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Each January, when the year’s Oscar nominations are announced, we’re reminded that Hollywood is primarily a place for white men. Female filmmakers and filmmakers of color still struggle to get the jobs—and the recognition—that they deserve. But in her book The Women Who Built Hollywood: 12 Trailblazers in Front of and Behind the Camera, author Susan Goldman Rubin shows that women have always played an important role in filmmaking.
This short book introduces readers to 12 women from various backgrounds who were influential in the early days of Hollywood—from the silent film era into the early years of talking films in the 1930s. The author covers all areas of the movie industry—not just famous actresses but also directors and writers and studio executives. Each chapter offers a brief biography of one of these remarkable women—complete with pictures—exploring their history, their path to Hollywood, and their greatest achievements.
Some of the women featured in this book are more widely-known—like Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel or Mary Pickford, the beloved silent film star who also co-founded United Artists and helped to establish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Others are lesser-known women who often worked behind the scenes, forging new paths in areas like editing and stunts and costume design. And, together, they offer a fascinating look at the early years of Hollywood—and the way that women shaped the growing industry.
Since the book is targeted to teen and young adult readers, though, it isn’t really an extensive exploration of female influence on the industry. Instead, it’s a just-the-facts kind of collection, which often makes the writing style feel choppy—like a bunch of sometimes unrelated facts stuck together. It’s short and to the point—but not always a smooth read.
The short biographies included in the book cover the basics: each woman’s upbringing, her introduction to Hollywood, her career path, and her influence on the industry. The author offers readers an introduction to these remarkable women, complete with pictures and career highlights. And, in doing so, she provides brief sketches that may encourage young readers to learn more—or maybe even to forge their own path to Hollywood.
While it doesn’t take a deep, scholarly dive into the lives and careers and impact of the many women who worked in Hollywood in its early days, The Women Who Built Hollywood offers a brief and attention-grabbing introduction to a sampling of influential figures. It’s a quick and easy read for anyone who’s interested in Hollywood’s history.
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