So I'm gonna put my money where my mouth is. Or maybe more accurately my strained time where my mouth is. On my 'to do list' sits 2 biographies...and after my Olive rant I decided its time to at least begin researching them. Two way different women, but both extremely interesting and vital to what is now celebrity and film.
First up is Olive Thomas. Hollywood's Original Bad Girl. From what I already know of Olive she was the first flapper (her baby vamp image evolved into this), she might just have been intelligent going off her interviews, and she was gorgeous. Also for the short time period she was in film till her death (1916-1920...4 years) she made quite a number of successful films. Oh and that whole death thing. Yeah she's definitely an interesting topic. I'd like to set all the records straight on her possible, and cobble up a compelling, interesting, and normal priced bio on her. She deserves one.
Next is June Mathis. A name less people know but you definitely would know her work. She discovered that Valentino kid, and wrote most of his mega successful films (Sheiks excluded). She also wrote Four Horsemen; which went on to gross $4 million not adjusted for inflation. That places it at #6 on the best selling silents ever list. However after 1931 (when the list was calculated) the film was re-released several times and remade as a talkie a few times as well. Extremely successful.
June Mathis was also the first female executive (and one of the last in Hollywood...seriously it took 80 years for 3 more to get in and they all quit within a year), and has the words 'Ben-Hur' and 'Greed' attached to her name...though what REALLY happened is never said (in short: not her fault but shes usually blamed). She was also a crazy spiritualist (who reportedly picked George Walsh for Ben-Hur because he vibrated 'orange and yellow') who had quite a bit of foresight with mega sellers and soon to be superstars. But she died ''young''...not quite 40 in 1927. Still a fascinating story. And considering both Anita Loos and Francis Marion (her counterparts) lived long enough to write out memoirs I think its only fair something is finally done on June.
How you can Help!
Of course research takes a lot of time, and I want to be thorough. I'd be especially tickled to find relatives of either woman, as surely some must still be living (I know in June's case a few are). Hard to find information and pictures would make me extremely happy. If you have any tips or help to offer in either case (or both!) feel free to email me at misspickford@forgetthetalkies.com .
I have no clue how long it will take. If I could just sit down all day and do it I'd be done in no time flat. But of course...this is Hollywood who has that time?! My guess is give me a few years for each; I want to write the best bios possible. I want the best information out there. And of course I'll keep you all updated! Stay tuned!
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