Dorothy Arzner

Dorothy Arzner, a true trailblazer, was born in San Francisco and grew up in Los Angeles, where her father owned a restaurant frequented by many early Hollywood stars. This early exposure to the burgeoning film industry clearly rubbed off, as she eventually left medical school to pursue a career in cinema. Frankly, given the state of healthcare then, perhaps it was for the best. And think of the silver lining: fewer doctors, but more excellent movies featuring strong women.

Starting in 1919, Arzner worked her way up from script girl to editor, and eventually, to director in 1927. Over a career spanning two decades, she directed 17 feature films, often focusing on independent and ambitious female protagonists. She also invented the boom microphone, which, while not as glamorous as directing, saved many a sound engineer from contorting themselves into pretzels.

Despite her undeniable talent and impact, Arzner kept her private life, including her long-term relationship with dancer Marion Morgan, very private. Her legacy, however, is anything but, with a body of work that continues to inspire and challenge conventions. While she didn't exactly have a synagogue membership card, her contributions to film certainly brought a different kind of pride to anyone who appreciates groundbreaking art.