Beulah Livingstone

Beulah Livingstone (29 May 1886 – 12 January 1975) was a publicist in the theatrical and motion picture industries. In 1926 she was named by the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers as one of the 12 women who had accomplished the most for the motion picture industry;[1] the other 11 women were all actresses or screenwriters.

Beulah Livingstone Frank, daughter of Harry and Lucy Frank,[2] graduated from the Ethical Culture School in 1905.[3] After teaching kindergarten for three years, she began newspaper and magazine work, writing stories, articles and interviews. Using the name Beulah Livingstone, she transitioned into theatrical publicity, doing publicity work for Lou Tellegen, Anna Pavlova, Irene Castle, David Belasco and other theatrical stars and producers.[4]

In 1916 she handled New York publicity for Thomas Ince's motion picture Civilization.

In 1916-1917 she wrote a column for Billboard under various headings including "Broadway in Brief,"[5] "Times Square Tattle"[6] and "Gossip of the Fair Sex."[7]

In 1917 she became publicity agent for Olga Petrova and created a notable publicity campaign.[8] In 1919 she was hired by Joseph Schenck to direct publicity for Norma Talmadge,[9] and her success prompted Schenck to later expand her duties to include publicity for Constance Talmadge, Buster Keaton, Rudolph Valentino, and others.[10]

In 1925 she accompanied Valentino to a New York theater and they had great difficulty leaving due to the large mob of fans.[11] In 1938 she wrote the small book Remember Valentino: Reminiscences of the World's Greatest Lover.[12]

She was vice president of the Lucy Stone League, honorary president of "The Woman Pays" Club of New York, vice president of the Theatrical Press Representatives of America, and member of the New York Newspaper Women's Club.[13]

Beulah Livingstone died in New York, NY, on 12 January 1975.[14] Her sister, Mabel Livingstone, also worked as a publicist during the silent film era.[15]

References
  1. "Honor 12 Women", The Film Daily, New York City, p. 1, 8 October 1926, retrieved 21 December 2013
  2. "FRANK–Lucy Livingstone...", New York Times, New York City, 1 December 1943
  3. Ethical Culture School Record, New York City, 1916, p. 46, retrieved 21 December 2013
  4. "Woman Press Agent Once Taught School", The Fourth Estate, New York City: 24, 22 December 1917, retrieved 21 December 2013
  5. "Broadway in Brief" (PDF), Billboard, New York City: 10, 9 September 1916, retrieved 24 December 2013
  6. "Times Square Tattle" (PDF), Billboard, New York City: 63, 7 October 1916, retrieved 24 December 2013
  7. "Gossip of the Fair Sex" (PDF), Billboard, New York City: 20, 6 January 1917, retrieved 24 December 2013
  8. Leslie, Arthur (24 February 1923), "Stunts that Made Three Stars Shine Brighter", Movie Weekly, New York City: 18 & 29
  9. "Jenny Lind's Old Home...", Moving Picture World, New York City: 361, 18 January 1919, retrieved 21 December 2013
  10. "The Unsung Film Heroes", New York Morning Telegraph, New York City, 6 May 1923, retrieved 21 December 2013
  11. Shulman, Irving (1967), Valentino, New York: Trident Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, pp. 287–88
  12. Livingstone, Beulah (1938), Remember Valentino: Reminiscences of the World's Greatest Lover, Strand Press
  13. "Beulah Livingstone Made Schenck Story Chief", Motion Picture News, New York City: 1796, 17 April 1926, retrieved 21 December 2013
  14. "Beulah Livingstone Dies", New York Times, New York City, 14 January 1975
  15. "The Unsung Film Heroes", New York Morning Telegraph, New York City, 23 November 1923, retrieved 21 December 2013
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