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In the days of silent cinema, Mary Pickford was unmatched in popularity. Known as "America's Sweetheart," she lived a fairy-tale life appropriate to such status--marrying Douglas Fairbanks at the height of both their careers and living in the legendary mansion called Pickfair (which she maintained until her death in 1979). The world's first superstar was best known for playing children, which her youthful appearance and acting abilities allowed her to do well into her 30s. She was also, however, an amazingly versatile performer as well as a shrewd businesswoman and film producer. Pickford was a founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences--she's credited with having conceived of the institution--and she cofounded United Artists with Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith, and Douglas Fairbanks.

Today, it's a precious treat to view one of Pickford's movies, since silent cinema is rarely revived in the theaters and her films have only recently begun to circulate on video. But fans and film historians hungry for Pickford's talent will devour the hundreds of magnificent (and mostly never-before-published) photographs and production stills collected in this stunning tribute to the Hollywood legend. This lush book features 232 black-and-white photos and stills--many taken by some of the century's most talented still photographers and cinematographers.

Robert Cushman's detailed introduction discusses the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' arduous process of collecting the photographs, many of which were for decades believed lost. The main text, which limns Pickford's career and traces the photographs and films in chronological order, was composed by Kevin Brownlow, author, documentary filmmaker, and restorer of silent movies. Brownlow incorporates interviews with Pickford and her former colleagues, period accounts, anecdotes, and technical information about the process of creating a silent film. This gorgeous, fascinating title brings silent movies alive--even for those people who may never have seen one--and, most importantly, pays well-deserved homage to a woman without whose influence the film institution could well have taken a different course. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Outstanding in Every Respect
This is the latest book by the leading historian on silent cinema, Kevin Brownlow. Like all of his other works, it is outstanding. Mary Pickford is thought of mostly as the grown up woman who played little girl roles in films that are unwatchable today. However, this is not true. Pickford was an actress of considerable range, not to mention the fact she was a very shrewd businesswoman. She was and is one of the key figures in the history of film. Brownlow, more than any other writer, puts Pickford's career in perspective, and he spends the majority of the book providing detailed commentary about her films. Furthermore, there are many superb stills from her films in this book.

This book is for all lovers of film and should spark renewed interest in Pickford's life and films.

Discover Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford Rediscovered is a wonderful book, for it allows the reader to follow Pickford's career in films both through the text and through the large number of pictures which bring this writing to life. The main body of the book comprises Kevin Brownlow's film-by-film analysis. His description of these films is fair and even-handed. He is obviously a fan of Pickford, but does not allow this to cloud his judgement. His commentary includes criticisms when these are just, but this means that when he does praise a particular film there is a sense that the film has real merit.

Brownlow's balanced opinions contrast rather with those of Robert Cushman, who provides a long introduction to the book. In his justified desire to raise Mary Pickford to the position she deserves in film history, Cushman, at times, goes rather over-the-top in his admiration. But this is a minor criticism for the introduction is, on the whole, thought provoking and informative.

It is to be hoped that more of Pickford's films might soon be available for viewers to see at home. This book makes the reader long to see the films which are described, so that the magnificent still photographs might move. In this way Mary Pickford could be really rediscovered.

My Mary Pickford Bible
Not only has Kevin Brownlow helped to restore Mary Pickford's movies and researched for year and years, he actually met her. His reviews of each film are incredible and easy to look up. The pictures are amazing, many I have never seen before. His stories about keeping Mary's legend alive are interesting and his efforts are admirable. This book is worth every penny and then some.

A Life on Film
England's Kevin Brownlow brings to life America's Sweetheart, Mary Pickford, in this richly textured and insightful book featuring a myriad of lush and rare photographs chosen by Pickford expert Robert Cushman. Mary Pickford's contribution to cinema is seen in a new light here. Brownlow subtly makes the case that she not only was the most influential woman in the history of cinema, but a visionary force for the film industry itself.

It is difficult in today's climate of instant access to information to understand just how popular Mary Pickford was in her day. She was embraced by the entire world, and reportedly, every twenty four hours, 12 1/2 million people saw her on screen. She perfected her craft in an era of film when very few people actually saw her natural acting style for the hard work and genius it was. George Cukor called her the first method actor.

Mary Pickford's career as an actress spanned decades. She did much for women with her strong business savvy and the roles she not only portrayed, but created. A very practical woman by all accounts, her films themselves reflected our better side as human beings and were often sentimental in tone. She didn't play weak characters as many of her contemporaries did. When people walked out of the theatre after seeing a Pickford film, they were often uplifted, feeling generous towards their fellowman.

Brownlow has done a wonderful job bringing Mary Pickford to life as a three dimensional human being. With all the rare and beautiful photographs here to distract you it would have been easy to have an uninspiring text. But the introduction by Cushman, and the lengthy and insightful comments by Brownlow, which includes comments on each Pickford film, make this a mesmerizing journey into a life, both on film, and off.

There were many things about Mary the public knew, such as the famous Pickfair and her celebrated marriage to Douglas Fairbanks and their friendship with Charlie Chaplin. They knew little of a young girl who virtually had no childhood. Before her career finally took off she was poor in the extreme, sleeping in a chair so long it would take quite some time after owning a bed before she could sleep in any other position.

Some knew of her first marriage to actor Owen Moore, but few knew he was an abusive alcoholic who would drive Mary to seek comfort with actor and director James Kirkwood. They certainly didn't know that in 1917, at the height of her fame, Mary almost committed suicide. Though these aspects of Mary's life are only touched upon and not dealt with in depth, it is admirable they are here at all, separating this from other coffee table books.

The photographs are so stunningly beautiful (some never before seen) you may have trouble concentrating on the text. Of particular note are photographs on pages 110, 65, 17, 12, 27, 154, 121, and 66. They are not to be missed.

This lush and informative book, filled with affection for it's subject and augmented by rare and breathtaking photographs, is a must own for anyone who loves film. It's overall perspective of America's Sweetheart, and ultimately the world's sweetheart, Mary Pickford, is unmatched. Pick this one up today!

Just your typical perfect book from Kevin Brownlow
Is there a better writer on the silent era than Keven Brownlow? Look at his earlier books: THE PARADE'S GONE BY. . ., THE WAR, THE WEST AND THE WILDERNESS (someone reissue this book-PLEASE!), NAPOLEON, BEHIND THE MASK OF INNOCENCE, DAVID LEAN (OK, not a book about silent movies, but Lean's pictorial sense owes so much to that era that is a terrific bridge to that time) and now this book.

Mary Pickford did it all, and she did it before Astaire started dancing. Starring, writing, producing, studio exec-she did so much that looking over her history makes you realize just much the movie industry has slid backwards when it comes to women. Brownlow's book shows us how important she was by reproducing some remarkable stills and writing insightful commentary as only he can do. The "Little Mary" of this book is not some antique gathering dust on the shelf of film history, but a vital, exciting actress who may be of her time, but her spirit is more of today than yesterday, and something so needed today. As a companion to Scott Eyman's acclaimed biography (MARY PICKFORD-AMERICA'S SWEETHEART, originally published by Donald I. Fine), this book deserves to be on the shelf of ANYONE who loves movies for what they really are-dreams on film. ... Read more

Book Description

Mary Pickford was a key figure in movie history, both as the first major silent-film actress and as a founder of United Artists, which made her the first major female film executive. Perhaps the first actress to convey realistic emotion on the screen, she was known as "America's sweetheart" from 1916 on, enchanting moviegoers with her amusing portraits of golden-haired princesses as well as her moving portrayals of sad-eyed waifs.

Eileen Whitfield re-creates Pickford's life in vivid detail, from her poverty-stricken childhood in turn-of-the-century Toronto through her reign as mistress of Pickfair, the Beverly Hills estate where she and her swashbuckling husband, Douglas Fairbanks, entertained in the 1920s, to her sadly moving demise in 1979. Along the way Whitfield casts a new light on one of the most important-but least understood-artists in the history of American film. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Excellent biography of the biggest female silent star
Although I've read several books on Mary Pickford, I was still glued to my seat as I read this fascinating biography. This book really concentrates on her relationships with her husbands Owen Moore; Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.; and Buddy Rogers. It is also thorough in covering her family of Charlotte, Jack, and Lottie. My only disappointment was that the not much of the actual making of her films was covered in-depth. The book has a perfect title, as she was probably the most powerful person in Hollywood from about 1915 until the coming of sound.

For Mary Pickford fans and students of the American cinema
Mary Pickford was a key figure in American cinematic history. She became the first major silent-film actress and went on to become the first major female film executive as one of the founders of Untied Artists. Popular known in her acting heyday as "America's sweetheart", she enchanted moviegoers with her portraits of golden-haired princesses as well as her moving portrayals of sad-eyed waifs. Eileen Whitfield's Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood recreates Pickford's personal and professional life in vivid detail from her poverty-stricken childhood in turn-of-the-century Toronto, through her undisputed reign as mistress of Pickfair (the Beverly Hills estate where she and her actor husband Douglas Fairbanks entertained in the 1920s), to her sadly moving demise in 1979. Pickford is "must" reading for all Mary Pickford fans and students of the American cinema.

Nice- but did anyone proofread this?
This is a very nice book on an important actress. It becomes obvious that it was written while Buddy Rogers and Douglad Fairbanks Jr. werre living and updated to mention their deaths. It seems no one bothered to proof read the text when this was done.
Pg 366- "The University of Southern California will in herit these items after Rogers's death"
Pg 369- "On April 21, 1999, Rogers, frail at ninety-four, died..."

Pg 369- "Fairbanks Jr. continues his career of good works". It should have been "Continued" because in four lines he "died at the age of ninety-four..."

OK- this is nit-picking, but when you pay for a Paperback, you have the right to expect that an editor should have gone over the manuscript. Were they rushing this out to catch some of the interest generated by the re-release of Pickford's films?

Fascinating Woman - Fascinating Book
This biography is comprehensive without being dry and "scholarly." It reads like a novel, and it is a surprisingly even-handed biography, illuminating Miss Pickford's genius while showing us her not-so-attractive side. Time is spent on the alcoholism that was a prominent part of the last half of her life, and on her fights with family, including her three husbands, her two adopted children and the friendships she made, cultivated or broken along the way.

A good deal of time is also spent on how United Artists worked in its inception, why the founders thought that such a company was necessary and on the politics inside the company throughout its history. There is a Notes section that tells us where the anecdotes and quotes come from, and a tantalizing bibliography that I will end up using in search of other books on Miss Pickford and on silent film in general.

Buddy Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. were still around when this book was being researched and written, and they, along with numerous others, seem to have shared insights that help us understand the lady, and Fairbanks sheds some light on her complex and lasting love with his father - they continued to be very close up until his death. This may be one of the last things that Fairbanks and Rogers contributed to, and if this is how they would be remembered, its not a bad thing.

If you are interested not only in her films (which run far afield of just the "Little Mary" whom we all have heard about and seen), and for an interesting, highly readable overview of silent film in general, this biography is a must read. I am personally glad I bought it for myself, rather than borrowing it from the library (as I do with many books), because as I learn more about the era and see more of her films, I'm sure I'm going to want to go back to it again (probably more than once).

fabulous
Since this is one of the very best biographies of a movie actor this longtime film buff has ever read, I have to say I don't understand other readers' quibbles with it. The book isn't just beautifully written and well-researched, it's full of insights, perceptions and thoughts -- which most biographies are terribly short of. Silent movies and silent-movie acting are difficult subjects to discuss in fresh and provocative ways, and here Whitfield also triumphs. Her book is a great introduction to the early days of film and of film stardom too. But beware: this isn't a pop or trashy biography, and it isn't fanzine stuff either. This is literate, intelligent work -- think Arlene Croce or Simon Callow. Could that be what some readers are annoyed by? ... Read more