| Movie Review | The Journal of American History, 93.3

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| Movie Review | The Journal of American History, 93.3 | The History Cooperative

Movie Reviews

Mary Pickford. Prod. by Sue Williams and Kathryn Dietz. Ambrica Productions, 2005. 90 mins. (PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314; 800-531-4727; http://www.shoppbs.org/)
PBS's American Experience producers have done a great service for teachers, scholars, and the viewing public by bringing Mary Pickford—a biography of one of the most significant actresses, producers, and icons in the U.S. silent film era—to the small screen. This documentary ably covers the story of Pickford's life from her humble origins as Gladys Smith, a young actress (and family breadwinner) in regional theater to Mary Pickford, Broadway ingénue turned Hollywood royalty and America's Sweetheart, to elderly recluse. Though she has been the subject of two able biographies, much scholarly work remains to be done on Pickford, and this film offers a solid starting point for scholars—as well as a tool for teachers and an engaging story for the general public.	1
The filmmakers have done prodigious archival research and incorporate incisive commentary from a wide range of accomplished writers and scholars. Director Sue Williams has artfully pulled together film footage, outtakes, stills, photographs, newsreels, newsprint, home movies, and audio clips to craft an insightful portrait. This documentary would work well in undergraduate and graduate courses on film and the film industry, and excerpts would work in a wide range of courses.	. . .

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