[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc346ihvScI?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

Intimate little details of an industry that was new, young, and excitingly innocent of its mighty potential for scandal!

HOLLYWOOD: A CELEBRATION OF THE AMERICAN SILENT FILM (1980)

“The art of arousing the audience without arousing the censor, Hollywood’s self-censorship would last over 40 years.”
—— James Mason, narrator.

“Censorship makes you think…well, all it does is make you guard your language, makes you express yourself in a wee bit different way, makes you smart enough to bypass this and let the audience see *it* without actually seeing *it*…”
—- Henry King, silent film director.

[quotes from episode 3—-Single Beds & Double Standards]

I don’t know about you, folks, but I think this 13 episode mini-series should be required viewing for all those getting an education in film-studies!

I have just been getting into this, and I have 10 more episodes to go! Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the film industry in that era—-from star-treatment, to directing, to lighting, acting, etc. 5 out of 5 stars for it’s epic depth rarely seen in a television production. This is a treasure-trove of rare interviews with the people who were actually there at the time—-from big stars like Gloria Swanson, to lessor-known, like Colleen Moore, to big directors, like Henry King, all offering their personal memories and intimate little details of the industry that was new, young, wild, and lovely as a stallion. An industry that was excitingly innocent of it’s mighty potential for trouble—- as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was a time of jovial bravery, as in that time perhaps more than in any other, Hollywood was playing by its own rules.

Highly recommended, WONDERFUL documentary!

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

you're welcome! i'm glad you know who he is and appreciate the card haha :]

Yes, I totally do! And, I have recently become familiar with a number of his films. One of my dad’s favorite movies is Inherit the Wind (1960).

Stanley Kramer’s filmography as a whole—-both as director and producer—-is pretty impressive, I think. But, what I hate is that regardless of how impressive his resume is, as you’ve said and indicated, he seems to be a bit under-appreciated and not well-known enough, for some strange reason. Even some of his films are hard to come by, such as the 1979 drama (his last), The Runner Stumbles, starring Dick Van Dyke as a priest who falls in-love with a nun (based on a true story)! And that, I simply can’t wrap my head around!

I mean, Dick Van Dyke was a veritable TV icon, and needless to say, Kramer worked with the best of the best! And, the fact that he was one of, if not *the first* independent film-maker in the business while still maintaining strong ties in the industry was really a feat! Plus, as you may gather from the two titles I mentioned already, the majority of his films veered on the controversial side, made news, and helped to change laws (i.e. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner helping to change the law about interracial marriage I think, and I heard that Bless the Beasts and Children had a similar impact on animal rights). Yet, relatively little is known about him compared to others. But, I really want to see his last film! I hope TCM shows it soon!