Lillian Gish: Her Legend, Her Life

Following her renowned performances in such classic silent films as Birth of a Nation (1915) and Intolerance (1916), Gish was famous worldwide until her death in 1993, just before her 100th birthday. While a tremendous amount has been written about Gish's career (she herself penned numerous memoirs and autobiographies), this appreciative biography corrects the multiple misunderstandings and mistakes (many originating from Gish herself) that have become part of the actress's mythos. Affron (Start Acting: Gish, Garbo, Davis) has uncovered much new information about Gish's personal and professional life, based on extensive research, including confidential correspondences. There is nothing startling here--Gish's orderly, nonsensational life was centered around her career, which spanned the years 1902 to 1987--but he provides many new details, such as Gish's possible romance with business partner Charles Holland Duell Jr. and her complex relationship with critic George Jean Nathan. Affron is sensitive to Gish's political sentiments--she always defended D.W. Griffith against charges of racism for Birth of a Nation and harbored nascent pro-German sympathies in the late 1930s--but he never exploits them for scandalmongering. Well attuned to the sexual politics that pervade the entertainment industry, he is also deft in discussing how Gish's fragile innocence was used in films and to further her success. Well written, ambitious and intelligent, this biography is an essential addition to the work on Gish and on American film and theater. Agent, Curtis Brown, Ltd. (Mar. 20)