We live in an age where there’s little wiggle room for transgression, even if you unknowingly commit an Offence.
However, to be fair, every era enforces its societal standards, along with punishments for those who do not Play By The Rules.
Some people have immunity from these consequences, and some do not, while others are exiled for a time, but have the charisma to override societal objections.
We’re thinking, specifically, of Mabel Normand, actress, filmmaker, and one-time mentor of Charlie Chaplin. She lived a scandalous life by the standards of any era: She was a Person of Interest in the murder of director William Desmond Taylor, and she was a friend of disgraced film comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle – among other things.
It was thought she kept Poor Company, and her films were kept out of circulation for a spell. But that would come later in her career, in the 1920s, when scandal and illness would making working difficult.
Even so, her death in 1930 was regarded as the end of the silent era, and some of the Biggest Hollywood Names were pallbearers at her funeral. No matter what did (or didn’t) happen in her short and prolific life, audiences loved Mabel Normand.
Minnie Devereaux looks out for our gal. Image: TCM
In the mid 1910s, Mabel had her own production company, which made the highest-grossing movie of 1918: Mickey.
Mabel stars as the tomboy-ish, free-ranging daughter of an unsuccessful gold miner (George Nichols), who sends her to live with an aunt in New York City where she can learn to be a Lady.
Alas, this greedy aunt (Laura La Varnie) thinks Mabel is wealthy, and she’s severely disappointed to learn Otherwise. So she makes Mabel the household servant, and becomes further distressed when Mabel catches the eye of her daughter’s Very Rich boyfriend.
It’s an amusing story, with scenes that pull at your heart. On the surface, the film appears very much to be a Product of Its Time, e.g. the clothes and technology, but it’s surprisingly modern.
For example, look at the relationship between Nichols and his “housekeeper” (Minnie Devereaux), a pipe-smoking indigenous woman. Devereaux is a clever supporting player; in her brief scenes, she shows us she loves this crazy family, but also regards them as morons. (Which they sometimes are, let’s face it.)
What really makes this film feel fresh, we think, is Mabel herself, playing a woman who’s unconventional as her real self. Watch her, and see how natural she is. She’s playing for the camera and through it, simultaneously winking at us and giving us a professional Hollywood performance.
It’s quite a trick. For example, when she pokes another character in jest, her actions almost seem to break the fourth wall. It’s us she’s teasing, letting us in on the joke.
Suddenly, she’s no longer a two-dimensional figure on a screen; she’s a fascinating young woman speaking directly to us from over a century ago. She – unintentionally or not – makes the other characters seem Very Conscious they’re actors in a movie.
It would be difficult to be a cast member in a Mabel Normand film, because she doesn’t steal the scene; she is the scene.
Mickey was the only film produced by the Mabel Normand Feature Film Company, and you can read more about the film’s production and delayed release HERE, along with the company’s ill-fated financial structure.
It’s hard to imagine, but Mickey was a slow-starter in terms of box office sales. Wikipedia says it wasn’t widely distributed for almost a year, but when it Took Hold, audiences couldn’t Get Enough. It saw, apparently, an annual re-release until 1921. According to Wikipedia, almost 41 million tickets were sold for the film, a record that wasn’t beaten until 1938.
It makes you wonder, What If? What if Mabel didn’t battle tuberculosis for most of her life? What if her production company had made more films?
What if she didn’t die Too Soon at the age of 36?
Mabel was one of the most prolific filmmakers of her day. On Silent Movie Day, we encourage you to seek out one of her films, especially the 1918 smash, Mickey.
This post is part of The Silent Movie Day Blogathon, hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Silent-ology.
Mickey: starring Mabel Normand, George Nichols, Laura La Varnie. Directed by F. Richard Jones & James Young. Written by J.G. Hawkes. Mabel Normand Feature Film Company, 1918, B&W, 73 mins.
Thank you contributing this great piece to the blogathon! I enjoyed your take on Mabel’s camera presence and her ability to connect with her audience, very incisive. 🙂
It’s one of those What If… stories – what if she’d lived longer? What if she didn’t have health issues, etc? But I guess we can still enjoy the work she left behind.
Thanks for the introduction to Minnie Devereux in this post. With the recent passing of the incomparable Sacheen Littlefeather, it’s a treat to be introduced to another indigenous US actor from the past.
Silver Screenings 
Thanks for the post. Mabel also filmed clever stunts during Mickey – read more https://silentlocations.com/2016/03/07/how-mabel-normand-filmed-her-safety-last-moment-before-harold-lloyd-did-2/
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She did do some clever stunts, which I neglected to mention. Thanks for the link – I’ll check it out when I get home.
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We can tell, from the photo of her on set, that she had a big personality and that she was a free thinker.
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Exactly! She is timeless, I think.
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That last photo of her is very captivating. It does indeed make you wonder how things would have shook out if she lived longer!
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Captivating is the perfect word. She was truly marvelous – so much life and personality. It really makes you wonder.
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She sounds great fun! And I adored these photos. Fantastic writing as always.
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Thanks, Gill. Mabel was one of a kind. She truly was Made for the Movies.
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She was a great choice for this blogathon, thanks for introducing me to her.
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Thank you contributing this great piece to the blogathon! I enjoyed your take on Mabel’s camera presence and her ability to connect with her audience, very incisive. 🙂
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Thanks, Lea – and thank you for co-hosting this fab event. Lots of films to add to my Must Watch List.
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One of the greats of all time. No doubt in my mind.
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Yup, I agree.
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The images tells itself that she has a great personality(Pro Gamer)
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It’s true – the images really show her personality.
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I hadn’t heard of her but she sounds fascinating. Did she die from tuberculosis?
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Yeah, she did die of tuberculosis and pneumonia. She was a force of nature in her day, though, health issues notwithstanding.
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I haven’t seen Mickey but I adore Mabel. I’m glad she is being rediscovered and talked about as the real badass she was.
Cheers!
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Haha! You know it! Perfect description of Mabel.
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What a short life Mabel had, such a waste of talent!
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It’s one of those What If… stories – what if she’d lived longer? What if she didn’t have health issues, etc? But I guess we can still enjoy the work she left behind.
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Someone should do a biopic of Mabel Nourmand–this needs to happen. Or at least promote her films on HBO Max or something.
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Oh yes! Great idea!
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Thanks for the introduction to Minnie Devereux in this post. With the recent passing of the incomparable Sacheen Littlefeather, it’s a treat to be introduced to another indigenous US actor from the past.
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Minnie Devereaux is a complete natural in front of the camera. There is not a shred of self-consciousness. It’s a treat to see her on screen.
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