Our March Guest Star

[moirafinnie]

The Silver Screen Oasis is proud to welcome author Eve Golden as our March Guest Star on the first two weekends of the month, (Sat., Mar. 1st & Sun., Mar. 2nd, followed by Sat., Mar. 8th & Sun. Mar 9th) .

Ms. Golden, who has written lively examinations of film in Classic Images and Films of the Golden Age, is the author of the following extensively researched and beautifully illustrated books, most of which can readily be found for sale on line, in bookstores, and libraries:

Golden Images: 41 Essays on Silent Film Stars

Described as concise "essays on the careers of the era's host of actors. ...dense with information" by a review at Big Reel, this highly informative collection covers everyone from Clara Bow to Max Linder to Anita Page, quoting extensively from primary source material.

Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara

This book of the first sex symbol in cinema has been called "…a much-needed full-length work that shows how Bara's precedent-setting career has contemporary resonance in mass-mediated images. With a critical eye for her primary sources, the fanzines, the author deconstructs Hollywood stardom without over-intellectualizing the star. Although Bara's films are dated, Golden gives due consideration to the icon Bara created-and to the life behind it." ~Library Journal.
You can read a portion of an essay on Theda Bara by Ms. Golden at Classic Images site, here.

Platinum Girl: The Life and Legends of Jean Harlow

"This elegantly designed book presents an appealing portrait of screen legend Harlow, setting straight some widely circulated inaccuracies." ~ Publisher's Weekly
You can read an interview with Ms. Golden about Jean Harlow and this book here at The Platinum Page.

The Brief, Madcap Life of Kay Kendall

The delightful comedienne, known for her sparkling performances in Genevieve, Les Girls, and The Reluctant Debutante, among other films, is given an overdue recognition by Ms. Golden, who wrote this with the cooperation of the late Kay Kendall's sister. "Golden, author of biographies on Jean Harlow and Theda Bara, has joined with Kendall's sister to write the first biography of this beautiful, ambitious woman. Golden's writing style is concise and evenly paced, and she uses firsthand information from the actress's family and friends" ~ Library Journal

Vernon and Irene Castle's Ragtime Revolution

"Eve Golden writes an engaging story filled with interesting tidbits of information about her subjects and the period in which they were most well-known." ~Rene Camus, Founder and Artistic Director of Centuries Historical Dance

Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld's Broadway

"Journalist/biographer Golden presents a fascinating look at a dynamic period in Western history through the life of one extraordinary woman." about the woman who has been described "'the brains and inspiration' behind Ziegfeld's Follies"~ Library Journal

Please join us at our moderated website to enjoy the discussion with our visiting author. All are welcome.

[MissGoddess]

Marvelous! I've read her biography on Jean and it's wonderful how she put to rest some of the more hurtful gossip that has been taken for fact about the star. What emerges is a portrait of a funny, warm and immensely likable young woman with all the same hopes and dreams of any normal girl.

I like Kay Kendall and have had my eye on her biography for some time.

[charliechaplinfan]

Brilliant news I have her book on the Silent Stars and also her book on Theda Bara both excellent reads.

[egolden]

Hello, all, I look forward to chatting this weekend! In fact, I tend to get sucked into message boards like they were tar pits, and will probably be hanging around neglecting my work and making a pest of myself . . .

--Eve Golden

[charliechaplinfan]

You could never be a pest to us

I don't know whether this is the right thread to post question but I will do. I loved your book on Silents and on Theda Bara. Do you have a favorite male and female silent star? and do you think there are any who were misunderstood or misrepresented today?

[egolden]

You could never be a pest to us

I don't know whether this is the right thread to post question but I will do. I loved your book on Silents and on Theda Bara. Do you have a favorite male and female silent star? and do you think there are any who were misunderstood or misrepresented today?

Oh, lordie, is it against the rules to start answering early? (I told you, tar pit!). I don't think I have one favorite star from any period, but I do love Lillian Gish (she was a friend of mine for the last 20 years of her life); Ramon Novarro; Theda, of course; I think Mary Pickford was amazingly talented, and I also adore Doug Sr.; one of my favorite silent comics is Max Davidson, of all people.

As far as stars being misrepresented, I tried to address that in my Theda Bara book: I myself thought she was a modestly talented one-trick pony till I began reading contemportary reviews and saw how versatile and talented many reveiwers of the day thought her. And I hate how people today think Mary Pickford was nothing but a silent-era Shirley Temple!

[moirafinnie]

*LOL* No, Eve, as far as I know there's no "rule" against answering questions ahead of time. It's delightful that you're willing to share your knowledge and just knowing that you were a friend of Lillian Gish makes me even more impressed!

Have fun, look around, kick the tires, and don't worry about putting your feet up on the cyber-furniture. We try to keep the SSO a friendly little playhouse for everyone, even Guest Stars.
Please feel free to enjoy it thoroughly!

[charliechaplinfan]

I love the way you didn't confine yourself to one star of each gender, I never can and my list grows longer with the more viewing I do.

I agree with you about Theda. I too had the same misconception about her until I started reading your book. I got it for Christmas 2006 and finished it by the 27th that's good going for me. I've heard it said about Theda that she was sad when her career ended but this was not the impression I gained from your biography.

If you could write a book about anyone at all who would it/they be? and what criteria do you use when deciding on your next subject? Do your publishers give you free reign on what subject to chose next? Sorry that's three questions in one.

[egolden]

If you could write a book about anyone at all who would it/they be? and what criteria do you use when deciding on your next subject? Do your publishers give you free reign on what subject to chose next? Sorry that's three questions in one.

I wanted to do books on Divine, Mae Murray, Nora Bayes; they all fell through for one reason or another. I'd have liked to have done books on Pearl White, the Talmadge sisters, Peg Entwistle--but they all have biographies in progress by other writers now.

When I do settle on someone, I have to like them enough to spend three years or more with them (how do people write about Hitler without going crazy?). They can't already have a good book about them; what else would I have to say? So I try to choose someone who either has no book or a crappy book.

My publisher (a university press) is very patient with me, and will publish subjects major houses wouldn't touch--but I think the lack of crazed fans beating down bookstore doors for Vernon and Irene Castle may have given them food for thought, and I'd better come up with someone more marketable next time out.

[charliechaplinfan]

Thanks for answering my questions before your allotted spot, so to speak. I'm surprised no one else has jumped in. Perhaps they're not as cheeky as me

I'll leave the next question for one of the others, although I can think of plenty

[egolden]

I'm surprised no one else has jumped in . . . I'll leave the next question for one of the others, although I can think of plenty

I will hold off till the weekend, too, and hope the lack of questions is because no one checks the "announcements" forum, and not because of an overwhelming lack of interest . . .

[jondaris]

I'm surprised no one else has jumped in . . . I'll leave the next question for one of the others, although I can think of plenty

I will hold off till the weekend, too, and hope the lack of questions is because no one checks the "announcements" forum, and not because of an overwhelming lack of interest . . .

I wouldn't worry about that...

[charliechaplinfan]

Don't worry Eve I've plenty of questions and I'm sure others will have too.

[Sue Sue Applegate]

Dear Eve,

So glad to hear that you will be guesting on the Silver Screen Oasis.
I love Lillian Gish!

[moirafinnie]

It's great to see such interest in our March Guest Star! Please join us for further inquiries for Ms. Golden in the Guest Stars section, found here.