Tweet My Barbara La Marr Biography

I am thrilled to announce that my completed Barbara La Marr biography, written at the request of her son, Donald Gallery, has been "wholeheartedly approved" for publication by University Press of Kentucky! It will be published in their Fall 2017 Screen Classics series, perhaps as soon as August.

Meticulously compiled from myriad sources—including never-before-released information from Donald Gallery and descendants of people close to Barbara, Barbara’s private diary, memoirs of those who knew and romanced her, and an extensive collection of Barbara’s poetry—the book presents an intimate look at Barbara’s life story, told in its entirety for the first time.

I have truly been putting a tremendous amount of work and research, my heart, and my soul into this project these past so many years and am extremely excited to get Barbara's incredible story out there. For now, feel free to peruse my Barbara La Marr tribute website for future book updates and to learn about her amazing life and career during Hollywood's silent days: www.barbaralamarr.net

[silentfilm]

Congratulations!

Thank you, Bruce.

I'm so happy to read this. I had read several years ago that a bio of Barbara was in the works. Then (if memory serves me correct) the author died. Barbara's son was going to finish it but then he too died.
I'm not sure if that was all true but I never read anything else about a bio on her. It was sad. I find her fascinating and
can't wait for the book to come out. This is such great news! Much of her life was cloaked in mystery and legend.
I'll be one of the first in line to buy the book.

Congratulations. It's always nice to see a new book from members here.

I am curious did you have access to the archives of the late Jimmy Bangley, who frequently wrote of Lamarr in the 1990's in Classic Images magazine and had planned to do a book about her back then?

Thank you for the responses and interest in the book, everyone.

Smokey, you are correct. There was a bio in the works by Jimmy Bangley and then he passed away. Then Donald Gallery, Barbara's son, was planning to do it. When Don met me in 2007 (he came to see me portray Barbara in a performance piece I wrote about her life), he then asked me to do it. Sadly, Don passed in October 2014.

For anyone who is interested, feel free to visit my Barbara La Marr tribute website (http://www.barbaralamarr.net) to read about how Don and I met (choose the "About/Contact Sherri" tab at the top) . There are also some blog posts about Don's life and many photographs, blog posts, and other information about Barbara on the site.

To answer your question Harlowgold, Donald Gallery gave me all of Jimmy's files that were in his possession. It was essentially material I had already found through my own research, however.

Thank you again for your interest,
Sherri

My biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood, scheduled for release in early December by the University Press of Kentucky, is now available for pre-order on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Marr-Bea ... 52&seller=).

Writer and cinema historian Annette Bochenek recently interviewed me about the book. Creator of the Hometowns to Hollywood website, Annette offers a fascinating look at the oftentimes modest beginnings of Old Hollywood’s biggest icons. Feel free to read my interview with Annette and her review of Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood on her blog: https://home2hollywood.wordpress.com/bo ... hollywood/.

Eagerly awaiting your book.......Barbara La Marr was certainly overdue for a book.....Loved her with Fairbanks in Three Musketeers.....congratulations....

I am so glad to read this since I thought there would never be a La Marr biography (not to mention the fictional one by Arnold Bronnen).
Thank you so much, Sherri.

I once read that Michael C. Ankerich was interested to do a La Marr biography, too...

Definitely order the first time i see it available.....hopefully on Amazon......long over due

I saw her last film "The Girl From Montimartre" in a 35mm print at the Eastman House sometime in the mid 1990's. If I remember correctly her name isn't even on the films credits. I suppose First National was cutting their losses.
Randy

I can't wait for the book to come out. I had given up hope when I heard that her son had died before
the book could be completed.

My biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood, was released by the University Press of Kentucky November 15!

Those who purchased the book directly from the University Press of Kentucky will receive their order any day now. Book shipments will be making their way to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers over the coming weeks. For those planning to get the book, the University Press of Kentucky is currently running a 20% off holiday sale on orders (for the cloth version) placed via their website (http://kentuckypress.com/live/title_detail.php?titleid=5161#.WhXFHc-pUdn). Be sure to enter the discount code provided when ordering.

Meanwhile, Barbara fans are welcome to visit my tribute website (http://www.barbaralamarr.net) and Barbara La Marr Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraLaMarrTheGirlWhoWasTooBeautifulForHollywood/).

Book Reviews:

The ‘Girl Who Was Too Beautiful’ moniker is both a blessing and a curse for Barbara La Marr’s legacy. It ensures her place in the pantheon of Hollywood’s most intriguing figures, but at the same time discourages modern audiences from viewing her as anything more than Roaring Twenties eye candy. Therefore, the task that Sherri Snyder has undertaken is invaluable; Snyder manages to humanize an actress who is all too often defined merely by her physical appearance and freewheeling lifestyle. Expertly researched and captivatingly written, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood manages to paint the most complete picture of La Marr’s life to date. A scholarly work on Barbara La Marr was long overdue; the silent film community as a whole should be thankful that Snyder was not only up to the task, but has created a work that will serve to define La Marr’s life and career for decades to come. -- Charles Epting, editor, Silent Film Quarterly

Snyder’s work is fresh and enthralling. Her dedication and compassion for her subject shines through. And we are richly rewarded with a truly well-written biography of a long-forgotten star. -- Stephen Michael Shearer, author of Patricia Neal: An Unquiet Life, Beautiful: The Life of Hedy Lamarr, and Gloria Swanson: The Ultimate Star

Since La Marr’s life is linked to tragedy and scandal, the separation of fact from fiction is a difficult undertaking. However, Snyder beautifully steps up to the task of providing film scholars a thoughtful and well-researched depiction of La Marr’s life, career, and legacy. Snyder’s work offers an honest and incredibly personal perspective of La Marr’s life. Snyder’s prose justly portrays both the rewarding and challenging moments throughout La Marr’s life and career. -- Hometowns to Hollywood

Snyder’s completed manuscript is impressive in both its scope and detail . . . . A fluid and captivating narrative. -- Christina Rice, author of Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel

Sherri Snyder digs deep into the life of Barbara La Marr, giving an in-depth look at the intelligence and talents of the “girl who was too beautiful.” We see the real three-dimensional La Marr for the very first time, a thoughtful, generous, and creative woman who died much too young. -- Mary Mallory, film historian and author of Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays: 1920-1970, Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found, and Hollywood at Play: The Lives of the Stars Between Takes

I didn't realize the book was out. I thought it wouldn't be out until mid December.
I can't wait to buy it. I've wanted to know more about Barbara for years. I had given up hope on a bio
when her son died.

Hi Smokey. I thought it would be out in early December as well, so the November 15 release was a surprise to me. Barbara is definitely a fascinating study.

Classic Movie Hub invited me to contribute a guest blog about legendary silent screen siren Barbara La Marr for their website. In my post, “Barbara La Marr: Life on Her Own Terms,” I discuss Barbara’s commendable talents and her unbending determination to succeed in life, despite myriad obstacles and frequent association with scandal. Read it here: http://www.classicmoviehub.com/blog/barbara-la-marr-life-on-her-own-terms-exclusive-guest-post-by-author-sherri-snyder/.

***There are five opportunities left to WIN a copy of my newly released biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood, courtesy of the University Press of Kentucky and Classic Movie Hub! Winners will be chosen on December 16, 23, and 30, and January 6. Get the details on my Barbara La Marr tribute site here: http://barbaralamarr.net/?p=1672.