Marie Dressler Celebration Day in Cobourg: Book Talk on Canada's Forgotten Silent Film Actresses

 

Join author Paul Langan at Victoria Hall on Monday, November 9, 2026, as Cobourg, Ontario celebrates the birthday of its hometown Oscar-winning actress, Marie Dressler.

On Monday, November 9, 2026, Cobourg will mark Marie Dressler Celebration Day with a free afternoon event at Victoria Hall. Canadian author and historian Paul Langan will give a book talk on his new work, Crossing the Border: Canada's Forgotten Actresses of the Silent Film Era.

Marie Dressler Celebration Day 2026: Event Details

•         Date: Monday, November 9, 2026

•         Time: 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm

•         Location: Citizens' Forum, 2nd Floor, Victoria Hall, Cobourg, Ontario

•         Admission: Free (donations welcome)

What to Expect at the Cobourg Book Talk

•         Watching Marie Dressler perform on screen

•         A book talk by author Paul Langan

•         Refreshments

•         A chance to win a special prize

•         News from the Canadian Women in Film Museum

•         Crossing the Border available for sale at the event for $25.00, cash or e-transfer

Marie Dressler: Cobourg's Academy Award-Winning Actress

Born in Cobourg in 1868, Marie Dressler rose to become one of the biggest stars of early Hollywood and won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The celebration follows the Town of Cobourg's proclamation of November 9 as Marie Dressler Celebration Day, recognizing her lasting place in the town's cultural legacy.

About Crossing the Border: Canada's Forgotten Actresses of the Silent Film Era

Marie Dressler is one of 32 Canadian women profiled in Langan's 692-page book, which tells the stories of the performers who helped build the film industry. Among them are Mary Pickford, Norma Shearer, Margaret Bannerman and Florence Lawrence, and 28 others.

The book brings together condensed biographies, updated filmographies, rare interviews from the trade magazines of the day, and curated reading lists for readers who want to dig deeper. It is the first book to gather the stories of these 32 Canadian women silent film stars in one place.

"It is amazing that so many Canadian women played a key role in early Hollywood. Cobourg’s Marie Dressler was one of those women. I am grateful to the Canadian Women in Film Museum for having me speak." – Paul Langan

About the Author, Paul Langan

Paul Langan is a Canadian author and historian whose more than thirty books explore overlooked corners of Canadian history. Crossing the Border is his most comprehensive work to date. Learn more at paullangan.com.

Questions About the Event

For more information about the Marie Dressler Celebration Day book talk, contact Paul Langan at 226-505-7605 or brentunespublishing@yahoo.ca.