Mary Pickford PBS documentary

Post by **silentfilm** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:27 am

Mary Pickford, Muse of the Movies was shown at the Kansas Silent Film Festival last year. I thought that it was good, but it steered clear of anything negative about Pickford, especially her alcoholism.

pickfair14 · Post by **pickfair14** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 11:02 am

Bruce, I got my screener from the Producer, and this is some of what he wrote to me, which may answer your comment. Seems he was more interested in Pickford - the career, than Pickford - the woman

I also decided to concentrate on the "strengths" and "contributions" Pickford made in
her life and career, rather than going for the "hear say" rumors about any of her weaknesses...

Jason Liller · Post by **Jason Liller** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:02 pm

The CBC did do a Pickford bio which, to the best of my knowledge, was never released to home video.

pickfair14 · Post by **pickfair14** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 1:29 pm

yes, I saw something a few years ago, and no I'm sure it's not available commercially. Sometimes the CBC can't get out of their own way.

They have done lots though on radio - here is a link to a 1959 interview

http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainme ... lips/3653/

BankofAmericasSweetheart · Post by **BankofAmericasSweetheart** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:54 am

pickfair14 wrote:personally, I felt the PBS doc, spent too much time on Mary's later years and the drinking. It is what it is, and we all know it, so I think it could have been covered much quicker without dwelling on it. The Henry Fonda narrated doc, and the Timeline Whoopi Goldberg narrated doc are much better IMO

However - yesterday I watched a new doc, not yet commercially available called "MARY PICKFORD - MUSE OF THE MOVIES" which is narrated by Michael York and Mary herself, using old radio interviews. Really well done, with Mary herself, steering the narrative. Look for it on some Festival agendas until it becomes commercially available

I had some issues over "Muse of the Movies". Interestingly over issues that you had with the PBS doc on her. I own the DVD to "Muse..." and overheard the director during a Q&A discussion(an extra on the dvd) declare that "everybody drank during that time and he found no evidence that Pickford was an alcoholic". I"m not sure why intelligent wonderful people like the one who did the doc "Muse of the Movies" would believe it could unacceptable for "America's Sweetheart" to have flaws. I mean, this is 2012, not 1915. No real need to sugarcoat this fascinating woman and alcoholism isn't a shame, it's a disease. Simple as that.

salus · Post by **salus** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:39 am

Which silent film stars got to see Mary in her later years besides Jetta Goudal?

Mary Pickford PBS documentary

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Re: Mary Pickford PBS documentary