Margarita Fischer - by Theresa St Romain (Paperback)

About the Book

Born on February 12, 1886, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, Margaret Fischer made her stage debut at the tender age of eight. Now called Margarita, by 1910, she had embarked on a new and daring occupation--as an actress in the fledgling industry of motion pictures. Although Margarita Fischer made an attempt to preserve her cinematic accomplishments shortly before her death in 1975, her career has remained largely unknown--until now. This biography details Fischer's life and career, examining not only her work in front of the camera but also the broader issues--including her devotion to family and her shrewd management of her public image--which informed her personal and professional decisions. It follows her sometimes difficult marriage to fellow performer Harry Pollard and examines her work with Pollard Picture Plays, a production company founded by the couple.

Book Synopsis

Born in Iowa in 1886, Margaret Fischer made her stage debut at the tender age of eight. By 1910, now called Margarita, she had embarked on a new and daring occupation--as an actress in the fledgling industry of motion pictures. Hugely popular through the following decade, she retired from the screen in 1921 but returned to make three more films in the mid-1920s. Her career has remained largely unknown to film buffs of a later age--until now. This biography details Fischer's life and career, examining not only her work in front of the camera but also the broader issues--including her devotion to family and her shrewd management of her public image--which informed her decisions. It follows her sometimes difficult marriage to fellow performer Harry Pollard and her work with Pollard Picture Plays, a production company founded by the couple. Never-before-published photographs and a filmography listing over 170 projects complete this story of one of America's earliest film stars.

Review Quotes

"a well-researched account of the actress' life and career. I greatly admire writers who go after subjects that are little-known and are not adequately covered elsewhere...well-written...thank you, Ms. St. Romain. Well done!"-Classic Images.

About the Author

Theresa St. Romain works as a freelance writer and editor in the Midwest. Her research interests include silent film and community health.