John Kobal (1949–1991)

A fascinating book packed with information on the silent film era. High quality photographs throughout display the sheer artistry of the era. Having read many books on this time in Hollywood, including Brownlow's excellent The Parade's Gone By, I appreciated the different angle that this book took; rather than go into lengthy chapters, most chapters consisted of only a few pages in tiny print followed by loads of pictures with captions. The one negative about this presentation is that the text is indeed quite small and the hardcover book is heavy, so I found it difficult to read the book in certain places in my house. Perhaps this was more intended as a coffee table book than to be read one-handed at a dining table.

Until the very end of the book, I was unaware that this was a companion volume for a television series. It turns out, that series is on YouTube--and I had already saved it to watch, many months ago! Now I know I need to watch it.… (mais)

This is a photography book with minimal text, mostly highlighting the stunning work of Hollywood photographer Nelson W. Evans. A number of the photographs I have not seen before, though I have been reading many books on this era. The whole "innocence" angle makes me cringe, and in many ways is a case of omission here. The very end brings up matters like the Fatty Arbuckle case, but it doesn't go into matters like the religious backlash against Hollywood (for what was being produced in this so-called period of innocence) and the start of censorship in the 1920s.

However, if you want a book of beautiful photographs from the 1910s, this does have quality work, BUT: do be aware that there are several pages of Maxfield Parrish-styled dreamy nude pictures, including a single page of cherubic ones of kids; as whimsical and strategically-covered as they are, I don't think they'd be published in any contemporary book, but this one came out in 1985. In this case, as most of the book is relevant to research, I sliced out the dubious page and shredded it. I've never had to do that before.… (mais)