Description

VINTAGE 1964 Trio of Rare Film Books Overall well preserved for being 60 years old, with some wear to the dust jackets. Information on the books below, also see photos for table of contents. — Book 1 1964, 1st American Edition Jay Leyda FILMS BEGET FILMS Compilation films from propaganda to drama This is the first critical study of the 'compilation film'-the film form that makes use of earlier films for effects ranging from propaganda to drama. Millions of feet of film have been exposed since the invention of motion pictures at the turn of the century. Professional and amateur photographers all over the world have documented every aspect of life on earth, from the trot of a horse to the birth of a baby. Smiles, street scenese, bombings fill immense cinema libraries in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, and Moscow and provide the raw material for movies as different as The News of the Day and Hiroshima mon Amour. Jay Leyda discusses the launching of the compilation film in 1902 with Edwin S. Porter's Life of an American Fireman. He analyzes Esther Schub's pioneer work in the Soviet Union in the twenties; the techniques perfected in the thirties by Balász, Buñuel, and others; the propaganda efforts of all combatants in the Second World War; the use of Nazi documents after the war by such masters as the Thorndikes of East Germany. Mr. Leyda concludes his book with an investigation of the new uses and scope of the compilation film and the increasing dependence on film archives by tele-vision. Jay Leyda is best known for Kino: A History of Russian and Soviet Films and The Mussorgsky Reader, of which he is coauthor. — Book 2 1964, 1st Edition Film: the Creative Process JOHN HOWARD LAWSON Illustrated with 32 pages of photographs This book represents the first serious attempt by an American writer to develop an aesthetic of the film. It combines intimate practical experience in Hollywood with an understanding of avant-garde theory and trends and thus bridges the gap between the commercial and the art film. Mr. Lawson first presents a graphic history of the development of the film: the kinetescope, Mélies and the first narrative films; Griffith, von Stroheim, Chaplin; the pioneer Russians: Vertov, Eisenstein, Pudovkin; the war years. He goes on to discuss the New Wave: Res-nais, Bergman, Bunuel, Fellini, and other films and film-makers of today. He then proceeds to the "language" of the film and shows how the cinema differs from and sometimes transcends the theatre. He examines the relationship of the novel to the film, with special reference to Pudovkin's production of Gorki's Mother and Ford's Grapes of Wrath. In the final section the author shows how a great film does not merely reflect reality but actually transforms it; how the great modern films no longer rely heavily on plot. His definition of the film establishes once and for all that it is a distinct art form, which, better than any other, reflects certain aspects of our society. — Book 3 1964, 1st Edition, second impression THE TECHNIQUE OF DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION W. Hugh Baddeley This volume in the authoritative Library of Communication Techniques deals with all aspects of the production of the factual film--the practical "film with a job to do". Here, the means and methods of producing such films are treated step-by-step from the initial idea to the making of the release prints and their distribution. Among the problems discussed in this comprehensive work are those of shooting on distant and remote locations, as well as the difficulties of providing effective interior lighting outside the studio. Covered in detail, too, are the problems of sound recording both under studio conditions and on location- including acoustics, extraneous sound and background noise. And the techniques involved in laying and mixing the various recordings to produce the final master sound track are described stage by stage. "Straightforward in approach and sprinkled with anecdotes, the text moves along with conversational ease, pausing only to clarify an important technical point. It is immediately obvious to anyone familiar with film that here is a comprehensive text written in a style within the grasp of the average layman." -Television Quarterly About the author: Hugh Baddeley, a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and member of the British Kinematograph Society, is a practical film-maker with personal, first-hand experience in almost all the departments of production about which he writes. He is the author of a number of technical books and many articles on various aspects of documentary film production. He has directed and photographed factual films in many parts of the world, has written scripts on a wide variety of subjects, and has had extensive experience as a film editor. He now heads one of the few companies who have been producing educational and classroom films regularly in Great Britain since World War II. — Exploring the Art of Film: A Trio of 1964 Treasures Travel back in time to the creative landscape of 1964 with this captivating trio of books that offer a window into the world of filmmaking during that era. Each book, in its own unique way, contributes to the rich tapestry of cinematic artistry. 1. "The Technique of Documentary Film Production" by W. Hugh Baddeley Delve into the intricacies of documentary filmmaking with W. Hugh Baddeley's insightful guide. In 1964, as the documentary genre was experiencing a resurgence, Baddeley provided a comprehensive view of the techniques and processes involved in bringing real-life stories to the screen. His book remains a valuable resource for aspiring filmmakers and a testament to the enduring power of documentaries to inform, inspire, and provoke thought. 2. "Film: The Creative Process" by John Howard Lawson John Howard Lawson, a prominent figure in Hollywood during the mid-20th century, offers readers a profound glimpse into the creative process of filmmaking. With the film industry undergoing significant transformations in 1964, Lawson's book serves as both a historical artifact and a timeless exploration of the artistic journey behind every cinematic masterpiece. Through Lawson's words, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the visionaries who shape our cinematic experiences. 3. "Films Beget Films: Compilation Films from Propaganda to Drama" This compilation of films from various genres, spanning from propaganda to drama, showcases the evolution of cinema during a pivotal period in history. In 1964, as the world grappled with shifting ideologies and cultural change, compilation films became a medium for conveying powerful messages and narratives. This book provides a unique perspective on how cinema can be a catalyst for social and political discourse. Together, these three books transport you to the heart of the cinematic world in 1964 and offers a remarkable journey into the art and craft of filmmaking during a transformative era in cinema history.