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Mary Pickford: Queen of the Movies
In the early days of cinema, when actors were unbilled and unmentioned in credits, audiences immediately noticed Mary Pickford. Moviegoers everywhere were riveted by her magnetic talent and appeal as she rose to become cinema's first great star.
In this engaging collection, copublished with the Library of Congress, an eminent group of film historians sheds new light on this icon's incredible life and legacy. Pickford emerges from the pages in vivid detail. She is revealed as a gifted actress, a philanthropist, and a savvy industry leader who fought for creative control of her films and ultimately became her own producer.
This beautifully designed volume features more than two hundred color and black and white illustrations, including photographs and stills from the collections of the Library of Congress and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Together with the text, they paint a fascinating portrait of a key figure in American cinematic history.
In this engaging collection, copublished with the Library of Congress, an eminent group of film historians sheds new light on this icon's incredible life and legacy. Pickford emerges from the pages in vivid detail. She is revealed as a gifted actress, a philanthropist, and a savvy industry leader who fought for creative control of her films and ultimately became her own producer.
This beautifully designed volume features more than two hundred color and black and white illustrations, including photographs and stills from the collections of the Library of Congress and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Together with the text, they paint a fascinating portrait of a key figure in American cinematic history.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2012
About the author
Christel Schmidt
2 books11 followersChristel Schmidt is the leading expert on the films of Mary Pickford. She was awarded two fellowships, in 2000 and 2004, from the National Endowment for the Humanities for her research in locating and identify Pickford films in US and European film archives. Her work has been used by the Women Film Pioneers Project and the Mary Pickford Foundation.
Schmidt is a film historian, writer and editor. She co-edited Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture (Little, Brown and Company, 2007) and is currently researching and writing about the careers of stage actresses during the progressive era.
Schmidt is a film historian, writer and editor. She co-edited Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture (Little, Brown and Company, 2007) and is currently researching and writing about the careers of stage actresses during the progressive era.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 12, 2020
The legend of Hollywood
In the early days of cinema, fans recognized Mary Pickford in movies when actors were unmentioned in credits. Her magnetic talent and appeal made her the first movie star. In his 1923 autobiography, studio founder Sam Goldwyn wrote; there was no detail of film production which she had not grasped more thoroughly than any man, and she knew pictures not only from the standpoint of the studio, but also from that of the box office. If we look back at her career from her humble beginnings, she emerges as a Hollywood phenomenon. By the age of twenty-four, she was running her own production company, the Pickford Film corporation. Three years later, she cofounded Hollywood’s first independent film distribution company, the United Artists (UA). She knew the industry inside and out. For her, it was an art, and a passion.
This is a knockout biography by Editor Christel Schmidt. Each chapter is written by a film historian, and they recreate Pickford's life meticulously. This book explores the intricate psychology tied to her mother and analyzes Pickford's brilliant innovations in film acting and movie business. There are several illustrations and photographs from the Library of Congress and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which helps the reader to connect with her life. The story of Pickford is described extremely well. This is a highly readable book.
In the early days of cinema, fans recognized Mary Pickford in movies when actors were unmentioned in credits. Her magnetic talent and appeal made her the first movie star. In his 1923 autobiography, studio founder Sam Goldwyn wrote; there was no detail of film production which she had not grasped more thoroughly than any man, and she knew pictures not only from the standpoint of the studio, but also from that of the box office. If we look back at her career from her humble beginnings, she emerges as a Hollywood phenomenon. By the age of twenty-four, she was running her own production company, the Pickford Film corporation. Three years later, she cofounded Hollywood’s first independent film distribution company, the United Artists (UA). She knew the industry inside and out. For her, it was an art, and a passion.
This is a knockout biography by Editor Christel Schmidt. Each chapter is written by a film historian, and they recreate Pickford's life meticulously. This book explores the intricate psychology tied to her mother and analyzes Pickford's brilliant innovations in film acting and movie business. There are several illustrations and photographs from the Library of Congress and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which helps the reader to connect with her life. The story of Pickford is described extremely well. This is a highly readable book.
August 11, 2025
One of those absolutely beautiful great big coffee table books about a classic actress. It includes 235 wonderful images and illustrations.
Back in the early days of silent films, a time when the names of actors were not available because it was deemed low-end entertainment and a not respectable profession and the fact that studios did not want actors to become popular where they had to pay them better. Pickford was considered the first great movie star, which inspired several pet names for her, notably “The Biograph Girl”, “Goldilocks”, “The Girl with the Curls”, “America’s Sweetheart”, and “The Queen of the Movies”.
Mary Pickford was a force to be reckoned with once she got started. She did everything, what an amazing lady. Because of her popularity she was able to negotiate increased wages for herself up to as much as $10,000 a week at one time. She formed her own corporation, her own production company, along with Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and D. W. Griffith created United Artists film studio. Plus, so many more accomplishments in her lifetime.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the chapters within the book are written by quite a few different people. Some are reprints from books or previous articles. And unfortunately, that begets a lot of repetition of events in Mary Pickford’s life. I will say that I have been unhappy with that.
Bottom line this is a five star book for any film aficionado.
Back in the early days of silent films, a time when the names of actors were not available because it was deemed low-end entertainment and a not respectable profession and the fact that studios did not want actors to become popular where they had to pay them better. Pickford was considered the first great movie star, which inspired several pet names for her, notably “The Biograph Girl”, “Goldilocks”, “The Girl with the Curls”, “America’s Sweetheart”, and “The Queen of the Movies”.
Mary Pickford was a force to be reckoned with once she got started. She did everything, what an amazing lady. Because of her popularity she was able to negotiate increased wages for herself up to as much as $10,000 a week at one time. She formed her own corporation, her own production company, along with Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and D. W. Griffith created United Artists film studio. Plus, so many more accomplishments in her lifetime.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the chapters within the book are written by quite a few different people. Some are reprints from books or previous articles. And unfortunately, that begets a lot of repetition of events in Mary Pickford’s life. I will say that I have been unhappy with that.
Bottom line this is a five star book for any film aficionado.
November 13, 2022
Mary Pickford was such an influential figure in film history that is not discussed enough. This goes over her life and growth with the film industry. I did feel some of the sections were repetitive of each other, but it was still very interesting.
July 8, 2013
This is a gorgeous coffee table book. The photos are wonderful and the text is interesting. It's perfect for Mary Pickford fan or silent movie aficionado. For the rest of us -- get it from the public library and enjoy! It's not a biography, but the text is surprisingly interesting and well done. And if you get the chance to see a Mary Pickford movie and/or hear editor Christel Schmidt speak, grab it! We heard her recently, and enjoyed it very much.
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January 25, 2013I'm really enjoying this book, edited by Christel Schmidt, who will be visiting Indiana University Cinema to discuss Mary Pickford's career and her pivotal impact on the development of the early film industry. I look forward to the screening of Pickford's film Sparrow and to the opportunity to engage with Schmidt.
I have very little knowledge of Pickford's career. This book and the upcoming visit are going to help me start to change that dynamic.
I also plan to watch Mary Pickford: American Experience, view some of Pickford's films, and learn more about the formation of United Artists. Pickford was one of the UA founders in 1920. She's quite multi-faceted.
I have very little knowledge of Pickford's career. This book and the upcoming visit are going to help me start to change that dynamic.
I also plan to watch Mary Pickford: American Experience, view some of Pickford's films, and learn more about the formation of United Artists. Pickford was one of the UA founders in 1920. She's quite multi-faceted.
May 8, 2013
Gorgeous coffee table book of essays edited by a dedicated Pickford scholar. I dropped 45 bucks on this after seeing the author speak because she made the fruits of her years spent in dusty archives seem like DELICIOUS CANDY.
February 3, 2013
I had heard of Ms. Pickford through general movie history books, and decided to pick this up at the library to learn more about her. After reading this, I cannot wait to go and watch some of her movies. This would make an excellent addition to any movie lovers collection or as a coffee table book.
October 11, 2019
Didn't finish...
February 20, 2021
Like a trip back.
One of the best bios. Re creates a forgotten time
Great photo s
Glad to hear about the preservation. Worth watching her.
One of the best bios. Re creates a forgotten time
Great photo s
Glad to hear about the preservation. Worth watching her.
June 3, 2021
coffeetable book. Lots of pictures. Not a chronological biography, but still interesting.
October 23, 2018
For those interested in the silent film era and women's involvement, this book will fill in some of the gaps that general film history discussions usually leave out. I'm not certain that those without an interest in the early film era will find the book intriguing.
December 15, 2024
Reading many chapters at a time will re-tread information. They are written by a variety of people, so they sometimes cover the same ground. However, it is nice to hear from different voices with different perspectives. The reader comes away feeling that Pickford accomplished an amazing amount of work during her career even compared to modern times, but for her to have accomplished it in an era when women only recently earned the right to vote is astounding. The various authors discuss her costumes, her private life, her patriotism, and her efforts to preserve her history, among other topics.
I met the author at a screening of The Little American at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio and had her sign this book for me. She was enthusiastic about the film and very knowledgeable about Pickford.
This book is full of beautiful, large, high-quality images of Pickford.
I met the author at a screening of The Little American at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio and had her sign this book for me. She was enthusiastic about the film and very knowledgeable about Pickford.
This book is full of beautiful, large, high-quality images of Pickford.
October 8, 2013
This is a really intereting look into the early days of American cinema and the woman who was the first movie star, as well as an important writer and producer. I really enjoyed reading it but as with any anthology of pieces about a subject, it had no real chronological structure and was often repetitive, while on the other hand it sometimes seemed to assume more knowledge than I had. On the whole it's an accessible intoduction to Pickford and American society in her period, and I'm glad I read it.
May 7, 2013
A beautiful book containing a mixed bag of essays concerning Mary Pickford, America's Little Sweetheart. While I loved the collection of photographs and am going to see a Pickford film this week for the first time because of this book, I found the essays pretty shallow and repetitive. Um, kind of what you'd expect for a glossy coffee table book?
October 27, 2016
More than just a coffee-table book. I learned a lot about this extraordinary actress from the silent movie era.
May 20, 2013
Beautiful photographs.
June 10, 2018
Mary Pickford: If you ask me, she's not just "Queen of the Movies"...she's a total badass. This compilation of essays drives that point home again and again. Not only was she talented, she was incredibly smart and doesn't get anywhere near the credit she deserves, especially when compared to her male peers.
This is another one of those instances where I wish there were half-star increments. For me, this was really a 3.5 star book, mainly because there was quite a bit of repetition and overlap between several of the essays. Overall, though, I really enjoyed it. I had liked her before but have a much greater appreciation and respect for her after learning more about her creative and business acumen. The photos and stills from the Library of Congress were a nice bonus.
This is another one of those instances where I wish there were half-star increments. For me, this was really a 3.5 star book, mainly because there was quite a bit of repetition and overlap between several of the essays. Overall, though, I really enjoyed it. I had liked her before but have a much greater appreciation and respect for her after learning more about her creative and business acumen. The photos and stills from the Library of Congress were a nice bonus.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews