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 Author
E.J. Fleming offers this in-depth biography on
the rise and fall of one of Hollywood's biggest stars of all time.
Wallace Reid rocketed to stardom almost overnight. He was a guaranteed
draw for audiences, so much so that his films were advertised as
an entity in their own right. Reid had everything going for him:
looks, charm and talent. By all logic, he should have had a long
and properous career. But tragedy struck with his rapid decline
and sudden death at the age of 31.
Fleming starts out at the beginning
with Reid's ancestors in the 18th century. His family tree rooted
in scandal, young Wally was destined for some degree of
notoriety. The family was creatively charged throughout the years;
writing and theatre work was prominent and their position in society
was a powerful one. Wally yearned for another kind of life. As a
child in St. Louis, Missouri, he'd survived "The Great Cyclone
of 1896" and developed an acute fear of wind as a result. His
parents' theatre obligations sent them on the road for months at
a time. Wally was left back home with relatives and learned to self-sustain
in their absence. A brilliant writer himself, Reid felt more inclined
to prove himself as a man. He'd traveled by train to get work in
a town where he wouldn't be associated with his family name. If
fate is a valid guide, he might've known better than to fight his
pre-determined path in life.
Returning home, Reid's popularity
began to grow with each of his performances. He was also quite skilled
in camera work, the position in which he was actually most comfortable.
Fleming's extensive research is apparent. In addition to Reid's
journey through the days of silent film, there is also a plethora
of history about the movie industry, it's humble beginnings and
advances. Reid runs parallel with the growing industry and becomes
a star. Like many stars of today, Reid had a number of female fans
trying to "persuade" him. Women often bribed guards to
let them into his room and then hid under his bed. His celebrity
aside, Reid was a grounded man who often gave to his needy friends,
sometimes to a fault.
By the early 1920s, Reid had
developed a severe drinking problem. He'd been dealing with some
negative press and scandal, shadows of his ancestors returning to
the present. He would also develop an addiction to morphine from
prior usage courtesy of the studio he was working for. Sadly, this
was Reid's ultimate downfall. As Fleming's book reveals: "For
a decade Wallace Reid was the most recognized face in silent film.
Today all that is widely remembered of Wally is that he died in
a padded room, the victim of a morphine addiction." Unfortunately,
Reid is forgotten by most, his name lost among the Chaplins and
Pickfords in film history. Wallace Reid: The Life and Death
of a Hollywood Idol is a thorough and profound biography
of a man who should have reached even greater heights. Fleming does
a fantastic job setting up Reid's foundation and following his life,
all the while providing the reader with incredible facts, over 100
photographs and pieces of nostalgia. For the cinema aficionado,
this is a trip back in time, a testament to one of Hollywood's first
superstars. To the novice, this is not only a story but a lesson,
a drama and a guide to the pitfalls of indulgence. Hardcover.
312 Pages.
Orders are currently being taken
for Wallace Reid - The Life and Death of a Hollywood Idol.
If you would like to purchase a copy (recommended), you can call
McFarland Publishing at 1-800-253-2187 or click the following link
to place your order: Order
the book now!
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