One of the 10 Best Books of 1997 - Quill & Quire, and a co-winner of the University of British Columbia Medal for Canadian Biography, this work reveals the true legacy of Mary Pickford, often remembered merely as a silent film star who portrayed innocent children. Born in Toronto in 1892, she began acting as a child to support her family after her father's death. By 17, she transitioned from stage to film with D.W. Griffith’s Biograph company, achieving immense popularity. This success enabled her to establish her own production company and, in 1919, co-found United Artists with Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks, gaining creative control over her films. Eileen Whitfield meticulously details Pickford’s life, from her early struggles to her reign at Pickfair, the glamorous estate she shared with Fairbanks. The biography delves into her complex relationship with her mother, her innovations in film acting, and her significant impact on Hollywood, paving the way for future female filmmakers. Whitfield’s eight-year research effort presents Pickford as a multifaceted figure whose influence on celebrity culture and the film industry is profound. This definitive biography sheds new light on one of the most influential yet misunderstood artists in popular culture.
Eileen Whitfield Reihenfolge der Bücher (Chronologisch)
