Free TIFF Lightbox exhibit: Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star

The TIFF Bell Lightbox opened a free exhibit yesterday of Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star. It's the inaugural exhibition of their new Canadian Film Gallery. The show runs until July 3, 2011 and is curated by Sylvia Frank, Director of TIFF’s Film Reference Library and Special Collections.

You can read Sylvia Frank's essay, "America's Sweetheart".

May Pickford was an early screen superstar and was known as "America's Sweetheart" even though she was Canadian. This exhibition draws on the private collection of Rob Brooks, who donated over 1,900 items including photographs, posters, memorabilia, postcards, and products associated with Pickford.

A parallel screening programme will show four of Pickford’s greatest films - Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917), The Poor Little Rich Girl (1917), Daddy-Long-Legs (1919) and Sparrows (1926).

Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star

Begins January 13, 2011 at TIFF Bell Lightbox
FREE Exhibition

TIFF Bell Lightbox presents its first exhibition in the Canadian Film Gallery this January and what better way to start than with Canada's first great contribution to the Hollywood film industry: Mary Pickford. More than a movie star, Pickford was an industry pioneer, an astute businesswoman who was a major force behind the creation of United Artists, the first artist-run film studio, and a genius at self-marketing, turning her screen stardom into one of the world's first personalized mega-brands.

All of these accomplishments and more are on display in Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star. This exhibition was made possible through an extraordinary donation by Rob Brooks, whose wondrous Pickford collection, acquired over three decades, includes photographs, posters, lobby cards, memorabilia, postcards, products endorsed by Pickford, and thousands of other items that span Pickford's life and career.

Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star will delight film lovers of all ages and provide an invaluable scholarly resource for film studies programmes at colleges and universities through the associated TIFF Film Reference Library.

For more info visit tiff.net/FRL

Canadian Film Gallery is part of the TIFF Film Reference Library located on floor 4 of TIFF Bell Lightbox located at Reitman Square, 350 King Street West, Toronto, ON

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am -7:00pm
Sunday: 10am-6:00pm
Monday: Closed