I hate to follow that last post with another sad one, but we would be remiss if we did not note the passing of one of the last surviving links we had to silent cinema: Anita Page. Ms. Page, often referred to as "the last surviving star of silent film" was 98. She started out in the 192os and found herself working alongside such stars as Joan Crawford (who she disliked greatly) and the great Lon Chaney. She also starred in the first "Hollywood" musical (and the first to win an Oscar)- MGM's The Broadway Melody. She survived the transition into sound, but soon after announced her retirement in 1933. She made several small appearances in recent years, and amazingly even had a recent small cameo in a movie, Frankenstein Rising, which is to be released sometime later this year.
You can read an excellent article about her life and news of her passing here.
Also check out this great tribute from the Self-Styled Siren, and also If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger... and Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.
The Official Anita Page site and a recent interview with an author who knew her here.
The Official Anita Page site and a recent interview with an author who knew her here.
Anita Page: 1910-2008. We are ever more and more distant from the fledging days of cinema. Hopefully, they and those who made the silents won't be forgotten.
Stay tuned to The Shelf, we've got more coming your way, including reviews of Fox's Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection, Fox Horror Classics Vol.2, The Charlie Chan Collection Vol. 5, more newly released TV on DVD like Star Trek Season Two, Fat Albert's Halloween Special re-release and much, much more!
Tuesday Update: More tributes to Anita Page at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings, Allure and at Seraphic Secret who has some great pixs ( & which we just added to The Shelf Community).
Those men aren't going to pay ten bucks to look at your face; this is Broadway!
