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Captain of Her Soul
The Life of Marion Davies
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Format: Hardback
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Captain of Her Soul
$6699
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This biography will appeal to readers interested in film history, silent cinema, and Old Hollywood, as well as those who appreciate well-researched life stories of strong, pioneering women in the arts and culture sphere.
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Description
The comprehensive critical biography of silent-screen star Marion Davies, who fittingly referred to herself as "the captain of my soul."
From Marion Davies's humble days in Brooklyn to her rise to fame alongside press baron William Randolph Hearst, the public life story of the film star plays like a modern fairy tale shaped by gossip columnists, fan magazines, biopics, and documentaries. Yet the real Marion Davies remained largely hidden from view, as she was wary of interviews and trusted few with her true life story. In Captain of Her Soul, Lara Gabrielle pulls back layers of myth to show a complex and fiercely independent woman, ahead of her time, who carved her own path.
Through meticulous research, unprecedented access to archives around the world, and interviews with those who knew Davies, Captain of Her Soul counters the public story. This book reveals a woman who navigated disability and social stigma to rise to the top of a young Hollywood dominated by powerful men. Davies took charge of her own career, negotiating with studio heads and establishing herself as a top-tier comedienne, but her proudest achievement was her philanthropy and advocacy for children. This biography brings Davies out of the shadows cast by the Hearst legacy, shedding light on a dynamic woman who lived life on her own terms and declared that she was "the captain of her soul."
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The book is praised for its meticulous research and engaging narrative. Publishers Weekly describes it as a "breezy, colourful saga of Old Hollywood" full of glamorous parties and a touching romance, recommending it for film buffs. Library Journal notes it as a "scrupulously researched" biography, ideal for fans of classic movies and old-Hollywood lore. Alta Journal commends Gabrielle's detective-like reconstruction of Davies's life, presenting her as a complex, happy, and talented actress with a genuine, long-lasting love affair with Hearst.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780520384200
Publisher: University of California Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 27 September 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: University of California Press
Illustration: 45 b-w photographs, 1 b-w chart
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 635g
Pages: 344
About the Author
Lara Gabrielle is a film writer and researcher whose work on Marion Davies has been featured in the Missouri Review and on PBS's American Experience. She has spoken about Davies at film festivals and retrospectives worldwide and has served as a consultant on her life and legacy for books, dissertations, and film projects. Gabrielle lives in Oakland.
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