The Last Silent Picture Show

Silent Films on American Screens in the 1930s

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Film, History & Criticism, Performing Arts, History, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book The Last Silent Picture Show by William M. Drew, Scarecrow Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William M. Drew ISBN: 9780810876811
Publisher: Scarecrow Press Publication: August 27, 2010
Imprint: Scarecrow Press Language: English
Author: William M. Drew
ISBN: 9780810876811
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Publication: August 27, 2010
Imprint: Scarecrow Press
Language: English

In 1927, The Jazz Singer heralded a revolution in the moviemaking industry with the advent of synchronized sound in full-length motion pictures. While movie studios adapted their production facilities to accommodate the new technology and movie theatres converted to sound, filmmakers continued to produce silents, albeit in dwindling numbers. And though talkies would overtake the industry and the public's demand soon enough, the silent motion picture did not disappear immediately.

The Last Silent Picture Show: Silent Films on American Screens in the 1930s looks at this cultural shift. Drawing primarily on contemporary records, this book details the fate of an entire art form—the silent cinema—in the United States during the 1930s and how it managed to survive the onslaught of sound. Through the most diverse venues, from tent shows to universities, political meetings to picture palaces, ghetto theaters to art houses, the silent film continued to play an important role in American culture in the Depression years, culminating in the first efforts to chronicle and preserve cinema history.

Through the voices of the audiences, critics, editors, and artists, Drew relates the impact of various silent films, whether new releases, reissues, or foreign imports, on the public and culture of the 30s—how they affected both the popular and intellectual environment and how they were promoted for their audiences. Providing an in-depth examination of the transitional period, which led to the birth of modern film studies, The Last Silent Picture Show is aimed not only at academics but also the large number of film devotees who will discover new information on a relatively neglected chapter of film history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1927, The Jazz Singer heralded a revolution in the moviemaking industry with the advent of synchronized sound in full-length motion pictures. While movie studios adapted their production facilities to accommodate the new technology and movie theatres converted to sound, filmmakers continued to produce silents, albeit in dwindling numbers. And though talkies would overtake the industry and the public's demand soon enough, the silent motion picture did not disappear immediately.

The Last Silent Picture Show: Silent Films on American Screens in the 1930s looks at this cultural shift. Drawing primarily on contemporary records, this book details the fate of an entire art form—the silent cinema—in the United States during the 1930s and how it managed to survive the onslaught of sound. Through the most diverse venues, from tent shows to universities, political meetings to picture palaces, ghetto theaters to art houses, the silent film continued to play an important role in American culture in the Depression years, culminating in the first efforts to chronicle and preserve cinema history.

Through the voices of the audiences, critics, editors, and artists, Drew relates the impact of various silent films, whether new releases, reissues, or foreign imports, on the public and culture of the 30s—how they affected both the popular and intellectual environment and how they were promoted for their audiences. Providing an in-depth examination of the transitional period, which led to the birth of modern film studies, The Last Silent Picture Show is aimed not only at academics but also the large number of film devotees who will discover new information on a relatively neglected chapter of film history.

More books from Scarecrow Press

Cover of the book Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000 by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Toddler Storytime Programs by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of Buddhism by William M. Drew
Cover of the book The A to Z of Belarus by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Living with Cancer by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Victorian Songhunters by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Internationalization and the North American University Library by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Varsity Letters by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Erich Wolfgang Korngold's The Adventures of Robin Hood by William M. Drew
Cover of the book The A to Z of Moldova by William M. Drew
Cover of the book The Problem of Information by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of the Crimean War by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of Italian Cinema by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Anglo-Zulu War, 1879 by William M. Drew
Cover of the book Exploring U2 by William M. Drew
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy