Norma Shearer: A Biography [Hardcover]

Gavin Lambert (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One of the few stars of the silent era to seque successfully into sound films, Norma Shearer (1902-1983) immersed herself in the art of cinematic illusion, emerging as one of MGM's most talented and glittering early stars. The centerpiece of such classic films as Marie Antoinette , Private Lives and The Women , Shearer was equally well-known for her marriage to boy-mogul cum Hollywood myth Irving Thalberg. Lambert's opening chapter, in which he meets the long-retired, septuagenarian film legend in a Hollywood restaurant, holds the promise of a guided tour to the outer reaches of ambition and vanity. But Shearer's mask is opaque, and Lambert ( On Cukor ) is unable to peel it away. Preposterously vain and steel-willed even from the grave, the actress ultimately triumphs over her biographer as the keeper of her own flame. Photos. (May) .
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Norma Shearer was queen of the MGM lot in the 1930s. Married to the studio's head of production, Irving Thalberg, Shearer starred in such movies as The Divorcee , The Women , and Idiot's Delight . She was nominated for five Academy Awards, and won one. Her last film was released in 1942, but Shearer lived until 1983. In comparison to Lawrence J. Quirk's Norma: The Story of Norma Shearer (St. Martin's, 1988), Lambert's book is more detached, although both authors interviewed Shearer. Quirk comes across as more of a fan and features more quotes from Shearer's coworkers. Lambert's book has more insight. Each book has information not included in the other; both are worthwhile.
- John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 381 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1st edition (May 12, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394551583
• ISBN-13: 978-0394551586
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive biography of a Star!, June 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Norma Shearer: A Biography (Hardcover)

This is a fascinating look at the life of one of the most memorable stars of the 30's. Chronicles her life from her humble beginings to her arrival in Hollywood and her marriage to Irving Thalberg. Richly detailed, including interviews with Ms. Shearer done just before her death. Anyone with an interest in Ms. Shearer, or movie buffs in general, will fnd this book a delightful read. Illustrated throughout with exclusive photos of Ms. Shearer and her family. I highly recommend this book and it is well worth the search to find an out-of-print copy.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Queen of the Complicated Women!, November 30, 2003

By 

Annick "Librarian Diva" (Bronx, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Norma Shearer: A Biography (Hardcover)

This is a must-read for anyone interested in early Hollywood, when stars had class. Norma Shearer is not as well remembered as she should be today, but after reading this book, you will be craving for more! This book is the best source there is out there for a look at this Queen of the MGM Lot (as she was called during her reign throughout the '30's) even though it has flaws. It gets some details of her career wrong, but the overall sense is that this is someone who accomplished a lot in terms of roles for women during the pre-code era of film. She played sophisticated society ladies who were just a bit naughty and flirtatious (and unapologetic!) She is worth remembering, so please seek out this book where you can find a copy and realize what those of us who have been captured by her star quality already know.......she was a star like no one else!
I also recommend a companion book to this(or if you can't locate a copy) Mick LaSalle's Complicated Women. He explains the glory that is Norma better than anyone can!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit tart for my tastes., February 17, 2005

By 

Leigh Melton (Dawsonville, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Norma Shearer: A Biography (Hardcover)

Gavin Lambert does not seem to feel especially warm toward the subject of this book. His brief descriptions of meetings with her, when she was an elderly woman, seem designed to show her in the worst possible light. His constant mention of the fact that a woman in her seventies has wrinkles and that her memory sometimes failed irked me. It was as if Lambert was bitterly disappointed that his subject was a mere mortal after all.

Lambert also seems to think he was privy to Miss Shearer's most private of thoughts. I seriously doubt she confided in him about her sexual history, fulfilling or otherwise. He also veers toward taking her attitudes toward mental illness completely out of context; people still struggle with their feelings about it, and to condemn Miss Shearer for her shame and alarm regarding her sister's illness is to single her out for criticism, in my opinion very unfairly.

Having said all that, overlooking his personal interjections and, as others have noted, an overly long look at the early life of Irving Thalberg, for those interested in Miss Shearer's life this is an interesting and absorbing book. After reading it I feel I know the facts about her career and biographical details, but I am hoping to find another book which will give me more of a sense of who she really was.

As this item is out of print, copies tend to be somewhat expensive. While I am glad I read it, I am also glad I paid less than $50 for the privilege.