American Theatrical Film: Stages in Development

This book provides needed information on the collaborations between filmmakers and theater personnel before 1930 and completes our understanding of how two art forms influenced each other. It begins with the vaudeville and “faerie” dramas captured in brief films by the Edison and Biograph companies; follows the development of feature-length Sarah Bernhardt and James O’Neill films after 1912; examines the formation of theater/film combination companies in 1914–15; and details later collaborations during the talking picture revolution of 1927. Includes detailed analyses of important theatrical films like The Count of Monte Cristo, The Virginian, Coquette, and Paramount on Parade.