Mary Pickford does some analog banking. Image: BBC/Getty
Actress Mary Pickford, wildly famous during the silent era, developed a pattern early in her career.
The pattern first became evident at the Biograph studio in 1909, when a 17-year-old Pickford worked with director D.W. Griffith, pushing the boundaries and conventions of film.
Even though Pickford was fast gaining fame and recognition at Biograph – and the pay to go with it – she was starting to get Restless.
“[F]or the next twenty-four years,” writes biographer Robert Windeler, “whenever Mary Pickford got restless, the entire movie industry was likely to feel the repercussions.”¹
Pickford was ambitious, No Doubt About It. She knew her worth and how to negotiate it. Samuel Goldwyn once joked, “It took longer to make Mary’s contracts than it did to make her pictures.”2
Nevertheless, Pickford was a hard worker, and she knew how to Read a movie audience.
“She knew everything there was to know about making a movie,” said Charles Rosher, Pickford’s favourite cameraman. “She could do everything, she was a walking motion picture company.”3
It seems a foregone conclusion, then, looking at her life with 20/20 Hindsight, that she would always become a Studio Boss. In 1919, together with Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and director Griffith, Pickford co-founded the independent studio, United Artists.
Biographer Windeler, author of Mary Pickford: Sweetheart of the World, is almost rapturous in his appraisal of Pickford’s contribution to film. “Since 1919 she had set standards for the entire film industry, and made at least a million dollars a year as an actor-producer doing it.”4
Pickford was associated with United Artists for decades, retaining her share of ownership until the 1950s.
But her energy and ambition could not last forever. In 1965, a tired Mary Pickford went to bed with the intention of never leaving it.
“[S]he had worked hard all her life since she was five,” explains Windeler, who interviewed Pickford in the early 1970s. “She would not get up out of bed or leave the house again, except to go to the hospital.”5
Pickford and her signature curls in 1918. Image: oscars.org
The documentary, Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies (2008), lists the ways in which Pickford was a Groundbreaker:
First actor whose name appeared on a marquee. Paramount boss, Adolf Zukor, added the words “America’s Sweetheart”.*
First actress to make $1 million.
At one time, she was the most famous woman in the world.
The first actress to fly in an airplane on film (1915’s Mistress Nell).
In 1928, she had her famous curls cut off, and the news landed on the front page of the New York Times.6
Not only was she an actress, she was a writer, director, producer.
She and her then-husband, Douglas Fairbanks, are considered the first international Movie Stars.
The home that she and Fairbanks remodeled, Pickfair, was The Place To Be in the 1920s. It was the first private home in Los Angeles to have an in-ground swimming pool.7
But this is only telling part of the story. Being a Smart businesswoman, in itself, isn’t entirely what made Pickford a sensation.
To understand that, you have to see her on screen.
Pickford and her Oscar, 1929. Image: Mary Pickford Foundation
When Pickford reigned supreme, says Windeler, many of her films portrayed an era for which nostalgic Americans had a yearning: “a rural small-town America of the late nineteenth century, already missed by an America growing up and moving too fast.”8
Pickford, it could be argued, was in the Right Place at the Right Time. She was born in Toronto in 1892, and moved to New York with her family not long after her father’s death. She began acting on stage as a child in Toronto, New York, and on tours in the U.S.
Even as a kid, Pickford felt the burden of supporting her family, something that would drive her throughout her life. She later said that portraying young girls on screen gave her the opportunity to reclaim the little girl she never was.9
Even though she was trained on the stage, her acting is natural and feels modern in its restraint. She knew how to speak to us through the camera.
Pickford died in 1979 from a cerebral hemorrhage. Her funeral, like much of her personal life, was a Private Affair. She is now interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA.
Thankfully, she leaves behind the treasured filmography of a smart, funny, and fiercely restless filmmaker.
This is a contribution to THE THIRD MARATHON STARS Blogathon hosted by Musings of a Classic Film Addict, In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood, The Wonderful World of Cinema.
Films Watched for this Blogathon:
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917)
Poor Little Rich Girl (1917)
The Hoodlum (1919)
Pollyanna (1920)
Mary Pickford: Muse of the Movies (2008)
Sources and Notes
*Actors’ names were not publicized in the Early Days of film. ¹Windeler, Robert (1975) Mary Pickford: Sweetheart of the World. London, UK: Star Books, p. 152. 2Ibid, p. 92. 3Ibid, p. 109. 4Ibid, p. 132. 5Ibid, p. 3. 6Mary Pickford Foundation. (Retrieved March 14, 2024.) Mary Pickford Cuts Her Hair. 7Wikipedia. (Retrieved March 14, 2024.) Pickfair. 8Windeler, Mary Pickford, p. 97. 9Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies, directed by Nicholas Eliopoulos (1963; Burbank, CA: Cinema Libre Studio, 2008), DVD.
I believe I may well like her, after you gave me that award as a “Jean Arthur” and she said that quote, “I loved sinking my head into Cary Grant’s chest.”
Thanks for this very informative piece on Mary Pickford! I really need to see more of her films. But now I’m curious to know which are the films you watched for the blogathon hehehe. Thanks for joining! 🙂
Thanks, Virginie! Mary P is a fascinating person, as most trailblazers tend to be, as you know. Thanks for co-hosting this blogathon. There will be lots to learn! 🤓
The original “America’s Sweetheart”, and “America’s Little Darling”, titles she richly deserved. That Pickford wasn’t afraid to take on certain roles like in Stella Mars and playing a male character in Little Lord Fauntleroy showed how serious she took acting. Her defining moment for me was The Love Light in 1921 as she helped fund the project and insisted screenwriter Frances Marion be allowed to direct the film, making Marion the first woman to direct a Hollywood film.
She promoted other women, didn’t she? There’s a story in Windeler’s biography that says Mary helped a struggling extra by casting her in her movie. Have yet to see Love Light – thanks for putting it on my radar.
Maybe it’s because Mary Pickford’s onscreen persona was very of her time but I remember initially thinking she was old-fashioned and overly melodramatic—then I watched her films. I think how well she produced all her star vehicles proves her talent as a producer who knew how to surround herself with the best in the business.
Watching something like her dual roles in Stella Maris or the special effects in Sparrows made really appreciate her risk-taking spirit and it’s quite impressive how well her dramas hold back. It’s sad that too many just know the name Mary Pickford without enjoying some of her great roles and films.
Thanks for dropping by, Shawn. For some reason, your comment went into spam, and I just saw it now.
You’re right when you talk about Mary Pickford seeming to be too old fashioned. I thought the same thing before I saw her movies, then I became an instant fan. She had plenty of charisma, and also knew how to produce – as you pointed out. I have yet to see Stella Maris, but it’s on my list.
Thank you so much for this lovely post on Mary Pickford, Ruth. I’m not familiar on any of her films, but she defintely sounds like a really talented actress.
That was a very interesting and informative read. Mary Pickford did so much in her life, especially for the film industry. Proud that she was a Canadian.
I enjoyed learning so much that I didn’t know about Mary Pickford, Ruth! I don’t think — no, I know — I’ve never seen her in a single movie. I’ve tried several times to watch Coquette, but I’ve yet to make it very far. I think I’ll try again and focus on her silents — thank you for giving me a place to start!
“Muse Of The Movies” is the WORST of the three documentaries about Mary Pickford, it’s totally cringeworthy, with the horrible Michael York narration and atrocious music score. The best one – by far – is the PBS American Experience, narrated by Laura Linney. There is also one narrated by Whoopi Goldberg that sounds as if she’s reading it dry for the first time, really laborious to get through. The Laura Linney-narrated one is, by far, the most emotionally engaging and the one that will have you watching all of her (great) movies. The 1917-1919 period is particularly impressive, although she’s got great work throughout her career, from the early Biograph days of 1909 to her flawed but fascinating sound work.
Silver Screenings 
Great to put a face to this name, thanks Ruth!
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She was a remarkable woman. I think you’d like her.
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I believe I may well like her, after you gave me that award as a “Jean Arthur” and she said that quote, “I loved sinking my head into Cary Grant’s chest.”
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Jean Arthur spoke for so many when she said that, didn’t she?
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At least 2 I can think of…
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Bahaha!
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Oops 2 dozen..
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That’s more like it!
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2 dozen x loads… but 2 that I know of if a chunky jumper is involved… naming no names…
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Bahaha! Exactly!
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Thanks for this very informative piece on Mary Pickford! I really need to see more of her films. But now I’m curious to know which are the films you watched for the blogathon hehehe. Thanks for joining! 🙂
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Thanks, Virginie! Mary P is a fascinating person, as most trailblazers tend to be, as you know. Thanks for co-hosting this blogathon. There will be lots to learn! 🤓
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The original “America’s Sweetheart”, and “America’s Little Darling”, titles she richly deserved. That Pickford wasn’t afraid to take on certain roles like in Stella Mars and playing a male character in Little Lord Fauntleroy showed how serious she took acting. Her defining moment for me was The Love Light in 1921 as she helped fund the project and insisted screenwriter Frances Marion be allowed to direct the film, making Marion the first woman to direct a Hollywood film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She promoted other women, didn’t she? There’s a story in Windeler’s biography that says Mary helped a struggling extra by casting her in her movie. Have yet to see Love Light – thanks for putting it on my radar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it’s because Mary Pickford’s onscreen persona was very of her time but I remember initially thinking she was old-fashioned and overly melodramatic—then I watched her films. I think how well she produced all her star vehicles proves her talent as a producer who knew how to surround herself with the best in the business.
Watching something like her dual roles in Stella Maris or the special effects in Sparrows made really appreciate her risk-taking spirit and it’s quite impressive how well her dramas hold back. It’s sad that too many just know the name Mary Pickford without enjoying some of her great roles and films.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by, Shawn. For some reason, your comment went into spam, and I just saw it now.
You’re right when you talk about Mary Pickford seeming to be too old fashioned. I thought the same thing before I saw her movies, then I became an instant fan. She had plenty of charisma, and also knew how to produce – as you pointed out. I have yet to see Stella Maris, but it’s on my list.
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A great account of the life and times of Mary Pickford, a true trailblazing screen gem.
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“Trailblazing” and “gem” are perfect words to describe Mary Pickford. Her acting feels timeless, wouldn’t you say?
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I never knew she was Canadian—so cool!
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Pretty great, hey? She emigrated to the US when she was five, but we can still claim her as one of our own, right?
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Absolutely!
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Thank you so much for this lovely post on Mary Pickford, Ruth. I’m not familiar on any of her films, but she defintely sounds like a really talented actress.
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Thanks, Blanca. Mary was charming, charismatic, and truly talented. I hope you get the chance someday to see one of her movies. 🙂
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Ruth, thought you might be interested in an article about the Fox Brothers
https://laratracehentz.wordpress.com/
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Thanks! A great article, and a really interesting website.
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This was a fitting tribute to a Star – with a capital S. I’ve seen quite a few of Pickford’s movies and she never failed to amuse and move me.
Cheers!
Le
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Thanks, Le. I got so caught up in writing about Mary, I neglected to talk about her movies! Sheesh.
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Hi Ruth, love you to join me in (yet) another new blogathon…
weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2024/03/25/name-blogathon/
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Just signed up via Twitter. This is gonna be good!
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Yay, so happy you can join us Ruth!!! Hoping your Canadian blogathon will make a reappearance one day… just seen the perfect movie!
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That was a very interesting and informative read. Mary Pickford did so much in her life, especially for the film industry. Proud that she was a Canadian.
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She certainly did, didn’t she? Are you Canadian, too? Glad to meet a fellow Canuck!
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I enjoyed learning so much that I didn’t know about Mary Pickford, Ruth! I don’t think — no, I know — I’ve never seen her in a single movie. I’ve tried several times to watch Coquette, but I’ve yet to make it very far. I think I’ll try again and focus on her silents — thank you for giving me a place to start!
— Karen
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I hope you get the chance to see one or 2 of her films. And I hope you’re captivated by her.
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I’d known only bits and pieces about her. It was good to see the context in your blog. Thanks also for the pointer to Windeler’s book.
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She was amazing on screen. She understood film and what audiences wanted from films. I hope you get the chance to see more of her work. 🙂
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Mary Pickford was amazing. It’s too bad she got so typecast.
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The typecasting really was too bad, as you say. It hindered her attempts to play more grown-up characters.
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“Muse Of The Movies” is the WORST of the three documentaries about Mary Pickford, it’s totally cringeworthy, with the horrible Michael York narration and atrocious music score. The best one – by far – is the PBS American Experience, narrated by Laura Linney. There is also one narrated by Whoopi Goldberg that sounds as if she’s reading it dry for the first time, really laborious to get through. The Laura Linney-narrated one is, by far, the most emotionally engaging and the one that will have you watching all of her (great) movies. The 1917-1919 period is particularly impressive, although she’s got great work throughout her career, from the early Biograph days of 1909 to her flawed but fascinating sound work.
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