63 Pioneering Women of Cinema: Comedy Genius Mabel Normand / First Female Director Alice Guy-Blaché

This week the focus is on pioneering women of early cinema. Many female visionaries have been overlooked in the history books, including the two at the centre of our podcast today.
Matt reports on the incredible Mabel Normand, an early comedy genius. She is accredited with many firsts in the history of cinema, and was a major force in comedy in Hollywood at the start of the twentieth century.
Lorna then reports on Alice Guy-Blaché, the first female director, who really paved the path for so many incredible talents after her. She created over 700 films, and like Normand, Guy-Blaché destroyed the barriers placed in front of her, leaving an incredible legacy.

Mabel Normand will be featured in the BFI’s Comedy Genius season of events. More information can be found here: https://www.bfi.org.uk/comedy-genius

A film about Guy-Blaché (Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché) is currently playing at the London Film Festival. See more information here: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/default.asp

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