The Tragic Story of Mabel Normand
I am absolutely fascinated by the stars of the silent era. These were the first real celebrities, but that fame was fleeting for most. With the advent of sound in films, many of these silent celebrities went from having it all to the bottom of the barrel. It wasn't the talkies that drove Mabel out of Hollywood, but rather her constant run-in with scandals, poor health, and untimely death. Once one of the biggest silent film stars, the name Mabel Normand is now unfamiliar to most. She was the leading lady in many Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle films of the 1920s. She was a staple in the Keystone Comedy films. Mack Sennett adored her, allowing her to produce, write, and direct her own pictures under her own production company, Mabel Normand Studios. These were roles rarely filled by women. If Sennett gave her this opportunity solely because he was in love with her, it didn't matter. She was talented and it showed. She broke barriers for women in the film industry. I wish th...
