Encyclopedia of Early Cinema

by Richard Abel (Editor)

This encyclopedia presents a wealth of information on early cinema history, with coverage of the techniques and equipment of film production, profiles of the pioneering directors and producers, analysis of individual films and the rapid growth of distinct film genres, and the emergence of something the world had never seen before - the movie star.

The work also focuses on how the nature of film exhibition changed as the industry grew, and how the public's reception to films also changed. The pre-cinema period is closely examined to show those mass-cultural forms and practices - such as music hall and vaudeville - from within which cinema was to emerge. A perfect companion for any student of early cinema and film studies.

Genres: Film

824 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Richard Owen Abel (born 1941) is Professor Emeritus of International Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Michigan.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I contributed to. The hardcover version is pricey--over $200. It reminds me of a gambler I once saw on TV who'd written a book about gambling. The interviewer asked:
"How much is your book?"
The gambler responded, "$300."
"$300!" gasped the host, knowing that no one in his audience could afford the book (this was in the early 1960s. "That's an awful lot of money for a book!"
"You're right," replied the gambler. "It's a high price for a book--but it's a very small price for an education."