Lillian Gish: A Life on Stage and Screen

by Stuart Oderman

Overview

With a theatrical career spanning nearly 100 years, Gish saw motion pictures evolve from flickers to blockbusters. Usually playing someone needing to be rescued or protected, her trademark delicacy and vulnerability belied a strong and complex woman whose fatherless childhood taught her frugality, love for her mother and her sister, Dorothy, and a distrust of men.

The author, who was her friend, chronicles the hardships, heartaches, and fierce determination that shaped her all her days. With rare photographs and intimate recollections of Lillian, Dorothy, and many other important figures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786440757
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	03/26/2009
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late Stuart Oderman was an internationally acclaimed silent film pianist. He lived in New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments      viii
Preface     

1. Father, Dear Father     
2. The Road to Biograph and Mr. Griffith     
3. Events Leading to The Birth: I     
4. Events Leading to The Birth: II     
5. The Birth of a Nation     
6. Triangle Time     
7. Dark Crossings     
8. Little Poems     
9. A Reward     
10. Ice Floes     
11. Storms and Partings     
12. In Italy: I     
13. In Italy: II     
14. Betrayals     
15. Mimi     
16. Hester     
17. Other Matters     
18. Unkindest Cuts     
19. Miss Gish Is Miss Gish     
20. Travels and Tribulations     
21. Novelties     
22. Integrity     
23. Games, Favorites, and Politics     
24. Back on the Boards     
25. The Road to Elsinore     
26. Changes and Adjustments     
27. Choices: Right and Wrong     
28. The Road Back     
29. None but the Lonely Heart     
30. Tubes in a Box     
31. The “Comeback”     
32. Just Her Name     
33. The “Singing” Empress     
34. Full Circle     
35. Honors and Surprises     
36. Taking Stock     
37. The Last Reel     

Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

Oderman’s compelling book...will stand as one of the best of all film biographies”—Choice; “rich interviews…informative”—The New York Review of Books; “exhaustive research”—Classic Images; “intriguing...fascinating...a good read that will satisfy any fan of these early movie stars”—Sullivan County Democrat; “this is biography at the highest level—I enjoyed and savored every chapter. Arguably the best work on a biography of a film star yet...insightful”—Critic 2000; “entertaining and meticulously researched.”—Louis S. Auchincloss.

From the Publisher

From her first film, in 1912, to her last, (1987), Lillian Gish personified film. In this, her most complete biography, the author, who was her friend, chronicles the hardships, heartaches, and fierce determination that shaped her, from her difficult childhood to her attainment of near-legendary status. Features b&w film stills, and recollections of Lillian, her sister Dorothy, and other important figures. Oderman, an internationally acclaimed silent pianist, knew Gish for four decades. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

exhaustive research

Classic Images

rich interviews...informative

The New York Review of Books

Oderman's compelling book...will stand as one of the best of all film biographies

Choice