Sound debut, return to the stage, and television and radio Lillian Gish

lillian gish in jed harris broadway production of uncle vanya (1930)

her debut in talkies moderately successful, largely due public s changing attitudes. many of silent era s leading ladies, such gish , pickford, had been wholesome , innocent, 1930s (after full adoption of sound , before motion picture production code enforced) these roles perceived outdated. ingenue s diametric opposite, vamp, @ height of popularity. gish increasingly seen silly, sexless antique (to quote louise brooks s sarcastic summary of gish s criticism). louis mayer wanted stage scandal ( knock off pedestal ) garner public sympathy gish, lillian didn t want act both on screen , off, , returned first love, theater. acted on stage part in 1930s , 1940s, appearing in roles varied ophelia in guthrie mcclintic s landmark 1936 production of hamlet (with john gielgud , judith anderson) , marguerite in limited run of la dame aux camélias. of former, said, pride, played lewd ophelia!

returning movies, gish nominated academy award best supporting actress in 1946 duel in sun. scenes of character s illness , death late in film seemed intended evoke memory of of silent film performances. appeared in films time time rest of life, notably in night of hunter (1955) rural guardian angel protecting charges murderous preacher played robert mitchum. considered various roles in gone wind ranging ellen o hara, scarlett s mother, went barbara o neil, prostitute belle watling, went ona munson.

gish made numerous television appearances 1950s late 1980s. acclaimed television work starring in original production of trip bountiful in 1953. appeared dowager empress maria feodorovna in short-lived 1965 broadway musical anya. in addition later acting appearances, gish became 1 of leading advocates of lost art of silent film, giving speeches , touring screenings of classic works. in 1975, hosted silent years, pbs film program of silent films. interviewed in television documentary series hollywood: celebration of american silent film (1980).

lillian gish in 1973 (age 80)

gish received special academy award in 1971 superlative artistry , distinguished contribution progress of motion pictures. in 1979, awarded women in film crystal award in los angeles in 1984, received american film institute lifetime achievement award, becoming second female recipient (preceded bette davis in 1977) , recipient major figure in silent era. has star on hollywood walk of fame @ 1720 vine street.

her last film role appearing in whales of august in 1987 @ age of 93, vincent price, bette davis, , ann sothern, in davis , starred elderly sisters in maine. gish s performance received glowingly, winning national board of review award best actress. @ cannes festival lillian won 10-minute standing ovation audience. in entertainment industry angry gish did not receive oscar nomination role in whales of august. gish herself more complacent, remarking saved trouble of losing cher.

her final professional appearance cameo on 1988 studio recording of jerome kern s show boat, starring frederica von stade , jerry hadley, in affectingly spoke few lines of old lady on levee in final scene. last words of long career were, night.