John Gilbert

John Gilbert is the subject of a min-documentary film called "Rediscovering John Gilbert" (2010) featuring an on-camera interview with John Gilbert's daughter and biographer, Leatrice Gilbert Fountain. The short film, directed and produced by Jeffrey Vance along with producing partner Tony Maietta, has aired on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel and is also available on home video.

A one-man play on the life of John Gilbert, entitled Silenced Idol, was announced in August 2006. The two-act theatrical work is by Tony Maietta (who also portrays Gilbert) and Jeffrey Vance.

Pictured on one of ten 29¢ US commemorative postage stamps celebrating stars of the silent screen, issued 27 April 1994. Designed by caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, this set of stamps also honored Rudolph Valentino, Clara Bow, Charles Chaplin, Lon Chaney, Zasu Pitts, Harold Lloyd, Theda Bara, Buster Keaton, and the Keystone Kops.

He was played by his grandson John Fountain in Sunset (1988).

Several sources, including his daughter's 1984 biography of her father, give Gilbert's birth year as 1899, but according to various official documents, including the 1900, 1920 and 1930 US census results, and his World War Draft card from 1917, Gilbert was born in 1897. His daughter admitted in a 2005 interview that she now agreed 1897 was correct, having been swayed by the census results.

Is portrayed by Barry Bostwick in The Silent Lovers (1980)

His contract ran out in 1933 after he appeared in Fast Workers (1933) as a riveter.

Garbo tried to restore some of his image when she insisted that he play opposite her in Queen Christina (1933), but by then it was too late.

Even his characters had changed, in such films as Redemption (1930) and Way for a Sailor (1930). He was no longer the person that bad things happened to, but he now was the cause of bad things which happen. MGM did little to help John adjust to the new sound medium, as studio chief Louis B. Mayer and Gilbert had a fierce and nasty confrontation over Garbo. John was still under contract to MGM for a very large salary, but the money meant little to him.

Then came Greta Garbo, who starred with him in Love (1927), Flesh and the Devil (1926) and A Woman of Affairs (1928). The screen chemistry between these two was incredible and led to a torrid off-screen affair. The studio publicity department worked overtime to publicize the romance between the two, but when it came time to marry, John was left at the altar. His performances after that were devoid of the sparkle that he once had and he began to drink heavily. Added to that, the whole industry was moving towards sound, and while his voice was not as bad as some had thought, it did not match the image that he portrayed on the screen.

Lillian Gish, who had a new contract with MGM, picked Gilbert to co-star with her in La Bohème (1926). With the death of Valentino, his only competition, John was on top of the world.

In 1925 he appeared in the very successful The Big Parade (1925) and was, by now, as popular as Rudolph Valentino.

In 1924 he signed with MGM which put him into His Hour (1924).

In 1921 he signed a three-year contract with Fox Films. His popularity continued to soar and he was turning from villain to leading man.

By 1919 he was being noticed in films and getting better roles.

Ince's company and a lead player by 1917. In those days he was assistant director, actor or screenwriter. He also tried his hand at directing.

John Gilbert was born into a show-business family - his father was a comic with the Pringle Stock Company. By 1915 John was an extra with Thomas H.