Comments on: The first ever movie star: Florence Lawrence

By: Sandy Simmons

Sandy Simmons — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:44:51 +0000

To whom it may concern,
I have a beautiful autographed photo of Florence Lawrence dated February 17, 1928. This picture is not posted anywhere on the web and I wonder if it has value. It is signed by her and is to “To my dear friends Thelma and Leonard from Florence Lawrence.
Found with the picture is a brochure “Interpreter of Current Plays” with a picture of Thelma Laird Schultheis.
Sandy Simmons

By: Hala Pickford

Hala Pickford — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:14:04 +0000

I’d agree its hard for modern viewers to get into ‘flickers’ (those pre 1920 films). Biograph could make some solid product, though I cant lie and say I’d sit down some night to watch them for pure entertainment. Every now and then one will be shown before a feature and I’ll enjoy it, but I dont seek them out.

I’ve seen a handful of Florence’s Biographs. She was very modern, and very sexy on screen (the literal pre Mary Pickford). Hair down she was all sexiness! But I agree the few stills available don’t do much justice. Its like the mystery of Eva Tanguay or Valeska Suratt…not enough in the collective memory to appreciate.

I read both the novel and the bio (with its scary Christian undertones). I wish a new filmography would be done as Im sure more of Florence’s films exist than we realize. Look at Olive Thomas: in 1999 they thought ONE film of hers existed. 12 were found when a comprehensive search was done in 2005. Florence’s story is very sad, but without access to her flickers its even harder to fully grasp.

By: Catwalk Creative Vintage

Catwalk Creative Vintage — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:48:00 +0000

Thank you for this informative and interesting post. I’d never heard of Florence Lawrence but I’m intrigued by her. I must go and check out the book as I’d love to see that photograph of her.

Thanks again!