In the early 20th century; there was no better example of a classic American downtown than Los Angeles. Since World War II; Los Angeless Historic Core has been "passively preserved;" with most of its historic buildings left intact. Recent renovations of the area for residential use and the construction of Disney Hall and the Staples Center are shining a new spotlight on its many pre-1930s Beaux Arts; Art Deco; and Spanish Baroque buildings.
#2169625 in eBooks 2012-08-22 2012-08-22File Name: B0091SXDKG
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Well-Thought Out Collection.By Tony WilliamsThis is an exemplary collection of articles by a well-known film historian. As well as realizing that interviews as we know them today were envisaged differently in the early decades of the last century. the editor has assembled a diverse amount of material that also makes the director relevant to current cinematic trends. Beginning in 1914 and concluding with the directors last year depicts Griffith as a true cinematic artist seeking to make his chosen profession as artistic as any of the other competing arts. Most remarkable are "The Moral and the Immortal Photoplay" (1920) covering that eternal struggle between art and commerce and how low budget filmmaking often allows for the latter (129-131); a 1921 interview elevating "Broken Blossoms" above "Birth of a Nation" (137). a 1922 "Intimate Closeup of Griffith at Work"; Harry C. Carrs 1922 day in the life of Griffith". a 1922 conversation about future technology such as stereascopic films (155-56). as well as the poignant image of a director in debt having to pay fro his artistic experiments in more ways than one (163). In his 1926 conversation with Selma Robinson he certainly does not regard the audience as dumb but capable of appreciating good cinema. (178). In the final interview he regards "Birth of a Nation" as a "cheap melodrama" (214). Truely a remarkable collection of articles intelligently compiled. edited. and footnoted where necessary.
