"Be Natural" with Marya E. Gates | The Movie Racket
Summary
Filmspotting critic Maria Gates joins to discuss Alice Guy-Blaché, the silent film pioneer who famously posted "Be Natural" in her studio to counter theatrical acting. The episode explores how this directive shaped early cinema and examines its legacy through performances by Greta Garbo, Janet Gaynor, and John Gilbert. Gates also analyzes modern examples of naturalistic acting, citing Lupita Nyong'o in *Us* and Nicolas Cage in *Pig*, while reflecting on the current state of Hollywood stardom.
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