Film stardom at Biograph Studios (1912–1925) Lillian Gish

after 10 years of acting on stage, made film debut opposite dorothy in griffith s short film unseen enemy (1912). @ time established thespians considered flickers rather base form of entertainment, assured of merits. gish continued perform on stage, , in 1913, during run of little devil, collapsed anemia. lillian take suffering art extreme in film career became obsession. 1 of enduring images of gish s silent film years climax of melodramatic way down east, in gish s character floats unconscious on ice floe towards raging waterfall, long hair , hand trailing in water. performance in these frigid conditions gave lasting nerve damage in several fingers. similarly, when preparing death scene in la bohème on decade later, gish reportedly did not eat , drink 3 days beforehand, causing director fear filming death of star of character.

lillian starred in many of griffith s acclaimed films, including birth of nation (1915), intolerance (1916), broken blossoms (1919), way down east (1920), , orphans of storm (1921). griffith utilized lillian s expressive talents fullest, developing suffering yet strong heroine. having appeared in on 25 short films , features in first 2 years movie actress, lillian became major star, becoming known first lady of american cinema , appearing in lavish productions, of literary works such way down east. became esteemed actress of budding hollywood cinema.

she directed sister dorothy in 1 film, remodeling husband (1920), when d. w. griffith took unit on location. told gish thought crew work harder girl. gish never directed again, telling reporters @ time directing man s job. unfortunately film thought lost.