember Mama." The film was based on the novel “Mama’s Bank Account” by Kathryn Forbes. The film starred Irene Dunne, Philip Dorn, Barbara Bel Geddes, Oscar Homolka, and others.

The storyline revolves around a Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco in the early 20th century. Katrin Hanson (Barbara Bel Geddes) has just finished her autobiographical novel recounting her life growing up in San Francisco with her family, taking everyone through their lives and fondly remembering her Mama (Irene Dunne).

Director Michael Curtiz directed the 1947 American comedy “Life with Father." It was adapted from the 1939 play of the same name. The film starred William Powell and Irene Dunne.

The storyline is in the 1880s New York City and tells the true story of stockbroker Clarence Day (William Powell), who wants to be master of his domain. But it is his wife Vinnie (Irene Dunne) who actually runs the household while raising their four rambunctious boys. Vinnie is devastated when she finds out that Clarence has never been baptized and is in no way concerned with rectifying the situation.

Director Garson Kanin directed the 1940 American screwball comedy “My Favorite Wife." It was adapted from the 1864 poem “Enoch Arden” by Lord Alfred Tennyson. The film starred Irene Dunn and Cary Grant and others.

The storyline revolves around Ellen Arden (Irene Dunne), who has been missing for seven years and is declared legally dead. On the day her husband Nick (Cary Grant) remarries, she is rescued from a tropical island, and chaos ensues when Nick has to break the news to his new wife and when he finds out Ellen was not alone on the island.

Director George Stevens directed the 1941 American melodrama “Penny Serenade." The film starred Irene Dunne and Cary Grant.

The storyline shows Julie Gardiner (Irene Dunne) contemplating a divorce and reminisces about her life with husband Roger (Cary Grant), from the time they meet by chance, through dating, to marriage, to moving and job changes, to children as we follow along from scene to scene.

Director William A. Seiter directed the 1935 American musical film "Roberta." The film starred Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Randolph Scott and others. It was an adaptation of the 1933 Broadway musical of the same name, based on the novel “Gowns” by Alice Duer Miller.

Even though the film is remembered as a vehicle for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Irene Dunne gave a delightful performance as a fashion designer in a Parisian dress shop that American football player John Kent (Randolph Scott) inherits from his aunt. Meanwhile, his buddy Huck (Fred Astaire), a dancer who lost his gig, runs into his old sweetheart Lizzie (Ginger Rogers), who is posing as snobby Countess Scharwenka.

Director James Whale directed the 1936 American romantic musical “Show Boat." It was based on the 1927 musical of the same name by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, adapted from the 1926 novel of the same name by Edna Ferber. The film starred Irene Dunn, Allan Jones, Charles Winninger, and others.

The storyline follows Magnolia (Irene Dunne) as the young daughter of a family traveling the Mississippi River putting on shows. She falls in love with and marries charming gambler Gaylord Ravenal (Allan Jones). They move to Chicago and have a child. Eventually he leaves, and she has to raise her daughter alone.