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Mary Pickford Rediscovered

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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 a theatre after seeing a Pickford film, they were often uplifted, feeling generous towards their fellowman.

Brownlow has done a wonderful job of 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 commentary on each Pickford film, makes 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, as well as their friendship with Charlie Chaplin. They knew little, however, 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 did not 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 its subject and augmented by rare and breathtaking photographs, is a must own for anyone who loves film. Its overall perspective of America's Sweetheart, and ultimately the world's sweetheart, Mary Pickford, is unmatched. Pick this one up today!

If you've browsed around to find this title, you probably know something about silent films, films in general, or Mary Pickford-and, make no mistake, you are going to love this book. If none of the above applies to you-yet-you are still going to love it! Mary Pickford was an actress of amazing charm and subtlety, very different from the image most of us have of her today, and even without a copy of one of her films nearby(you're going to want to seek them out), the photographs show it, and the wonderful text by Kevin Brownlow supports it. Put this one on your coffee table, and see how many of your friends are suddenly converted to an interest in silent films!

If you know nothing else of Mary Pickford just remember that she was an actress who's like we have never seen before nor since-someone without peer.
Born Gladys Smith in Toronto,Ontario,Canada she had a very tough childhood and in her very younger years found herself having to help support her family.These times were to steel her temperment and as she entered into show busines(on stage) her confidence grew as did her determination to succeed for her family and for herself.
In a few years time she had become very successful plying the "boards" of many major and minor vaudeville and playhouses in North America.When she stepped into the Biograph studios in New York City looking for "temporary" work between stage jobs and was introduced to legendary director DW Griffith,fate stepped in and Mary was to pretty much play out the rest of her acting career in front of the camera.
She was to go on to turn Hollywood on its collective ear obtaining more money,power and success no other woman before or since has ever achieved there.She could do it all and DID it; everything from tragedy to comedy and everything in between.
I recommend the reader purchase any of the DVDs now becoming available of her works.
In the meantime purchase THIS wonderful volume of her life in pictures annotated by film historian Kevin Brownlow.Handsomely bound and chock full of pictures dedicated to the first and best "America's Sweetheart".

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.

The king of silent film historians lends his name to this superb portrait of America's Sweetheart. I've been fortunate enough to have seen over a dozen of Pickford's films and this book is long, long overdue! Wonderful photographs and an excellent introduction for anyone to the greatest star there ever was. One hopes with this book and the upcoming Video box set, Mary will finally get the respect and adoration currently reserved for Keaton, Chaplin and Garbo.

Remember the wonderful coffee-table books of the 1970s and '80s, and the late, lamented "Films of . . ." series? This is a high-end version of those, a photo tribute to Mary Pickford, and essays on each of her films. Kevin Brownlow is, of course, a brilliant and witty writer, and the photos here (some not published since the 1910s) are well worth browsing through. Expensive, but how often does a book like this come along?

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.

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.

This is a fine pictorial book with informative text dedicated to one of the greatest ladies of the cinema. Beautiful images abound with such a crisp clarity given the age of many of these photographs. This book also clears up some of the misconceptions that many people may have of Mary Pickford, that being of the sole notion of the "little girl" image. In fact she was an accomplished actress, innovative, and an astute businesswoman. Miss Pickford is a credit to the arts and was instrumental in the development of the film industry. Its wonderful she's getting the recognition she deserves.

Kevin Brownlow has assembled a wonderful gallery of Pickford images surrounding all aspects of her professional life... including a great gag shot of America's Sweetheart dressed as her husband, swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks, and "slaying" her film crew. A delightful look at the triumphs of the first bona-fide movie star in cinematic history.