The Forgotten Flapper: A Novel of Olive Thomas

Forgotten Actresses #1

by Laini Giles

A presence lurks in New York City’s New Amsterdam Theatre when the lights go down and the audience goes home. They say she’s the ghost of Olive Thomas, one of the loveliest girls who ever lit up the Ziegfeld Follies and the silent screen. From her longtime home at the theater, Ollie’s ghost tells her story from her early life in Pittsburgh to her tragic death at twenty-five.

After winning a contest for “The Most Beautiful Girl in New York,” shopgirl Ollie modeled for the most famous artists in New York, and then went on to become the toast of Broadway. When Hollywood beckoned, Ollie signed first with Triangle Pictures, and then with Myron Selznick’s new production company, becoming most well known for her work as a “baby vamp,” the precursor to the flappers of the 1920s.

After a stormy courtship, she married playboy Jack Pickford, Mary Pickford’s wastrel brother. Together they developed a reputation for drinking, club-going, wrecking cars, and fighting, along with giving each other expensive make-up gifts. Ollie's mysterious death in Paris’ Ritz Hotel in 1920 was one of Hollywood’s first scandals, ensuring that her legend lived on.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Adult, Ghosts, New York, Film

420 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

A native of Austin, Texas, Laini Giles grew up the daughter of bookworms, and became a Nancy Drew devotee early on. When she realized there might be no escape from hairy tarantulas and bad guys with guns, she decided to write about them instead, finishing her first mystery novel with custom illustrations when she was eight.
A graduate of the University of North Texas, she put the writing on hold for a while when real life got in the way (i.e.—she met and married her Canadian husband and headed north for maple-flavored goodies and real beer). She highly recommends moving to another country and not being able to work for a year for finishing any novels you may have laying around.
Laini lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her cat Lily.

Reviews

[Anna Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars. Now I feel the need to find a really well-written biography, and learn "the truth" (as much as it can be called that, secondhand and about a hundred years later give or take a few). First person narrative wasn't my favorite thing, but it was an interesting novel. Curious to see who else the author writes about in the future. Recommended if silent film entrances you like it does with me.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction I think is a tough to get right. There's got to be the hook to get the story going, especially in the case of first person narrators. You have to get the background details correct but not let that overwhelm the story or take an artificial main stage, which a lot fall prey to--and this book neatly avoids all of that.

A perfect choice--Olive Thomas. Her eyes were even purple like Liz Taylor's.



Her ghost still reputedly haunts New Amsterdam Theater where she was a Follies chorus girl, still in her famous green dress and headdress. There's almost something comforting that she's still around and the book is narrated by this ghost, sick of enduring countless Lion Kings and Mary Poppins, but given the choice of going on or hanging out for a bit by a form filling heavenly civil servant, she decides to hang around a bit and reminisce on her life.

From a hardscrabble, Pennsylvania town, she dodges a dull early marriage, and runs to New York, where she wins "The Most Beautiful Girl in New York City" contest. From that she followed the familiar path of model, Follies girl, silent film actress, and tragic infamous death at 25. I'll have to check but she was the first to die, and I think the circumstances she died under was when the lights started to flicker on the party ending for everyone in her circles. Thomas died in 1920 from mistaking her husband, Jack Pickford, brother of The America's Sweetheart herself herself, syphilis medication for her sleeping draught (some disagree on the mistakenly part but I think totally spurious since she unfortunately lingered on long enough to tell what happened). The contributing factor if anything is the likelihood of her trying to come down from a night of cocaine, rat eating, and partying and wasn't paying attention.

The Arbuckle framing was in 1921, the Desmond Taylor murder in '22; Wally Reid's death from morphine withdrawal in '22; a second major Mabel Normand scandal in '24; Barbara LaMarr's death from cocaine overdose in '26, etc. etc. So many of the silent film stars barely made it out of the decade, let alone making it in talkies. Mabel in '30; Alma Rubens in '31 (and she makes an appearance in this book); Jack Pickford in '33; John Gilbert '36; Lottie Pickford in '36--few seemed to make it out of the wreckage unscathed from that long brilliant party. And the author does know her stuff--I only saw one small error in the whole book--and she presents it in a way that's not dull, or maudlin, or overwrought.

And I looked it up later: the pact the 6 Ziegfeld Follies girls made after getting scared by an elderly former chorine selling makeup to meet 20 years in the future to show how successful they continued to be, really did happen.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...

For the reunion dinner, only one of the 6 was still alive. Olive Thomas, the one who suggested it in the first place, dead from chemical burns from her estranged soon to be ex-husband's syphilis mercury; Martha Mansfield, a horrible death burnt alive in her super flammable Civil War era dress on a studio set when someone carelessly flicked their cigarette butt at her; Fifi Alsop, once a millionaire, died homeless in her 30s, body unclaimed for days; Lilyan Tashman, who probably achieved the most success of all of them in the 30s, died from either abdominal cancer or anorexia; and Bessie Poole, reasons unclear--potentially a brawl--leaving only Kathryn Lambert, who had 5 places set out and toasted the fallen Follies.

Not to say that this book is sad, Olive takes a very carefree attitude about it, while tearing a little for the close up. Ultimately she'd do it all over again. The only portrayal in this book I was not fond of was Mary Pickford, once again a gargoyle. I know it's popular to do, and accounts on her vary so widely and as a mega fan, I veer towards a little understanding for what she was trying to do, put up with, and just make it through her day. People forget that she was the only one who publically stood up for Mabel Normand and used her support to help a lot of people out. So many times in fiction she's cast as the shrew against Chaplin, with a lot of sexist overtones. That's not really the case in this book and I think it sets her as a foil, but I'd have liked it a bit less one sided--and Owen Moore was certainly no saint. But I think the author does a good job showing that Miss Thomas is not always the most reliable of narrators.

[Martin Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this novel for review purposes.

As both a reader and writer of novels set in and around early and classic Hollywood, I'm always interested to see how someone handles that era. Olive Thomas was a well-known star of silent era Hollywood whose fame has (undeservedly) long faded from public memory. So when "The Forgotten Flapper" came along, I was keen to sink my teeth into it, and was glad to find that I really enjoyed it. I thought the author recreated the era really well - her research really shines through. Thomas led a crazy, chaotic life through a crazy, chaotic time, and Giles captures it all so well. There were tons of references to things like cars and fabrics and day to day things I found myself highlighting to look up later. She folded it all into the narrative seemlessly - and that ain't easy! In reality, I think Olive Thomas often acted irresponsibly recklessly, and I thought Giles also managed to portray Olive sympathetically. That’s quite a skill, too, and and I think Giles pulled it off so well that I'm looking forward to what she writes next.

[Douglas Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read, hear and watch stories of old Hollywood! I do watch silent films sometimes too and I enjoy them. THE FORGOTTEN FLAPPER by Laihi Giles is based on the true story of silent film actress Olive Thomas. Not too many people remember her and if they do they know two things:

1.) she was married to Jack Pickford (brother of Mary Pickford).
And 2.) her mysterious death from ingesting mercury bichioride.

If you know and a fan of Mary Pickford (America's sweetheart) be warned, she is not a nice person in this novel. Olive and Mary really didn't get along in real life and this novel is told from Olive's point of view.

Also Olive's ghost is telling the story and if that sounds weird, it actually works. Olive is said to haunt the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City!

One finally note. The author has done a really good job in recreating Old Hollywood and this novel is the first in the FORGOTTEN ACTRESS series! I can't wait for the next one, which is about Clara Bow!

[Carol McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first person account from the ghost of Olive Thomas

The Forgotten Flapper reads like a novel, but is the mostly true story of a girl's rise from humble beginnings to a Zeigfield girl to a movie star. Olive made choices that brought her fame, marriage to Jack Pickford, and a lot of unhappiness before her death in 1920 from mercury poisoning. Her life was lived during the growth of the infant motion picture business, and she knew many of the early players. Her life was so outrageously large that it's hard to believe it was real, but the pain that came from her marriage to a drug addict who had sex with so many other women that he didn't know who had given him syphilis balanced away most of the good. The author brings the time period to life, as well as the many people who surrounded Olive Thomas. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone interested in the theater or movie industry.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Life for Olive was definitely a challenge. I especially liked that the book was well researched but wasn’t written in a textbook style.

[Shawnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olive couldn't get enough out of life.
From rags to riches, she craved more, more, more. Something was still missing.
She was a very likable lead. I enjoyed her relationships throughout. Her thirst for knowledge. Her cravings for love.
The old-timey expressions cracked me up. "...round heels..."
Everything was brilliantly descriptive. The colours vivid and smells sharp.
I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. What an exciting life this young woman led.
I shed a few tears and I giggled out loud. Laini Giles seems to effortlessly evoke the readers emotions. Good job.
I want more.

[Mardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like the era of the Ziegfeld girls, the Follies and Golden Hollywood you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Olive Thomas lived from 1894-1920. She was the most popular Flapper in the silent movies, which contrasted her tumultuous personal life with Jack Pickford. This book sets the epitome of the era - marriage, adultery, drugs, alcohol, transport, WWI, friends and family, living and dying. You may not know all the actors of the time but they are all there and all shining bright 3.5/5

[Lyn Stapleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad biography of Olive Thomas the silent movie star who was married to Jack Pickford. The author has researched her subject well and the book is narrated by Olive's "ghost". I enjoyed it and can recommend it to anyone interested in this era.

[Charlotte (abOOkishOwl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. It felt like I was brought back in time when everything else happened. Because clearly this was a well-researched story.

Full review to come.

[Jeannette Modesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Looking forward to reading 'The It Girl & Me'!

[Sheryl Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's the gal whose name nobody remembers. Olive Thomas was set to be as famous as Mary Pickford. She was even married to Pickford's brother. But her accidental death in 1920 — by drinking a mercury solution left out by her husband to treat his syphilis — meant that she was forgotten while others of her era went on to huge fame and fortune. The Forgotten Flapper is the story of Olive's life as told by her ghost, which reportedly still roams the New Amsterdam theatre, where Thomas was a member of the Ziegfeld Follies. It's a funny and well-written fictional account based closely on actual events. Good foreshadowing about Thomas' poor life choices and where they'll lead her, and I thought Giles' really captured the banter and repartee of the era.

[Deb Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flowed very well. Exciting for me, I love historical novels.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a notification for this book as one of possible interest, I have a passing interest in silent film actresses, Mary Pickford, Clara Bow and Louise Brooks but Olive Thomas wasn't a name that I was familiar with. The title and cover caught my interest and after a quick letter to Santa I received a copy and started reading on Christmas day.
I was slightly hesitant that it was a novel rather than an historical account, previous ones that I have read didn't mix fact and fiction very well but this author did a good job, mainly because she states that the events were correct but used artistic licence to write how she felt that Olive would have spoken.
The book starts with Olive narrating as a ghost at the New Amsterdam Theatre and from that point I was hooked, I thought Olive was humorous and a delightful character. After a couple of chapters I was totally in love with her and by the end I felt as bereft as if I had lost a friend.
It is a “rags to riches” book and Olive makes plenty of mistakes and the author doesn’t try to gloss over these, drugs, drink and of course affairs but she had entered a newly emerging industry and was, like many others finding her way. I read an account written by a friend of Olives after her death and she wrote that she was kind and generous to her friends and family which came over in this book.
I liked the style of writing although I found Olive’s account of her own funeral a little whimsical but the Follies reunion was genuinely upsetting, so much potential for happiness lost.
With such an interesting book why did it take me six weeks to complete? This is equally as whimsical as Olive’s funeral, “The Forgotten Flapper” was like a conversation with a friend, one you know is leaving, endless cups of tea and delays won’t prevent the final chapters but it delayed them until there were no more excuses and one has to finally say goodbye, silly but true.
Olive, like some many performers may have been forgotten but they brought a little magic to people’s lives during some dark times and Laini Giles rekindles that light.

[C.P. Lesley]

A ghost haunts the New Amsterdam Theatre, near Times Square in New York. She wears a green outfit in flapper style, and she’s just a little annoyed to realize that no one is scared of her, even though she mostly rearranges the scenery rather than clanking chains or leaping out and scaring people. Her name is Olive Thomas, and she is one of the first silent movie stars, although her early death means that she is much less famous than her sister-in-law, Mary Pickford.

Born near Pittsburgh, Olive moves to New York to escape a teen marriage and a life raised in poverty. After winning a contest as the Most Beautiful Girl in New York, she becomes an artist’s model before securing a position with Flo Ziegfeld, the mogul behind the Follies. Ziegfeld takes a shine to Olive, and soon she is not only dancing for him but has become a regular in the much racier Midnight Follies. Before long, she and Ziegfeld are involved in an affair, but when Ziegfeld goes back to his wife, Olive takes off for Hollywood. In Santa Monica, she runs into Jack Pickford, Mary’s younger brother, and discovers her kindred spirit. To the great distress of his family, the two of them drink and party their way around movie sets on both coasts. Over the course of four years, Olive makes twenty films, including The Flapper—the film that introduced that term into the national lingo. Then she and Jack decide to vacation in Paris …

The Forgotten Flapper: A Novel of Olive Thomas (Sepia Stories, 2015) brings this forgotten actress back to life. Laini Giles vividly captures both the culture of those early days when films were still called “flickers” and Olive Thomas’s complex, charming, and compelling personality. The ostrich scene alone is—dare we say it?—unforgettable.

Free podcast interview with Laini Giles at New Books in Historical Fiction.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Forgotten Flapper is an historical novel, based on the true story of one of Hollywood’s earliest stars, Olive Thomas. With only one full-length biography published to date, author Laini Giles conducted her own extensive research, and has retold Olive’s story in her own voice, bringing the ingénue with the mischievous grin vividly to life. Olive was a quick learner, impulsive and generous. On camera and on location, she was a risk-taker, one of the pioneering talents who made Hollywood the world’s film-making capital.

Unfortunately, Olive’s ambitions were often derailed by her chaotic love life. In retrospect, her marriage to Jack Pickford was doomed from the start. While Jack may have been Hollywood’s original bad boy, and their marriage was marred by immaturity, the other men in Olive’s life were little better. But though her romances may have ended in tears, they were filled with passion and adventure.

The Forgotten Flapper is a racy, action-packed read. It is beautifully designed, with each chapter beginning in a different setting, and sections divided into ‘intermissions’ and ‘reprises’, befitting a real-life silent movie. Reflecting the legend that Olive’s ghost haunts the New Amsterdam Theatre, the novel begins and ends with two amusing, and bittersweet chapters, as told from ‘beyond the grave’. The rest is effectively a fictional memoir, but I would have liked to hear more from the spectral Olive Thomas.

The book also includes an extract from Laini Giles’ next project, The It Girl and Me, chronicling the rise and fall of Clara Bow from the perspective of Daisy DeVoe, the secretary who befriended and ultimately betrayed the star, in one of the last great scandals of early Hollywood.

[Raven Haired Girl]

Admittedly I was drawn to this book for the era. Something about classic Hollywood fascinates me, undoubtedly a crazy time period always proving exciting. I was also interested in learning of Olive Thomas an accomplished silent film era actress, long forgotten. With a perfect storm I couldn't wait to see how Giles would work her craft, needless to say she created a fabulous story.

The book's presentation cannot go unnoticed it resembles a silent movie including 'intermission' and 'reprises' extremely well done on Giles part, her attention to detail is noted and greatly appreciated.

The setting is perfect. Giles referenced plenty absorbing the reader into the era, cars, clothes, places, people so much more. Giles' impeccable research is noticed, enhancing the reader experience completely.

I found Olive fascinating, her choices leave you shaking your head, not always exercising better judgement yet you adore this creature as Giles delicately depicts Olive with a measure of well deserved compassion. Olive would be proud of Giles' version of her life shared with the audience.

Giles, an authoress to keep on your radar, with her stellar writing, outstanding research not to mention an entertaining era and character, she delivers an amazing book. I can't wait to read more from this über talented authoress.

Visit Raven Haired Girl for more reviews & giveaways

[Vincent T. Ciaramella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been sitting here for a few minutes trying to think of a way to start this review and all I can come up with is "WOW"!!!

My wife and I listened to this book in its entirety on our way back from South Carolina to Pittsburgh. I love silent films and I just found out about Olive a few weeks ago (I am more of a silent horror film guy but branching out). She grew up not far from where my great granddad lived in Charleroi , PA. He was a few years older but you never know, they could have talked at some point.

What I loved about this book is the research that went into writing it. I felt like I was watching a docu-drama while driving...lol.

I could gush on and on but I will stop there. This is the best book I have read in a long time. I did some digging and found the locations of where she lived both in Charleroi and in McKees Rocks. I am going to take a drive out to all the locations to photograph them. Maybe, the ghost of Olive can tear herself away from the theater and join us.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Forgotten Flapper follows little known actress Olive Thomas's journey from a poor Pennsylvania family, to the Ziegfield Follies, to silent film actress. She eventually became the original "Baby Vamp" and the sister-in-law of Mary Pickford. I liked: the story is told in first person narrative and the author does a good job transporting the reader to the first twenty years of the 20th century. It did pique my interest in the Follies! I did not like: the incessant name dropping got tedious as did the constant use of euphemisms. I suppose people swore back then as they do now but the F-bombs were a bit much. Olive wasn't a very likeable person and I wasn't able to muster much sympathy for her even with her tragic demise. The Forgotten Flapper was a decent read but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! I have waited forever to read a book on Olive Thomas. I have been intrigued by her since childhood. This was written as if Olive was telling us the story. Fiction that reads like nonfiction. Written in a style most celeb autobios are written in...."I make good choices but those around me don't." It was a perfect way to tell a story about a big celebrity that no one now knows because she died in 1920. She was a big star before talking pictures were a thing and married a Pickford. A Ziegfeld girl, the most beautiful woman alive...Olive was royalty at the beginning stages of Hollywood. Her death was horrible and it is featured in this book just as horribly as I have imagined it.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good book for a historical fiction novel. A fascinating look at the woman that became the fist baby vamp/flapper and her rise from the coal mines of Pennsylvania to marriage into first great acting families of the silver screen to her untimely accidental death. It reads like a who's who of the early 20th century stage and film. I found it just as interesting to use the Kindle version to highlight and look up on Wikipedia all the well known at the time stars Olive Thomas met in her young life

[Sharon Bandhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

It grabbed me & wouldn't let me go!

I enjoyed Laini Giles' writing style tremendously! Extremely absorbing story. I couldn't (& didn't want to) pull myself away! Olive's "voice" made me feel like I was living her life. 2 things: the end of the Prologue makes it sound like the owner of the theatre would be telling the story, & the very end (the last paragraph) seemed too pat, OR (SPOILER ALERT), perhaps that was a foregone conclusion, since she died at 25. VERY highly recommended.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for introducing me to Olive Thomas!

I truly enjoyed the tale of a forgotten Hollywood "baby vamp" and the first "flapper"! If I hadn't come across this book, I would have missed out on an amazing tale of a small town beauty who stormed the Ziegfield Follies and early movie making in both New York & California. I highly recommend this book to not only those enthralled by early Hollywood stars, or the first part of the 20th century, but also anyone who likes to delve deep and immerse themselves in the characters & their stories. This book is for you!

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book!Olive and I have a lot in common.We both hale from Pennsylvania steel towns.We both hate it and think there has to be something better.The similarities stop there. Ollie is funny and friendly and eventually gets out of Pa and to NY where she finds a job and then her life as an actress and dancer.Her death comes much too young.The fact that this is a mostly factual story is fascinating. Jen Taylor was a wonderful narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical fiction novel that works on every level. It serves as a pseudo biography of Olive Thomas, the movie star who was active in silent films from 1916 to 1920 and died under mysterious circumstances in Paris in 1920. The story is narrated by Olive's ghost who is now haunting the New Amsterdam Theatre in NYC. Mary and Jack Pickford figure prominently in Olive's life, and the book does a great job of detailing the highs and lows she experienced in her short 25 years. Highly recommended.

[Nine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Die Übersetzung hat mir soweit gefallen, leider fehlten im Buch 2 Seiten und generell eben auch ein gutes Lektorat. Mich haben die vielen Fehler immer wieder aus der Geschichte rausgebracht. Die Hauptfigur war mir auch nicht wirklich sympathisch. Beim nächsten Buch vielleicht Crowdfunding für Übersetzung und Lektorat?

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read!

The way the story of her life was presented drew me in and I could not put down this book. The life of Olive Thomas was so interesting and sad and this author had such a great way of telling her story.

[Coffeenoir (David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. The research for the characters was very good and it gas made me want to look up some of Ollie's movies. Luckily there srr links at the end of the Kindle book that I plan on checking out. The writing was so well done it was a great read

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Such a fun twist on a sad tragedy. I fell in love with Olive and I can't wait for more books from Laini. For my full review, check it out on booktube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUGrg...

[Josie Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breezy, dishy without being mean except around a few well documented known old hollywood jerks. Well researched historical fiction. Believable voice for the nowadays fairly obscure Olive Thomas. Will be reading the author's other books of the era as i find them. I eat this stuff like candy.