Maria gets a book she deserved - one that takes her seriously, goes in depth to her life, times and films. Debunks a lot of myths (Canary Islands, Dominican diplomat) and clarifies: she was the daughter of a well off Dominican planter, married some dude at twenty and was with him for a bit, dumped him, went to New York to be discovered, was, signed to Universal. Things I thought were false were true (eg fiancee who died flying a plane).
Montez worked hard and was lucky - in that Universal put her in a sarogn, yes, but also that a classy producer Walter Wagner could arrange for colour, and she clicked with Sabu and Jon Hall. Without Hall she struggled: Tangier, Pirates of Monterey. Yvonne de Carlo took her place though also Montez simply moved countries.
The films are affectionately treated. The photo sessions get very thorough treatment. Maybe there's one too many sentences describing them. But they were important, I guess.
Montez comes across as a likeable figure. Driven, smart, a bit eccentric. It wasn't worth her fighting with Universal but I don't think that her going along with Frontier Gal helped. If she'd been more co operative I think she would've gone out of fashion - I can't see her kicking on like de Carlo or Maureen O'Hara.
She had a close family, married well. It was a good life. Still had money. Had some flops but she would've kept employed. She died tragically young (heart attack in bath) but it would've been quick and painless.
Zimmerman did a very good job.
No comments:
Post a Comment