The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965

by Barry Monush

Overview

For decades, Screen World has been an indispensable resource for both professionals and buffs, packed with essential statistics and facts. Now Screen World editor Barry Monush has compiled an essential work for every film lover's library.

This book chronicles the careers of every significant film actor, from the earliest silent screen stars—including marquee names such as Chaplin, Pickford, Fairbanks—through to the mid-1960s, when the old studio and star systems came crashing down.

Each listing includes: a brief biography; photos from the famed Screen World archives, with many rare shots; vital statistics; a comprehensive filmography; and an informed, entertaining assessment of each actor's contributions—good or bad!

In addition to every major player, Monush includes the legions of unjustly neglected troupers of yesteryear. The result is a rarity: an invaluable reference tool that's as much fun to read as a scandal sheet. It pulsates with all the scandal, glamour, oddity, and glory that was the lifeblood of its subjects.

*Contains over 1,000 photos*

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493070800
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Series:	The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors
Pages:	832
Product dimensions:	8.44(w) x 10.70(h) x 1.97(d)

About the Author

Barry Monush is the Associate Editor of Screen World, and a researcher at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

"Monush has a distinct writing style that, while not always objective, lets his personality and sources—mainly Screen World and Films on Review magazine—shine through."—Publishers Weekly

"Monush has done extensive research to compile the biographies, and the entries convey his love of moviemaking. .. There are fun anecdotes included in every entry, and readers will learn new trivia each time they peruse the encyclopedia."—Booklist

From the Publisher

This volume, appropriate for film buffs and novices alike, covers actors from Abbot & Costello to George Zucco. Monush, associate editor of the annually published book of filmographies, Screen World, here profiles actors who graced the silver screen through 1965 (a second volume, picking up where this one ends, is in the works). Monush includes information on each actor's career in his or her homeland (since some of the subjects aren't American), shares a photo from the Screen World archives and notes each actor's stage, television and film credits. Though the book lacks of an index, the brief bios are thorough and organized alphabetically. Monush has a distinct writing style that, while not always objective, lets his personality and sources-mainly Screen World and Films on Review magazine-shine through. (July 15) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

As associate editor of the Screen World annuals and a researcher for the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City, Monush has an excellent vantage point from which to view the era of Hollywood's great star system. In this first of a proposed two-volume set, he presents one-half to two-page, alphabetically arranged critical biographies of nearly 1200 performers who either achieved star status, were memorable character actors in their own right (e.g., Chill Wills), or received an Academy Award between 1915 and 1965. Monush also includes non-U.S. born performers who might not necessarily be considered Hollywood stars by everyone (e.g., Lionel Jeffries). Each entry features an often hilarious capsule description of the performer's career; birth name; U.S. film, New York theatrical, and television appearances; birth and death dates; education; often fascinating trivia; and, best of all, a small, black-and-white publicity photo of the performer, a rarity in film reference works. A good secondary bibliography completes the volume, but unfortunately there is no index, which would have greatly improved access and cross referencing. This work is also extremely browsable, with many "That's who that is!" moments. However, for the photos and commentary alone, all public and academic libraries (not to mention film fans) would do well to purchase this bargain volume, a fine companion to Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies, 15th ed. Highly recommended.-Anthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ., TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal