Since the 1990s, authors Gavin Lambert and Mick LaSalle have been doing the overdue, heroic work needed to restore this neglected actress's legend. Look up their works at amazon if you truly love Norma, and read them if you can get copies. Nobody who reads the tale of how the widowed Norma shrewdly wrestled Louis B. Mayer -who tried to swindle her out of Irving Thalberg's share of their profit deal- will ever think of Norma as insubstantial again. The woman was no one's shrinking violet.
@dvlaries I highly reccomend Mark A Vieira's book called "Irving Thalberg: Boy Wonder to Producer Prince" you'll find a ton of information on Norma's life and career. Also Lawrence Quirk did a autobiography on Norma.
@sanjac07 {{blush}} I've had it since April, and thank you. Vieira's book finally was the first with access to Norma's own manuscript that she was working on in the 1950s for a book of her own that was never completed. Till someone writes a better one, I consider Gavin Lambert's 1990 "Norma Shearer" the definitive biography on her, but Mick LaSalle's 2000 "Complicated Woman" also does a fantastic and heroic job of spotlighting and restoring the pre-Code Norma as the trailblazer she then was.
Everything from wearing haute couture to acting, there was nothing Norma Shearer did that couldn't have been done better by any number of other stars. Some movie lovers find that it sure took a lot to make her interesting. She's outclassed by Dietrich, Garbo, Crawford, Colbert, Stanwyck, and others.
Crawford called Norma cross-eyed and knock-kneed, among more unprintable things, but I think it was strictly Joan's jealousy talking. Norma is stunning, and not just in the glamour shots. My favorite is the very last one, wearing something very close to a man's suit, out-Dietriching Dietrich. I've never seen a bad photo of Norma, period.
@defundthewar I agree, and Crawford's jealousy extended to Jean Harlow too. Crawford was a fine actress, a true star, an industrious and prolific worker, and equal in that every sense to Norma, Jean, Garbo and all actresses who toiled in the MGM 'factory' of that time. But a scarred childhood had left Crawford with a deeply-embedded, unshakeable insecurity that fostered a guarded and distrustful nature. A shame really because, success or not, Crawford was only ever fleetingly happy.
@dvlaries I think it's usually difficult or impossible to really know about these scarred childhoods of the
famous. After all, no biographers were around when certain stars were around, or even many witnessess within close proximity. So most of what we know are what the stars say. I'll give 2 examples- Sinatra would tell everyone how impoverished he was in Hoboken. Not true. Garland would make up the most outrageous tales about her mother. And so I'm not so sure about Joan's troubles.
@dvlaries Crawford seemed to be a very jealous, insecure woman in general, which she dind't have to be considering her own success and acclaim. Her obsession with Bette Davis was unbecoming and too apparent at the Oscars.
Norma Shearer has always been a favorite of mine from the first time I saw her on screen as Marie-Antoinette. No one has been able to capture the tragic queen like Miss Shearer.
What perfect "eye candy". Norma was a visual treat for anyone's eyes. A fine actress and an endearing personality that will endure throughout the ages through film and photographs. Thanks so much for posting such a wonderful collection of fabulous photos of a "fabulous star" who shines brighter with each passing year in the hearts of all of us who adore her.
The QUEEN!
wilshirejohn1 1 month ago
we will certainly acknowledge Norma protograhed beautifully, but the music chosen for this tribute is certainly not for this wonderful actress
MrFalconford 7 months ago
Since the 1990s, authors Gavin Lambert and Mick LaSalle have been doing the overdue, heroic work needed to restore this neglected actress's legend. Look up their works at amazon if you truly love Norma, and read them if you can get copies. Nobody who reads the tale of how the widowed Norma shrewdly wrestled Louis B. Mayer -who tried to swindle her out of Irving Thalberg's share of their profit deal- will ever think of Norma as insubstantial again. The woman was no one's shrinking violet.
dvlaries 8 months ago
@dvlaries I highly reccomend Mark A Vieira's book called "Irving Thalberg: Boy Wonder to Producer Prince" you'll find a ton of information on Norma's life and career. Also Lawrence Quirk did a autobiography on Norma.
sanjac07 8 months ago
@sanjac07 {{blush}} I've had it since April, and thank you. Vieira's book finally was the first with access to Norma's own manuscript that she was working on in the 1950s for a book of her own that was never completed. Till someone writes a better one, I consider Gavin Lambert's 1990 "Norma Shearer" the definitive biography on her, but Mick LaSalle's 2000 "Complicated Woman" also does a fantastic and heroic job of spotlighting and restoring the pre-Code Norma as the trailblazer she then was.
dvlaries 8 months ago
She was born on the 10 august , the same day I was born
ayakothecolorkid 8 months ago
what a classic beauty.
haseleyes1 11 months ago
Everything from wearing haute couture to acting, there was nothing Norma Shearer did that couldn't have been done better by any number of other stars. Some movie lovers find that it sure took a lot to make her interesting. She's outclassed by Dietrich, Garbo, Crawford, Colbert, Stanwyck, and others.
unclealand 1 year ago
Crawford called Norma cross-eyed and knock-kneed, among more unprintable things, but I think it was strictly Joan's jealousy talking. Norma is stunning, and not just in the glamour shots. My favorite is the very last one, wearing something very close to a man's suit, out-Dietriching Dietrich. I've never seen a bad photo of Norma, period.
defundthewar 1 year ago 2
@defundthewar I agree, and Crawford's jealousy extended to Jean Harlow too. Crawford was a fine actress, a true star, an industrious and prolific worker, and equal in that every sense to Norma, Jean, Garbo and all actresses who toiled in the MGM 'factory' of that time. But a scarred childhood had left Crawford with a deeply-embedded, unshakeable insecurity that fostered a guarded and distrustful nature. A shame really because, success or not, Crawford was only ever fleetingly happy.
dvlaries 8 months ago
@dvlaries I think it's usually difficult or impossible to really know about these scarred childhoods of the
famous. After all, no biographers were around when certain stars were around, or even many witnessess within close proximity. So most of what we know are what the stars say. I'll give 2 examples- Sinatra would tell everyone how impoverished he was in Hoboken. Not true. Garland would make up the most outrageous tales about her mother. And so I'm not so sure about Joan's troubles.
defundthewar 8 months ago
@dvlaries Crawford seemed to be a very jealous, insecure woman in general, which she dind't have to be considering her own success and acclaim. Her obsession with Bette Davis was unbecoming and too apparent at the Oscars.
Rosannasfriend 6 days ago
Norma Shearer has always been a favorite of mine from the first time I saw her on screen as Marie-Antoinette. No one has been able to capture the tragic queen like Miss Shearer.
Franciscus1958 1 year ago 2
LOve Miss Shearer and I love your videros! Thanks for the great job you do on so many of our favorites!
realfredwithtires 2 years ago
She was so CHIC. NO one could wear clothes the wasy she did. Stunning elegance. Class in it's purest form.
twilson11208 2 years ago 5
What perfect "eye candy". Norma was a visual treat for anyone's eyes. A fine actress and an endearing personality that will endure throughout the ages through film and photographs. Thanks so much for posting such a wonderful collection of fabulous photos of a "fabulous star" who shines brighter with each passing year in the hearts of all of us who adore her.
reptilelady 2 years ago