Nana is a 1934 American pre-Code film, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, released through United Artists, starring Anna Sten. and directed by Dorothy Arzner and George Fitzmaurice.
Nana | |
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Directed by | Dorothy Arzner George Fitzmaurice |
Produced by | Samuel Goldwyn |
Starring | Anna Sten Lionel Atwill Richard Bennett Mae Clarke |
Cinematography | Gregg Toland |
Edited by | Frank Lawrence |
Production company | |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
This version of Émile Zola's 1880 novel and heroine was to be the vehicle for Sten's triumph as Samuel Goldwyn's trained, groomed and heavily promoted answer to Greta Garbo. Despite a record-breaking opening week at Radio City Music Hall, Sten was received as beautiful but disappointing.[citation needed]
Goldwyn's tutoring of Sten is mentioned in Cole Porter's 1934 song "Anything Goes" from the musical of the same name: "If Sam Goldwyn can with great conviction / Instruct Anna Sten in diction / Then Anna shows / Anything goes."
A Parisian streetwalker is discovered by a theatrical impresario and becomes a stage success. At her height of popularity, she falls in love with a soldier, and draws both ire and fascination from his protective older brother.
The film was a box office disappointment.[1][2] This was the 1st of the 3 movie Anna Sten made with Samuel Goldwyn before releasing her from his contract.