1st Edition

Shakespeare on Silent Film A Strange Eventful History

By Robert Hamilton Ball Copyright 1968
    444 Pages
    by Routledge

    440 Pages
    by Routledge

    In 1899, when film projection was barely three years old, Herbert Beerbohm Tree was filmed as King John. In his highly entertaining history, Robert Hamilton Ball traces in detail the fate of Shakespeare on silent films from Tree’s first effort until the establishment of sound in 1929. The silent films brought Shakespeare to a wide public who had never had the chance to see his plays in the theatre. And Shakespeare gave the film makers an air of respectability that was badly needed by a medium with a reputation for frivolity.

    This work, first published in 1968, brings history to life with excerpts from scenarios, from reviews and from contemporary film journals, and with reproduction of stills and frames from the films themselves, including unusual shots of leading screen actors. This is a valuable source book for film experts, enhanced by full notes, bibliography and indexes; a fresh approach for Shakespeareans; and a vivid sketch of a world that has passed for all.

    1. Pioners and All: The Beginnings of Shakespeare Film (1899-1907)  2. What, All in Motion?: Shakespeare by Vitagraph (1908-1911)  3. Cranks and Offices: Others American (1908-1911)  4. Inexplicable Dumbshows: English Films (1908-1911)  5. Strange Motions: The Continent (1908-1911)  6. Increase the Reels: 1912 to World War 1  7. These Visions Did Appear: During the War  8. Let Me Have Leave to Speak: 1920 to Sound  9. What’s Past is Prologue

    Biography

    Robert Hamilton Ball