See that breathtaking picture?
At one point that was going to be our new living room.
That’s a shot inside Pickfair, the mansion once owned by the founding father and mother of Hollywood.
The gold framed picture is a signed photo of forgotten silent film star Mary Pickford. It’s in my private collection.
The smiling picture is also of Mary Pickford, taken in 1929.
This other picture is of a rare old Chinese made cigar humidor once owned by Mary. I won it in the recent Pickford estate auction. It arrived today.
Why do I sometimes collect Mary Pickford items?
At one point I thought I was going to write a book about Mary and her lost business secrets, much as I’ve done for circus showman P.T. Barnum in There’s a Customer Born Every Minute and BBDO ad genius Bruce Barton in The Seven Lost Secrets of Success.
I may yet do it, too.
Mary Pickford was America’s Sweetheart, capturing the imagination of the public as “Little Mary,” the teenager with spunk, in countless silent films in the early 1900s. She was charming, big eyed and perky.
She married famous swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks, and with slapstick king Charlie Chaplin and director D.W. Griffith, they formed United Artists. It was the first movie production company run by people who acted and directed. Mary and her team were the founders of Hollywood.
Pickford and Fairbanks were a world famous couple and the closest thing to royalty that era had ever seen.
Their famous estate in Beverly Hills, called Pickfair, went on the market a few years ago and I almost bought it.
Today, Pickfair stands as a majestic Venetian mansion with high ceilings, ballroom size living room, formal dinning room, master bedroom suite and three family bedroom suites, sweeping balconies, indoor spa and Jacuzzi with dome glass ceiling, massage room, hair salon, gym, disco, state-of-the-art 35mm theater, guest quarters featuring a three bedroom apartment, security guard offices and subterranean parking for additional 15 vehicles.
The original swimming pool remains as the showpiece of this 2.7 acres site that overlooks the magnificent views of Beverly Hills, the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Mountains, and the skylines of Century City and Los Angeles.
Just walking room to room in Mary’s old castle would be a workout.
I’ll settle for her humidor today.
But someone really needs to write about her as a strong business woman.
Mary died sad, lonely, alcoholic and virtually forgotten.
Yet her business genius helped create an empire. We can learn from that. And her.
Too many greats like Mary Pickford fall through the cracks of history, and we miss out on their insights and secrets to business success.
“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.” – Mary Pickford (1892 – 1979)
Ao Akua,
Joe
www.mrfire.com
PS — You can learn about her at www.marypickford.com/ Thank you.
18 Comments
That would be a very interesting read, I hope you pursue it.
What’s interesting about Mary’s success is her sad death. It points out just how vitally important gratitude is. One could say, “Yeah sure, she made all that money and started her own company but yet she died pathetically, so don’t think that’s gonna make you happy!” which may be true, but it doesn’t negate her accomplishments.
How can we all be successes in our own lives in all aspects? How do we greet success and sustain it and our lives with satisfaction? Do our setbacks need to be our undoing? Many of our historic heroes left the world this way. How do we learn from that? These are all things that occurred to me as I read your post.
Hi Joe,
I hadn’t heard of Mary until now.
It would be good to read her business secrets; so I encourage you to write the book.
If you present the book in a biographical format with pictures etc, it will capture a much wider audience.
Cheers
-Craig Chirinda
I would love to read such a book about Mary Pickford!
I read a biography about her many years ago, too long ago to remember the details, but I maintain an appreciation for her and her work.
Dr. Vitale, I think you could add even more value to such a book (which I do hope you write, as I’ve learned so much from your work, and am a huge fan of that era in the cinema) if perhaps you also explored the Master Mind group she formed with Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin.
It’s the Master Mind principle in practice! 🙂 Thank you for your time.
:neutral:VERY INTERESTING ON MARY PICKFOD,, I AM LOOKING FOR A PAINTING OF A LITTLE DUTCH GIRL THAT WAS IN MARYS COLLECION /ARTIST WAS ERNST VAN LEYDEN..THE SUBJECT IS A FRIEND OF MINE AND SHE WAS 6 WHEN THE PAINTING WAS DONE IN THE EARLY 40S,,,SHE JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THE PAINING IS NOW,, IF YOU CAN OFFER ANY HELP I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP VONNY
This is a great story be sure to hit the Digg Button —- so more people will see this post as well.
Dear Joe
The first time I’d ever heard of Mary Pickford was when I was about sixteen and there was a programme about her on t.v.
That was about 5 years before she died.
But after seeing that programme I was hocked and really amazed by what she achieved as a woman in the time she lived in.
Great to hear that you nearly bought her house, pity you didn’t 🙁
I am glad to hear that there is yet something else we have in common, I to feel she seems to have been forgotten some how which is said.
Hope you get around to writing that book about her.
Have fun
Love
Chris
Dear Joe,
Your fascination with Mary Pickford and all that surrounded her is refreshing. It’s nice to see someone acting as caretaker to treasures of yesteryear. That being said, will you settle a rumor or dispute for me? Is the house, PickFair, the original home? Stories abound that Pia Zadora and her husband tore most of it down and the only original parts are the main entrance gate and the swimming pool. What is the real thing here? I have also heard that it was just restored to it’s original condition with few additions. Please, clear up the “murky waters” regarding PickFair if you will please. Thank you and I look forward to seeing more of your collection and reading your book. Sincerest appreciation and regards, Paola
Hi! did you happen to see the documentary made I think in the 80’s before mary’s death? She was about 80 ro so and I think, Peter Jennings interviewed her and she gave a tour of Pickfair or they showed pics inside it. She apeared very senile, wore a cute little wig and was dressed elegantly. That is all I remember but I would sure like to know if anyone saw it. I went to Pickfair (not inside) in the late 80’s when Dr.____owned it and spoke to the chinese houseboy on the two way speaker as we drove up the driveway. we shouldnt have been there but the gate was open and so we just drove up. Of course, we did not go further. he only told us no one was home but this was thrill for me as I have been a fan about 50 years. Would love to hear from anyone. Elaine [email protected]
It’s always interesting hearing thoughts about the old ‘KING AND QUEEN’ of Hollywood.
My wife and I were lucky enough to visit Pickfair in 1976 and spent a wonderful day with Buddy Rogers and Mary’s friend and PA, the Rev Valerie SoRelle. Mary was in bed all day and at that time had few visitors, although Lillian Gish made an effort to see her often. I did not know that the house was still standing, as I had been told the the property had been bought by an Arab gentleman for a new building to be built on the site…. Why was it not purchased for the Mary Pickford museum that she herself had asked for ? I remember the interior of the house was a sheer delight with its theme rooms and incredible artifacts and historical antiques – A really remarkable woman who lived in the most beautiful of places……. A question I asked Mary Pickford through Valerie, who became a long time friend, was “Have you anything to say about the early days of film” ? Her reply was very suprising, she said “The films should have been made in colour and progressed to black and white, then there would have been true art in their making” WOW !.
Cheers everyone – Spike
Hi, Joe. When I was 14, I wrote to Mary Pickford and Valerie Sorelle, who you mention, kindly responded. We developed a correspondance and I was invited to spend time at Pickfair. I stayed with Valerie in Beverly Hills (who was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met). I met all the staff at Pickfair who were wonderful (except Esther Helm, who ended up getting fired). Contrary to some reports, Pickfair was beautiful — and well maintained, and Mary wasn’t drunk — but rather busy with appointments in her room all day — visitors seemed to come-and-go — manicurist, May Mann (with cats), lawyers, Jane Withers, etc. I’ve still got a piece of Mary’s hair that I was given as a souvenir. Thank you for the article, that I stumbled upon by accident. Dave in Brtiish Columbia.
I had no idea that the estate was torn down in the late 80’s. I was fortunate enough to have several visits to Pickfair when Dr. Jerry Buss owned the property. I fondly remember my first visit shortly after moving to the area. I was thrilled to be invited to such a legendary home and felt it was the most moving experience I had at the time. The excitement I felt after giving the guard at the gate my name to be checked against the list and being invited through the gate, was an overwhelming feeling of privilege, to walk where so many extraordinary Hollywood historical figures had walked. WOW! Of course I chatted it up with the other guests that were celebrities (of course I was not) and our host, but the most memorable times were when my imagination took a peak into the past after being in certain areas. Down by the pool, I imagined the risque romps that likely took place during parties in the early days. A giggle and a smile was stuck on my face. I went into the kitchen and was amazed how ordinary it was. Not even that big and not overdone with gilded elaboration, it was a kitchen with a pantry.
The vision of staff members in the 20’s-30’s tending to the well known guests wants and needs with champagne and hor d’ oeuvres was another truly fulfilling moment. I was rather amazed that for it’s reputation, it was a humble abode compared to other mansions nearby. I was hoping after spending the night there one night I would wake to a spirit manifestation from the past, but no such luck.
Hi Joe,
I just came across you whilst doing some research on Mary Pickford’s hair (I’m a hairdresser and love history).
Do you have any idea what happened to the ringlets that were apparently auctioned for charity by Pickford herself? In fact if you know anything about her hair/hairdresser or whether any of her hair still survives I would be really interested(not looking to own it myself,just curious!)
Regards,
Darren
Ive been collecting Mary Pickford letters! The letters she wrote to various people thru her life have been auction on ebay. I have a letter she wrote to John Barrymore, about the Academy members not giving enough support to local live theater. I have four letters she wrote to Mildred Zukor Loew, daughter of Adolph Zukor, and wife of Arthur Loew Sr., the latter being the son of Marcus Loew of Loew theaters. And there are other great pieces in my binder. A combination of a few silent film movie flyers/heralds; some signed photos; a batch of letter; a few “real picture” postcards of Pickford visiting with troops; a rare 8 x 10 photograph of the singing concert she gave on her lawn for a group of blind war veterans in the 1940s. Its just one one-inch three-ring binder, but I’d have to write pages and pages to adequately describe the collection. I find the story of Pickford fascinating, and indeed, in its own way, my collection tells a story you cant find anywhere else. I was glad to find this website, and Im glad to share my thoughts. Anybody is free to email me to discuss my collection. Marcus-stevo Att.net and of course I left out the at sign, in case this website prohibits display of email addresses. I also have two great signed Douglas Fairbanks pieces. My earliest piece is a 1915 fan letter written back to a school girl. Its A very personalized letter: Mary Pickford was the first big movie star. She tells the little girl how she is glad the girl plays violin. By 1920, Mary Pickford had paved the way for numerous movie stars, and so by 1920, there were mainly mass-produced form letters to fans. so in that regard, my 1915 Mary Pickford fan letter is very unique and rare. My collection spans from 1915 to 1977. I have a 1970s letter signed by Mary’s assistant Valerie Sorelle. Perhaps evident of the decline of Mary in her final few years, because thru her life, every letter was signed by her. Whether stamp or autopen or hand signature, is irrelevant.. When I say signed by her, I mean every piece of correspondence thru her life had her personal attention, and was never a third-party communication. …
Follow-up to my earlier post. My collection also includes a 1935 letter she wrote to Joshua H. Marks, a business man in Los Angeles. She told him to direct his business propositions to her business manager Mr. McKay. I attempted an internet research of Joshua Marks. I didnt bring up hardly any information. But the one or two specs of information I found led to an interesting conclusion: Joshua Marks apparently was one of the early developers of Southern California: commercial real estate: shopping centers/strip malls. No doubt a lot of his original suburban commercial construction was probably long since torn down.
Hello, I love the way you think. So many great actors from the silent film era are fogotten, I wish there were more biographical information. Hollywood should make pictures of them, like they did with “Chaplin”. Mary Pickford, Lilian Gish, Louise Brooks, Clara Bow… also the directors like DW Griffith. There are so many, but i don’t know everyone. Thank you so much for let us remember and see treasures from Mary. Hugs from Perú.
Follow up to my prior comments. I still collect Mary Pickford letters. Joe Vitale, do you still monitor this web page? Id like to buy some stuff from your collection, assuming you’ll make it affordable for me. …Latest aquisitions: marys letters to debbie reynolds; to a governor of california; and a few others Ive recently added.
My mother lived on Arden Drive, South of Sunset Boulevard in the 1940’s. She attended a garden party, with her mother, held by the Beverly Hills Garden Club at Pickfair. Miss Pickford was gracious enough to offer the grounds of her home for this event. Although my mother never met Miss Pickford, she never forgot this noteworthy experience in her young life! Henry Lindsey