The Woman Who Dared: The Life and Times of Pearl White, Queen of the Serials

Pearl White (1889-1938) was a pioneering actress in the early days of motion pictures, known for her fearless performances and her role in the early feminist movement. She rose to stardom quickly and became the queen of American motion picture serials. Her biography, The Woman Who Dared: The Life and Times of Pearl White, Queen of the Serials, explores her life and career.

Format: Hardback
Length: 672 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2023
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky

In the early days of motion pictures, a woman named Pearl White (1889-1938) emerged as a quintessential beauty of her time. With her perfectly tousled bob and captivating stare, White's rise to stardom was swift, and her assumption of the title of queen of American motion picture serials was equally deserved.

Born the youngest of five children in a small, rural Missouri farm town, White left high school at only 15 to support her family financially. Despite her young age, she embarked on a three-year stage career with the Trousdale Stock Company, touring on the road and taking on leading roles in productions such as Jane Eyre.

As her professional repertoire grew, White joined the Powers Film Company in New York and made her film debut in 1910. Her reputation for fearless performances and her willingness to do her own stunt work quickly set her apart from her female colleagues.

It was that same daring attitude that would propel her to international fame as an actress. From flying airplanes to swimming across rapid rivers, to racing cars in serials like The Perils of Pauline (1914), White was undaunted by the demands of her onscreen career. She would go on to star in popular serial classics such as The Exploits of Elaine (1915), Pearl of the Army (1916), The House of Hate (1918), and The Lightning Raider (1919).

In addition to her acting prowess, White was actively involved in social causes, particularly the early feminist movement. Her portrayal of a positive image of bravery on screen served as a model for suffragettes battling for women's rights in the United States.

Pearl White's legacy as a pioneering actress and social activist continues to inspire and influence generations of filmmakers and women's rights advocates. Her determination, talent, and audacity paved the way for a new era of female empowerment in the entertainment industry.

Weight: 1248g
Dimension: 166 x 246 x 52 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813196831