The Girls in the Picture

By Melanie Benjamin,

Book cover of The Girls in the Picture

Book description

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife, a “rich exploration of two Hollywood friends who shaped the movies” (USA Today)—screenwriter Frances Marion and superstar Mary Pickford

“Full of Old Hollywood glamour and true details about the pair’s historic careers .…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Girls in the Picture as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

As someone who adores all things Pickford (and has written about Mary’s sister-in-law, Olive Thomas), there’s no way I couldn’t include this book, which covers the association between silent star Mary Pickford and her scenarist Frances Marion. 

I love the dynamic between these two powerful women, and Benjamin does a good job of establishing their relationship. There is a lot to love about this book: the writing, the dialog, and the detail. I love this book!

My only quibble is the picture they used for the front cover. I’d have picked it up long before I did if they’d actually…

From Laini's list on capturing the magic of old Hollywood.

I love to read about women who broke the mold.

Women lived sheltered and protected lives in the early 1900s, and without much power, there wasn’t much they could do to break free of societal norms. But freedom comes at a price.

Meet Mary Pickford and Frances Marion, best friends in an era that denied women power. Mary Pickford was perhaps the most popular film star and powerful woman in the 1910s, and her screenwriter, Frances Marion, the first woman to ever win an Oscar in screenwriting.

Follow their true life story through the ups and downs of successes and…

From Leslie's list on powerful women in the 1920s and 1930.

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