Olive Thomas: The Life and Death of a Silent Film BeautyOlive Thomas was one of Hollywood's first true movie stars. Born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, in 1894, she moved to New York at age sixteen and began to pursue an acting career. By 1915, she had landed a job as one of Ziegfeld's famous "Follies" girls. Before long her beauty was discovered by Hollywood, where she quickly became one of the biggest names in motion pictures. Her marriage to film star Jack Pickford further enhanced her popularity. Olive's death by poison on September 10, 1920, created a media circus. This biography begins with Olive's birth, follows her trip to stardom, and covers in detail the circumstances surrounding her mysterious death at age 25. Rare and beautiful photographs and a complete filmography are included. |
Contents
1Rags to Riches | 13 |
2Follies and Frolics and Film Oh My | 24 |
3Jack and Ollie | 35 |
4Selznick Pictures | 48 |
5Paris | 75 |
6The Investigation | 91 |
7What Jack Told Mary | 115 |
9Memories of a Lost Love | 128 |
Epilogue | 139 |
Stage and Film Appearances | 145 |
Bibliography | 195 |