Silents Talk: Gloria Swanson

The Times Online just posted this article about the rerelease of Gloria Swanson's first talkie "The Trespasser". The article is titled, "Studio bosses, not the talkies, were behind Gloria Swanson's downfall". BOO Times...Boo.

Gloria never really suffered from the talkie myth...at least in her own day. Maybe Sunset Blvd is to blame. In fact this article is the type that makes me mad...the fact that people really believe this.

For starters Gloria lived until 1983 and performed on television several times through the decades (in fact she even had her own TV show in the 50s). She released an autobiography named "Swanson on Swanson" in 1981. Click here to purchase (as cheaply as 50 cents for a paperback version!) Gloria talks extremely candidly about her life, including her abortions and affair with Joe Kennedy. As well as her troubles with studio bosses...including betrayals by Cecil B DeMille and being tricked into bad contracts by Jesse Lasky (in one case forging a telegram from Will Hayes). It should have been obvious from 1970 onward, let alone 1980 onward, that THIS was why Gloria left film...not her VOICE.

In more obviousness Gloria's first goal was to be a professional singer...taking vocal lessons up till the time she lived in Florida and Puerto Rico. In fact she didn't take silents seriously at first, thinking they would be extremely detrimental to this goal (cant fault her there!)

Unlike many of her contemporaries (including Mary) Gloria actually had a mildly successful...and long...talkie career. I think I could easily compare it to Anna May Wong without really being wrong. The one exception would be Gloria had one major hit; one talkie infamy. That was Sunset Blvd.

Before we get any further lets just show why that article is insane. Above is the very song from "The Trespasser" that they mentioned. The song was stuck in specifically to show Gloria could sing. Some reviewers questioned if it was really her voice so during the London premiere she put on a live performance; bringing down the house. Here's another clip, from one of her mid career talkies, 1934's "Music in the Air":

Singing aside, Gloria's performance in "The Trespasser" garnered her an Academy Award nomination, as did "Sunset Blvd". She lost, but did eventually win a Golden Globe for "Sunset Blvd". Face it: Gloria's voice was fine...there is no talkie myth to see here...

Gloria's Talkie Career

*The Trespasser (1929)

*What a Widow! (1930)

*Indiscreet (1931)

*Tonight or Never (1931)

*Perfect Understanding (1933)

*Music in the Air (1934)

*Father Takes a Wife (1941)

*Sunset Boulevard (1950)

*Three for Bedroom "C" (1952)

*Nero's Mistress (1956)

*Airport 1975 (1975)

"Indiscreet", "Tonight or Never", "Sunset Blvd", and "Airport 75" all have been released on DVD. Click titles to purchase.

Television Work

*Crown Theatre With Gloria Swanson (1954-1955)

In addition Gloria appeared on several television shows between 1950 and 1980. Click here for a complete list.

Radio Work

In addition Gloria made several radio appearances during her lifetime. Unfortunately this would be extremely long to make a complete list of.

Verdict: Silent or Talkies?

I love Gloria, I really do. Odd since I'm not a huge drama fan (though Lon Chaney Sr. is working on that). She was spunky, gorgeous, and made some great films. She is also one of those rare actresses where you enjoy her as much in Silents as you do Talkies (ala Miss Garbo). The first film of hers I seen was "Sunset Blvd" followed by "Why change your wife?" I had read her autobiography in the same time and wondered if I would enjoy her as much in silents. But she was spectacular. Hopefully with all these DVD releases (and Sunset Blvd) people will see that indeed her voice was just fine...and that talkie myth is bullshit per the usual.