Book Review: Very nice BASIS for your Film Library Summary: 4 Stars
If you are truly serious about the Silent Film Era,then this book is a must for your Library.
The author (who has since died) is very thorough in his research, from start to finish. The B&W photos are also fun to look at.
You might,though, find some of the chapters a bit "dry"...but then, most comprehensive history books (on any big topic, as this one) can seem as such.
Note that this film history book was written in the 1970's, so possibly a few more films may have been discovered or have been restored by now. Still, this 1970 film history book holds up very well , even in 2007.
The actual silent film "facts" presented by the author have not changed all that much since the 1970's, since the silent film experiences from the 1900's to the 1920's have basically remained the same. Infact, the author lists a thorough time-line in the appendix of this book, listing most American silent films that have been found and restored in the last century! Quite a feat in itself, and so interesting!