The Brooklyn Film ─ Essays in the History of Filmmaking

Brooklyn, New York, a borough of New York City, is known for its distinctive vernacular, its communal feel on the fringes of a booming city, and its famous bridge, a gateway to the unlimited opportunities in Manhattan. Of course, Coney Island deserves a mention as it garners its own fame independent of Brooklyn, its parent locale. New York City moviemaking got its start in Brooklyn when Charles E. Chinnock shot his silent film in 1894. Since then, many films have been made, studios opened and stars born in Brooklyn, contributing to its undeniable influence in the film industry. This work is a collection of essays on the topic of Brooklyn as portrayed in film. It includes a discussion of race relations in films dealing with Brooklyn, the story of Jackie Robinson as shown on film, the changing face of cinematic Brooklyn and some thoughts on a Brooklyn filmgoer’s experience. The combination of Brooklyn and baseball in the films of Paul Auster is examined, as well as the typical portrayal of a Brooklyn native in film.

John B. Manbeck, an urban historian, was the official Brooklyn Borough Historian (1993–2001) and now writes a weekly newspaper column, “Historically Speaking.” Robert Singer is a professor of English and Film Studies at Kingsborough Community College, CUNY. They both live in Brooklyn.