David W. Menefee

Well done book of silent star Wallace Reid who is perhaps known today only as the star who got addicted to morphine and died at age 31. Reid was multi-talented and seemed the all American boy, studying medicine, music, working on a range, writing plays, acting, and directing. He really wanted to work behind the camera but his good looks always caused the studio to place him in front of the camera. Reid was injured in a train wreck while on location for a film and to keep things on schedule, the studio doctor prescribed morphine to which he became addicted. The studio was relentless in scheduling his film work – in the year prior to his death he was in 9 films while both Pickford and Chaplin were in one. The studio was relentless in trying to keep their money maker in front of the camera to obtain as much profit as possible. It is a well researched book with numerous photos which are a great highlight since most of Reid’s films are lost. Be forewarned many photos are somewhat blurred but based on their age and the technology of the time, it is to be expected. However, there are a couple of areas that bear better explanations than given by the author. On page 186 he indicated Fatty Arbuckle was acquitted after two sensations trials ended in hung juries. The first trial was a 10-2 not guilty verdict and a mistrial was ordered. The second trial was a 9-3 guilty verdict and another mistrial declared. And yes, at the third trial Arbuckle was acquitted but the jury also apologized for the injustice done to Arbuckle. I think that should have been better stated in the book. The book has an extensive filmography and bibliography, but unfortunately no footnotes, but I highly recommend it for those who are interested in silent film stars.… (more)