Hollywood
By the mid-Twenties there were more than 20, 000 movie theatres across the country. More than 130 million people paid ten cents to attend silent movies each week. (America, p. 472)
Hollywood became as famous as Wall Street and silent film celebrities such as Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Theda Barra, Clara Bow (“The It Girl”), Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo and Lillian Gish dominated news and celebrity magazines. Other famous actors included Pola Negri, Gloria Swanson, Lon Chaney, Ben Turpin, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Tom Mix, and William S. Hart. Lillian Gish made more than $400,000 a year. (TFC, Vol 3, p.228)
Mary Pickford was a darling of the silent screen. In her 20s, Pickford became famous playing 14-year-olds. Her characters were always sweet, virginal, waifish girls. In her heyday (1912 to 1925), Pickford was making $250,000 a film. She was called America’s sweetheart and “Blondielocks,” for her golden, curls that went down to her shoulders. When Pickford auctioned one of her curls off for the World War I effort, it went for $15,000.
Later in the Twenties, “Talkies” took over for silent pictures. The first major “Talkie” was “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson, which appeared in 1927. When movies began to talk, Pickford disapproved. She said talking motion pictures was like ”putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo.” But, she tried it anyway. Her first talkie was Coquette (1929), about a Southern belle, her unsuitable sweetie and a murder. Pickford won an Oscar for her performance, and four years later she gave up acting.
In 1919, Pickford co-founded United Artists with movie pioneers Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith and Douglas Fairbanks (whom she married the next year). Walt Disney debuted Mickey Mouse in the 1928 animated feature, Steamboat Willie. The first Academy Awards- “Oscars”- were presented in 1929.
“Mary Pickford (Used to Eat Roses)” – written by Mike Batt (2007) and sung by Katie Melua – presents of collage of Hollywood personalities during the Jazz Age. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8JYiW6bspI
Mary Pickford used to eat roses
Thought that they’d make her beautiful and they did,
One supposes.Douglas Fairbanks, he was so handsome,
He wore a moustache,
Must-a had much cash, too,
Worth a king’s ransom,Charlie Chaplin, he was invited,
When these artists became united.
When these artists became united.David Griffith worked as an extra,
Then as a stagehand,
Until they let him be
A directorDave was brave, a mover and shaker,
A true pioneer,
He seemed to show no fear,
A real film makerJust like Chaplin, he was invited,
When these artists became united.
When these artists became united.They tied the knot together,
Groom and bride couldn’t hide their pleasure.
They tried to pick fair weather,
But love died, didn’t last forever.Mary Pickford used to eat roses,
Thought that they’d make her beautiful and they did,
One supposes.Douglas Fairbanks, he was so handsome,
He wore a moustache,
Must-a had much cash too,
Worth a king’s ransom.Charlie Chaplin, he was invited,
When these artists became united.
When these artists became united.
When these artists became united
“Clara Bow”, sung by The Cleaners from Venus – (1987) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaKMT9UQ6bw
I saw your face on the silent screen
And on the cover of a magazine, Clara Bow
You were the image of a plastic age
You spent a lifetime in a silent cage, Clara Bow
Clara Bow is it true that the camera struck you dumb
Clara Bow, I would like to hear you speaking, but I can’t
You were the lipstick butterfly
No need to work when you can flutter your eyes, Clara Bow
You were living in the it world, it girl
You were speaking for American working girls, Clara Bow
Clara Bow did your money make it any better
Clara Bow, I would like to hear you speaking but I can’t
(Instrumental)
Clara Bow did your money make it any better
Clara Bow I would like to see your pictures, but I can’t
“Valentino” – sung and written by Freddie Hart (1964) https://youtu.be/wGSzPihInVA
Valentino! Valentino!
His name will live forever.
To America he came from a far-away land
and was known among women as a man among men.
His name is recorded in Love’s Hall of Fame:
Rudolph Valentino was his name.He had a technique with women unique so they tell,
for girls of all ages fell under his spell.
Now that made men jealous, they could not compete,
Named him “Casanova of the street.”Valentino! Valentino!
Famous the whole world over.Valentino! Valentino!
His name will live forever.Well he died but a young man not much overgrown.
Stories were told that he didn’t die alone.
‘Twas said that some women took their lives that day.
Rudolph Valentino passed away!So loved was this man throughout all the world,
he was a legend to every boy and girl.
In New York’s Big City his service was held,
mourners by the millions cried “Farewell!”Valentino! Valentino!
Famous the whole world over.Valentino! Valentino!
His name will live forever.