The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum is pleased to welcome Dr. Thomas Slater to speak on Tuesday.
Slater, a professor of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and one of the leading experts on June Mathis, will discuss legendary Hollywood scenario-writer June Mathis. He has recently published a book entitled “June Mathis: The Rise and Fall of a Silent Film Visionary.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase for the author to sign.
Mathis became one of the most influential women in Hollywood and was responsible for discovering Rudolph Valentino and making him a star. She married an Italian cinematographer and later worked for United Artists, a company co-founded by Mary Pickford.
Mathis chose to film the silent version of Ben-Hur on site in Italy, but conflicts with director Charles Brabin created issues, as did labor issues. After the merger that created Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Mathis was removed from the film.
When she was 38, Mathis died suddenly of a heart attack while at the theater with her mother. She was buried next to Rudolph Valentino in the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery. Come learn about the remarkable career of this remarkable lady who changed Hollywood.
Slater will be speaking at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lecture attendance is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so reservations are requested. Programs are held in the ADA-accessible Carriage House. To make a reservation or for more information call Larry Paarlberg at 765-362-5769 or email study@ben-hur.com.
