Colleen Moore

Colleen Moore (1899–1988) was one of the most popular and beloved stars of the American silent screen. Remembered primarily as a comedienne in such films as Ella Cinders (1926) and Orchids and Ermine (1927), Moore’s career was also filled with dramatic roles that often reflected societal trends. A trailblazing performer, her legacy was somewhat overshadowed by the female stars that followed her, notably Louise Brooks and Clara Bow.
An in-depth examination of Moore’s early life and film career, the book reveals the ways in which her family and the times in which she lived influenced the roles she chose. Included are forewords written by film historian Joseph Yranski, a friend of the actress, and by Moore’s stepdaughter, Judith Hargrave Coleman.

Jeff Codori is the creator of the Colleen Moore Project, a website devoted to strengthening the actress’s place in cinematic history, and to finding new sources of information about her.

Jeff Codori
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 302
Bibliographic Info: 65 photos, filmography, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4969-9
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8899-5
Imprint: McFarland

Forewords by Joseph Yranski and Judith Hargrave Coleman      1

Preface      3

1. September 1895      5

2. Port Huron, 1890–1902      7

3. Port Huron and Hillsdale, Michigan, 1905–1908      12

4. Atlanta, Georgia, 1908–1911      17

5. Chicago and Tampa, 1911–1916      23

6. November, 1916      27

7. The Bad Boy, December 1916–January 1917      30

8. April–December, 1917      37

9. Selig Polyscope, 1918      41

10. 1919      46

11. Discovering Comedy      53

12. “Dry Land; That’s All.”      60

13. August 1920      66

14. November 1920–March 1921      72

15. April–June 1921      78

16. Censorship      85

17. August 1921–December 1921      92

18. The Bitterness of Sweets (Look Your Best), March–May 1922      98

19. Forsaking All Others, September–October 1922      106

20. The Nth Commandment, November–December 1922      111

21. The Huntress, May–July 1923      120

22. The Swamp Angel (Painted People), October–November 1923      128

23. The Perfect Flapper, January–April 1924      133

24. Sally      140

25. The Desert Flower, February–April 1925      143

26. European Tour, April–July 1925      149

27. First National, Irene      157

28. Ella Cinders, February 19–April 6, 1926      162

29. Twinkletoes, July 26–September 15, 1926      168

30. October 1926–April 1927      179

31. Break with First National, May–June 1927      188

32. New York and Arbitration, June–August 1927      197

33. October–November 1927      204

34. Oh, Kay!, April–July 1928      212

35. Colleen and Sound, August–October 1928      222

36. Why Be Good?, November 1928–January 1929      232

37. The Bel Air House and a Fairy Castle      243

Filmography      251

Chapter Notes      257

Bibliography      287

Index      291

“a great book…just what a biography should be…. a superb job…impeccable research…filled with interesting tidbits and anecdotes that make it an engaging read…excellent…highly recommended. A vividly painted, colorful picture of a glorious era in the movies and a star whose career did so much to make that era so great. It’ll hold your interest. It’ll entertain you. It’ll inform you. It’ll even stir the emotions. Get it. Read it!”—Silents are Golden; “Codori has done prodigious research into Moore’s life and career…any fan will learn much from this detailed examination of a leading light of the silent era”—Leonard Maltin.com.