Release date: June 23, 2026
Currently available for pre-order
Discover the first book in French dedicated to one of Hollywood's greatest actresses, showcasing unparalleled modernity and strength in 2026!
BARBARA STANWYCK, TOTAL AND OPAQUE
A book by Christian Viviani
13.5 cm x 19 cm | 200 pages (including photos)
ISBN: 979–10–93798–42-4
AFTER THE TRIUMPH OF THE RETROSPECTIVE DEDICATED TO HER AT THE LAST LA ROCHELLE CINÉMA FESTIVAL 2025, HERE IS THE BOOK DEDICATED TO THIS IMMENSE, STRONG AND INDEPENDENT ACTRESS.
From the very beginning of her Hollywood career, Barbara Stanwyck asserted a hybrid status: that of the actress-star. Like Bette Davis, she was not (only) chosen for her physical attributes or aura, but also for her acting abilities.
Barbara Stanwyck is the equal of the great dramatic stars of her generation: Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, and Katharine Hepburn. She collaborated closely with very great filmmakers, of whom she was sometimes even a muse: Frank Capra, William Wellman, Preston Sturges, Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, or Howard Hawks. And paradoxically, this immense actress, who commanded the admiration of the greats and the devotion of the most discreet technicians, is due for rediscovery.
Instinctive, born into destitution, her life resembles an American legend, but, independent and proud, she established herself in roles of strong, even criminal, women, which resonate anew within the framework of her asserted feminism. Yet she also shone in comedy, melodrama, and Westerns, making her the star who contributed the most to the evolution of certain major genres. It is time for Barbara Stanwyck to reclaim her rightful place: at the top!
The monographs in the PERSONA Collection are dedicated to the detailed thematic and stylistic study of an actor's or actress's performance in films from various eras and cinematographies, from classic Hollywood cinema to contemporary French cinema. This collection aims to decipher the specificities of actors' performances, but also to explore the identity of their characters based on a precise study of their characterizations and representations on screen, supported by rich iconography composed of film stills.
Publication date: June 23, 2026
