Nora Prentiss, Original Vintage Half Sheet

Nora Prentiss, 1947

Directed by Vincent Sherman

“I can whistle through my fingers, bulldog a steer, light a fire with two sticks, shoot a pistol with fair accuracy, set type, and teach school ”

Clara Lou, aka, Ann Sheridan

A favorite pet of  Bogie, The Texas flamecat could also smoke, drink and wise-ass with the boys as well as sing, dance, and act. Despite her talents, the studios* didn’t know quite what to do with her for 40 films until they cooked up the “Oomph Girl” idea in 1939. America was on the verge of World War II and the studios shrewdly decided it would be wiser to spend money promoting wholesome American sex symbols instead of the deluge of Foreign Floozies served up for most of the thirties.

Pin-up Ann Sheridan

With the help of Photoplay, The Screen Guild and more, Sheriden got upwards of 250 marriage proposals in a week and became pin-up fodder for several years. The studio was thrilled. Sheriden was miserable. Warners demanded that she had to go out on the town 3 nights a week to be seen and photographed dates. Her favorite dance partner? The dashing, dandy and elegantly gay man-date, Ceasar Romero.

Then they decided the “Oomph Girl” did not have enough “oomph”. So she had to twirl around with a foam enhanced Bustier. This is especially funny when you consider that in her spare time the Texan would work on old cars in her friends garage.

Sheriden repeatedly went on strike for better parts. Unfortunately, the strikes did not do a lot of good. Sheriden was so far down the pecking pole on a Warner roster stuffed with amazing bitches (Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, Olivia DeHavilland, Ida Lupino) that she never had much of a chance at a really smokin’ script.  So Ms. Sheridan worked hard and became the best “B” actress on the lot.
Nora Prentiss is a primo example of her skills. This and The Unfaithful are considered her star vehicles. Southern plays a singing tramp. But unlike Ida Lupino or Gloria Grahame, she is a “good” tramp. You can tell she’s good because in the first scene with the doc she covers her knee for modesty. The rest of the scene (this is after some guy runs her down with a truck) she’s teasing the uptight doc.  I don’t know where he got his medical degree, but giving someone a stiff drink for a dizzy spell sounds like something my relatives down in New Orleans might do. Hmmmm.

Dating Trivia:

Who did Ann really date? Would you believe Uncle Milty and Jack Benny. Yes, it’s true.

Condition:

Nora Prentiss, 1947. Original Vintage One Sheet. Near Mint Condition. Paperbacked. No Marks or tears. Restoration.