Florence Lawrence, the Biograph Girl: America's First Movie Star [Paperback]

Kelly R. Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786430893 | ISBN-13: 978-0786430895 | Publication Date: March 20, 2007

Florence Lawrence's film career began just as the cinema was being born. She recognized the wonder and appeal of the fledgling industry, and her early work with the Vitagraph company gained her a legion of fans and a reputation as a willing and hard working actress. In 1908 she appeared in Romeo and Juliet--America's very first screen Juliet. By 1909, she was working steadily for the Biograph studio--she was dubbed "the Biograph girl"--and was being praised for her "personal attractions" and "very fine dramatic ability." But just as Lawrence was the first movie star in the industry, she was also one of the first to be undone by it. Hindered by setbacks, grueling work schedules, self-imposed retirements, three marriages, repeatedly unsuccessful comeback attempts, Lawrence finally committed suicide in 1938. This impressively researched piece of film history represents the first full-length biography of Florence Lawrence, also called "The Girl of a Thousand Faces." Among the photographs are some never before published. A complete filmography of Lawrence's entire career is provided. A summary chapter includes comments from various critics and historians, addressing how Lawrence is important to film history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A lively and compelling story of an equally lively and compelling--but sidelined--celebrity...a splendidly seamless narrative...intelligent, charming and multifaceted volume...an extensive filmography...highly recommended. --Choice

McFarland & Company's film-related books are renowned for their thorough research, and author Kelly R. Brown is to be lauded for maintaining McFarland's standards...the definitive--as well as the only--comprehensive biography of Lawrence...uses every possible shred of information to shed light on Lawrence's mostly forgotten life and career. --Winston-Salem Journal

Brown provides a close look at an era in American filmmaking that most people never even consider, and a sympathetic, realistic account of an actress who was touched by the sprouting of the American cinematic dream-machine fantasy. --The Hamilton Spectator

About the Author

Journalist and film researcher Kelly R. Brown lives in Statesville, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786430893
• ISBN-13: 978-0786430895
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Addition to Film History Chronicling, July 23, 1999

By 

Annette D'Agostino Lloyd ([e-mail]) (Glendale, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Florence Lawrence, the Biograph Girl: America's First Movie Star (Library Binding)

Kudos to Kelly Brown, for having the insight and smarts to tackle a tremendously difficult challenge: introducing this generation to a woman, and a film legend, who should need no introduction at all. Florence Lawrence, call her what you will, be it The Biograph Girl or The Woman of a Thousand Faces, is very important to film history. She was, truly, the first movie star, the initial performer who SO intrigued her audience as to inspire the masses to demand to know her name (remember that, then, those on the screen were not afforded any publicity at all: the story, the writer, and the director, were the billed entities). Flo changed all that, and in so doing, became the first true movie star. She deserves remembrance, and Kelly Brown has given us a stellar memorial to learn from and enjoy. I had the honor of not only contributing the photo of the Lawrence grave, but answering Brown's incredibly insightful questionnaire, which balances out an important and worthy biography, a complete and detailed filmography, and an intriguing and rare glimpse at the private life of Florence Lawrence. This book belongs in the libraries of any person interested in cinema history, as well as those who want to learn how to do exemplary and careful research. No doubt that Flo is grateful for Kelly Brown's work: so are we.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, scholarly bio of a nearly-forgotten star, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Florence Lawrence, the Biograph Girl: America's First Movie Star (Library Binding)

I first noticed Florence lawrence when I bought a copy of Daniel Blum's "Pictorial History of the Silent Screen". So many of the pictures in that book were of Florence that my curiosity was piqued. Who was this woman? Thank goodness Kelly Brown wrote such an entertaining and scholarly biography. I wish there were more bios out there on early and perhaps forgotten stars. Bravo, Kelly Brown! And thank you for all your hard work!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Film Buffs, June 23, 2005

By 

Jery Tillotson "author" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Florence Lawrence, the Biograph Girl: America's First Movie Star (Library Binding)

This slender volume is fascinating because it finally paints a well-researched picture of the long forgotten Florence Lawrence. I've always been fascinated by her after seeing publicity stills of her from the mid-1900s. She appeared to be warm, charismatic and fascinating. Her greatest tragedy is that none of her films have been shown in eighty years. I have one of her shorts, "Flo's Discipline" which only lasts about twelve minutes but it gives you a hint of how dazzling she was before the cameras. While her cohort, Mary Pickford, went onto a spectacular career that included mind-boggling salaries and a world-famous Hollywood castle, Pickfair, poor Lawrence was living in a small, hotel room, being paid a few dollars a week as an extra at MGM. Her life would make a wonderful movie--and a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of how fleeting fame is, and how fickle is the public when it comes to remaining faithful to the flavor of the month.