Cordially Yours, Ann Sothern

by Colin Briggs

Ann Sothern tried to enter films during the silent movie era, and she obtained her first notable role in The Show of Shows (1929), one of Warner Bros.’ first all-talking pictures, with John Barrymore, Richard Barthelmess, Mary Astor, Dolores Costello, Helene Costello, Myrna Loy, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Ben Turpin, Rin Tin Tin, and Loretta Young, among others. In talking pictures or “talkies,” she had one of the longest careers of any actress in the American film industry, from a memorable series of Maisie comedies to her Academy Award-winning role in The Whales of August (1987) with Lillian Gish and Bette Davis. The popularity of the Maisie series led to her own radio program, The Adventures of Maisie, broadcast on CBS from 1945 to 1947, on Mutual Broadcasting System in 1952, and in syndication from 1949 to 1953. Ann was a popular star with moviegoers, thanks to her appearances in Words and Music (1948), and A Letter to Three Wives (1949). In the 1950s, she enjoyed her greatest success on television, where she ranked with her longtime friend Lucille Ball and Eve Arden as one of the three biggest sitcom stars of that decade. In 1953, she was cast as the lead in the series Private Secretary on CBS on alternate weeks with The Jack Benny Program. Private Secretary consistently placed in the Top 10, and Ann was nominated for an Emmy Award four times. In the 1960s, she even co-starred with Lucy for a while on The Lucy Show. While best-known as a comedienne, she was a capable dramatic actress on stage, in films, and on radio, and she was also an accomplished singer. Collin Briggs’ richly researched biography reveals the amazing life and career of one of America’s best-loved actresses. 315 pages with a complete Filmography. Illustrated. KEYWORDS Ann Sothern, silent movie, sound movie, talking pictures, talkies, Hollywood, Hollywood history, film, films, film history, movie, movie, movie history, cinema, cinema history, The Show of Shows, film musicals, Warner Bros., John Barrymore, Richard Barthelmess, Mary Astor, Dolores Costello, Helene Costello, Myrna Loy, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Ben Turpin, Rin Tin Tin, Loretta Young, Academy Award, The Whales of August, Lillian Gish, Bette Davis, radio, radio history, otr, old time radio, The Adventures of Maisie, Words and Music, A Letter to Three Wives, tv, tv history, tv comedy, tv comedies, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, sitcom, sitcoms, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, Private Secretary, Emmy Award, The Lucy Show, Collin Briggs,

Paperback

First published May 20, 2007

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

January 22nd is the centenary of Sothern's birth, so I figured this was a good time to read this book. It was written by Colin Briggs, who befriended Sothern in her later years and is full of anecdotes and stills from her movies. Light reading by a fan, but a well-deserved biography of an under appreciated movie, television and radio actress, singer and composer.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written by a fan.Unfortunately it is not well written and as a consequence you learn little about the subject.There is not a great deal of explanation about her first marriage, where she lived separately from her husband for some time.She was allowed to date "safe" men such as Caesar Romero,that is he was gay.No real explanation as to her divorce.
When an actress complains that Southern had been butcher to her the author conjectures that she must have done something to deserve it.
There is virtually nothing about the last 10 years of her life.
There is nothing about what she earned,so there is no way of judging if she needed to continue working to the extent of being carried on stage.So rather a poor effort.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intested and good book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORED Colin Briggs' biography about the lovely, talented and underappreciated Ann Sothern. I just couldn't stop reading it once I got started. Sothern's life wasn't as scandalous as her contemporaries (which is quite refreshing!), but she was a woman of many talents and interests including fishing, shooting, singing and charity work. I don't want to give away all the book's surprises, but I was amazed to discover she was instrumental in breaking up Grace Kelly's affair with Ray Milland. The book covers Sothern's life from birth to death and includes wonderful photos and quotes from letters Sothern wrote to the author. This book has definitely increased my interest in her film work. Episode guides for her two TV series are not included, but there is an extensive filmography in the back. A must-read for classic Nick at Niters and TCM Fans!