Photo : © Mary Pickford Foundation
Mary Pickford, Grace and Malice
Forget everything you think you know about the golden age of cinema until you witness the sharp wit and unmatched talent of Mary Pickford. She was not just the face of early Hollywood, but a fierce producer who outmaneuvered the biggest studio bosses to pave her own path.
Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé (Paris 13th)
About
The Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé presents a retrospective dedicated to Mary Pickford, a pioneering actress and influential producer. From September 2, 2026, to October 20, 2026, visitors can explore approximately fifty of her films, many of which have been restored, showcasing her legendary Hollywood career. This event is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring an inclusive experience for all cinema enthusiasts. Set in the 13th arrondissement, the cycle offers a unique opportunity to view these historical works accompanied by live piano performances, providing a rare glimpse into the artistry of one of the silent era's greatest icons.
Born in 1892 in Toronto, Mary Pickford was a film pioneer, a talented actress, a bold producer, and a savvy businesswoman. Dubbed "the girl with the golden curls" early on before the public even knew her name, she soon became "America's Sweetheart," a figure with a level of fame equivalent to Chaplin, and a reference for throngs of admirers and imitators worldwide.
Coming from a poor family of theater actors and having lost her father at an early age, she began on stage at the age of seven before being discovered in 1909 in New York by D.W. Griffith. Until 1912, she shot about fifty short films with him (A Beast at Bay, The School Teacher and the Waif, The New York Hat). In Hollywood, a contract signed with Adolph Zukor’s Famous Players Film Company allowed her to refine her subtle and natural acting style. She demonstrated this notably in films by James Kirkwood such as Behind the Scenes (1914), The Dawn of a Tomorrow or Fanchon the Cricket.
A shrewd negotiator, from 1916 onwards she obtained control over the production of the films she appeared in and a constantly increasing salary, before becoming her own producer by creating her company, the Mary Pickford Film Corporation. She chose the best directors to guide her, starting with Maurice Tourneur in The Pride of the Clan (1917) and Poor Little Rich Girl. In 1917, she filmed the stunning western A Romance of the Redwoods and The Little American with Cecil B. DeMille, which took her to the battlefields of Europe. In 1918, Marshall Neilan directed her in the double role of Stella Maris.
Collaborations continued with favored figures. Screenwriter Frances Marion, who wrote several excellent scripts (The Poor Little Rich Girl, Johanna Enlists), made her directorial debut with the actress in The Love Light in 1921. Pickford boasted of having fostered Ernst Lubitsch’s arrival in Hollywood. He shot his first American film, Rosita, in which the actress played a street singer. She then took on adolescent roles again, following the public’s desires despite being in her thirties (Little Annie Rooney, Sparrows). The arrival of sound marked the decline of her career, despite some notable roles.
Mary Pickford left her mark on the history of American cinema with her discernment, charm, and vitality. About fifty of her films (out of more than two hundred...) are presented during this cycle, most in restored copies from American and European archival collections, and with the support of the Mary Pickford Foundation.
The screenings are accompanied by pianists from Jean-François Zygel’s improvisation class (CNSMDP).
Our take on this event
From September 2, 2026, to October 20, 2026, the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé in Paris hosts a comprehensive cycle celebrating the life and work of Mary Pickford. Known as both a talented performer and a shrewd business leader, Pickford left an indelible mark on American cinema. This exhibition features about fifty films from her extensive filmography, with many prints sourced from international archives and restored for this occasion. To enhance the viewing experience, screenings are accompanied by pianists from the improvisation class of Jean-François Zygel at the CNSMDP.
Ticket options are structured to suit different interests: entry to the exhibition spaces alone is priced between 3 and 5 euros, while a combined ticket for one film screening and exhibition access ranges from 4 to 7 euros. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
The retrospective highlights Pickford's journey, from her early short films directed by D.W. Griffith to her later success as an independent producer who collaborated with industry giants like Cecil B. De Mille and Ernst Lubitsch. Attendees will discover her evolution as a performer, from her iconic youthful roles to her nuanced portrayals that defined the silent movie era, followed by her challenges and successes during the transition to sound.
