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Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Book Reviewed: Mary Pickford: Queen of the Movies by Christel Schmidt

The legend of Hollywood

In the early days of cinema, fans recognized Mary Pickford in movies when actors were unmentioned in credits. Her magnetic talent and appeal made her the first movie star. In his 1923 autobiography, studio founder Sam Goldwyn wrote; there was no detail of film production which she had not grasped more thoroughly than any man, and she knew pictures not only from the standpoint of the studio, but also from that of the box office. If we look back at her career from her humble beginnings, she emerges as a Hollywood phenomenon. By the age of twenty-four, she was running her own production company, the Pickford Film corporation. Three years later, she cofounded Hollywood’s first independent film distribution company, the United Artists (UA). She knew the industry inside and out. For her, it was an art, and a passion.

This is a knockout biography by Editor Christel Schmidt. Each chapter is written by a film historian, and they recreate Pickford's life meticulously. This book explores the intricate psychology tied to her mother and analyzes Pickford's brilliant innovations in film acting and movie business. There are several illustrations and photographs from the Library of Congress and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which helps the reader to connect with her life. The story of Pickford is described extremely well. This is a highly readable book.

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