This post is written in conjunction with the Summer Under the Stars Blogathon hosted by Sittin' on a Backyard Fence and ScribeHard on Film. It is also my contribution to Eternity of Dream's Speechless Blogathon. A full day of Lillian Gish films will air on TCM on August 15. ORPHANS OF THE STORM (1921) airs at 7:45 am EST.
Lillian Gish (1893-1993) started her career at the age of 19 making films for famed director D.W. Griffith. She starred in his controversial film BIRTH OF A NATION in 1915. Griffith had even put Gish in charge of directing the 1920 film starring her sister Dorothy, REMODELING HER HUSBAND, though she preferred acting to directing. Gish and Griffith made several films together until their amicable parting. Gish referred to her former mentor as "Mr. Griffith" until she died. Gish continued to make movies well into the modern era, her final film being THE WHALES OF AUGUST (1987) co-starring Bette Davis.
