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The Girls in the Picture
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife, a “rich exploration of two Hollywood friends who shaped the movies” ( USA Today )—screenwriter Frances Marion and superstar Mary Pickford
“Full of Old Hollywood glamour and true details about the pair’s historic careers . . . a captivating ode to a legendary bond.”— Real Simple
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY REAL SIMPLE
It is 1914, and twenty-five-year-old Frances Marion has left her (second) husband and her Northern California home for the lure of Los Angeles, where she is determined to live independently as an artist. But the word on everyone’s lips these days is “flickers”—the silent moving pictures enthralling theatergoers. Turn any corner in this burgeoning town and you’ll find made-up actors running around, as a movie camera captures it all.
In this fledgling industry, Frances finds her true writing stories for this wondrous new medium. She also makes the acquaintance of actress Mary Pickford, whose signature golden curls and lively spirit have earned her the title “America’s Sweetheart.” The two ambitious young women hit it off instantly, their kinship fomented by their mutual fever to create, to move audiences to a frenzy, to start a revolution.
But their ambitions are challenged by both the men around them and the limitations imposed on their gender—and their astronomical success could come at a price. As Mary, the world’s highest paid and most beloved actress, struggles to live her life under the spotlight, she also wonders if it is possible to find love, even with the dashing actor Douglas Fairbanks. Frances, too, longs to share her life with someone. As in any good Hollywood story, dramas will play out, personalities will clash, and even the deepest friendships might be shattered.
With cameos from such notables as Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Rudolph Valentino, and Lillian Gish, The Girls in the Picture is, at its heart, a story of friendship and forgiveness. Melanie Benjamin brilliantly captures the dawn of a glittering new era—its myths and icons, its possibilities and potential, and its seduction and heartbreak.
“A boffo production . . . Inspiration is a rare and unexpected gift in a book filled with the fluff of Hollywood, but Benjamin provides it with The Girls in the Picture .”—NPR
“Profoundly resonant, The Girls in the Picture is at its core, an empowering and fascinating tale of sisterhood.”—Bryce Dallas Howard
“Full of Old Hollywood glamour and true details about the pair’s historic careers . . . a captivating ode to a legendary bond.”— Real Simple
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY REAL SIMPLE
It is 1914, and twenty-five-year-old Frances Marion has left her (second) husband and her Northern California home for the lure of Los Angeles, where she is determined to live independently as an artist. But the word on everyone’s lips these days is “flickers”—the silent moving pictures enthralling theatergoers. Turn any corner in this burgeoning town and you’ll find made-up actors running around, as a movie camera captures it all.
In this fledgling industry, Frances finds her true writing stories for this wondrous new medium. She also makes the acquaintance of actress Mary Pickford, whose signature golden curls and lively spirit have earned her the title “America’s Sweetheart.” The two ambitious young women hit it off instantly, their kinship fomented by their mutual fever to create, to move audiences to a frenzy, to start a revolution.
But their ambitions are challenged by both the men around them and the limitations imposed on their gender—and their astronomical success could come at a price. As Mary, the world’s highest paid and most beloved actress, struggles to live her life under the spotlight, she also wonders if it is possible to find love, even with the dashing actor Douglas Fairbanks. Frances, too, longs to share her life with someone. As in any good Hollywood story, dramas will play out, personalities will clash, and even the deepest friendships might be shattered.
With cameos from such notables as Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer, Rudolph Valentino, and Lillian Gish, The Girls in the Picture is, at its heart, a story of friendship and forgiveness. Melanie Benjamin brilliantly captures the dawn of a glittering new era—its myths and icons, its possibilities and potential, and its seduction and heartbreak.
“A boffo production . . . Inspiration is a rare and unexpected gift in a book filled with the fluff of Hollywood, but Benjamin provides it with The Girls in the Picture .”—NPR
“Profoundly resonant, The Girls in the Picture is at its core, an empowering and fascinating tale of sisterhood.”—Bryce Dallas Howard
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2018
1056 people are currently reading
21087 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Benjamin
15 books3,461 followersMelanie Benjamin is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE and THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, as well as the national bestseller ALICE I HAVE BEEN, and THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB, THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE, MISTRESS OF THE RITZ and THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD. Her next novel is CALIFORNIA GOLDEN, a dazzling saga of mothers, daughters and sisters set in the vibrant surf culture of 1960s California. It will be out in August 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,410 reviews
December 27, 2017
5 epic, huggable, flickering stars to The Girls in the Picture ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Before reading this book, what I knew about Mary Pickford, America’s Sweetheart, was vague. I knew even less about her best friend and prolific screenwriter, Frances Marion. As I read this, I kept thinking this book is epic. This book was engrossing, unputdownable, thorough, perfectly written. I can’t imagine two more fully-developed and well-crafted “characters” than Mary and Frances, and it’s a bonus that they were based on real life people and heaps of research carried out by the author.
Just as I knew little of Pickford and Marion, I knew even less about these early days of Hollywood. The silent flickers, Charlie Chaplin, the first talkies, and the founding of major film studios. I love learning new things while I read, which is why historical fiction continues to be a favorite genre of mine. These things were just the cherry on top of the sundae because the heart of the story was the ever-evolving, endearingly relatable, and complex friendship between Mary and Frances. Anyone who has had a lifelong friend will be able to relate to at least some of the waxing and waning, affection and strife, that the two experienced. In addition to their friendship, these two had full, adventurous lives, which made me their stories even more enthralling.
An important message was the role of women, especially strong, trailblazing women, in early Hollywood. It was interesting to read this book just after another WWI book (Last Christmas in Paris), which also featured a female journalist and war correspondent. It was also fascinating to read about Hollywood and the US during that war to get a different perspective from England and France who had no choice but to be fully immersed in the war from its inception.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially involving early Hollywood, this is an absolute must-read. Fabulous book! I also wanted to add, I put in one of my updates that this reminded me a bit of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo because of the old Hollywood feel and “a few” (not seven! 😆) Hollywood marriages.
I happen to have all of Melanie Benjamin’s backlist purchased previously and somehow languishing unread. After finishing this book, I’ll be making sure I carve out time to read each of her other books. I’m hoping for some more epic historical reads!
Thanks to Melanie Benjamin, Random House/Delacorte Press, and Netgalley, for the complimentary ARC.
The Girls in the Picture releases on January 16, 2018.
Before reading this book, what I knew about Mary Pickford, America’s Sweetheart, was vague. I knew even less about her best friend and prolific screenwriter, Frances Marion. As I read this, I kept thinking this book is epic. This book was engrossing, unputdownable, thorough, perfectly written. I can’t imagine two more fully-developed and well-crafted “characters” than Mary and Frances, and it’s a bonus that they were based on real life people and heaps of research carried out by the author.
Just as I knew little of Pickford and Marion, I knew even less about these early days of Hollywood. The silent flickers, Charlie Chaplin, the first talkies, and the founding of major film studios. I love learning new things while I read, which is why historical fiction continues to be a favorite genre of mine. These things were just the cherry on top of the sundae because the heart of the story was the ever-evolving, endearingly relatable, and complex friendship between Mary and Frances. Anyone who has had a lifelong friend will be able to relate to at least some of the waxing and waning, affection and strife, that the two experienced. In addition to their friendship, these two had full, adventurous lives, which made me their stories even more enthralling.
An important message was the role of women, especially strong, trailblazing women, in early Hollywood. It was interesting to read this book just after another WWI book (Last Christmas in Paris), which also featured a female journalist and war correspondent. It was also fascinating to read about Hollywood and the US during that war to get a different perspective from England and France who had no choice but to be fully immersed in the war from its inception.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially involving early Hollywood, this is an absolute must-read. Fabulous book! I also wanted to add, I put in one of my updates that this reminded me a bit of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo because of the old Hollywood feel and “a few” (not seven! 😆) Hollywood marriages.
I happen to have all of Melanie Benjamin’s backlist purchased previously and somehow languishing unread. After finishing this book, I’ll be making sure I carve out time to read each of her other books. I’m hoping for some more epic historical reads!
Thanks to Melanie Benjamin, Random House/Delacorte Press, and Netgalley, for the complimentary ARC.
The Girls in the Picture releases on January 16, 2018.
January 30, 2018
The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin is a 2018 Delacorte Press publication.
I love tales from old Hollywood- the silent pictures, the scandals, the innovations and vision that are felt throughout the industry to this day.
This story zeroes in on the tumultuous friendship between movie star Mary Pickford and screenwriter, Frances Marion.
I loved the way Benjamin gives Frances such real and believable voice as she regales us with the beginning days of ‘flickers’ and the way her friendship with Pickford developed, flourished, was tested, then faded, but through good and bad times, was never broken.
The portrait of both Pickford and Marion is vivid, as is the way the movie industry got off the ground and how Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charles Chaplin became the first big movie stars. The story captures that exciting atmosphere, but also gives the reader a look at the issues facing women in the industry, which, although this is a piece of historical fiction, makes this a timely topic, all the same.
The struggles Marion and Pickford faced helped pave the way for women in the industry, and will sound all too familiar as women continue to grapple with the same power imbalances, harassment, and the pressure to make concessions on the way to success.
Pickford is a sad figure, stereotyped, with her fans refusing to allow her to ever grow up. She’s often shallow, self- absorbed, and jealous, while Marion is the pragmatist, often giving in to whatever Pickford wanted.
This is an interesting approach to Marion and Pickford’s long friendship. Although the pacing is just a tiny bit uneven at times, I think Benjamin pulls it off beautifully.
Naturally, anytime I read a work of fiction, based on real people, it always makes me wonder what was real and what was fiction, and of course I always want to read more on the subject or person. The author provides the reader with a few reading suggestions, so I will certainly want to take her advice to learn more about the silent film era, and look at both Marion and Pickford a little closer.
I’ve said this about Melanie Benjamin before, but I think it bears repeating. She certainly does have a knack for writing historical fiction. I’m always impressed with the way she takes well known figures from the past, and gives them a voice that seems so utterly real, I keep having to remind myself that it is a work of fiction.
Overall, this is an interesting, fascinating, and incredibly absorbing look at the silent film era, and two of the most influential ladies of their time.
4.5
I love tales from old Hollywood- the silent pictures, the scandals, the innovations and vision that are felt throughout the industry to this day.
This story zeroes in on the tumultuous friendship between movie star Mary Pickford and screenwriter, Frances Marion.
I loved the way Benjamin gives Frances such real and believable voice as she regales us with the beginning days of ‘flickers’ and the way her friendship with Pickford developed, flourished, was tested, then faded, but through good and bad times, was never broken.
The portrait of both Pickford and Marion is vivid, as is the way the movie industry got off the ground and how Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charles Chaplin became the first big movie stars. The story captures that exciting atmosphere, but also gives the reader a look at the issues facing women in the industry, which, although this is a piece of historical fiction, makes this a timely topic, all the same.
The struggles Marion and Pickford faced helped pave the way for women in the industry, and will sound all too familiar as women continue to grapple with the same power imbalances, harassment, and the pressure to make concessions on the way to success.
Pickford is a sad figure, stereotyped, with her fans refusing to allow her to ever grow up. She’s often shallow, self- absorbed, and jealous, while Marion is the pragmatist, often giving in to whatever Pickford wanted.
This is an interesting approach to Marion and Pickford’s long friendship. Although the pacing is just a tiny bit uneven at times, I think Benjamin pulls it off beautifully.
Naturally, anytime I read a work of fiction, based on real people, it always makes me wonder what was real and what was fiction, and of course I always want to read more on the subject or person. The author provides the reader with a few reading suggestions, so I will certainly want to take her advice to learn more about the silent film era, and look at both Marion and Pickford a little closer.
I’ve said this about Melanie Benjamin before, but I think it bears repeating. She certainly does have a knack for writing historical fiction. I’m always impressed with the way she takes well known figures from the past, and gives them a voice that seems so utterly real, I keep having to remind myself that it is a work of fiction.
Overall, this is an interesting, fascinating, and incredibly absorbing look at the silent film era, and two of the most influential ladies of their time.
4.5
December 27, 2017
This is a novel I will be recommending to everyone. Historical fiction, The Girls in the Picture is a book for everyone who has an interest in the evolution of film and of women trying to be taken seriously in the workplace.
Frances doesn't want to be an actress, but she wants to be a part of the movies, and she finds her niche as a "scenarist" during the era of silent films, when the "flickers" were considered a low form of entertainment and certainly not an art form. She becomes great friends with Mary, who has been on the stage taking care of the rest of her family since she was just eight years old. Mary comes to the flickers because of the money. The two women are at the forefront of a burgeoning industry, which means becoming the first movie stars with rabid fans.
The story covers the challenges of the casting couch for female actresses. Women can't take time off for children--men don't have that worry and can have all the kids they want. All the Harvey Weinstein-esque terrible sexual behavior existed then, but perhaps worse was that women's ideas were also belittled.
Marriage, life, and careers strain their friendship. The Girls in the Picture is a masterfully written novel about the personal and professional bonds of women during a fascinating time in history.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book, which RELEASES JAN 16, 2018.
For more of my reviews, please visit http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
Frances doesn't want to be an actress, but she wants to be a part of the movies, and she finds her niche as a "scenarist" during the era of silent films, when the "flickers" were considered a low form of entertainment and certainly not an art form. She becomes great friends with Mary, who has been on the stage taking care of the rest of her family since she was just eight years old. Mary comes to the flickers because of the money. The two women are at the forefront of a burgeoning industry, which means becoming the first movie stars with rabid fans.
The story covers the challenges of the casting couch for female actresses. Women can't take time off for children--men don't have that worry and can have all the kids they want. All the Harvey Weinstein-esque terrible sexual behavior existed then, but perhaps worse was that women's ideas were also belittled.
Marriage, life, and careers strain their friendship. The Girls in the Picture is a masterfully written novel about the personal and professional bonds of women during a fascinating time in history.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book, which RELEASES JAN 16, 2018.
For more of my reviews, please visit http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
December 15, 2017
You can read this and all of my reviews at Lit·Wit·Wine·Dine.
I really enjoyed The Swans of Fifth Avenue and started getting excited about The Girls in the Picture as soon as it was announced. In fact, it was the book I was most excited about receiving at Book Expo 2017. Melanie Benjamin was as much a delight in person, at her in-booth signing, as she is on her social media accounts. She even allowed me to blather on about her kitchen reno (it looks fantastic) and her cats at some length without calling security.
As for the book, it did not disappoint. It’s very evident that the author did an enormous amount of research on Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, their families, lovers, husbands, and the movie industry itself. I was fascinated by the actual events leading to their rise to power in Hollywood.
The elements that made this book special, however, are the character development and the portrayal of the relationship between Mary and Frances. Melanie Benjamin has taken the historic information and weaved in a little imagination/magic, creating characters that are beyond multi-dimensional. They are as highly nuanced as their relationships with one another.
In reading The Girls in the Picture, I was constantly reminded of the sacrifice and struggles women have always had to make in order to get to the tops of their professions. Hollywood was certainly no exception, then or now. Their fast, glamorous, monied lives did not come at no cost.
This book is an excellent exploration of the friendships of strong women – admiration, respect, mutual dependency, jealousy, insecurity – it’s all here in a very real way. Though their friendship was tumultuous at time, I felt that their connection transcended the trivialities of the moment. The end of the book made me teary and reflective of some of my own friendships.
After reading these two latest novels, I’d definitely look forward to reading anything Melanie Benjamin writes in the future but I’d also love to read some of her previous works.
Many thanks to Delacorte Press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed The Swans of Fifth Avenue and started getting excited about The Girls in the Picture as soon as it was announced. In fact, it was the book I was most excited about receiving at Book Expo 2017. Melanie Benjamin was as much a delight in person, at her in-booth signing, as she is on her social media accounts. She even allowed me to blather on about her kitchen reno (it looks fantastic) and her cats at some length without calling security.
As for the book, it did not disappoint. It’s very evident that the author did an enormous amount of research on Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, their families, lovers, husbands, and the movie industry itself. I was fascinated by the actual events leading to their rise to power in Hollywood.
The elements that made this book special, however, are the character development and the portrayal of the relationship between Mary and Frances. Melanie Benjamin has taken the historic information and weaved in a little imagination/magic, creating characters that are beyond multi-dimensional. They are as highly nuanced as their relationships with one another.
In reading The Girls in the Picture, I was constantly reminded of the sacrifice and struggles women have always had to make in order to get to the tops of their professions. Hollywood was certainly no exception, then or now. Their fast, glamorous, monied lives did not come at no cost.
This book is an excellent exploration of the friendships of strong women – admiration, respect, mutual dependency, jealousy, insecurity – it’s all here in a very real way. Though their friendship was tumultuous at time, I felt that their connection transcended the trivialities of the moment. The end of the book made me teary and reflective of some of my own friendships.
After reading these two latest novels, I’d definitely look forward to reading anything Melanie Benjamin writes in the future but I’d also love to read some of her previous works.
Many thanks to Delacorte Press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I loved reading about these two trailblazing women in the filming industry: Mary Pickford, "America's Sweetheart", and Frances Marion, a renowned female screenwriter, known as a scenarist in the early days, and the first to win two Academy Awards. The early days of Hollywood and the transition from silent films, the "flickers", to "talkies" was riveting reading. What these two women accomplished over a century ago in a male-dominated world was nothing short of amazing. The historical details of how movies were made in the early days of Hollywood and the formation of the major studios was interesting reading.
The book is narrated by Frances, with the reader learning about Mary Pickford through Frances's eyes. Even though Mary's story suffers a little from being told in the third person, the character development is excellent and the enormous amount of research the author did on these two women is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the book and found it fascinating. They were two determined, accomplished women who forged a friendship and alliance, and we follow them through the heady early days into old age.
The book lost a star from me because it got bogged down in melodrama and angst, with some flowery melodramatic dialogue, and at close to 450 pages, it was a bit overly long. Still, the strengths outweigh the negatives and I highly recommend the book. I appreciated the epilogue where the author explains her research and where she took literary license.
*thank you to Netgalley, Random House publishing, and the author for an e-galley of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved reading about these two trailblazing women in the filming industry: Mary Pickford, "America's Sweetheart", and Frances Marion, a renowned female screenwriter, known as a scenarist in the early days, and the first to win two Academy Awards. The early days of Hollywood and the transition from silent films, the "flickers", to "talkies" was riveting reading. What these two women accomplished over a century ago in a male-dominated world was nothing short of amazing. The historical details of how movies were made in the early days of Hollywood and the formation of the major studios was interesting reading.
The book is narrated by Frances, with the reader learning about Mary Pickford through Frances's eyes. Even though Mary's story suffers a little from being told in the third person, the character development is excellent and the enormous amount of research the author did on these two women is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the book and found it fascinating. They were two determined, accomplished women who forged a friendship and alliance, and we follow them through the heady early days into old age.
The book lost a star from me because it got bogged down in melodrama and angst, with some flowery melodramatic dialogue, and at close to 450 pages, it was a bit overly long. Still, the strengths outweigh the negatives and I highly recommend the book. I appreciated the epilogue where the author explains her research and where she took literary license.
*thank you to Netgalley, Random House publishing, and the author for an e-galley of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2018
I am conflicted about The Girls in the Picture. I am a huge fan of Mary Pickford and learned significantly more about her in The Girls in the Picture, and I knew virtually nothing about Frances Marion so I enjoyed the details about her. However, I felt the book was overly long and drawn out, and as I was reading I wished it had ended earlier in the women’s lives. In the Author’s Note, Benjamin explains how much she glosses over in the later years and that left me with the same feeling again - I wish she had ended the book years before she did.
The Girls in the Picture did encourage me to find many clips of Pickford in her heyday, and I spent hours watching her various “movies”. One of the most interesting things I learned was how short the early “movies” were – many were under twenty minutes. Pickford and Marion were far ahead of their time, and it is fabulous to see their stories told. I received this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
The Girls in the Picture did encourage me to find many clips of Pickford in her heyday, and I spent hours watching her various “movies”. One of the most interesting things I learned was how short the early “movies” were – many were under twenty minutes. Pickford and Marion were far ahead of their time, and it is fabulous to see their stories told. I received this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
July 21, 2018
I love Old Hollywood movies, historical fiction and this author’s last book, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, was an enchanting five-star read for me. Maybe all of that set my expectations too high, but while I loved learning about Mary Pickford, France Marion and the beginnings of the movie industry, it was in the telling of the story that this book didn’t quite work as well as her previous. There was an unevenness to the narrative mostly due to the choice of alternating perspectives, one much stronger and more endearing than the other which made for a bumpy ride.
Many of the themes had scenes from old movies popping in my head from All About Eve to Sunset Boulevard and even the creepy scenes from Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (I told you I love Old Hollywood movies), which made for a feeling of déjà vu. Not a bad thing since Benjamin was weaving a Hollywood tale and just as music sets the mood for some, visual memories create a tapestry for me.
This novel worked best when it provided glimpses into the industry--Cecil B. DeMille was a tyrant, Samuel Goldwyn’s name was originally Goldfish and so much more--but not as well when exploring the psychological make up of these women who birthed an industry. Mary Pickford especially. This was the woman who, along with Chaplin and Fairbanks, created United Artists, who helped found the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and who was for many years, the queen of Hollywood alongside her ‘king,’ Douglas Fairbanks. Yet her portrait here with all her laudable accomplishments, doesn’t quite connect.
The dedication for this book thanks someone for ‘rescuing this novel from the slush pile’ and I’m left to wonder if it was rushed to publication after the success of Swans and maybe could have used a bit more polish? Nevertheless, the historical aspects were fascinating and Ms. Benjamin provides a trove of books to consider for further reading many of which she used in her research, so more of a 3.5, but lacking some of the entertainment that made her previous book so compelling.
Many of the themes had scenes from old movies popping in my head from All About Eve to Sunset Boulevard and even the creepy scenes from Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (I told you I love Old Hollywood movies), which made for a feeling of déjà vu. Not a bad thing since Benjamin was weaving a Hollywood tale and just as music sets the mood for some, visual memories create a tapestry for me.
This novel worked best when it provided glimpses into the industry--Cecil B. DeMille was a tyrant, Samuel Goldwyn’s name was originally Goldfish and so much more--but not as well when exploring the psychological make up of these women who birthed an industry. Mary Pickford especially. This was the woman who, along with Chaplin and Fairbanks, created United Artists, who helped found the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and who was for many years, the queen of Hollywood alongside her ‘king,’ Douglas Fairbanks. Yet her portrait here with all her laudable accomplishments, doesn’t quite connect.
The dedication for this book thanks someone for ‘rescuing this novel from the slush pile’ and I’m left to wonder if it was rushed to publication after the success of Swans and maybe could have used a bit more polish? Nevertheless, the historical aspects were fascinating and Ms. Benjamin provides a trove of books to consider for further reading many of which she used in her research, so more of a 3.5, but lacking some of the entertainment that made her previous book so compelling.
June 25, 2019
3.5 stars
I was excited to finally read this one because I liked, The Aviator's Wife by the author and I love reading about Old Hollywood. This historical fiction book explores the lives of actress Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion.
I knew a little bit about Mary Pickford prior to reading but I hadn't heard of Frances Marion until picking up the book. The story follows their friendship thru the years with much of the focus while they were working during the silent film era. Both women led fascinating lives but I was drawn more to Frances given her career as a screenwriter is rarely something I get to read about. It's amazing, (and sad) that so many of the issues both women faced in the entertainment industry are still relevant today.
One thing most readers like to know when reading historical fiction books is if it's based more on facts or is most of it made up. After reading the Author's Note at the end of the book, I do believe she did a very good job at combining what is already known about the women and using her imagination to fill in some of the blanks. I read books from this genre quite often and I didn't think anything the author used her creative license for sounded unreasonable.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to someone looking for compelling historical fiction but if you like reading about Old Hollywood and/or gender equality issues this one is a pretty safe bet.
I was excited to finally read this one because I liked, The Aviator's Wife by the author and I love reading about Old Hollywood. This historical fiction book explores the lives of actress Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion.
I knew a little bit about Mary Pickford prior to reading but I hadn't heard of Frances Marion until picking up the book. The story follows their friendship thru the years with much of the focus while they were working during the silent film era. Both women led fascinating lives but I was drawn more to Frances given her career as a screenwriter is rarely something I get to read about. It's amazing, (and sad) that so many of the issues both women faced in the entertainment industry are still relevant today.
One thing most readers like to know when reading historical fiction books is if it's based more on facts or is most of it made up. After reading the Author's Note at the end of the book, I do believe she did a very good job at combining what is already known about the women and using her imagination to fill in some of the blanks. I read books from this genre quite often and I didn't think anything the author used her creative license for sounded unreasonable.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to someone looking for compelling historical fiction but if you like reading about Old Hollywood and/or gender equality issues this one is a pretty safe bet.
February 5, 2018
5 fantastical stars
I am in awe and quite sleepless as well over this book. In a word it was awesome. Ms Benjamin has created for us a world that was early Hollywood. It was a world where silent movies were becoming the rage and where woman were taking the reins or at least trying to in a society dominated and controlled by males.
We are introduced to two powerful women of the past, Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, who become great friends and travel the road to fame and stardom. The year is 1914, and Frances Marion, a writer, is desperately seeking a place in Hollywood. She meets Mary Pickford, a young beautiful girl who is fast becoming "America's Sweetheart" and these two woman take on Hollywood.
As the author takes us on this journey into these women, their lives, their loves, their hardships, and their glamour, we get a moving picture into the Hollywood of yesteryear. We are there to witness Mary and Frances's struggles to overcome the chauvinism, to be the center in a world moving quickly around them, to find that fame so needed by them to feel their worth. Yes, they do succeed, but in the long run they lose a lot of what they really needed the love of a man they adored. In Mary's case, that man was Douglas Fairbanks and in Frances's world, it was Fred Thompson. Mary becomes the face of Hollywood with her curls, diminutive stature, and her ability to always maintain that little girl look. Frances becomes a screenwriter extraordinaire, wining during her career two Academy Awards. They had it all or so it seemed to those who followed them through the tabloids of the time. But, as we are shown, the life these women led was often sad, often tumultuous, and often one in which they lost so much.
By becoming who they wished, ambitious, centered women in a man's world, they fought courageously to overcome all the many barriers placed in their path. They were the women who broke through some many layers of male dominance and succeeded and created a world that America had never seen the likes of.
I recommend this book most highly, not only for the portrayal of these movie pioneers, but also for the exquisite writing that Ms Benjamim put onto the pages of this book. If you are at all interested in early Hollywood and how this town and industry came about this book will supply some answers. Mary and Frances, a friendship formed at such an early age, traveled a road no one really had before and in this they gained so much but also suffered losses that filled their hearts with sorrow and grief. As Bette Davis once said, "A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it all at the expanse of everything else." Frances and Mary wanted it all, they gained it all, but in so many ways they did lose that happiness we all seek as a fulfilling thread of our lives.
Thank you to Melanie Benjamim, Random House, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this wonderful novel.
I am in awe and quite sleepless as well over this book. In a word it was awesome. Ms Benjamin has created for us a world that was early Hollywood. It was a world where silent movies were becoming the rage and where woman were taking the reins or at least trying to in a society dominated and controlled by males.
We are introduced to two powerful women of the past, Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, who become great friends and travel the road to fame and stardom. The year is 1914, and Frances Marion, a writer, is desperately seeking a place in Hollywood. She meets Mary Pickford, a young beautiful girl who is fast becoming "America's Sweetheart" and these two woman take on Hollywood.
As the author takes us on this journey into these women, their lives, their loves, their hardships, and their glamour, we get a moving picture into the Hollywood of yesteryear. We are there to witness Mary and Frances's struggles to overcome the chauvinism, to be the center in a world moving quickly around them, to find that fame so needed by them to feel their worth. Yes, they do succeed, but in the long run they lose a lot of what they really needed the love of a man they adored. In Mary's case, that man was Douglas Fairbanks and in Frances's world, it was Fred Thompson. Mary becomes the face of Hollywood with her curls, diminutive stature, and her ability to always maintain that little girl look. Frances becomes a screenwriter extraordinaire, wining during her career two Academy Awards. They had it all or so it seemed to those who followed them through the tabloids of the time. But, as we are shown, the life these women led was often sad, often tumultuous, and often one in which they lost so much.
By becoming who they wished, ambitious, centered women in a man's world, they fought courageously to overcome all the many barriers placed in their path. They were the women who broke through some many layers of male dominance and succeeded and created a world that America had never seen the likes of.
I recommend this book most highly, not only for the portrayal of these movie pioneers, but also for the exquisite writing that Ms Benjamim put onto the pages of this book. If you are at all interested in early Hollywood and how this town and industry came about this book will supply some answers. Mary and Frances, a friendship formed at such an early age, traveled a road no one really had before and in this they gained so much but also suffered losses that filled their hearts with sorrow and grief. As Bette Davis once said, "A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it all at the expanse of everything else." Frances and Mary wanted it all, they gained it all, but in so many ways they did lose that happiness we all seek as a fulfilling thread of our lives.
Thank you to Melanie Benjamim, Random House, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this wonderful novel.
June 9, 2024
A fascinating look into the early days of Hollywood, The Girls in the Picture follows the friendship and careers of silent film star Mary Pickford and screenwriter Marion Frances. I particularly loved the depiction of the evolution of the film industry and the rise of stardom. Benjamin inserted too much modern commentary in describing the sexism that the women faced. Nevertheless, the dissolution of their friendship and their frustrations with each other were poignantly portrayed.
March 31, 2018
The Girls in the Picture is a book that I knew that I wanted to read as soon as I saw it. I love reading historical fiction about movie stars, or stories that in one way or another takes place in Hollywood. Especially around the Silent movie era and when the talkies came. I had only previously read Reckless Hearts: A Story of Slim Hawks and Ernest Hemingway by Melanie Benjamin, but she has written several books that I want to read.
What really struck me about this book was, despite, my deep love for silent movies, and old Hollywood classics is that Frances Marion was totally unknown to me. And she's behind several of my favorite movies, like A Scarlet Letter with Lars Hanson and Lillian Gish. Also, I had no idea that she was a close friend of Mary Pickford.
In this book, we get a fictional story about the friendship between Frances Marion and Mary Pickford. I enjoyed getting to know the women more and I especially enjoyed learning more about their lives. Both had great love stories, but neither had truly happy lives, despite, their success. Not all of their lives are written in this book, as Melanie Benjamin stated in her notes, just Mary Pickford relationship with her adopted children would fill a whole book. I personally had to take a break from the book several times to check up a name or a title, etc.
The Girls in the Picture is definitely a book to read if you, like me, love old Hollywood movies and are intrigued by the actors and actors from the golden era. I was charmed by the cameos, especially Charlie Chaplin's presence in the book. Made me eager to read a book about him or see his movies.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
What really struck me about this book was, despite, my deep love for silent movies, and old Hollywood classics is that Frances Marion was totally unknown to me. And she's behind several of my favorite movies, like A Scarlet Letter with Lars Hanson and Lillian Gish. Also, I had no idea that she was a close friend of Mary Pickford.
In this book, we get a fictional story about the friendship between Frances Marion and Mary Pickford. I enjoyed getting to know the women more and I especially enjoyed learning more about their lives. Both had great love stories, but neither had truly happy lives, despite, their success. Not all of their lives are written in this book, as Melanie Benjamin stated in her notes, just Mary Pickford relationship with her adopted children would fill a whole book. I personally had to take a break from the book several times to check up a name or a title, etc.
The Girls in the Picture is definitely a book to read if you, like me, love old Hollywood movies and are intrigued by the actors and actors from the golden era. I was charmed by the cameos, especially Charlie Chaplin's presence in the book. Made me eager to read a book about him or see his movies.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
June 27, 2025
Femei de Oscar aduce în prim plan două pioniere ale Hollywoodului, Mary Pickford și Frances Marion, două femei ale căror ambiții și pasuni au pus bazele industriei filmului de astăzi, dar care au plătit prețul faimei lor cu sacrificiul celei personale. Mary Pickford a fost prima actriță al cărei nume a fost scris pe un afiș de film, primul super star al Hollywoodului, iar Frances Marion a fost una dintre primele femei scenograf din industrie.
July 11, 2022
This sounded like just the book I was in the mood for. I wasn't disappointed at least, it was written so we'll and I completely got hooked in both the characters and plot. Definitely an writer I will look up more books from
January 30, 2018
An enlightening portrait of two creative and powerful women who helped shape Hollywood.
SUMMARY
THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE is a look behind the scenes at the earliest days of Hollywood and the friendship between two legends. Mary Pickford known as the girl with the curls, was America’s first sweetheart. She was a international superstar, who was mobbed upon her first time arrival in London. She was the first actor to have her name put on a movie marque and she was the first to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a talkie for Coquette. She was also a smart business woman who along with Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin founded United Artists. The three also toured the US together in 1918, promoting Liberty Bonds for WWI. When she married Douglas Fairbanks in 1920 the two became the reining royalty of Hollywood.
Frances Marion, was a creative genius, who won two Academy Awards for screenwriting. In 1931 she won for The Big House and in 1932 she won for The Champ. She wrote scripts for over 300 of early Hollywood’s beloved movies. In addition to writing for Pickford, she wrote for Harlow, Dietrich and Garbo and many other of Hollywood’s earliest stars. She travel overseas during WWI as a combat correspondent and made a film of women’s contribution to the war effort on the front lines. She was the first woman to cross the Rhine after the Armistice.
“Perhaps the simplest formula for a plot is: invent some colorful personalities, involve them in an apparently hopeless complication or predicament, then extricate them in a logical and dramatic way that brings them happiness.” —Frances Marion
REVIEW
THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE is an intriguing historical fiction story. One that keeps you wondering what is real and what is fiction. An authors note helps with that, but what is undoubtably real is the achievements of these two fascinating women, and that alone is enough to make this book enjoyable for anyone who loves read about strong women trailblazers. Here are two indomitable women who were way ahead of their time. Most impressive were the accomplishments and countenance of Frances Marion.
MELANIE BENJAMIN created a compelling but somewhat long book. Despite its length, the writing is vivid and seemingly effortless. I loved the theme of the friendship and support between these two women, who when working together in the early years were almost unstoppable. Chapters alternate between Mary and Frances, and Frances’s chapters were smartly written in first person perspective, while Mary’s were in third person. Something Mary, who always wanted to be front and center, may not have liked very much.
The story even touched on the beginnings of casting couches, sexism and abuse in Hollywood by studio owners, producers and investors. And if the recent news is any indication, it hasn’t stopped yet.
Thanks to LibraryThing, Delacorte Press and Melanie Benjamin for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
SUMMARY
THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE is a look behind the scenes at the earliest days of Hollywood and the friendship between two legends. Mary Pickford known as the girl with the curls, was America’s first sweetheart. She was a international superstar, who was mobbed upon her first time arrival in London. She was the first actor to have her name put on a movie marque and she was the first to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a talkie for Coquette. She was also a smart business woman who along with Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin founded United Artists. The three also toured the US together in 1918, promoting Liberty Bonds for WWI. When she married Douglas Fairbanks in 1920 the two became the reining royalty of Hollywood.
Frances Marion, was a creative genius, who won two Academy Awards for screenwriting. In 1931 she won for The Big House and in 1932 she won for The Champ. She wrote scripts for over 300 of early Hollywood’s beloved movies. In addition to writing for Pickford, she wrote for Harlow, Dietrich and Garbo and many other of Hollywood’s earliest stars. She travel overseas during WWI as a combat correspondent and made a film of women’s contribution to the war effort on the front lines. She was the first woman to cross the Rhine after the Armistice.
“Perhaps the simplest formula for a plot is: invent some colorful personalities, involve them in an apparently hopeless complication or predicament, then extricate them in a logical and dramatic way that brings them happiness.” —Frances Marion
REVIEW
THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE is an intriguing historical fiction story. One that keeps you wondering what is real and what is fiction. An authors note helps with that, but what is undoubtably real is the achievements of these two fascinating women, and that alone is enough to make this book enjoyable for anyone who loves read about strong women trailblazers. Here are two indomitable women who were way ahead of their time. Most impressive were the accomplishments and countenance of Frances Marion.
MELANIE BENJAMIN created a compelling but somewhat long book. Despite its length, the writing is vivid and seemingly effortless. I loved the theme of the friendship and support between these two women, who when working together in the early years were almost unstoppable. Chapters alternate between Mary and Frances, and Frances’s chapters were smartly written in first person perspective, while Mary’s were in third person. Something Mary, who always wanted to be front and center, may not have liked very much.
The story even touched on the beginnings of casting couches, sexism and abuse in Hollywood by studio owners, producers and investors. And if the recent news is any indication, it hasn’t stopped yet.
Thanks to LibraryThing, Delacorte Press and Melanie Benjamin for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
February 12, 2018
It seems strange and very intriguing to me that silent movies and the beginnings of the film industry in Los Angeles happened more than 100 years ago. It doesn't seem possible that we are a century away from the old black and white "flickers.'' This book is about the friendship between Actress Mary Pickford, who was touted as America's Sweetheart back in the early days, and Frances Marion, an early screenwriter. Both women were incredibly famous in their day and paved the way for women in the film industry. Both won academy awards for their work. And both are largely forgotten. A century of time can erase all things......unless it's preserved on film.
As I read this book I took breaks and watched Mary Pickford films just to get the feel for what these women created. My favorite is Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, released in 1917. The Screenplay was adapted by Frances Marion from the classic novel and the film stars Mary Pickford and Eugene O'Brien. The film is grainy and silent. The title cards and credits jump and jerk around on the screen. The makeup gives the actors raccoon eyes and a melodramatic look. But.....it was one of the first films with a real plot and for me it's amazing that I can watch a performance that took place over 100 years ago. Long dead actors appearing as young, dedicated performers still, after all these years. Film magic!
I enjoyed this book. I know very little about Mary Pickford except that she was married to Douglas Fairbanks. And I had never heard of Frances Marion before this book. In 1972, Frances Marion wrote a book, "Off With Their Heads,'' about her experiences in Hollywood. She died soon after it was published. After reading The Girls in the Picture, I definitely want to read Marion's book!
Once I started reading I couldn't put this book down. It tells the story of how the movie industry got its start, and about the early lives of two powerful pioneering women in the industry. Mary Pickford was the highest paid actor back then, but paid a price for her fame. The story unfolds to include other notable classic early performers -- Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and more. I learned so much about the early days of film and these two strong women. Great book!!
Anyone who loves old movies and Old Hollywood tales will love this book!!
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm starring Mary Pickford can be seen on Youtube.com here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJXjy...
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House - Ballentine via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
As I read this book I took breaks and watched Mary Pickford films just to get the feel for what these women created. My favorite is Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, released in 1917. The Screenplay was adapted by Frances Marion from the classic novel and the film stars Mary Pickford and Eugene O'Brien. The film is grainy and silent. The title cards and credits jump and jerk around on the screen. The makeup gives the actors raccoon eyes and a melodramatic look. But.....it was one of the first films with a real plot and for me it's amazing that I can watch a performance that took place over 100 years ago. Long dead actors appearing as young, dedicated performers still, after all these years. Film magic!
I enjoyed this book. I know very little about Mary Pickford except that she was married to Douglas Fairbanks. And I had never heard of Frances Marion before this book. In 1972, Frances Marion wrote a book, "Off With Their Heads,'' about her experiences in Hollywood. She died soon after it was published. After reading The Girls in the Picture, I definitely want to read Marion's book!
Once I started reading I couldn't put this book down. It tells the story of how the movie industry got its start, and about the early lives of two powerful pioneering women in the industry. Mary Pickford was the highest paid actor back then, but paid a price for her fame. The story unfolds to include other notable classic early performers -- Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and more. I learned so much about the early days of film and these two strong women. Great book!!
Anyone who loves old movies and Old Hollywood tales will love this book!!
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm starring Mary Pickford can be seen on Youtube.com here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJXjy...
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House - Ballentine via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
January 26, 2025
This is another period piece that takes us to an early Hollywood.
This historical fiction takes us into the lives of actress and United Artists original Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion.
This novel shows when innovation ruled and women wielded power alongside men. It also shares the power of women's friendship.
But...It was too many pages, and bogged down in unnecessary details. And not enough on the reason we picked up the book in the first place...
The title.
3.5 stars rounded down.
This historical fiction takes us into the lives of actress and United Artists original Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion.
This novel shows when innovation ruled and women wielded power alongside men. It also shares the power of women's friendship.
But...It was too many pages, and bogged down in unnecessary details. And not enough on the reason we picked up the book in the first place...
The title.
3.5 stars rounded down.
September 2, 2017
I was so disappointed in this book.
I loved Melanie Benjamin's first two novels, "Alice I have Been" and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb" but was not as in love with "The Aviator's Wife" and disliked "Swans." Now there's "The Girls in the Picture" which is a crushing disappointment.
Let's start with the cover, which shows two women in 1930s gowns looking vaguely like Norma Shearer and Kay Francis. Since neither of those women are part of the story and it does not take place in the 1930s, what's that about? The cover doesn't invoke Mary Pickford or Frances Marion either except that one's blonde and the other's brunette. Careless and stupid.
So let's look at what "The Girls in the Picture" is about. Mary Pickford and Frances Marion were two trailblazers and innovators of American film. Mary was one of the very first movie stars, an astonishing artist and businesswoman whose first appearance on the screen in 1910 joyfully leaps out at viewers in a way rarely seen before or since. Frances was an artist who became a celebrated screenwriter and wrote many of Mary's most popular pictures. What's fascinating is that these movies grew from their friendship and Frances' concept that because Mary was on the stage at the age of five supporting her family and never had a childhood, the cinema is where she would have that childhood. Mary was tiny even as an adult, and played kids on screen with a freshness and humor that still makes these films charming and funny. Of course, she reached the point where she wanted to play adults but her fans couldn't make the jump and even though she could had a stage trained voice and make the change to talkies, Mary's career was over by 1932.
But Frances's was not. She easily transitioned to the talkies and won Oscars for her fine screenplays written for other actors. But was her idea of giving Mary a childhood on screen inspired or soul destroying for each or both? Doesn't this sound like a fantastic story?
So why doesn't it work? Frances's story is told in first person, which makes her more immediate and alive. Mary's side is told in the third person, and like to many of the books written about her seems to draw heavily from her own autobiography. The result is that she never leaps off the page like she did off the screen. We still don't know her, we only see her through Frances's eyes. Giving Mary her own voice would have made "The Girls in the Picture" more satisfying and true, and we might have seen inside a woman who spent most of her life before the public and yet remains a cypher.
I wish Melanie Benjamin could go back and reconstruct this novel with the same kind of insight she gave to "Alice" and "Mrs. Tom Thumb." And get rid of that cover.
I loved Melanie Benjamin's first two novels, "Alice I have Been" and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb" but was not as in love with "The Aviator's Wife" and disliked "Swans." Now there's "The Girls in the Picture" which is a crushing disappointment.
Let's start with the cover, which shows two women in 1930s gowns looking vaguely like Norma Shearer and Kay Francis. Since neither of those women are part of the story and it does not take place in the 1930s, what's that about? The cover doesn't invoke Mary Pickford or Frances Marion either except that one's blonde and the other's brunette. Careless and stupid.
So let's look at what "The Girls in the Picture" is about. Mary Pickford and Frances Marion were two trailblazers and innovators of American film. Mary was one of the very first movie stars, an astonishing artist and businesswoman whose first appearance on the screen in 1910 joyfully leaps out at viewers in a way rarely seen before or since. Frances was an artist who became a celebrated screenwriter and wrote many of Mary's most popular pictures. What's fascinating is that these movies grew from their friendship and Frances' concept that because Mary was on the stage at the age of five supporting her family and never had a childhood, the cinema is where she would have that childhood. Mary was tiny even as an adult, and played kids on screen with a freshness and humor that still makes these films charming and funny. Of course, she reached the point where she wanted to play adults but her fans couldn't make the jump and even though she could had a stage trained voice and make the change to talkies, Mary's career was over by 1932.
But Frances's was not. She easily transitioned to the talkies and won Oscars for her fine screenplays written for other actors. But was her idea of giving Mary a childhood on screen inspired or soul destroying for each or both? Doesn't this sound like a fantastic story?
So why doesn't it work? Frances's story is told in first person, which makes her more immediate and alive. Mary's side is told in the third person, and like to many of the books written about her seems to draw heavily from her own autobiography. The result is that she never leaps off the page like she did off the screen. We still don't know her, we only see her through Frances's eyes. Giving Mary her own voice would have made "The Girls in the Picture" more satisfying and true, and we might have seen inside a woman who spent most of her life before the public and yet remains a cypher.
I wish Melanie Benjamin could go back and reconstruct this novel with the same kind of insight she gave to "Alice" and "Mrs. Tom Thumb." And get rid of that cover.
December 26, 2017
3.5 stars
About a century ago, actress Mary Pickford and scenarist Frances Marion were best friends as their young careers were just taking off. Together, they forged new paths for women in their industry, with Mary forming United Artist's studio with husband Douglas Fairbanks, and Frances being the best and highest paid female screenwriter. With today's spotlight on Hollywood's so-called casting couch, this story was quite timely in detailing how that term started, when these two women were in their thirties, their careers winding down. Despite the strides made by these women, men still held the power and got away with pinching and feeling up whatever female body parts they desired. Actresses who had babies, even those who were married, risked outrage from their fans, while actors and studio heads could sire a dozen or more children with no such risks.
Told in alternating chapters from each of the women's points of view, the book was certainly interesting, but not in a "can't wait to get back to that book" way. It is honest and forthcoming, which makes for a likeable historical fiction tale. It tells of two friends who grew estranged for different reasons, but were together courageous pioneers in their fields and impacted the film industry just as much as any of the studio heads of their time. Unfortunately, I thought it a bit repetitive and on the longish side. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy.
About a century ago, actress Mary Pickford and scenarist Frances Marion were best friends as their young careers were just taking off. Together, they forged new paths for women in their industry, with Mary forming United Artist's studio with husband Douglas Fairbanks, and Frances being the best and highest paid female screenwriter. With today's spotlight on Hollywood's so-called casting couch, this story was quite timely in detailing how that term started, when these two women were in their thirties, their careers winding down. Despite the strides made by these women, men still held the power and got away with pinching and feeling up whatever female body parts they desired. Actresses who had babies, even those who were married, risked outrage from their fans, while actors and studio heads could sire a dozen or more children with no such risks.
Told in alternating chapters from each of the women's points of view, the book was certainly interesting, but not in a "can't wait to get back to that book" way. It is honest and forthcoming, which makes for a likeable historical fiction tale. It tells of two friends who grew estranged for different reasons, but were together courageous pioneers in their fields and impacted the film industry just as much as any of the studio heads of their time. Unfortunately, I thought it a bit repetitive and on the longish side. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy.
Read
January 24, 2018DNF @ 23%
As Kenny Rogers famously sang, "You got to know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run."
This book seemed like something that should have been right up by alley (two strong women making their way in the early days of Hollywood -- sign me up!), but it was just such a slog to read. It felt like I had been reading for at least 30 mins, but I'd only covered a page or two. The siren song of my mountainous TBR is calling, so I'm calling it quits on this one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a galley in exchange for an honest review.
As Kenny Rogers famously sang, "You got to know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run."
This book seemed like something that should have been right up by alley (two strong women making their way in the early days of Hollywood -- sign me up!), but it was just such a slog to read. It felt like I had been reading for at least 30 mins, but I'd only covered a page or two. The siren song of my mountainous TBR is calling, so I'm calling it quits on this one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2018
I was drawn to this story based on the summary and the fact that I enjoyed two of Melanie Benjamin’s previous books. The Girls in the Picture is another good story. Right off the bat, Benjamin’s stage-setting for the future partnership between “America’s Sweetheart” Mary Pickford and renowned Academy Award winning screenwriter Frances Marion hooked me.
Despite early rejection of powerful men in the movie industry, the success of Marion and Pickford’s public screening of Poor Little Rich Girl put these savvy women on the map. The public stood up and cheered, the pragmatic women regained their confidence and forged ahead to make movies the way THEY wanted to. They became powerful forces to be reckoned with, trailblazing businesswomen in a young Hollywood who would go on to make significant contributions in the movie industry. I loved their portrayal by Benjamin. Their smarts, perseverance and vision shone. Their individual stories are enjoyable enough but together, its magic. I looked forward to each of their conversations and collaborations. What they accomplished in a male-dominated world was impressive and this is a story I will not soon forget. It has spurred me on to watch some of their old movies with my new perspective. Thanks to the Random House/Delacorte for an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Despite early rejection of powerful men in the movie industry, the success of Marion and Pickford’s public screening of Poor Little Rich Girl put these savvy women on the map. The public stood up and cheered, the pragmatic women regained their confidence and forged ahead to make movies the way THEY wanted to. They became powerful forces to be reckoned with, trailblazing businesswomen in a young Hollywood who would go on to make significant contributions in the movie industry. I loved their portrayal by Benjamin. Their smarts, perseverance and vision shone. Their individual stories are enjoyable enough but together, its magic. I looked forward to each of their conversations and collaborations. What they accomplished in a male-dominated world was impressive and this is a story I will not soon forget. It has spurred me on to watch some of their old movies with my new perspective. Thanks to the Random House/Delacorte for an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub. Date: January 16, 2018
Publisher: Random House
Melanie Benjamin is a favorite author of mine. She writes in a distinctive genre that I favor known as Historical Autobiographical Fiction. It is reading historical fiction as if you are reading the memoir of the real-life main character. To work, this genre needs to be as well-researched as it is well-written. Also, the reader needs to remember that no matter how knowledgeable, the author is not privy to the actual thoughts of the protagonist (Benjamin reminds us in her endnotes). I think Benjamin always pulls off this style of writing. So far I have been lucky enough to review three of her works prepublication: “The Aviator's Wife” (Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh), “The Swans of Fifth Avenue” (Truman Capote and Babe Paley), and even “The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb” had me captivated. For these reasons, I was thrilled to be given an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of Benjamin’s “The Girls in the Picture” on the early days of Hollywood, concentrating on the lives of screenwriter Frances Marion and the first superstar actress, Mary Pickford.
This is Benjamin’s first book for which my review won't be full of praise for her talents. But let me start by stating what I did enjoy about the novel, which is a good portion of the book. I was engrossed in learning about the birth of the movies in Old Hollywood. I especially enjoyed learning about the technical side of moviemaking in those days. It wasn’t unusual for the actors themselves to splice and piece the film back together. Actors also frequently went behind the camera to get a better understanding of how a scene would play out. Mary Pickford always did both. Plus, the author does a terrific job describing the details of the WWI era and weaving in how the magic of movie making effected that generation. The industry started out making “flickers” on the streets (there were no sets) with street entertainers such as Charlie Chaplin. These silent movies were watched in Nickelodeons. One will also learn about the beginnings of the Hollywood studios, and how it took the creativity out of the hands of the actors, and how the silent films turned into “talkies,” ruining many careers, and causing some stars to sell their mansions. As Pickford once said, “Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo.” I also got a kick out of reading that Pickford and Fairbanks were the original Liz and Dick. Once they married each other, their lifestyles suddenly changed and they became world famous and rich beyond their wildest dreams. Their 18-acre estate in Beverly Hills was called “Pickfair” predating the mashups of celebrity couples’ names like "Brangelina" and "Bennifer" by nearly a century.
The reader discovers that Mary Pickford and Frances Marion were two groundbreaking innovators of American film. The story is told from two points of view: Pickford's and Marion's. (Though Marion is written in the first person and Pickford in the third, which made Marion seem more real and autobiographical). The story of Mary Pickford’s tough early years on the stage, struggling to support her mother and two siblings, reminded me of Natalie Wood’s life story. The family was dirt poor and she alone supported them. By 1915, Pickford had become the most famous movie actress in the United States. She was dubbed "America's Sweetheart," known as “Girl with the Golden Curls.” The irony wasn’t lost on Mary, because she knew that she never had a childhood. Additionally, I found out that she was also an early feminist. She became one of the few actors and sole woman in those first years to battle the studio system and take control of her own work and career.
Frances Marion also believed women were equal to men and elbowed her way into the Hollywood experience. She was new to the movie industry when Mary was already a star. They soon became fast friends. Frances gained entry into the world of "moving pictures" by becoming a screenwriter, then known as a “scenarist." She wrote many of Mary's most popular pictures, including the 1917 film, “Poor Little Rich Girl.” Mary did not do well in the “talkies” with her modern, bobbed hair. Her fans only wanted to see the little girl with the curls. She blamed this on Marion, who wrote petite Pickford as a child. Unlike Mary, Frances remained successful after Mary’s career was over. She continued to write screenplays, remaining the highest paid screenwriter. She went on to win two Academy Awards (the first woman to do so), all while fighting chauvinistic male studio heads.
So why did this novel lose some of my praise? In the middle of the book, these two successful business women, pioneers of their time, began talking like lovesick teenagers about their future husbands. The once crisp and compelling dialogue became just plain old silly and in complete contrast to their established personalities. I actually cringed at some of the corny lines that the author would never have penned to come out of their mouths in the first half of the story. When Frances meets her husband (her first love), it reads like a script from an old Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney film, “Love Finds Andy Hardy,” rather than a mature woman finding love. The silliness is emphasized by the fact that this is her third marriage. And, they meet while he is a soldier in the hospital during the war. This venue is not conducive for the sugary tone of their romance. When Mary divorces her first husband and marries Fairbanks (her first love), she too begins talking like a teenager in love. Suddenly, Pickford, a woman with much skill in financial affairs, who was the brains in the marriage, starts acting flaky and puts her husband before her career. When Fairbanks started to cheat on her I was waiting for the author to throw in a verse of Lesley Gore’s song, “It’s My Party, and I’ll Cry if I Want To.” I was so disappointed that I found myself skimming the mushy pages. I realize that characters do evolve in a story, it usually improves the story. But this was a complete 180 and not believable. With that said, overall, I can say that if you don’t know much about the history of early American filmmaking and wish to then I recommend this book. Just know that it can read simultaneously sappy and splendid.
I received this novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
Pub. Date: January 16, 2018
Publisher: Random House
Melanie Benjamin is a favorite author of mine. She writes in a distinctive genre that I favor known as Historical Autobiographical Fiction. It is reading historical fiction as if you are reading the memoir of the real-life main character. To work, this genre needs to be as well-researched as it is well-written. Also, the reader needs to remember that no matter how knowledgeable, the author is not privy to the actual thoughts of the protagonist (Benjamin reminds us in her endnotes). I think Benjamin always pulls off this style of writing. So far I have been lucky enough to review three of her works prepublication: “The Aviator's Wife” (Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh), “The Swans of Fifth Avenue” (Truman Capote and Babe Paley), and even “The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb” had me captivated. For these reasons, I was thrilled to be given an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of Benjamin’s “The Girls in the Picture” on the early days of Hollywood, concentrating on the lives of screenwriter Frances Marion and the first superstar actress, Mary Pickford.
This is Benjamin’s first book for which my review won't be full of praise for her talents. But let me start by stating what I did enjoy about the novel, which is a good portion of the book. I was engrossed in learning about the birth of the movies in Old Hollywood. I especially enjoyed learning about the technical side of moviemaking in those days. It wasn’t unusual for the actors themselves to splice and piece the film back together. Actors also frequently went behind the camera to get a better understanding of how a scene would play out. Mary Pickford always did both. Plus, the author does a terrific job describing the details of the WWI era and weaving in how the magic of movie making effected that generation. The industry started out making “flickers” on the streets (there were no sets) with street entertainers such as Charlie Chaplin. These silent movies were watched in Nickelodeons. One will also learn about the beginnings of the Hollywood studios, and how it took the creativity out of the hands of the actors, and how the silent films turned into “talkies,” ruining many careers, and causing some stars to sell their mansions. As Pickford once said, “Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo.” I also got a kick out of reading that Pickford and Fairbanks were the original Liz and Dick. Once they married each other, their lifestyles suddenly changed and they became world famous and rich beyond their wildest dreams. Their 18-acre estate in Beverly Hills was called “Pickfair” predating the mashups of celebrity couples’ names like "Brangelina" and "Bennifer" by nearly a century.
The reader discovers that Mary Pickford and Frances Marion were two groundbreaking innovators of American film. The story is told from two points of view: Pickford's and Marion's. (Though Marion is written in the first person and Pickford in the third, which made Marion seem more real and autobiographical). The story of Mary Pickford’s tough early years on the stage, struggling to support her mother and two siblings, reminded me of Natalie Wood’s life story. The family was dirt poor and she alone supported them. By 1915, Pickford had become the most famous movie actress in the United States. She was dubbed "America's Sweetheart," known as “Girl with the Golden Curls.” The irony wasn’t lost on Mary, because she knew that she never had a childhood. Additionally, I found out that she was also an early feminist. She became one of the few actors and sole woman in those first years to battle the studio system and take control of her own work and career.
Frances Marion also believed women were equal to men and elbowed her way into the Hollywood experience. She was new to the movie industry when Mary was already a star. They soon became fast friends. Frances gained entry into the world of "moving pictures" by becoming a screenwriter, then known as a “scenarist." She wrote many of Mary's most popular pictures, including the 1917 film, “Poor Little Rich Girl.” Mary did not do well in the “talkies” with her modern, bobbed hair. Her fans only wanted to see the little girl with the curls. She blamed this on Marion, who wrote petite Pickford as a child. Unlike Mary, Frances remained successful after Mary’s career was over. She continued to write screenplays, remaining the highest paid screenwriter. She went on to win two Academy Awards (the first woman to do so), all while fighting chauvinistic male studio heads.
So why did this novel lose some of my praise? In the middle of the book, these two successful business women, pioneers of their time, began talking like lovesick teenagers about their future husbands. The once crisp and compelling dialogue became just plain old silly and in complete contrast to their established personalities. I actually cringed at some of the corny lines that the author would never have penned to come out of their mouths in the first half of the story. When Frances meets her husband (her first love), it reads like a script from an old Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney film, “Love Finds Andy Hardy,” rather than a mature woman finding love. The silliness is emphasized by the fact that this is her third marriage. And, they meet while he is a soldier in the hospital during the war. This venue is not conducive for the sugary tone of their romance. When Mary divorces her first husband and marries Fairbanks (her first love), she too begins talking like a teenager in love. Suddenly, Pickford, a woman with much skill in financial affairs, who was the brains in the marriage, starts acting flaky and puts her husband before her career. When Fairbanks started to cheat on her I was waiting for the author to throw in a verse of Lesley Gore’s song, “It’s My Party, and I’ll Cry if I Want To.” I was so disappointed that I found myself skimming the mushy pages. I realize that characters do evolve in a story, it usually improves the story. But this was a complete 180 and not believable. With that said, overall, I can say that if you don’t know much about the history of early American filmmaking and wish to then I recommend this book. Just know that it can read simultaneously sappy and splendid.
I received this novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
https://books6259.wordpress.com/
April 3, 2020
This book is the story of the ups and downs of a deep friendship between two professional women, Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, over the time period 1914 – 1969, as they work together in the silent “flickers,” and later in the “talkies.” Mary Pickford, of course, it the well-known actress that played mostly girlish roles and became “America’s Sweetheart.” Frances Marion is a writer-director that eventually won Academy Awards for her work as a “scenarist” (today known as a screenwriter). These two women develop business acumen that is not always admired by the men in charge of the studios, until the public reception proves their insights were right on target. The book covers their personal lives, marriages, and public and private personas.
The writing is expressive, and the characters are well developed, particularly Frances Marion. The author provides a sense of the early chaotic days of Hollywood, and how Hollywood changed from almost disreputable to respected and lucrative. Many personalities of the silent era are referenced to good effect. Benjamin takes artistic license with a few facts, which she explains in the Afterword, and her reasoning is sound. The ending could have been stronger but seems fitting with the themes developed throughout the narrative. There are a few segments where the pace slowed, focusing on internal dialogue of the characters.
I listened to the audio version, read by Kimberly Farr. She does an extremely good job with consistent and distinct voices for the main characters. She modulates her voice and her tone is pleasing to the ear. The audiobook kept my interest over the course of 16.5 hours. I found this book engaging and entertaining.
The writing is expressive, and the characters are well developed, particularly Frances Marion. The author provides a sense of the early chaotic days of Hollywood, and how Hollywood changed from almost disreputable to respected and lucrative. Many personalities of the silent era are referenced to good effect. Benjamin takes artistic license with a few facts, which she explains in the Afterword, and her reasoning is sound. The ending could have been stronger but seems fitting with the themes developed throughout the narrative. There are a few segments where the pace slowed, focusing on internal dialogue of the characters.
I listened to the audio version, read by Kimberly Farr. She does an extremely good job with consistent and distinct voices for the main characters. She modulates her voice and her tone is pleasing to the ear. The audiobook kept my interest over the course of 16.5 hours. I found this book engaging and entertaining.
November 13, 2022
Iubitorii filmului, în special ai filmului mut, vor iubi această carte. Eu mă număr printre ei. Mi-a plăcut cum autoarea a redat prietenia dintre cele douã protagoniste, anii de formare și anii de succes ai filmului mut, poveștile de dragoste de altădată, dar și aspectele mai puțin cunoscute ale vieții în cetatea Hollywood-ului. Melanie Benjamin este o bunã companie în momentele mai puţin strãlucite ale cititorului, mã refer la rãgazul de dupã o lecturã mai dificilã sau pur şi simplu în zilele cu mai puţinã concentrare. Asta nu înseamnã cã MB scrie facil, înseamnã doar cã are talent de povestitoare si darul de a atrage cititorul în poveştile ei. Şi asta nu e puțin lucru.
December 20, 2017
Women are back in the news to regain their place among men in what we always think is "a man's world." Back in 1910 through 1920 two smart women made their imprint in the growing stages of Hollywood in that critical transition from silent era to "talkies." Even many big name stars fell by the side of the road during this major event.
Mary Pickford started out as that little girl with the golden curls, but what no one knew at the time was that underneath all that innocence was a tough, competitive businesswoman. Her friend, who she met by the grace of God and the will of seeking employment, was Frances Marion, a creative writer persistent on becoming a screenwriter. She had more stories in her than she knew what to do with. Together these women were the highest paid actor and screenwriter in the 1920's and they just happened to be women. Their story is a must read!
Mary Pickford founded United Artists with Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and DW Griffin, to buck the studio system in 1919. She also founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, (the Oscars); and the Motion Picture Fund, to help aging actors no longer working.
Frances Marion wrote many famous films, some favorites are: Big House, Dinner at Eight (my favorite), The Champ, Anne of Green Gables, and many more. Naturally, their story is more complex than their awards, they had many personal hardships in their lives as well. If you love classic film, this book covers these two profound women in depth, so I encourage you to read it.
Thank you Netgalley!
Mary Pickford started out as that little girl with the golden curls, but what no one knew at the time was that underneath all that innocence was a tough, competitive businesswoman. Her friend, who she met by the grace of God and the will of seeking employment, was Frances Marion, a creative writer persistent on becoming a screenwriter. She had more stories in her than she knew what to do with. Together these women were the highest paid actor and screenwriter in the 1920's and they just happened to be women. Their story is a must read!
Mary Pickford founded United Artists with Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and DW Griffin, to buck the studio system in 1919. She also founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, (the Oscars); and the Motion Picture Fund, to help aging actors no longer working.
Frances Marion wrote many famous films, some favorites are: Big House, Dinner at Eight (my favorite), The Champ, Anne of Green Gables, and many more. Naturally, their story is more complex than their awards, they had many personal hardships in their lives as well. If you love classic film, this book covers these two profound women in depth, so I encourage you to read it.
Thank you Netgalley!
December 6, 2017
Engrossing story of Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, two pioneers in the movie industry, beginning in 1914. Mary Pickford starred in "flickers" (silent movies) and was known as America's sweetheart. Frances Marion became a famous screenwriter - one of the first females in the industry. The two women became very close friends, and this is the story of their friendship. It is also the story of the very beginnings of the movies and Hollywood, and famous film stars.
Mary and Frances are very close and their friendship is a strong bond. However, there are many ups and downs in their friendship and insecurities that cause pain. There is an element of jealousy from both women that affects the friendship. Also, their marriages certainly had an effect on the friendship as well.
If you like movie history you will like this book. I really enjoyed it. It read very much like a memoir and most of the events actually happened, although the dialogue was fictional.
Thanks to Melanie Benjamin and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mary and Frances are very close and their friendship is a strong bond. However, there are many ups and downs in their friendship and insecurities that cause pain. There is an element of jealousy from both women that affects the friendship. Also, their marriages certainly had an effect on the friendship as well.
If you like movie history you will like this book. I really enjoyed it. It read very much like a memoir and most of the events actually happened, although the dialogue was fictional.
Thanks to Melanie Benjamin and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2017
Spanning the years from 1914 to 1969, we see friendship blossom between Mary Pickford and her scenarist Frances Marion. They forge a partnership that has its ups and downs and shows us the evolution of movies and the Hollywood culture. Along the way we have glimpses of other on-screen greats like Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks. Benjamin did her research and as she mentions in her Author's Note, had to pick and choose what to feature in her book. It was fascinating to see these two women adapt and change as their business is transformed from silent feature films to "talkies" and beyond. Well worth the read!
September 20, 2017
I enjoy historical fiction books but had never read anything about the early days of the movies. This book covered the careers of Mary Pickford, one of America's first movie stars and Frances Marion, an early screenwriter. The author had done significant research into the lives and careers of both of these women and the story was both educational and great fun to read. Mary and Frances became great friends and stuck with each other through good and bad. They were actually very liberated for the time and vowed that no man would come between them. They stood up to studio heads and directors to get their way in the early movies and Frances wrote movies for Mary Pickford to star in. They knew that they were looked down on for being women but vowed to stay strong together. Their friendship was ruined by (of course) a man -- Mary fell in love with Douglas Fairbanks and her entire attitude changed as she began to live life the way he wanted to and seemed to lose herself in the relationship.
This is the story of two strong women in the early days of Hollywood. Their friendship and the changes they tried to make in their world are a great story to read. I've gone back to read information about both of them. I'd heard of Mary Pickford but never Frances Marion - who was a very well known screen writer who earned two Academy Awards. This is a very well written and well-researched book and I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
This is the story of two strong women in the early days of Hollywood. Their friendship and the changes they tried to make in their world are a great story to read. I've gone back to read information about both of them. I'd heard of Mary Pickford but never Frances Marion - who was a very well known screen writer who earned two Academy Awards. This is a very well written and well-researched book and I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2018
I enjoyed this story of the friendship between Frances Marion and Mary Pickford. The story covers the hardships women faced in the movie business, including the "casting couch" and the decision to have children, while showing two women whose friendship went through many phases and trials.
The author's afterword in which she tells which parts of her story are true, which conjecture taken from the history of these women and listing some biographies/autobiographies of these women that would be of interest for further reading.
I listened to the audio book, narrated by Kimberly Farr, and really enjoyed it.
The author's afterword in which she tells which parts of her story are true, which conjecture taken from the history of these women and listing some biographies/autobiographies of these women that would be of interest for further reading.
I listened to the audio book, narrated by Kimberly Farr, and really enjoyed it.
January 25, 2018
I'm not going to spend a lot of time writing this review. I really and truly disliked this novel. I had a tough time even getting through it and as I try to figure out exactly why I have to believe that I just didn't like any of the characters. They were "blah." The story was the same.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2018
WOW. Mary Pickford and Frances Marion. This novel is about Mary’s life, her one true love Douglas Fairbanks and her successes and losses personally and in pictures, along with Academy Award writer and friend Frances Marion’s highly successful life. Their friendship is about the sacrifices and compromises they made in order to succeed. A very interesting and powerful story!👏🏻👏🏻 Highly recommend 👍🏻
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