Book Review: Laura La Plante: Silent Cinderella

BearManor Media has released Laura Jerrolds’ fascinating, enlightening biography of actress Laura La Plante, and it is one of the finest classic film biographies one can read.

La Plante’s story is fascinating on its own, but Jerrolds adds a heartfelt nuance to her prose that really draws the viewer in, as the book takes us through her entire life and discusses many of her films in depth. 

One of the highlights for this reviewer was the connection to the Christie comedies, acting with comedian Bobby Vernon, and shown how to deliver a real slap by director William Beaudine.  La Plante’s early training in serials, and the dangers actors faced, is also quite a fascinating portion of her story, as is her work in westerns featuring such stars as Tom Mix and Hoot Gibson. 

While La Plante is likely best known for The Cat and the Canary (1927), author Jerrolds provides many interesting details about the actress's career leading up to that classic, including films like Skinner’s Dress Suit with Reginald Denny and Smoldering Fires. It gives one a real understanding and appreciation of her work.  It was also fun to discover that La Plante’s favorite of her films was Wesley Ruggles’ 1928 comedy Finders Keepers in which she co-starred with Jack Oakie. 

Jerrolds then covers La Plante’s life when she left long time studio Universal after appearing in the color musical King of Jazz (1930).  Her break from movies, eventual return as a freelancer, and making movies abroad are all discussed in detail.

La Plante lived past 90, and although suffering from Alzheimer’s in the end, she was able, in her later years, to appear at silent movie revivals and awards shows, being honored for her career.

These basic details do not do justice to Laura Jerrolds comprehensive study that is both biography and filmography.  Her engaging writing and the excellent details make this a book that is a must for libraries, research centers, and anyone interested in film history.

The book can be ordered at this link:  La Plante