Broken Silence
Conversations with 23 Silent Film Stars

Interviews with silent film players, mostly minor stars. More interesting in aggregate than individually. Patsy Ruth Miller’s favorite actresses were Norma and Nazimova, while Lina Basquette (who didn’t seem to get along with Hollywood people) thought Norma Talmadge and Mary Pickford were snobs. Int......more

When I think of silent movie stars, there are certain figures who leap to mind: Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Valentino, Lillian Gish, Tom Mix, Keystone Cops, Theda Bara. In addition there are countless other who started in the silent but really made a name for themselves in the talkies: Greta Gar......more

While the interviews themselves are brief and, with a few exceptions, kind of repetitive, it’s fascinating to read about these former actors who moved on from the industry, whether by choice or not. It takes the glamour out of Hollywood as nearly all of them recount the long hours and exhausting wor......more

A great deal of new information. Great book, little vignettes of lives that we're part of the silent film era. I would recommend to anyone who loves oral history and silent film.......more