Paper
The history of the great talent Lillian Gish is immeasurable. She has acted in more productions per decade then anyone else in this century. She has been in one hundred and five films alone, that?s not counting all the on stage productions she has performed in. The amazing talents of this once beautiful young actress can be seen in any of her early silent films too. Way Down East and Orphans of the Storm are two of her earlier films that portray her exquisite skills. Yet none of this would be know if it wasn?t for a mastermind of directing, D.W. Griffith. Gish would have lived a long unrecognized life of theatre and missed out on the most important part of her career, the silent film.
Gish first started acting in the very early years of this century, 1902 to be exact, in a small stage named The Little Red School House. Her great film debut did not come until much later in 1912 when the great Griffith noticed her in a filming studio. He described her as the most beautiful thing, and said it appeared as if the light in the room was emanating from her and her alone, almost as if she was glowing. From there Griffith picked her up and started her on her great future in film. Gish said she would only act for him if he signed her sister Dorothy as well. Of course not to miss out on this beautiful young actress Griffith signed both. The two sisters had their first major film debut was in 1912 with the film An Unseen Enemy. This got Lillian off to a much better start then Dorothy I suppose, because from there she acted in 104 more plays until her death in 1993. She acted in her last film in 1987 completing her great career.
Many people consider Gish the most important actress in history. This is mostly because of her command in the film. She is said to have laid down the ground rules for movie acting (entertainment magazine). Gish with help from Griffith is even said to have invented the close-up. This is a very great accomplishment for a woman in the early days of film. Another aspect that Entertainment Magazine said about her was that the heroines she portrayed, especially with Griffith, were fluttery, waiflike creatures assaulted by cruelties straight out of Dickens. Gish?s personality also has a lot to do with her success in film. She had a strong, rich voice that could be remembered and yet she was sensible and very gracious. People used to say she was as fragile as a steel rod. Gish even coined her own statement about herself. ?I?ve never been in style, so I can?t go out of style.? A sensible term for a sensible woman.
Once Gish got into the swing of things with her silent film stardom the era of silent films was coming to an end. Gish had a decision to make. She could go into sound productions or on to the stage. Gish was a bit hesitant at first of sound so she went into stage performances; she was after all a superior stage actress. Eventually Gish started her roles in sound films or ?talkies? her first was One Romantic Night in 1930. This was now under her new signing, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, better known as MGM studios in modern times. The films she did under MGM will never live up to the greatness her earlier films do under the reign of Griffith.
The two movies I watched with Gish were Way Down East and Orphans of the Storm. Two great silent films in which I could barley turn away for a second. Not only cause I would miss an important silent line, but because there was an essence to her great acting.
Way Down East was a romance. The film plotted Gish as a poor country girl tricked in to getting married in a fake wedding. Thus becoming pregnant by her fake husband, a rich man doing it for his own greedy pleasures. Gish now with a sick baby and nowhere to live is in a boarding house. Once her baby dies she is sent out on her own. She finds a nice family to take her in but is eventually found out that she had a baby and no husband, sin. She is kicked out, but not before exposing her troubled past and the man that tricked her. The movie ends very satisfying with a wedding, showing Gish being married to a nice man that took care of her throughout the end of the movie. Way Down East is said to be a melodrama to suggest the tragedy and dread of a patriarchy. The film was one of her best performances, and the ice flow scene at the end is said to be one of the greatest action scenes in film history.
Orphans of the Storm is the other film I watched with the great actress Lillian Gish. This silent film was a little bit different from the last. This film took place in Paris during the French Revolution. Lillian and Dorothy were both in this film. Gish has to bring her sister to France to get a cure for blindness but when they get to Paris the two become separated. Lillian triumphs the odds and the two are together again at the end of the film, just after being saved from the guillotine. This film was equally as artistic and unequivocal as Way Down East. I cant say which film I thought was better but the action in Orphans of the Storm is something else.
All and all Lillian Gish was great film star. She started acting at a very early age and made film at the age of nineteen. Griffith led her in the right direction with the close up and helped her become the great talent she was. Gish in her later years was granted an honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts, from Bowling Green University. Gish also received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her great talents. With the talent of Lillian Gish now in the past we now can only reminisce. The once great silent film actress, Lillian Gish
Другие работы по теме:
Why Essay Research Paper After seeing the
Why? Essay, Research Paper After seeing the film The Virgin Suicides, I found myself asking the question why. While talking to other students about the film again came the question, why? Why would these girls, with so much to look forward to, commit suicide? This question, “why” is the central theme of the whole film.
Kandle Man Essay Research Paper
Tender is the Night Dick Diver is a resource for other people. Once he is used up, he is alone and far worse off than the beginning of the book. personality and charisma? the party man, the handsome initiator, he is a giver
Stand By Me Essay Research Paper Stand
Stand By Me Essay, Research Paper Stand By Me Stand By Me, is a film written in 1986, that focuses on the two day journey of four best friends. The music in the film is one that is mostly song scoring. The music in this film was chosen very well. It was even pop song scoring. This movie has two main examples of music that I would like to point out, starting with moodsetting, it then moves to song scoring.
Loft Comparrison Essay Essay Research Paper Comparison
Loft Comparrison Essay Essay, Research Paper Comparison Between Lord Of The Flies Film And Novel Many novels have tried to adopt the idea of their story on to a film, such as the novel Lord Of The Flies. It is apparent that in most cases the novel is more successful than the film, since it has a greater capability to attract the readers attention by using literally devices such as symbolism, and meaningful events through out the story.
Nosferatu Essay Research Paper Horror films of
Nosferatu Essay, Research Paper Horror films of today employ several film techniques to invoke responses from the viewer. However, early silent films relied more on these techniques because without a
Hard Core LogoThe Movie Essay Research Paper
Last Shot Hard Core Logo is Bruce McDonald s film on touring with an eccentric Canadian rock group. The genius of McDonald to make this film look like a documentary was amazing. What makes this film stand out among others is it s ending. The end of the film has Joe Dick whom is played by Hugh Dillon saying It s end the tour one more shot than pours himself a shot and then kills himself with a last shot to the head.
Alfred Hitchcock
’s Film Psycho Essay, Research Paper In the opening situation of Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho, we’re at a hotel room where a man named Sam and a woman named Marian are seeing themselves privately. Marian seems like a very respectful woman, however, early in the film we see her steal $40,000 from her boss in the first opportunity she has.
Romeo And Juliet Essay Research Paper The 2
Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper ?The Differences? The play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare is a tragic love story. When reading the play it can be very difficult to understand. This is mainly because you are unable to see the setting and the characters. Two producers, Zefirelli and Luhrmann, have created films based on this play.
In The Night Essay Research Paper Listen
In The Night Essay, Research Paper Listen to our loud silent dear God Listen to our cry; We fall to your feet Yet our cries are not heard; We died under fear By your side
History Essay Research Paper The film Europe
History Essay, Research Paper The film Europe, The Mighty Continent was an attempt entertaining film that was made from an entirely different angle than other history films. Although Peter Ustinov
Visions And Voices Essay Research Paper Visions
Visions And Voices Essay, Research Paper Visions and Voices The biographical film of Langston Hughes is both informative and entertaining. It approaches Hughes s life with insightful observations from the people that personally knew him. The film goes into detail on his family background and early life before his poetic success, and continues through his life in Harlem, his literary achievements, and legacy.
Canadian Film Industry Essay Research Paper ConclusionWe
Canadian Film Industry Essay, Research Paper Conclusion: We as Canadians watch movies on a weekly basis. On average, most people rent videos or attend the local movie theatre to attend and view the latest film. However, Canadians are not aware that they have become desensitized to the global Americanization of the U.S. film industry, which has been turned strong by Hollywood.
Fear And Loathing Essay Research Paper The
Fear And Loathing Essay, Research Paper The film was produced in the early goings of summer in 1998 almost as a tribute to the re-release of the novel of the same name in June. Directed by Monty Python’s Flying Circus animator Terry Gilliam [12 Monkeys], the film was received quite poorly in the box office and even by the counterculture which was its target audience.
Creation Essay Research Paper Creation or EvolutionDuane
Creation Essay, Research Paper Creation or Evolution? Duane T. Gish has been one of the few people I have read on, that gives sensible reactions against the theories of both creation and evolution. In his writing Creationist Science and Education , it might be a little obvious he goes off better with creation, but he never tries to persuade the readers to follow his choice.
Metropolis Essay Research Paper Arguably the first
Metropolis Essay, Research Paper Arguably the first SF film ever made, Metropolis deserves recognition for much more. Its aesthetic tastes are solid: the vaulting, Art Deco of the ruling, futuristic upper-world contrasted with the crumbling mortar of the oppressed who build the future, yet are barred from it.
My Gift Essay Research Paper My gift
My Gift Essay, Research Paper My gift to you is somewhat strange, it’s hidden and silent, alone and unheard, but it still lives beneath the darkened sun, it’s love and hope and joy and sight,
LillvernA Essay Research Paper The Success of
Lillvern(A) Essay, Research Paper The Success of Lillian VernonIt all began with black and white in 1951. Today, nearly 45 years later, the mail order business of Lillian Vernon has swept the mail order market and maintained a financial foothold where others could not. Lillian Hochberg (now known as Lillian Vernon) started her business at herLillian’s motivation was to supplement her husband’s then $150 dollar a week income by working from her home.
Lillian Hellman Essay Research Paper Hellman
Lillian Hellman Essay, Research Paper Hellman’s Character Models Lillian Hellman was born on June 20, 1905 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father was of German Jewish ancestry (Brody 1). Hellman grew up in many different regions of the United States. Since Hellman moved around a lot as a child, she had a “fragmented” education (Brody 1).
The Color Purple Essay Research Paper Byron
The Color Purple Essay, Research Paper Byron Hooper 11/18/96 The Color Purple film review The Color Purple The movie “The Color Purple,” directed by Steven Speilberg, was, in general, a
Poem Silence Of Infinity Essay Research Paper
For Only the One Whom I love is a poem about someone who loves a person, but cant say anything. If the person hears about the love she has for him, she will feel too emarassed to go on, so she comes up with excuses why not to tell him she loves him. She says that she’s like a silent bird who sit’s silent with its born and she just musn’t tell him or she’ll be crushed from the possible reactions.
Nine Beethoven Syphonies Essay Research Paper NINE
Nine Beethoven Syphonies Essay, Research Paper NINE BEETHOVEN SYMPHONIES Out of all musical artists known today, Ludwig Van Beethoven is right at the top of popularity and stardom. Though his life didn?t start this way, as did Mozart?s, Beethoven increased in knowledge and musical ablility as he was taught by some of the best composers of his time.
Bio On Hitchcock Essay Research Paper Alfred
Bio On Hitchcock Essay, Research Paper Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born in the East London area of Leytonstone. He was the youngest son of William and Emma Whelan Hitchcock. His strict Irish Catholic upbringing and education at the Jesuits St. Iganatius College is apparent in many of his films. At the young age of 16, he left to study engineering and navigation at the University of London.
Something About Mary Essay Research Paper Something
Something About Mary Essay, Research Paper Something about Mary Its a comedy film, that came to Spain in November of the 1998. It was directed by the Farinelli brothers. And his main stars are: Cameron Diaz (Mary), Matt Dylon (a strange detective) and Ben Stiller (Ted).
Movie The Fan Essay Research Paper Movie
Movie: The Fan Essay, Research Paper Movie: The Fan An extraordinary film that every movie ?guru’ should see is The Fan. Putting this picture on a pedestal would be the right thing to do. My counter-
Ballroom Of Romance Essay Research Paper First
Ballroom Of Romance Essay, Research Paper First, there is the concept of ?tragic courting.?It appears that throughout both Irish film and literature, there is a prominence of tragic couples in the fruitless journey for happiness. For exampl, in ?The Ballroom of Romance,? Bowzer Egan looks to court the ?still-single-after-all-these-years? Bridy (or Bridie; whichever is the correct spelling).
Lillian Hellman Essay Research Paper Lillian Hellman
Lillian Hellman Essay, Research Paper Lillian Hellman was one of the most influential and successful playwrights of her time. Throughout her professional life she has expanded her writing into different genres, as
The Red Balloon Essay Research Paper The
The Red Balloon Essay, Research Paper The Red Balloon Essay The Red Balloon is about a little boy and his love for a red balloon. The movie is a French short movie which won the Cannes Film Festival Award. The film has many symbolic meanings. The movie begins when a little boy finds a large, red balloon. He rescues the balloon from a lampost and takes it to school.
The Randle Report Essay Research Paper The
The Randle Report Essay, Research Paper The Randle Report, by Kevin D. Randle explores UFO research in the1990’s. In reading his book I have gained much knowledge of how to determine whether
Process Of Processing Essay Research Paper The
Process Of Processing Essay, Research Paper The Process of Processing How do you process film? Well you’re about to find out. The three main steps in processing film are rolling, developing, and fixing. Not many people know exactly how black and white thirty five millimeter film is processed. So if you don’t, read this.
Braveheart Essay Research Paper I have just
Braveheart Essay, Research Paper I have just recently watched the film 1995 film Braveheart directed by and starring Mel Gibson. The main thing that I noticed about the film was not the art or architecture, but the lack there of. In ancient Roman times, there was some kind of Roman architecture almost everywhere.