The Mary Pickford Room
As an actress, she was known as “America’s Sweetheart”, the most visible woman of her times.
Her popularity was worldwide and, after her marriage to film star Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in 1920, they were considered American Royalty.
Using her brain as well as her beauty, Mary became the most powerful woman in Hollywood in the 1920’s.
Besides winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1929, she oversaw every aspect of her film making, from scripts to casts to sets to production, power never acquired and utilized by a woman before.
A pioneer in front and behind the camera, Mary Pickford is one of the finest talents ever to participate in movie making.
Another point of view of this 1920’s photo is that many of the women of that period wanted to look, dress and act like their favorite movie star, Mary Pickford.
This photo represents the view that we, as a society, many times want to emulate those that we admire, and Hollywood is a prime purveyor of this engaging fantasy.
A lovely vintage painting that fits perfectly in the period décor of The Irish Pub of Atlantic City.
“Gloria’s Romance” was a 1916 American Silent Film Serial starring Billie Burke.
Ms. Burke was famous on Broadway and Radio as well as Silent and Sound Films from the early 1900’s through the 1950’s.
Billie is best known for her role as “Glinda the Good Witch” in the 1939 Metro Goldwyn Mayer legendary movie, “The Wizard of Oz”.
When the century tuned from the 1800’s to the 1900’s, female fashion was still dominated by Victorian standards.
Named for Queen Victoria of Great Britain (1837-1901) it was defined by layers of dresses, skirts, blouses, coats, wraps, petticoats, corsets, jewelry, and accessories.
Flowing garments, flowery apparel and long, wide hats were all the rage as shown by this wonderful painting.
Dorothy Arnold was a turn of the century socialite; her family was one of the richest and most prominent in New York City, NY.
Her disappearance in 1910 remains unsolved to this day.
Dorothy disappeared in New York City during the afternoon of December 12, 1910, while shopping and has never been found
Sarah Bernhardt was a famous French actress who starred in many of the finest French plays of her time. Her career spanned the decades from the 1870’s to the First World War (1914-18).
Praised for her “Golden Voice”, she made several theatrical tours around the world and this poster advertises her 1905-1906 Farewell Tour.
Mary was the female idol of her age. Not only beautiful but brilliant with the motivation and perseverance to produce fine movies in the 1920’s.
In 1919, Mary co-founded United Artists Corporation (UA), a movie company, with Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith and her future husband, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.
Mary Pickford was the most powerful woman ever to work in Hollywood.
Signed by Mary.
Mary’s accomplishments are too many to mention but this plaque is a nice overview of her wonderful career in the movie industry
Another example of how actresses at the turn of the century (1800’s to 1900’s) responded to the fashion of the Victorian Era (Named for Queen Victoria of Great Britain 1837-1901).
Another photo of “America’s Sweetheart” Mary Pickford.
Although Mary was born in Canada, she became the female “face” her newly adopted country. During the First World War (1914-18) Mary led bond drives (people would buy Liberty War Bonds, investing their money now for the War Effort for a later matured payment from the US Government) for the United States and became the image of “Americana” throughout the world.
Another poster as the Famous Brothers Byrne kept revising their turn of the century Acrobat Act.
As they travelled the Vaudeville circuit, they stuck with the “8 Bells”, their most popular act, making slight revisions as necessary.
Another example of the 1920’s “Flapper Girl” phenomenon that let the youthful females of the era express themselves in many ways, especially through dance.
Sue Belle Mead was one of the loveliest turn of the century Broadway actresses and was known for her wonderful singing voice.
This circa 1900 poster features her work in “The Star Boarder”, a popular period play.
A wonderful example of how many women dressed during the Victorian Era.
Notice the long, touching the floor length skirt, high waist, open collar and long, to the wrist, sleeves.
The wide-brimmed hat with feather is the final adornment for this beautiful woman.
A late 1800’s French Opera composed by Louis Varney.
Varney composed over 40 operas over his career.
The poster advertises this popular, 3 act, French opera.
A modern Cinderella a notable production of the last word in musical comedy. Circa 1901 Play.
Book and Lyrics by Caspar Nathan, Music by Hampton Durand.
Marilyn as Lillian Russell from “The Fabled Enchantresses” series. Photo by Richard Avedon, 1958.
Lillian Russell was one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This was Marilyn, the most famous actress of the 1950’s, emulating Lillian, perfectly captured by Richard Avedon, one of the most famous photographers of his time. Signed by Avedon.
