It's time to celebrate Massillon's legendary Lillian Gish
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Silent screen actress Lillian Gish died 30 years ago. She was just shy of her 100th birthday.
This year marks significant milestones in her long career.
Though born in Springfield in 1893, Massillon was home to her family. Lillian and her sister Dorothy often visited.
I first saw Lillian Gish in a 1969 TV version of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” She starred with her longtime friend Helen Hayes. The two veteran actresses gave great performances. The production can be enjoyed on YouTube.
In 1969, Miss Gish saw the publication of her autobiography, with Ann Pinchot (1901-1998). The book, "The Movies, Mr. Griffith, and Me," received excellent reviews. It helped generate international interest in silent films.
Today, many silent film festivals celebrate the outstanding work of silent screen artists like the Gish sisters. Miss Gish felt that future audiences would appreciate the work of the silent film performers. She was right.
More: What's the dish with Lillian Gish mural?
This year marks important anniversaries for several of Miss Gish’s silent and sound films and a famous Broadway production.
In 1917, British statesman David Lloyd George invited silent film director D.W. Griffith to the U.K. to make a propaganda film to persuade Washington to enter World War I. Griffith brought the Gish sisters to star in the film.
The 1918 film “Hearts of the World” was released after the U.S. entered World War I. Miss Gish was one of the earliest celebrities to promote the war effort with her public support “from the front” for Liberty Bonds.
“Hearts of the World” is celebrating its 105th anniversary. While many of Miss Gish’s films, including 1916's “Intolerance” and 1955’s “The Night of the Hunter,” are on the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry, “Hearts of the World” does not yet have that distinction.
The National Film Registry preserves "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” films.
In 1923, at the height of the Jazz Age, Miss Gish made the successful religious film “The White Sister,” based on a 1909 novel of the same name. The film was made in Italy. Her unknown male costar was Ronald Colman (1891-1958). Colman became a major star in later films like “Lost Horizon” and “A Double Life.”
In “The White Sister,” Miss Gish believes her fiancé is killed abroad. She takes vows and becomes a hospital nun. When her fiancé returns, he wants her to return to him.
This excellent film can be enjoyed on YouTube. Miss Gish took professional and financial risks to make the film. Her instincts were right that Jazz Age audiences wanted to see the film. Like “Hearts of the World,” “The White Sister” is not yet on the National Film Registry.
In 1933, Miss Gish, then living in New York, took a minor role in the romantic comedy “His Double Life.” Critics generally liked the modestly successful film. In its 90th anniversary year, “His Double Life” is not yet on the National Film Registry.
Miss Gish returned to Hollywood in 1942 for the World War II film “Commandos Strike at Dawn.” She played a supporting role. John Farrow, actress Mia Farow’s father, directed the film. It was planned for release in 1943. It was released in 1942 due to developments in World War II. The U.S. entered the war in December 1941. This film is not yet on the National Film Registry.
In 1953, Miss Gish starred on Broadway as Carrie Watts in Horton Foote’s “The Trip to Bountiful.” A critic said Miss Gish’s performance was “notable.” NBC TV aired a live one-hour version of the play. After closing, Miss Gish starred in the touring production.
A film version with Geraldine Page was released in 1985. Cicely Tyson as Watts won a Tony Award in the 2013 Broadway revival.
In 1978, Miss Gish made her 105th film, Robert Altman’s “A Wedding.” The film allowed Miss Gish to work with Mia Farrow, daughter of director John Farrow, and Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of silent screen legend Charlie Chaplin. Miss Gish has a small role in the film. This film is not yet on the National Film Registry.
Lillian Gish enjoyed a long and productive acting career. She starred in films, TV/stage/radio productions, and recordings. In 1960, Miss Gish recorded Helen Keller’s “My Religion.” In 1963, she narrated a TV documentary, “The Winchester House Mystery.” Her pioneering film career is of continued general and research interest.
To nominate a film to the National Film Registry, contact the Library of Congress’s website at www.LOC.gov or send your nominations to National Film Registry, Packard Campus, 19053 Mt. Pony Road, Culpeper, VA 22701.
James Patterson is a member of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and a life member of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, California.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: A year to celebrate Massillon's legendary Lillian Gish
