New Wave Outpost Forum

Mary Pickford was one of the most popular movie stars of her day. She usually played plucky virginal teenagers (even into her mid 30's!). She was a rather astute businesswoman as well and she, along with action star/husband Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and director D.W. Griffith, formed United Artists so they could control the kinds of projects they worked on. When talkies came in, Mary tried her best to blend in but, unlike Lillian Gish (who successfully transitioned from long-suffering virginal teenager roles to ornery old ladies), audiences just weren't as enthusiastic about her anymore. When she half-jokingly announced her retirement in 1933 she had hoped there would be some kind of public outcry but there wasn't. Mary left the film business and spent the remainder of her life as a recluse.

But in 1910, Mary was a hot property and as quaint as the clip below now might seem now, I reckon it's better than that new Ashton Kutcher flick.

(the title card says 1912 but it's a reissue print, the film itself is from 1910)


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