I am in the process of reading this biography of the great John Gilbert by Eve Golden and already I can say that it is fascinating.
Having moved to the Los Angeles area a few years ago, I was fascinated when I read about all the places here where the movies were made in the early era of film, it brings it that much closer to me. Gilbert's home was high up in the Hollywood Hills in Beverly Hills and it overlooked the city.
Gilbert is most known today for his love affair with Greta Garbo and their wonderful films together, such as Flesh and the Devil. Gilbert may have been a huge star in the silent era, but when sound came, his popularity fell flat and he just didn't make it into sound. Some say he was sabotaged by Louis B. Mayer, and others blame Gilbert himself. One thing for sure and what I believe is that it had nothing to do with his voice, although, at the time, that was the excuse given.
You can also read about it in Eve Golden's wonderful biography which is available on TCM.com and at Amazon.com at the following links.
Below are three videos excerpts from Kevin Brownlow's film, "Hollywood" where Gilbert's fall is documented.
No comments:
Post a Comment