Seductive Cinema: The Art of Silent Film

Rating:
Summary: Worthy addition to any film lover's library!
Review: In "Seductive Cinema," the late author James Card provides an intriguing glimpse into the silent film era. Card, a film historian, professor, and preservationist, saw many of these films in his youth, and he dedicated his entire life to preserving silent films and introducing them to new generations. The book provides insight into the careers of several specific actors and directors. "Seductive Cinema" is not as much a history of silent films as it is a perspective. Card picks and chooses his subjects, and he doesn't refrain from disputing opinions that do not agree with his own experience and/or insights. The book begins slowly, but the pace rapidly increases. Several wonderful photographs accompany the text. For those already immersed in the fascinating world of silent film, this is a great companion book written by someone from the era who personally knew many of the subjects in his book. For others not as well versed in silent films, this book will hopefully instill a lasting desire to learn more, and seek out other books as well as the specific films Card discusses.

Rating:
Summary: Worthy addition to any film lover's library!
Review: In "Seductive Cinema," the late author James Card provides an intriguing glimpse into the silent film era. Card, a film historian, professor, and preservationist, saw many of these films in his youth, and he dedicated his entire life to preserving silent films and introducing them to new generations. The book provides insight into the careers of several specific actors and directors. "Seductive Cinema" is not as much a history of silent films as it is a perspective. Card picks and chooses his subjects, and he doesn't refrain from disputing opinions that do not agree with his own experience and/or insights. The book begins slowly, but the pace rapidly increases. Several wonderful photographs accompany the text. For those already immersed in the fascinating world of silent film, this is a great companion book written by someone from the era who personally knew many of the subjects in his book. For others not as well versed in silent films, this book will hopefully instill a lasting desire to learn more, and seek out other books as well as the specific films Card discusses.