The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era rediscovers the fascinating lives and pioneering achievements of 15 women who dared to venture into early motion pictures, an industry dominated by men, and who not only succeeded but became the focal points of the industry. Each star earned a position at the height of her profession, and though many are largely forgotten today, made a lasting and significant contribution to early cinema. In this entertaining and informative volume, author David Menefee reveals these women and their signature roles, drawing on many original sources to show us how such actresses as Theda Bara, Sarah Bernhardt, Dorothy Gish, and Norma Talmadge were received in their time, and the many ways in which their influence remains important today. Each profile contains a biographical treatment, an analysis of key films from her career, a discussion of the actress's influence on the medium, and selected filmography. Each also includes two photographs, most often one of the actress herself and a still from a film.

Examines 15 women who ventured into the early film business, becoming the focal point of that burgeoning industry, each important today for the role they played in the development of a new art.

About the Author
DAVID W. MENEFEE is a contributing writer for The Dallas Times Herald and The Dallas Morning News. He is the author of Sarah Bernhardt: In the Theater of Film and Sound Recordings, the first-ever comprehensive study of the actress's recorded work.


Book Information
ISBN 9780275982591
Author David W. Menefee
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Praeger Publishers Inc
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Weight(grams) 539g