In the mid-1910s, action-packed serials starring adventurous heroines thrilled audiences of young women dreaming of independence and agency. At the same time, women in the United States campaigned for the right to vote, eager to shape public policy and take a little control of their lives. “Reel” life influenced real life; daring female stars like Pearl White, Ruth Roland, Kathlyn Williams and Helen Holmes skyrocketed to fame thanks to their death-defying stunts in these films, some of the first in which women drove the plot.
Unlike the other women, however, Helen Holmes starred in railroad-based stories, a headstrong, confident beauty stopping dastardly deeds and taming the belching beasts. Born in 1893, the strong-willed Holmes grew up the daughter of a railroad engineer, who moved to dry, warm California trying to provide better living conditions for her ill brother. After his unfortunate death, Holmes moved to New York to work as a model and actress trying to help provide for her family. There she befriended fellow fashion queen Mabel Normand before her fame as Keystone’s comedy queen. After Keystone’s successful move to California, the comic princess invited her friend west helping Holmes find acting roles. Continue reading
ladailymirror.com 