Viva logo

The First Lady of American Cinema

The Iconic Silent Film Starlet, Lillian Gish

By Lainey MillerPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
Like
Miss Lillian Gish. Silent film star

Miss Lillian Gish was a pioneer in film. A natural-born actress by heart, she lent her talents to the stage before transitioning to film. Upon its creation, she was quickly introduced to this new platform, which they called "moving pictures" at the time. Little did she know, one hundred years later, she would still make an impact on audiences today.

About five years ago, I was introduced to her. It all started one day in my film class... There I was, a bored college student preparing for yet another boring day of class. Little did I know, that day was going to leave an imprint on me. An imprint that, till this day, still remains strong.

The chapter in our textbooks was on technique, and how individual directors convey emotion and mood into their films. I still remember how uninterested I was that we were going to be watching a silent film. At the time, very few classic films caught my favor; at most they were black and white films that had audio, but they did very little to entertain me. This one, however, was different; it wasn't the plot of the story, nor the fancy music that played in the background like most silent films do, but a particular actress who I found stunning and ethereal.

The film I speak of is called The Birth of a Nation, and although it was extremely racist, (if you've ever seen it you'll know why), it was a sensation at the time. However, my interest was on the lead girl. I can't explain why or how, but I remember being drawn her like a moth to light. Though she was petite and thin, with a soft, round face and youthful eyes. She was a dedicated actress who did anything for an amazing performance.

Upon seeing her for the first time, I was left wanting more, (something she believed in personally). It's like when you discover a new talent that kind of changes your life, and you just want to see more and more. Later that night I found myself diving into the internet to do some research, where I discovered her name and her filmography. It is because of Miss Lillian Gish that I can watch more silent films and appreciate the era and the art form. Compared to films nowadays, you can tell the art and the passion is gone, and replaced with manufactured products coming off an assembly line.

What makes Lillian all the more interesting to me is that she was around for the birth of film, and starred in more than one hundred pictures. She has been praised time and time again for her performances, but most common is her ability to act with her eyes; when watching a performance, she has the ability to portray her character's emotions and expressions with a simple glance of her eyes. She commonly played the "young girl" type, a role she is best known for. What I think draws me to her the most is the way she portrays innocence and youth.

I recently learned of her autobiography, and without hesitation I bought it and am currently reading it. It's a fascinating and inspirational book, and every time I read I can't put it down. I can't count how often I've been surprised by her own words. Not only does she inspire me with her work, but she inspires me to take pride in my own work. As a writer, I can relate to having passion for an art form, and to work endlessly on perfecting something you feel in your heart is ready for the world to see.

For many years, Miss Lillian worked with famous silent film director D.W. Griffith. He is the director of the infamous The Birth of a Nation, as well as other great Lillian Gish films. She writes a lot about him in her book, and describes him as having a surreal passion and dedication for his work. He too is a pioneer of film, as he wasn't afraid to try new things and perfect new techniques. He dared to do what other filmmakers at the time would not do, and it was because of that he made some of the best pictures of his time. A lot of his techniques are still used in today's modern film.

It was through Griffith that Lillian's career took off, and her name became a household name that made her a star. During her time filming for Griffith, she learned a few techniques of her own backstage, and even helped with editing films. She mentions more than once in her book that she, too, inspired Mr. Griffith, and often her suggestions were incorporated into his films.

Aside from her impressive resume and outstanding filmography, her personal life is another thing of great fascination. Miss Gish lived to be 99 years old, and died February 27, 1993 from heart failure. She never married, nor had children, but I feel like she desired neither. "I've had many lovers, but I've never been in love," were her own words. It's rather tragic for someone who often played love interests, but her undying loyalty was dedicated to her acting.

Years after her passing, her work is still a thing of subject for many film classes across the world, mine included. Even though time has passed, and cinema has evolved, it is this woman who makes her era all the more interesting to watch. There is something almost innocent about her, like she never outgrew childhood and remained pure.

Although film will continue to evolve, and will strive to be unlike its predecessors, the talent of yesterday will always be remembered today. As the years go by, more and more faces will become recognizable, and each era will have something magical of its own. As for the early 1900s, we have Miss Lillian Gish to thank for making the birth of film so special. Although there will never be another actress like her, one thing is for certain: Miss Lillian Gish will always be the first lady of American cinema.

history
Like

About the Creator

Lainey Miller

An aspiring author hoping to change the world with her writing, one word at a time.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.