Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies by Lara Gabrielle (review).

  • Published In: Velvet Light Trap: A Critical Journal of Film & Television, 2025, n. 95. P. 74 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Light, Aaron 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the biography "Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies," authored by Lara Gabrielle, which seeks to reappraise the life and career of actress Marion Davies, often overshadowed by sensationalized portrayals and gossip. The biography presents a detailed account of Davies's artistic contributions and her complex relationship with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, while also addressing the misrepresentation of her character in films like "Citizen Kane." Gabrielle's work is noted for its thorough research, including access to original audio recordings and personal interviews, and is structured chronologically with insightful anecdotes. While the biography is praised for its readability and scholarship, it is suggested that further analysis of Davies's comedic roles and their influence on contemporary actors could enhance the narrative. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Velvet Light Trap: A Critical Journal of Film & Television. 2025/03, Issue 95, p74
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0149-1830
  • DOI:10.1353/vlt.00012
  • Accession Number:185365145
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Velvet Light Trap: A Critical Journal of Film & Television is the property of University of Texas Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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