Billed as "the only biography of the most popular actress in the world," this meticulously researched life story of "Queen Marie" Dressler (1868-1934) by Toronto Globe writer Lee manages to walk that near impossible line between gossip and scholarship. On the one hand, we follow the satisfying minutia of Dressler's remarkable career: she left home in Canada at 14, rose to superstar status as a burlesque actress on Broadway and peaked professionally for a second time in Hollywood movies such as Anna Christie and Dinner at Eight when she was in her 50s and 60s. On the other hand, we learn a good deal about the Hollywood milieu in the early days of cinema and about social norms for the well-to-do in New York City and Los Angeles. Described at various points in her life as an "elephant," a "clown," a "man-repellent ugly-duckling" and a "monstrosity" but also, somewhat paradoxically, as a "grand dame," Dressler, who weighed 300 pounds when she died of cancer and heart failure, is shown in her full complexity, from her patriotic zeal for the war effort in 1917 (she sold more war bonds than anyone else in the country) and her support of and leadership in Actors' Equity and women's groups to her eccentric reliance upon her astrologer and, later in life, upon a quack who administered a twice-weekly serum to combat what he claimed were "cancer germs." With skillful subtlety, Lee allows readers to draw their own conclusions about Dressler's moral character (her sexuality, quick temper, materialism and egotism) from the ample raw material that she presents so objectively. Particularly rich is the testimony of Dressler's close companion Claire Dubrey, who, at age 100, provided Lee with reams of unpublished journal entries regarding Dressler, both flattering and not. Lee's notes describing her trail of research are engaging in and of themselves, and a filmography, a bibliography and 36 b&w photos round out the book. (Aug.)
Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Toronto Globe feature writer/reporter Lee's biography of actress Dressler gives the reader a vivid view of the life of her subject and a social history of theater and film in the early 20th century. Canadian-born Dressler began a life on the stage at age 14, playing bit parts for paltry sums. Her inauspicious beginning led to Broadway, failures, comebacks, and then an Academy AwardR for her leading role in the 1931 film Min and Bill. In a time of glamorous stars such as Greta Garbo, her costar in Anna Christie, Dressler, a large, homely woman, stole the spotlight as an everywoman, giving hope to moviegoers in the Great Depression. Lee uses personal anecdotes from Dressler's two autobiographies and the unpublished manuscript of Claire Dunphy, an actress who was Dressler's closest companion at the end of her life, to illustrate the story of an actress and the history of American theater and film from 1880 until 1934, when Dressler died of cancer. Recommended for theater and film collections.Lisa N. Johnston, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., Va.
The everywoman superstar is deservedly but incompletely captured in this only partly satisfying biography.
Using many sources, including the unpublished memoir of Dressler confidante Claire Dubrey, Toronto Globe reporter Lee presents a panoramic view of Dressler's life. Born Leila Koerber in Cobourg, Ontario, in 1868, Dressler was known at first not for her talent but for her large size and homely face: A neighbor remembered her as "about the dowdiest looking creature that ever walked our streets." Rebellion against a tyrannical father led her to the stage at 14 and revealed a prodigious talent. Years of cross-country road shows, Broadway, and silent-film success followed, but the 1920s brought a career decline. But in the late '20s she lived one of the greatest Hollywood comeback stories, becoming the "queen of homespun humor" as a result of affecting performances in such films as Anna Christie, Min and Bill, and Tugboat Annie. By 1932 she had become one of the most popular performers in America. Though Lee details Dressler's career, she fails to convey the actress's powerful hold over the public and offers only a very limited critical appreciation of her distinct talents. Dressler the actress—an earthy, droll, deeply physcial presence—fails to come alive. Lee succeeds better in presenting Dressler's private life, which she views as one built largely on strong allegiances, both personal and political. The star fervently gave herself to causes like actors' rights, the sale of WW I bonds, and women's rights. Equal to her public passions was her need for human commitment, seen in her devotion to the charming, erratic (and married) Jim Dalton, and her control over longtime companion Claire Dubrey. (Lee handles speculation about Dressler's sexual inclinations with inference and concision.)
Despite the author's good research and clear affection for Dressler, this lacks the historical and cinematic authority to establish it a standard. It leaves one wanting to know more.
Drawing largely on Dressler's unpublished memoirs and a recently discovered manuscript be her personal assistant, Lee has also contributed her own research and brings to life a resilient woman with a unique talent.
Lee brings Dressler to life as a ebullient, bombastic, outrageous, but loveable woman.
For decades, the world has been waiting for a thorough biography of the great Marie Dressler. Betty Lee rises to the challenge by illuminating the life and times of this most beloved actress.
Restores its subject to her rightful place as one of the major entertainers on stage and screen from the late 1800s through the early 1930s.
We need not expect a more definitive biography of Marie Dressler.
Lee succeeds in presenting a thoroughly enjoyable biography, one that brings into focus a picture of one of the most popular stars of early American cinema.... a long overdue contribution to the history of movie greats.
"Restores its subject to her rightful place as one of the major entertainers on stage and screen from the late 1800s through the early 1930s." — Classic Images
"Lee succeeds in presenting a thoroughly enjoyable biography, one that brings into focus a picture of one of the most popular stars of early American cinema.... a long overdue contribution to the history of movie greats." — Film and History
"In the late '20s Dressler lived one of the greatest Hollywood comeback stories, becoming the 'queen of homespun humor'.... By 1932 she had become one of the most popular performers in America." — Kirkus Reviews
"We need not expect a more definitive biography of Marie Dressler." — Letters in Canada
"Drawing largely on Dressler's unpublished memoirs and a recently discovered manuscript be her personal assistant, Lee has also contributed her own research and brings to life a resilient woman with a unique talent." — Past Times Newsletter
"Manages to walk that near impossible line between gossip and scholarship." — Publishers Weekly
"Lee brings Dressler to life as a ebullient, bombastic, outrageous, but loveable woman." — Quill & Quire, Canada
"For decades, the world has been waiting for a thorough biography of the great Marie Dressler. Betty Lee rises to the challenge by illuminating the life and times of this most beloved actress." — Silents Majority
