Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies Book Reading

415 Pacific Coast Hwy,Santa Monica CA 90402

23 October, 2022

Description

Author Lara Gabrielle explores the life of Marion Davies revealing a woman of extraordinary depth and nuance. Faced with many challenges in her life, Davies weathered the storms with enormous strength and resolve, emerging a woman who always remained in control of her own destiny. The story of the chorus girl from Brooklyn who rose to fame under the wing of William Randolph Hearst, becoming one of the most beloved silent stars of the 1920s, is like a modern fairy tale. Through meticulous research, unprecedented access to archives around the world, and interviews with those who knew Davies, Captain of Her Soul counters decades of misconceptions. This book reveals a woman who navigated disability and social stigma to rise to the top of a young Hollywood dominated by powerful men. Davies took charge of her own career, negotiating with studio heads and establishing herself as a top-tier comedienne, but her proudest achievement was her philanthropy and advocacy for children. This biography brings Davies out of the shadows cast by the Hearst legacy, shedding light on a dynamic woman who lived life on her own terms and declared that she was "the captain of her soul." Lara Gabrielle is a film writer and researcher whose work on Marion Davies has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Alta Journal, and PBS’s American Experience. Her biography, Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies, has been named one of Alta Journal's Top 16 books to read this September. She has spoken about Davies at film festivals and retrospectives worldwide and has served as a consultant on her life and legacy for books, dissertations, and film projects. Gabrielle lives in Oakland. Getting Here: The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. Parking is available for $3 per hour or $12 per day. Please pay for parking at the machine upon your arrival. Cash and credit card accepted. Ample bike parking is available; please bring a lock.