Lillian Gish and Dorothy Gish were actresses who were pioneers in the Hollywood movie industry. The Gish sisters made their mark in the silent movie era as actresses. Through the Lillian and Gish Prize, they continue to reach out and influence the arts today.
The Gish Sisters
Lillian and Dorothy Gish were sisters from Ohio who both became film stars during the silent film era. When their father deserted the family, their mother put them on stage as a way to make ends meet.
Lillian, the older of the two sisters was called “Baby Lillian.” The girls first stage appearance was in 1902. They met another young actress by the name of Gladys Smith while on the road. Gladys Smith later became known as Mary Pickford, another legend of the silver screen. Mary Pickford introduced the sisters to director D.W. Griffith, launching their film careers.
Lillian is one of the best known actresses of the silent film era. Although overshadowed by her older sister, Dorothy was famous in her own right. Lillian played dramatic roles. Dorothy excelled at pantomime and had a comedic touch.
You might think the sisters would have been competitive, but reportedly they were not jealous of each other. They each had successful movie and stage careers. Dorothy and Lillian Gish remained close friends for their entire life.
One of the films the Gish sisters made together, “Orphans of the Storm,” 1921, was one of the top grossing silent films of all time.
Before blockbuster Hollywood movies with sounds and technological special effects, there were black and white movies made without sound. Technology has changed the movie experience dramatically. Hollywood’s silent movies were pioneering works of art in the movie industry.
Silent films communicate visually, without the benefit of voices, talking or special effects. The story is communicated by expression, body language and with captions at the bottom of the screen. Piano music was usually played to accompany the action. Actors had to communicate their emotions without talking. To the modern moviegoer, silent movies sometimes seem exaggerated. However, it must have taken great acting skill to tell a story without words and sound.
Lillian Gish and Dorothy Gish were considered great actresses of their era. They both had long careers. Lillian lived to be 99 years old and acted for 75 of those years.
Lillian Gish: Film Legend and Great Lady of Silent Cinema
Lillian Gish: Born Lilian Diana deGuiche, in 1883 in Springfield, Ohio, Lillian Gish had an impressive career that spanned the early twentieth century. The actress played roles that were shining examples of purity of heart and strong morale character. Miss Gish was one of America’s most beloved actresses.
While many actresses appeared “over the top” or melodramatic, Lillian was noted as having natural style. Miss Gish was known for her delicate, waif like, fragile beauty. She often played the role of the long suffering, downtrodden victim.
D.W. Griffith cast Lillian Gish is some of the most memorable silent films in history. These pioneering films were important in the history of Hollywood movie making. Following are some notable films made by Lillian Gish, directed by D.W. Griffith.
“The Birth of a Nation” 1915: Lillian plays an innocent.
“Broken Blossoms” 1919: Lillian plays a victim of parental abuse
“True Heart Susie” 1919
“Orphans of the Storm” 1921: Lillian plays a good girl
“Way Down East” 1920: Lillian gets pregnant out of wedlock.
In 1925 Lillian signed a lucrative contract with MGM and became one of the most highly paid actresses of the decade. The actress made silent film masterpieces, including: “La Boheme, “The Scarlet Letter,” and “The Wind.” “The Wind” was her last silent film.
In the late twenties the public taste was changing. The more tantalizing, modern flapper actresses, such as sexy “It Girl” Clara Bow, were gaining popularity with the public. Legendary movie actress Greta Garbo started to get the star treatment that MGM had formerly reserved for Lillian.
Lillian Gish quit films and returned to stage. On Broadway Lillian Gish had triumphant successes. The 1936 she played Ophelia to John Gielgud’s Hamlet. In 1941 she had a record breaking 66 week run in Chicago in “Life With Father
In the 1940’s she appeared in a few films, including “Duel in the Son” with Lionel Barrymore and “Portrait of Jennie,” with Jennifer Jones. Both of these films were for famed Hollywood Producer David O. Selznick. In 1955 she appeared in a thriller: “The Night of the Hunter.”
Miss Gish appeared on television, including a appearance with close friend, Helen Hayes in “Arsenic and Old Lace” and in Horton Footes “Trip to Bountiful.
Lillian Gish made her last film appearance in 1987, in “Whales of August.”
Lillian Gish enjoyed a long career on the stage. The actress never married, but dedicated herself to her career. She wrote an autobiography in 1969, “The Movies, Mr. Griffith and Me.” In 1970 Lillian Gish was awarded a special Academy award for “superlative artistry and distinguished contribution to the progress of motion pictures.”
Lillian Gish was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church. She worshiped for decades at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Manhattan, never missing a Sunday service when she was in town. At one time Miss Gish said that her mother had told Lillian and Dorothy to always attend church. The Gish sisters were instructed to attend whatever church was available when they were not at home.
Lillian Gish was in New York when she died in her sleep, of heart failure, in 1993. She was 99 years old.. Miss Gish had an acting career that spanned 75 years. A memorial service was held at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Manhattan, which was attended by over 700 mourners. In attendance was famous actor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. James MacArthur the son of her beloved friend Helen Hayes and Gish’s godson was also in attendance.
Dorothy Gish
Dorothy Gish was born Dorothy de Guiche, in Dayton, Ohio, in 1898. Dorothy was four years old when she and her sister starting touring the country.
Dorothy was introduced to D.W. Griffith along with her sister. She made many silent films and was a star in her own right, although Lillian’s dramatic career overshadowed Dorothy’s comedic one. Dorothy acted in over 100 movies, many of them with her sister.
Dorothy’s last silent film was “Madame Pompadour” in 1927. Dorothy retired as a major film star in 1928. She appeared in some smaller film roles over the years. Like her sister, she enjoyed a long career in theater.
After retiring from silent films, Dorothy moved to England, where she enjoyed a long career on the London stage.
Dorothy was married from 1920 to 1935 to actor James Rennie.
Dorothy Gish concentrated on the stage, but returned to cinema occasionally. She appeared in a 1944 romantic comedy “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay.” Two years later she was in “Centennial Summer.” Dorothy’s final film appearance was in an Otto Preminger film “The Cardinal.
Dorothy Gish died in Rapallo Italy in 1968. Dorothy’s sister, Lillian, was at her side when she passed away.
Lillian and Dorothy Relationship With Parents
Lillian and Dorothy Gish remained close all their lives. Their father, who had deserted the family, died in 1911. Their mother, with whom they were always close, passed away in 1948. In her autobiography, Lillian stated that she was grateful to her father, since it was because of him that she had to learn to work hard.
Lilian and Dorothy Gish Prize
The Gish sisters left the bulk of their estates to the arts. Part of their estates went into a trust called the Lillian and Dorothy Gish Prize. This prize is one of the largest awards in the arts. Every year a trailblazer who has redefined their art and pushed the boundaries of excellence in their fields receives a monetary award. Recipients have shaped the cultural landscape in the arts, including drama, dance, music, art, architecture, film, lighting design and literature. The stated intent of the prize is to recognize “a man or woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life.”
Recipients of The Gish Prize have included: Frank Gehry, Ingmar Bergman, Robert Wilson, Bob Dylan, Isabel Allende, Arthur Miller, Merce Cunningham, Jennifer Tipton, Lloyd Richard, Bill T. Jones, Ornette Coleman, Peter Sellars and Shirin Neshat.
Lillian and Dorothy Gish Legendary Actresses
Lillian and Dorothy Gish were legendary actresses who helped to shape the movie industry as we see it today. The Gish sisters continue to influence the arts through their legacy.
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