The only Quebecer to win an Oscar for acting
Marc Cassivi writes in La Presse about the only Quebecer to win an Oscar for acting, beating out Greta Garbo and Gloria Swanson in 1930. Cassivi implies that had Norma Shearer, born in Montreal 120 years ago, been a francophone, she wouldn’t have been forgotten here so readily.
Jaye 13:02 on 2022-08-12 Permalink
Christopher Plummer was born in Toronto, but grew up in Montreal practically from birth….
Blork 13:40 on 2022-08-12 Permalink
Yeah, while I give a nod to the sentiment that anglo success stories are largely not a part of the Quebec cultural canon, I don’t think that’s the main issue here. After all, Norma Shearer was largely forgotten everywhere.
I doubt that even during her successful years there was much buzz about her here. It’s not like she was already known here and then went to Hollywood and springboarded to wider success. No, she was unknown when she lived here (as in, not in show biz at all) and some time passed between her leaving Montreal and becoming successful in Hollywood.
Even if a few newpapers reported at the time that this now-famous movie star grew up in Montreal, there was no social media back then to create a wave and then keep it moving. Arguably, if she had a Francophone name (and/or was Francophone) there would have been some buzz at the time, but I suspect that would not have lasted.
Kate 12:06 on 2022-08-13 Permalink
Not entirely sure that’s true, Blork. Cassivi floats the idea that had she been called Normande Charron, she might have been remembered. There might have been a street, a theatre or an award named in her honour, at least keeping her name in circulation. (Shearer Street was not named for Norma Shearer.)