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Hello folks,

I'm looking for some book suggestions on how movies are (or were) made, ideally in the golden age.

I know this is pretty vague, but here's the sort of information I'm looking for:
1. How was life on set for actors and the film crew?
2. How did they set up the cameras and the special effects?
3. What did they do for the various takes?
4. Who did what, film crew-wise?

I don't want to know how to make movies myself, I'm just looking for some fun history on how movies in general are made.

Hopefully that makes some sense. Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions!

Dave

The Wizard of MGM by A.Arnold Gillespie.
He was the head of MGM special effects department during the Golden age.Lots of set photos showing how effects shots were set up.

Thank you for the suggestion, Wingate; I added the book to my list. Cheers!

Karl Brown's Adventures With D.W. Griffith was one of the earliest that I read, lots of great info and stories from the silent era.

It's been a while since I read it, but I think Thomas Katz's The Genius of the System: Hollywood Filmmaking in the Studio Era fits well with what you are looking for. I also recommend the Karl Brown book.

If you are including silent film as part of the "Golden Age," you should read Kevin Brownlow's The Parade's Gone By--
indispensable, fascinating and wildly entertaining.

Nitratevillain Darren Nemeth ran a Kickstarter reproducing a film and camera catalogue a few years back. Perhaps he still has copies for sale.

Bob

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions, folks! My Christmas list runeth over. I appreciate the help!

Dave

I second this book.

Salty Dog wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:53 pm

It's been a while since I read it, but I think Thomas Katz's The Genius of the System: Hollywood Filmmaking in the Studio Era fits well with what you are looking for. I also recommend the Karl Brown book.

‘Parades Gone By’ by Kevin Brownlow.

There have been books written about the making of films, like Aljean Hartmetz' "Making of Wizard of Oz" and "Making of Casablanca," Sam Wasson's books on Breakfast at Tiffany's and Chinatown, Sam Staggs' books about the making of "All About Eve," "Streetcar Named Desire," "Sunset Blvd.", and "the Imitation of Life." There are books by Glenn Frankel on the making of "High Noon" and "The Searchers." Lillian Ross wrote "Picture," about the making of "The Red Badge of Courage" by John Huston.

There is also "The Magic Factory - How MGM Made An American in Paris" by Donald Knox (1973, Praeger Publishers)