Ann Sheridan was much more than just Hollywood’s glamorous and sexy “Oomph Girl.” She was also a versatile actress who beguiled movie audiences with her vibrant personality and no-nonsense acting style opposite some of the biggest stars of the time like James Cagney, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and Errol Flynn. She excelled in multiple genres, including drama, comedy, and musical, with ease and individual style. Several of her movies, like Angels with Dirty Faces, Kings Row, and I Was a Male War Bride endure today as classic films from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
In this first-ever full-length biography, Ann Sheridan’s colorful life and 34-year career are examined in detail, including her long climb to motion picture stardom, the years as a top box-office draw, her three marriages, and other significant romantic relationships.

Michael D. Rinella is a high school special education teacher and lives in Marion, New York.

Michael D. Rinella
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 177
Bibliographic Info: 37 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9418-4
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5204-7
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments viii
Introduction: More Than Just Oomph 1
One. Denton’s Own “Personality Girl” 5
Two. The Beauty Contest Winner 10
Three. Clara Lou, Extra Girl 15
Four. The Big Paramount ­Build-Up 22
Five. In Professional Limbo 30
Six. Training Ground at Warner Brothers 34
Seven. Building “Name Value” 43
Eight. The Newest Sex Symbol, with Plenty of Oomph 55
Nine. A Star Finally in Alignment 63
Ten. Hollywood’s Mystery Man 73
Eleven. Return from Exile 78
Twelve. No Room for George 85
Thirteen. Waging Battles of Her Own 94
Fourteen. On Her Own Terms 105
Fifteen. Freelancing 113
Sixteen. Uncertain Times 125
Seventeen. Annie, Get Your Guy! 135
Eighteen. This Time It’s Different 141
Nineteen. Saying Goodbye 146
Twenty. Remembering Ann Sheridan 150
Chapter Notes 155
Bibliography 164
Index 167

• “Rinella covers Sheridan’s roles in such memorable films as Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), Kings Row (1942), and I Was a Male War Bride (1949) and highlights her co-stars James Cagney, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart. … Rinella chronicles the ups-and-downs of her love life and marriages.”—Booklist

• “Rinella charts the life of Ann Sheridan (1915–67) in this first full-length biography of the Hollywood starlet. … excellent research, shines a spotlight on the business of old Hollywood, and gives overdue credit to Sheridan. Recommended”—Library Journal