The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era - Hardcover

Menefee, David W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0275982599 ISBN 13: 9780275982591

Publisher: Praeger, 2004

Synopsis

The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era rediscovers the fascinating lives and pioneering achievements of 15 women who dared to venture into early motion pictures, an industry dominated by men, and who not only succeeded but became the focal points of the industry. Each star earned a position at the height of her profession, and though many are largely forgotten today, made a lasting and significant contribution to early cinema. In this entertaining and informative volume, author David Menefee reveals these women and their signature roles, drawing on many original sources to show us how such actresses as Theda Bara, Sarah Bernhardt, Dorothy Gish, and Norma Talmadge were received in their time, and the many ways in which their influence remains important today.

Each profile contains a biographical treatment, an analysis of key films from her career, a discussion of the actress's influence on the medium, and selected filmography. Each also includes two photographs, most often one of the actress herself and a still from a film.

About this title

About the Author

     David W. Menefee is an American author. His writing career began as a writer and marketing representative for the Dallas Times Herald and the Dallas Morning News. David struck out on his own as a freelance writer, succeeding with Sarah Bernhardt: In the Theater, Film and Sound Recordings, The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era, and The First Male Stars: Men of the Silent Era. 
     As an esteemed film historian, his Richard Barthelmess: A Life in Pictures was named one of the Top 10 Books of the Year by the San Francisco Examiner. In 2010, George O'Brien: A Man's Man in Hollywood, and "Otay!" The Billy "Buckwheat" Thomas Story were popular hits. In 2011 his Wally: The True Wallace Reid Story was nominated for a 2011 Pulitzer Prize.  
David's other popular literary works include The Remarkable Mr. Messing, Brothers of the Storm, Charlie O'Doone's Second Chance and Other Stories, The Rise and Fall of Lou-Tellegen, the Margot Cranston mystery series, Falling Stars: 10 Who Tried to be a Movie Star, and Sarah Bernhardt, Her Films, Her Recordings.
     David also works as a ghost writer, screenwriter, and book editor. He lives in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Reviews

With each passing year, their glory fades just a little bit more, but in their heyday they were the most glamorous women the world then knew. They could--indeed, had to-- move an audience to tears with just a gesture, make them laugh with the flick of an eye. Theda Bara, Sarah Bernhardt: these names are legends of Hollywood history; but there were other, equally talented yet lesser known actresses whose contributions to the movie industry have gone largely unheralded--names such as Mae Marsh and Gene Gauntier. Some went from stage to screen; others started out in silent films only to have their careers ended by the "talkies." In an era when women were fighting for the right to vote, these women were among the most powerful in their field, breaking new ground as directors, producers, and screenwriters. With obvious affection and through painstaking research, Menefee brings back to life the women who truly were pioneers of the movie industry. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Praeger
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0275982599
• ISBN 13: 9780275982591
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256