So happy you covered Madge Bellamy. The silent movie era is an obsession of mine. There's not a lot on TH-cam about my favorite stars. Although I love Pickford, Chaplin, Fairbanks, Swanson ect it would be nice to hear more details about all the other actors lives that worked in early Hollywood. As a child I watched several hours of silent movies on Sundays in the 1970s. I was an only child. In the 1970s the only programs on Sunday morning were TV Evangelist and Silent Films. I couldn't read but became addicted anyway lol
I really respect your fair and balanced approach to Madge Bellamy’s career and her rather challenging personality. Contrary to whatever someone else said on here, I definitely appreciate your opinions expressed in this video, as it provides context to Bellamy’s story. Your commentary was gracious, sympathetic, and spot on. Bellamy was indeed a character (and a deeply troubled one, at that), but in the end, at least she was woman enough to be self-aware enough to admit her flaws, which is more than I can say for most. She wasn’t perfect, but then again neither was/is anyone else, including these laughably judgmental commenters and all of their favorite celebrities, from old Hollywood to now. Like Bob Marley said, while you’re busy pointing the finger…make sure your hands are clean. Some of these people on here commenting should take note. This was very well done and I appreciate the research and work you put into this video. Subscribed.
Well said! But as the old saying goes, "everbody's a critic." I am embarassed that although I love silents I knew nothing about Madge. Now I do thanks to this video!
Great video, I've read a ton about old movie stars yet I've never heard of Madge Bellamy! This probably your best video along with your Norma Shearer and Thelma Todd videos!
First off I never heard of Madge. But for the subject matter and the vague grey waters that was available. Your comments opinions and interpretations of the facts giving I find helpful in creating something that is not there. Well done.
I am a film historian myself, but I knew very little about Madge Bellamy so I appreciate this video very much indeed. I can certainly empathise with the trials and tribulations of your having to form an opinion about something where there is no historical evidence, or the evidence appears to be in direct contradiction of the claims made by your subject. That's when you become a proper biographer rather than simply a collector of factoids. I think your videos are great. Please keep them coming. I'm looking forward in particular to the second part of your Gone with the Wind video; but I enjoy being surprised by subjects like this Madge Bellamy video. Nice work. x
Madge's life story was interesting but sad overall. Thanks for posting, I appreciated all your research and enjoyed your commentary. New sub, keep up the good work.
Love this! I admire her at the same time she frustrates me. It makes me so sad that any time she was shown kindness she rebuffed it, and when someone treated her like her parents did, she thought that was love.
I appreciate your in depth research. I love how you bring to life so many of the old stars many of whom have had great talents for only a few years and capture them as individuals and the time period and limitations the had to overcome to in their lives. Very comprehensive. Much appreciated. Keep up the excellent work. I'm hooked. ✌🏼❤️☺️
I have never heard of her. I do like the old silent movie era and read (BOOKS) about it, just found my Chaplin autobiography to read again. I lived in LA LA LAND and when I read about old houses or studios lots, getting the wrecking ball, it breaks my heart. I really appreciate your deep research and disclaimers, no fake news. (Not helicopter parent) They're Stage Mother's, back then, mom stood in the wings of stage and told child, " smile, stand up straight.... oooh the director's hated them. Fantastic job 👍👍
Thanks for this video on a forgotten celebrity from early film times. Too bad there isn't any material from those who knew her. It's impossible that so many people were so mean and horrible at one time over and over. I don't think it's harmless story telling to harm reputations for the sake of looking like a victim. There's enough of that going on today, and it isn't ok. I sympathize with Madge on many levels because she just couldn't quite get it, and her pain seems real. However, I don't admire her, don't see much to call her a role model over. Imo.
Thank you for this analysis. And for putting together the video and stills. I didn't know much about Madge. I love silent movies, especially on the big screen, and I've never seen her in the movies. I get the impression that she had low self-esteem and sabotoged herself subconciously. And yet she stood up for herself when she was on the menu. A perplexing contradiction. I like her!
I thought I was familiar with the lives of most celebrities of the time. Thank you. Very well done, and not at all unsympathetic to Ms. Bellamy, as some may perceive it to be.
Thoroughly enjoyed your tribute to Madge. Ive always liked her ( I own several lovely portraits of her) despite her eccentric Baby Doll looks and rather high-pitched childlike voice in White Zombie. In your inquiry of her career choices and personality, Bellamy honestly doesn't sound any more "Neurotic" and "manic" with a hint of "Narcissistic Disorder" than most Hollywood actresses of the time, who were often dismissed as "temperamental" and even "Crazy". Her off-screen life and temperament sound very similar to the great Bette Davis, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks and even Mary Astor, who suffered clashes with domineering parents, sexual trauma / exploitation and the caprices of the Male - dominated Hollywood Studio System. Is it not ironic that Madge made the film, Mother Know's Best, a loose biography of Vaudeville star Elsie Janis and her difficult relationship with her mother.
I have done a bit of my own research to compile an excel spreadsheet of all the star actors and actresses I could find from the Hollywood Golden Age - still ongoing I guess. I had not heard of Madge before, so thanks. Also great work by you, an impressive amount of proper research.
Nicole: When Madge’s book first came out in 1997, I read several reviews of it. Even then, several people questioned the veracity of many of her stories. It was impossible to tell if this was due to Madge’s faulty memory, or a desire to sell more books by making the contents more “juicy.”
Never heard of her ,but she was the most beautiful and photogenic women ,she could have been as famous as Joan Crawford or Betty Davis but she self sobitaged her life ,by turning down her big breaks for parts that would have sent her to the Top ,a shame 😢
A sad tale of immaturity, bad choices and failure to change with the times: transition from silent movies to talkies and the economic changes in the country: “the roaring twenties” became the Great Depression. The domineering role of her parents and so called admirers completed her tale. Interesting.
At 12:24 the video goes blank until 13:48. Other than that it's a good video, I never heard of her before this. It's a shame that women went thru things like this especially because she is not well known. It's all very sad.
seems like Mable and Madge were doomed....but to me maybe because of the grainy black and white photos, most of the women stars looked so much alike, the ones with the long hair by the way, Gloria and Mary had distinct looks, but until the 20's and the short bob came in, I really can't tell the difference between the women stars....
Nicole - I'm wondering with that time period that Made was "sick" and it's "unaccounted" for - could she had gone off and either 1) had a baby or 2) had an abortion. Things of that nature way back then were very much hidden out of view.
This woman was obviously mentally ill from the time of her teen years. Who works (no matter where) and is' HATED' by everyone there? She is some kind of narcissist with her belief that she was so very special and should be treated like a goddess by everyone. When things are so bad that, allegedly, your parents move out and leave no forwarding address you have to think she must have been hell to live with. Her stalking of various people is another sign that she was mentally ill. She was pretty no doubt about it. I can't comment on her talent. The reviews in the silent days tend to be gushing no matter how bad the film was. Her claims that she was raped etc again are signs of a sick mind. Her career and life failures are all due to her own actions. No sympathy here.
I'm pretty sure Nicole intentionally used the word "shaker" as opposed to "grain". She is saying there's reason to doubt a LOT of what Madge said in her biography.
Not trying to be rude and I think you are doing a very good job. But I believe you would get more intrest in your videos if you would just tell the story and leave out your opinions. Not trying to be nasty and thank you.
Her esteem was really low. Maybe she is a narcissist. You can’t blame your parents for how you turn out. I thought she was a great actress and she let herself be used by men. Not realizing they only were after her money. Her decisions were wild too. She should have chosen just the opposite.
With her great gifts of feminine beauty came great drawbacks of emotional impulsiveness...the amount of great opportunities she passed up for no reason made me loose sympathy for her
Sorry just watching this sooo late after you posted. I remember one of Chaplin's biographies had pics of him playing a Greek god in a tunic (if memory doesn't fail me) and I believe it was in the 1920s. In a balletic pose, he held a balloon that was represented the world. Many of his shticks were born in his early years and little by little he'd hone them to perfection to put in a film. I wish I could remember which book, but I was a film preservation student and have read so many books about the stars of yesteryear. This time Madge may not embellishing. :)
Excellent research
So happy you covered Madge Bellamy. The silent movie era is an obsession of mine. There's not a lot on TH-cam about my favorite stars. Although I love Pickford, Chaplin, Fairbanks, Swanson ect it would be nice to hear more details about all the other actors lives that worked in early Hollywood. As a child I watched several hours of silent movies on Sundays in the 1970s. I was an only child. In the 1970s the only programs on Sunday morning were TV Evangelist and Silent Films. I couldn't read but became addicted anyway lol
I agree, it would be cool to learn more about the lesser known silent celebs.
I really respect your fair and balanced approach to Madge Bellamy’s career and her rather challenging personality. Contrary to whatever someone else said on here, I definitely appreciate your opinions expressed in this video, as it provides context to Bellamy’s story. Your commentary was gracious, sympathetic, and spot on. Bellamy was indeed a character (and a deeply troubled one, at that), but in the end, at least she was woman enough to be self-aware enough to admit her flaws, which is more than I can say for most. She wasn’t perfect, but then again neither was/is anyone else, including these laughably judgmental commenters and all of their favorite celebrities, from old Hollywood to now. Like Bob Marley said, while you’re busy pointing the finger…make sure your hands are clean. Some of these people on here commenting should take note. This was very well done and I appreciate the research and work you put into this video. Subscribed.
Well said!
But as the old saying goes, "everbody's a critic."
I am embarassed that although I love silents I knew nothing about Madge. Now I do thanks to this video!
Great video, I've read a ton about old movie stars yet I've never heard of Madge Bellamy! This probably your best video along with your Norma Shearer and Thelma Todd videos!
Your Norma Shearer one was absolutely brilliant! I'll watch Thelma Todd next!
I enjoy your commentary and I appreciate your hard work.
First off I never heard of Madge.
But for the subject matter and the vague grey waters that was available. Your comments opinions and interpretations of the facts giving I find helpful in creating something that is not there.
Well done.
What a wonderful documentary thanks so much
A Fair and very good revue to Madge"s Life and So called Career (if you can call it that).
She was lovely
Enjoyed this very much. Well presented. Thank you 😊
Thank you for this posting. Madge Bellamy was a distant cousin of mine.
Excellent job !! Such a sad story from Hollywood !
I am a film historian myself, but I knew very little about Madge Bellamy so I appreciate this video very much indeed. I can certainly empathise with the trials and tribulations of your having to form an opinion about something where there is no historical evidence, or the evidence appears to be in direct contradiction of the claims made by your subject. That's when you become a proper biographer rather than simply a collector of factoids. I think your videos are great. Please keep them coming. I'm looking forward in particular to the second part of your Gone with the Wind video; but I enjoy being surprised by subjects like this Madge Bellamy video. Nice work. x
Can't wait for more from this channel ❤
(perhaps louder volume if it's not on my end)
it's not just you...the volume is extremely low.
Madge's life story was interesting but sad overall. Thanks for posting, I appreciated all your research and enjoyed your commentary. New sub, keep up the good work.
You do fantastic work
Love this! I admire her at the same time she frustrates me. It makes me so sad that any time she was shown kindness she rebuffed it, and when someone treated her like her parents did, she thought that was love.
I have never heard of her before watching this. Thank you for sharing, I love old movies and it’s great finding out about stars from back then.
That was beautiful. Thanks for sharing your passion and taking your time to do each story justice! A+
Lovely documentary. I felt it was really well done and was respectful while being truthful. And she was absolutely beautiful😀
I appreciate your in depth research. I love how you bring to life so many of the old stars many of whom have had great talents for only a few years and capture them as individuals and the time period and limitations the had to overcome to in their lives. Very comprehensive. Much appreciated. Keep up the excellent work. I'm hooked. ✌🏼❤️☺️
I learned so much about this actress through your wonderful video. Many thanks! Greetings from Querétaro, México! :-)
I have never heard of her. I do like the old silent movie era and read (BOOKS) about it, just found my Chaplin autobiography to read again. I lived in LA LA LAND and when I read about old houses or studios lots, getting the wrecking ball, it breaks my heart.
I really appreciate your deep research and disclaimers, no fake news. (Not helicopter parent) They're Stage Mother's, back then, mom stood in the wings of stage and told child, " smile, stand up straight.... oooh the director's hated them. Fantastic job 👍👍
Chaplin indeed did have a balloon dance during the 1920s. He would perform it at parties, along with charades.
This is compelling.
Thanks for this video on a forgotten celebrity from early film times. Too bad there isn't any material from those who knew her. It's impossible that so many people were so mean and horrible at one time over and over. I don't think it's harmless story telling to harm reputations for the sake of looking like a victim. There's enough of that going on today, and it isn't ok. I sympathize with Madge on many levels because she just couldn't quite get it, and her pain seems real. However, I don't admire her, don't see much to call her a role model over. Imo.
Madge was too cute with her big doughy eyes.🤗
“A shaker of salt!” A grain of salt! 😂
Thank you for this analysis. And for putting together the video and stills. I didn't know much about Madge. I love silent movies, especially on the big screen, and I've never seen her in the movies. I get the impression that she had low self-esteem and sabotoged herself subconciously. And yet she stood up for herself when she was on the menu. A perplexing contradiction. I like her!
I thought I was familiar with the lives of most celebrities of the time.
Thank you.
Very well done, and not at all unsympathetic to Ms. Bellamy, as some may perceive it to be.
Thoroughly enjoyed your tribute to Madge. Ive always liked her ( I own several lovely portraits of her) despite her eccentric Baby Doll looks and rather high-pitched childlike voice in White Zombie. In your inquiry of her career choices and personality, Bellamy honestly doesn't sound any more "Neurotic" and "manic" with a hint of "Narcissistic Disorder" than most Hollywood actresses of the time, who were often dismissed as "temperamental" and even "Crazy". Her off-screen life and temperament sound very similar to the great Bette Davis, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks and even Mary Astor, who suffered clashes with domineering parents, sexual trauma / exploitation and the caprices of the Male - dominated Hollywood Studio System. Is it not ironic that Madge made the film, Mother Know's Best, a loose biography of Vaudeville star Elsie Janis and her difficult relationship with her mother.
Up the Volume of your videos...Hard to hear times, despite your clear and lovely diction !
That she could have a history.
@@j.w.2391 Agreed. Because of having to turn the volume up so much in order to hear, the ads that interrupt are horrendously loud.
I have done a bit of my own research to compile an excel spreadsheet of all the star actors and actresses I could find from the Hollywood Golden Age - still ongoing I guess. I had not heard of Madge before, so thanks. Also great work by you, an impressive amount of proper research.
Nicole: When Madge’s book first came out in 1997, I read several reviews of it. Even then, several people questioned the veracity of many of her stories. It was impossible to tell if this was due to Madge’s faulty memory, or a desire to sell more books by making the contents more “juicy.”
Muy buena forma de investigación. Me recuerda mis años de estudiante de periodismo. 👌💯
Never heard of her ,but she was the most beautiful and photogenic women ,she could have been as famous as Joan Crawford or Betty Davis but she self sobitaged her life ,by turning down her big breaks for parts that would have sent her to the Top ,a shame 😢
Madge is beyond frustrating.
If Madge was drinking perfume, she was definitely an alcoholic 😢
Who would drink perfume, wouldn't it burn your throat? Yuck!
A sad tale of immaturity, bad choices and failure to change with the times: transition from silent movies to talkies and the economic changes in the country: “the roaring twenties” became the Great Depression. The domineering role of her parents and so called admirers completed her tale. Interesting.
1:06:37 Alas. The Days before Blockbusting was busted by the Supreme Court and the days before Indie Films were viable...
Her “husband” was disgusting, I feel bad for her
35. dollars in 1917 is about 840 plus dollars today...soooo quite a bit of money.....
At 12:24 the video goes blank until 13:48. Other than that it's a good video, I never heard of her before this. It's a shame that women went thru things like this especially because she is not well known. It's all very sad.
seems like Mable and Madge were doomed....but to me maybe because of the grainy black and white photos, most of the women stars looked so much alike, the ones with the long hair by the way, Gloria and Mary had distinct looks, but until the 20's and the short bob came in, I really can't tell the difference between the women stars....
Nicole - I'm wondering with that time period that Made was "sick" and it's "unaccounted" for - could she had gone off and either 1) had a baby or 2) had an abortion. Things of that nature way back then were very much hidden out of view.
Clearly a narcissist & thus portrays herself as the victim because she cannot take responsibility for anything
This woman was obviously mentally ill from the time of her teen years. Who works (no matter where) and is' HATED' by everyone there? She is some kind of narcissist with her belief that she was so very special and should be treated like a goddess by everyone. When things are so bad that, allegedly, your parents move out and leave no forwarding address you have to think she must have been hell to live with. Her stalking of various people is another sign that she was mentally ill. She was pretty no doubt about it. I can't comment on her talent. The reviews in the silent days tend to be gushing no matter how bad the film was. Her claims that she was raped etc again are signs of a sick mind. Her career and life failures are all due to her own actions. No sympathy here.
Sad Life and to disappoint you a bit. The expression is a grain of salt one grain not a shaker that's a minimal it is
I'm pretty sure Nicole intentionally used the word "shaker" as opposed to "grain". She is saying there's reason to doubt a LOT of what Madge said in her biography.
you know as you keep telling all these stories it seems they get more and more bizarre, almost insane, or a compulsive liar...
Natalie wood , Kirk skeezer Douglas !
17:49 "quite frankly."
Not trying to be rude and I think you are doing a very good job. But I believe you would get more intrest in your videos if you would just tell the story and leave out your opinions. Not trying to be nasty and thank you.
BE RUDE 😅😅😅😅😅😅
Wow look like twin with Mable normand
I thought so too, they look like sisters
1:09:20 WRONG. That's dysexecutive syndrome.
Is too young for Bell Watling? Ona Munson was younger.
Thanks for putting me to sleep
Isn't this similar to Gypsy Rose lees life?
Her esteem was really low. Maybe she is a narcissist. You can’t blame your parents for how you turn out. I thought she was a great actress and she let herself be used by men. Not realizing they only were after her money. Her decisions were wild too. She should have chosen just the opposite.
Bigamy was not uncommon then. No network to records. Also, aliases were common.. 😊
Nicole - I'm wondering if that Carlos Bellamy was committing Bigamy - that would had been another consideration.
WHO?????
With her great gifts of feminine beauty came great drawbacks of emotional impulsiveness...the amount of great opportunities she passed up for no reason made me loose sympathy for her
But you are embarrassing her
Her entitled attitude was her downfall
You suppose to tell story about her not criticizing her just unsubscribed
Well Narrated But I don't believe half of her story I think Madge made lots of it up to seem interesting cause her story is very boring.
Sorry just watching this sooo late after you posted. I remember one of Chaplin's biographies had pics of him playing a Greek god in a tunic (if memory doesn't fail me) and I believe it was in the 1920s. In a balletic pose, he held a balloon that was represented the world. Many of his shticks were born in his early years and little by little he'd hone them to perfection to put in a film. I wish I could remember which book, but I was a film preservation student and have read so many books about the stars of yesteryear. This time Madge may not embellishing. :)