Tomorrow, Ann Blyth, one of the last remaining figures from Hollywood's Golden Age, will celebrate her 97th birthday.
Ten years ago, I published a book on her career, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star., that had its roots in a year-long series of blog posts in 2014 on her work. As I mentioned a couple months ago, I've been working on putting out a second edition, with some additional material, and making a hardcover version available, as well, for the first time.
I'm pleased to announce that the book is now out in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audio. I guess that covers all bases.
This is to announce a new/old project. Ten years ago, I publishedANN BLYTH: ACTRESS. SINGER. STAR. A lot of water has gone under the bridge in the last decade, but it remains a book close to my heart.
In the past several weeks, I've been tinkering with the manuscript with the intention of publishing a second edition, one that will include a few more bits of info, a handful of additional photos from her stage appearances, an afterward about the book, and...an additional hardcover edition.
I'm also working to get the print paperback more widely available. At the moment, the eBook is sold through a variety of online shops, including my own, here. The print book currently is available only from Amazon. In the coming weeks, I hope to make the print paperback book also available through Barnes & Noble online and as many other online shops as possible.
The new hardcover edition at first will be sold only through Amazon, but I hope in future to make the hardcover also available for purchase at other venues.
As part of the publicity for Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948), Ann Blyth--or rather, her cartoon image--joined Superman in Action Comics for an adventure. From my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.:
In
a creative bit of publicity for this movie, Ann Blyth—as the mermaid—made a
guest appearance with Superman in Action
Comics #130, March 1949.She is
shown on the cover flying away in Superman’s strong arms while a jealous Lois
Lane glowers below them.Their brief
adventure, “Superman and the Mermaid,” involves real-life actress Ann Blyth in
her mermaid costume on set running afoul of pirates.She is nearly drowned, and taken captive by
them.Ann shows real grit in poking
around the pirates’ cave and trying to discover their shenanigans.Superman is, of course, required to save the
day.
You can have a look at a few of the actual pages of the comic book here at this link from an article on the CBR website by Brian Cronin.
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Looking for a gift a classic film fan?Have a look at my book --Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.
For more on my other books and plays, please see my website: JacquelineTLynch.com
"Lynch’s book is organized and well-written – and has plenty of amusing observations – but when it comes to describing Blyth’s movies, Lynch’s writing sparkles." - Ruth Kerr, Silver Screenings
"Jacqueline T. Lynch creates a poignant and thoroughly-researched mosaic of memories of a fine, upstanding human being who also happens to be a legendary entertainer." - Deborah Thomas, Java's Journey
"One of the great strengths of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is that Lynch not only gives an excellent overview of Blyth's career -- she offers detailed analyses of each of Blyth's roles -- but she puts them in the context of the larger issues of the day."- Amanda Garrett, Old Hollywood Films
"Jacqueline's book will hopefully cause many more people to take a look at this multitalented woman whose career encompassed just about every possible aspect of 20th Century entertainment." - Laura Grieve, Laura's Miscellaneous Musings''
"Jacqueline T. Lynch’s Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is an extremely well researched undertaking that is a must for all Blyth fans." - Annette Bochenek, Hometowns to Hollywood
Ann Blyth performed on radio many times. Here Ann stars in an episode of the program Proudly We Hail, which was a production of the U.S. Army Recruiting Service that ran from 1946 to 1957. The program produced comedies, dramas, musical episodes, and included promotional spots for U.S. Army recruitment.
Ann appears in "There's No Escape," a suspense story released for broadcast April 17, 1949. The shows were "transcribed," meaning they were not performed live, but rather recorded on a disk in the studio, as you may infer from the image of the record label above.
The episode can be heard or downloaded from the Internet Archive website, or have a listen here on YouTube:
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Looking for a gift a classic film fan?Have a look at my book --Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.
For more on my other books and plays, please see my website: JacquelineTLynch.com
"Lynch’s book is organized and well-written – and has plenty of amusing observations – but when it comes to describing Blyth’s movies, Lynch’s writing sparkles." - Ruth Kerr, Silver Screenings
"Jacqueline T. Lynch creates a poignant and thoroughly-researched mosaic of memories of a fine, upstanding human being who also happens to be a legendary entertainer." - Deborah Thomas, Java's Journey
"One of the great strengths of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is that Lynch not only gives an excellent overview of Blyth's career -- she offers detailed analyses of each of Blyth's roles -- but she puts them in the context of the larger issues of the day."- Amanda Garrett, Old Hollywood Films
"Jacqueline's book will hopefully cause many more people to take a look at this multitalented woman whose career encompassed just about every possible aspect of 20th Century entertainment." - Laura Grieve, Laura's Miscellaneous Musings''
"Jacqueline T. Lynch’s Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is an extremely well researched undertaking that is a must for all Blyth fans." - Annette Bochenek, Hometowns to Hollywood
Ann appeared on Ed Sullivan's popular television variety show on February 14, 1954, to not only publicize her recent film The Student Prince (1954), co-starring with Mario Lanza, but to showcase individually her magnificent singing talent. Here is an excerpt from my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.:
Ann
got a chance to sing “Deep in My Heart” without Mario, in an exquisite solo on
live television a few months before the film’s release.Along with an array of other MGM stars, she
appeared on Ed Sullivan’s Toast of the
Town, February 14, 1954.The episode
was a salute to the thirtieth anniversary of MGM.Sullivan and studio head Dore Schary, both in
tuxedos, discussed MGM’s past history of films, showed clips of current movies,
and showcased some splendid live performances that were highlights of MGM’s
recent films, including a spirited rendition of “Sobbin’ Women” from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with
Howard Keel and the actors who played his brothers in the film.Ann and Edmund Purdom performed a brief scene
from The Student Prince, where they
slip away from the ball and plan to run away together, but must part, possibly
forever, when the prince is called away.Then Ann, dressed in her serving Mädchen
dirndl sings “Deep in My Heart,” though without the blonde wig.Her dark hair is cut in a short pageboy bob
style of the day.Her rendition is
splendid, delivered with astonishing power and loveliness, with the hat tip of
the high note at the end, we may think, “Mario who?”
And here's that clip from the show, currently found on YouTube:
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Looking for a gift a classic film fan?Have a look at my book --Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.
For more on my other books and plays, please see my website: JacquelineTLynch.com
"Lynch’s book is organized and well-written – and has plenty of amusing observations – but when it comes to describing Blyth’s movies, Lynch’s writing sparkles." - Ruth Kerr, Silver Screenings
"Jacqueline T. Lynch creates a poignant and thoroughly-researched mosaic of memories of a fine, upstanding human being who also happens to be a legendary entertainer." - Deborah Thomas, Java's Journey
"One of the great strengths of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is that Lynch not only gives an excellent overview of Blyth's career -- she offers detailed analyses of each of Blyth's roles -- but she puts them in the context of the larger issues of the day."- Amanda Garrett, Old Hollywood Films
"Jacqueline's book will hopefully cause many more people to take a look at this multitalented woman whose career encompassed just about every possible aspect of 20th Century entertainment." - Laura Grieve, Laura's Miscellaneous Musings''
"Jacqueline T. Lynch’s Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is an extremely well researched undertaking that is a must for all Blyth fans." - Annette Bochenek, Hometowns to Hollywood
