The Parade's Gone By

by Kevin Brownlow

The magic of the silent screen, illuminated by the recollections of those who created it.
A narrative and photographic history of the early days of the movies, combining fact, anecdote, and reminiscence in a critical survey of films, actors, directors, producers, writers, editors, technicians, and other participants and hangers-on.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, History, Media Tie In, Art, Biography, American History

692 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Kevin Brownlow, is a filmmaker, film historian, television documentary-maker, author, and Academy Award recipient. Brownlow is best known for his work documenting the history of the silent era. Brownlow became interested in silent film at the age of eleven. This interest grew into a career spent documenting and restoring film. He has rescued many silent films and their history. His initiative in interviewing many largely forgotten, elderly film pioneers in the 1960s and 1970s preserved a legacy of cinema. Brownlow received an Academy Honorary Award at the 2nd Annual Governors Awards given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 13, 2010.

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally an Ur text for silent film nerds. Fascinating and great. 5 stars for the loving description of Buster Keaton's man cave.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Brownlow, who won an Oscar last year in recognition for his work in film preservation, conducted these priceless interviews with silent film actors, directors, and technicians back in the 60s when the pioneers of what would become Hollywood were beginning to die out, rescuing many precious and unique memories from oblivion. A one of a kind classic of oral history whose achievement will never be duplicated.

[Jon Boorstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that hooked me on early movies. Brownlow was curious, and persistent, and around when the giants were still alive. He is also a writer who cares about his subject, and is passionate that you care too. He led the way in restoring silent pictures to the place of respect they deserve. In Brownlow's view, 1927, the last silent year, was the best year for pictures, ever. After you read this, you might agree.

[Caroline O'Donoghue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm leaving a review because this book is hard to get a hold of and it shouldn't be – please, for the love of God, let someone reissue it. I've just finished my first of what I know will be many, many readthroughs. If you're obsessed with the silent era there's really no book that's more informative, illuminating or entertaining than this. Brownlow's opus on the whole culture, skillset and visual language that developed within silent film and was quickly forgotten within a few decades is so rigorously researched and clearly written without ever feeling too much like a textbook. The one thing that bothered me was Brownlow's particular blindspots around DW Griffith, who he covers in exhaustive detail and yet never mentions the politics nor controversy of Birth of a Nation – which, even at the time, was widely recognised to be deeply racist. Brownlow wrote this in the 60s and so would have been fully aware, and his skipping over it was the one place where I felt I couldn't trust him as a narrator of this era.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of movies in America. Brownlow interviewed dozens of actors, directors and technicians who worked in the silent era and the book is filled with their stories of pioneering this new art form. Lots of beautiful stills too.

[Beth Cato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this book would be a good resource since I've seen several other resources cite it, but I still cannot help but be impressed. This is a work of love and passion in chronicling the silent film era. Not only does it discuss the stars, but it goes into great detail about the technical aspects and how they evolved throughout the time period and how various people played vital roles in that process. There are photographs throughout. The hardcover book is a veritable tome--this is the kind of book you want to throw at a burglar--and while it is comprehensive, there are odd omissions. Women played a major role in the silent film industry--over half of scenario writers were women--and while Mary Pickford and Anita Loos are given appropriate nods, women like Clara Bow aren't present at all. I wonder at how the availability of interview subjects played a role in that aspect as well. One of the great things about this book is that Brownlow didn't simply rely on other books or issues of Photoplay. He interviewed (repeatedly, in some cases) many of the subjects as he assembled this book in the 1960s. I'm impressed that so much knowledge was preserved because of his work.

I was inspired to look on YouTube, and I was surprised to see Brownlow's work didn't end with the completion of this tome. He is one of the major figures of film preservation in the last 60 years. In particular, he seems to have devoted his life to the work of the French director Abel Gance (who he extensively examines in the last chapter of this book) and a very recent Blu-Ray re-mastered release of Napoleon is credited to him. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I'm impressed.

[Steve Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1968, for many, this is understandably the bible for the lover of silent films. It's written with genuine love, enthusiasm and knowledge by the film restorer Kevin Brownlow. The book is full of stories from the days these films were made, told by the people who made them. In many cases Brownlow was lucky to capture the interviews just before it was too late. Not only has Kevin Brownlow been a saviour to the physical medium of film, but also to its memory. The text is greatly enhanced by many fine, well printed photo's.

I do wish the author's epic 1980 TV series 'Hollywood' could somehow get past the various rites issues and get a release. It was this series which opened the eyes of many to what the silent film could be, that it was not all about wrong speeds, jerkiness, chases and pies in the face; but also beauty, sophistication and emotional power. If in doubt, check out Louise Brooks in Diary Of A Lost Girl or Pandora's Box, or Lon Chaney in The Penalty. It's a fantastic world.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, very interesting read, especially with the sections where the author takes stories right from the mouths of the people who lived through the silent era of films. It was a good balance of interesting stories, technical aspects and only a tiny bit of gossip. In fact i liked the fact it didn't rely heavily on silent era shade and T, there are plenty of those books out there.
My only criticism is that there is a lot of technical sections regarding the film process and I have no knowledge or interest in the technicals, so those sections dragged for me.
If you want to consider yourself a film historian you have to read this book.

[Beth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brownlow's book rightly remains a classic of early film history. He had a passion for the subject; he was lucky to be writing the book at a time when so many of the silent film industry were living and interviewable; he deeply researched his topics; he has firsthand viewing experiences that he drew upon; and he wasn't afraid to add his insightful and sometimes biting opinions.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essential film history book.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted to read this book for a long time. It's a detailed, well-researched encyclopedic gaze into the lost world of silent films. Because it's narrated by a camera man, it's also filled with technical detail about the hardware used to create those mesmerizing effects that made us hold our breath. Excellent for any film buff! The book is excellent because it magnifies the minutia of the silent era. There are many names: stars, directors, producers, film techniques, studios, and so many talented people who helped create our first cinematic dream world. If you like Silent films, get this book tomorrow. Even if you've never read a word on the genre, get it the day after tomorrow. You will thank me!

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Brownlow is a great film historian who spcializes in silent cinema. Especially America silent films. Also one of the first to really focus on American cinema of the silent years.

"The Parade's Gone By" was written in the 60's, so Brownlow actually interviewed all the participants that are featured in the book. What gives this book a little extra something is that he focuses on the cameramen and technicians as well as the stars and the directors. You are not going to get much closer to the world of Silent cinema than this book. Sort of the big brother or sister to Kenneth Anger's "Hollywood Bablyon."

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The granddaddy of silent film books, The Parade's Gone By is a must read, period end of story. Brownlow related that this was a book he never wanted to read, he simply used it as an excuse to interview the subjects, it became a book, and a damn fine one, at that. This book, probably singlehandedly, inspired me (and many others I'll wager) to go and explore silent films. It's a testament to an age long gone, but told through the eyes of people still who were very much alive and living in the now. The first in what I call Brownlow's Trilogy, it's a book that simply must be on any serious film scholar's bookshelf.

[Kit Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best film books I've ever read. The author is so passionate about silent film, you can't help but get more excited about it yourself—not that an affinity for silent film is a prerequisite for enjoying this'un. Bursting with great stories about the phenomenal people who helped invent one of the best art forms since the ham radio, it's a big book, but it reads super fast.

[Garrett Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Film-making techniques today are little further developed than they were at the end of the silent era. Startling innovations excite critics, but any capable historian can point to the introduction of hand-held cameras, wild cutting, and abbreviated narration: it was all being done in the twenties. Film makers are generally less imaginative, less daring, and less skillful than their silent-era counterparts."

This is the astonishing thesis of Kevin Brownlow's The Parade's Gone By..., which is simply without a doubt the greatest work on cinema I have ever read. The thesis, which is that every great convention of cinema was already in place during the silent era, and that the art has never been improved upon, is well argued and will surely win you over if you've ever seen these films. Brownlow is a brilliant writer that can make just about anything interesting, even when he's writing on a film or personality you are not familiar with. I learned more from this book than I have from any other work on the art of film, and I have never before felt so utterly swept away into another time. The heavy reliance on the vivid memories of the people (not just the directors or stars) who worked in this era make it come to life. To read the book is to experience an epoch. If I could force my own agenda of cinematic education on students, I would give them a selection of the finest works of the time and a copy of this book. Their perspective on film would never be the same again, and would be all the better for it.

"Whatever future the cinema may have will be based solidly upon its past. Time is a human conception--very much like a motion picture. It is all there, but we have to live it. And you cannot enjoy the last reel unless you know what happened in the first." - Kevin Brownlow

I can't wait to purchase my own copy of the book and refer to it as I continue to see the films it discusses for myself. It's a dense work, and clearly would reward constant rereading as one increases their knowledge of silent cinema. Don't let this grand parade pass you by.

[Jeannine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more of a reference book than one I choose to read from beginning to end. Having just immersed myself in the Hollywood documentary (from the late 70s/early 80s) I thought this book would be a continuation of that, but I found the documentary to be more interesting than this book.

The book features interviews with several silent movie figures, true pioneers, most of whom are now gone, but I thought the content chosen to publish was kind of weird. For example, there is a little chapter on Gloria Swanson, and it's just Gloria sharing an anecdote about the making of a film where she was required to swim and she didn't know how. It was interesting, I guess, but I didn't understand what it had to do with the wider context of the book and making movies. Also, there is a section called Stars and there are only 3 or 4 "stars" featured and only 1 I'd ever heard of.

There are chapters about cameramen and scenario writers - all of which are interesting, and also some very good photographs.

The thing to keep in mind is this version was published in 1976 and there may be more current information available. Because this book features interviews between the author (who recently was awarded an Oscar for his work in documenting early/silent film history) and the actual sources (most of whom are now passed) it is definitely valuable to the classic and silent movie history buff and it will remain on my shelf for reference.

[Leona Heraty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Parade's Gone By is one of those rare books I've read where I didn't want it to end. I'm a little sad that I finished reading it, as I literally enjoyed every page!

Kevin Brownlow, only in his 20s when he wrote this book over several years in the 1960s, had the foresight (bless his heart!) to interview many of the silent film actors, directors, cameramen, producers, etc., before they passed away, to get their individual perspectives of what it was actually like working in the film industry during the early years of film. These were the fun-loving, passionate, creative pioneers who literally started with nothing and built the film industry from the ground up. They all truly enjoyed making movies, whether they made a lot of money or not.

This nostalgic book is a must-read for any amateur film historian, and of course, for any professional film historian. This book also offers excellent historical perspectives about what America and Europe were like in the early 1900s through the mid 1930s, so anyone interested in history would enjoy this book too.

The Parade's Gone By may be out of print. I bought it used on amazon.com, but it wasn't expensive...I think I paid less than $10 for the book. The incredible photos of the actors, film sets, etc. are priceless too! This is a long book, at around 670 pages, but believe me, you won't be able to put it down! Enjoy! :-)

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title, Brownlow tells us in the introduction, is a quote from an assistant working on The Buster Keaton Story in 1957. A writer and director of silent movie comedies tells an assistant they’ve got it wrong. He says, “Look, why don’t you go away? Times have changed. You’re an old man. The parade’s gone by…”(1)

Okay, so yeah, I first got this from the library to read the essay/ interview with Buster Keaton. After I read that, I read nearly all forty-eight other essays/ interviews from actors, directors, cameramen, editors and others involved in silent film. “To become a great comedian was never a conscious ambition of Buster Keaton. He made pictures the best way he knew how. He was fascinated by the medium itself and the challenge of elaborate effects.” (493)

“Nothing is new except what has been forgotten.” (580) Which I suppose explains the popularity of “The Artist,” that I have yet to see! So, as someone who loves silent comedies, I should do that, already!

And, a question- why is this book from 1968 so very, very heavy?

[Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book covers the entire history of silent films, and, as it was written in the 1960s, much of it is done through interviews with people who were in the industry. It's a large book, though, both in terms of page length and physically, so I only picked at it off and on. A while ago I finally figured out how I would finally finish it-I put it in the bathroom. You see, the book is divided up into a lot of small sections, which makes it practically ideal for bathroom reading (that's not to say it isn't a great book, just that I tend to do my reading on the road or in the can, and this book is too big to be practical). Brownlow does a great job giving us a feel for the industry, telling it's history and major advances, and of course covering it's eventual downfall with the advent of sound. He also makes you really want to see all of these films-something I should really get back to.

[Magnus Stanke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gee, Brownlow was only in his 20s when he wrote this seminal work on silent (US) cinema. The book's now over 50 years old - in other words, more time has passed since its writing than between the years he writes about and the original publication date. In the meantime we've been granted ready access to a wide range of silent films, partially thanks to the author's continued efforts throughout the 70s and 80s and his own follow-up book 'Hollywood - The Pioneers' and the tv series of the same name.
It's a shame Brownlow wasn't given the means to make a series out of this book when many more of the movers and shakers were alive than only ten years later.
In a nutshell, then, this book is a great read for anybody interested in the era. If I have one reservation it's the neglect of silent cinema from other countries (particularly Germany) which call out for seperate volumes (arguably like the last 100 pages or so of this book which are dedicated to Abel Gance).

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, it's a great resource. HOWEVER, with that said, there is missing information. For example: WHY is Clara Bow missing? Unless she's been added in a later edition, I cannot for the life of me understand why she's missing. She was only the star female in the first movie to ever win an Academy Award, the film Wings. Was she left out because of the lies, half truths and innuendos surrounding her social activities? That's one school of thought...which then also makes little sense because then three quarters of the people mentioned wouldn't be in the book.

So yes, use this as a resource but do not consider it complete. I cannot help but to wonder what else is missing. Again, I love this book because it's fun to browse through but I certainly don't consider it anything more than that, all in part because of the missing information.

[James Bazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pretty much the standard for silent era books. Brownlow fortuitously interviewd several people ranging from film stars, directors, producers, technicians, etc. in the 1960's when many of these luminous pioneers were still alive. With warmth and affection, Brownlow managed to create a very absorbing account of the silent era and the people who created it. The book has naturally dated as our knowledge and the availability of silent films has grown tremendously in the 40 years since it's original publication. But, it is an excellent book for beginners or to anyone with an interest in silent films.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad was born in 1921 and grew up with the transition from silent to talkie films. His taste for the former meant watching everything ever presented from the silent era on television. It probably helps to account for his ongoing love of slapstick humor. It now extends to a fascination with movie-house organ performances. The man has CDs containing nothing but and will spend hours listening to them.

I never shared Dad's taste for silent cinema, but having been exposed to so much of it I read one of the books he had on the subject and was impressed by Brownlow's representation of the era and its artists.

[Samantha Glasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a massive tome, an excellent source of information on the silent days of Hollywood even now, 50 years after its first publication. Brownlow met and discussed the films in depth with actors, directors, cinematographers, etc. who were often starved to talk about their work with someone who appreciated it. Many of these silent films were mocked by contemporary audiences, so their enthusiasm shows.

The research is incredible especially considering his age. He mines for names and information that only those entrenched in this era would recognize. Even after having studied the silent era for decades, I have to look up mentions of people like Hugo Ballin.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book!
Most of those who worked on silent films were still around when Brownlow was writing this so there are an awful lot of first hand accounts which Brownlow reproduces verbatim.
However this isn't a beginners introduction to silent cinema, you do need to know something about the subject to really appreciate it. Brownlow mainly concentrates on Hollywood with just a passing glance at European cinema, although the book is dedicated to the French director Abel Gance, the only European looked at in any detail.

[Troy Soos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not a comprehensive or chronological history of silent film, The Parade's Gone By is one of the most insightful books on the subject. Kevin Brownlow interviewed many veterans of the silent era in the 1960s, and the book relies heavily on their vivid recollections. The text is augmented with marvelous photographs, many of them behind the scenes and illustrating early production methods. Brownlow later wrote the equally excellent Hollywood: the Pioneers.

[Kate McD · Rating 5 out of 5]

can i rate this higher than 5 stars? my favorite book on silent film. he interviews directors, writers, actors, extras, cameramen, editors, electricians, - everyone he could find. it was written in the late 60's and i don't know if it's been re-released anytime recently - i got my copy on ebay for pretty cheap. Also has a ton of amazing pictures.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything the other reviewers have said is true-- a tremendously informative book about silent film production, based on interviews with people who were there.
Thisi s the way I like all my history-- first person and close up! Brownlow's interviews give a wonderful sense of the hard work, the intelligence, the "gutsiness" that went into those early films. Intriguing and wow-inspiring stories.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about silent cinema and its stars, directors, scriptwriters and other technicians. It was very enlightening to learn about how different filming was then from now. It wasn't a difficult read and it helped me become the film freak I am today. The photos and interviews are all very interesting, and I really enjoyed reading it and learning.

[Paul Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible glimpse into the wild west of filmmaking. Kevin Brownlow brings to life the silent pioneers and puts the reader into the middle of their adventure. His insights and enthusiasm for these films give the book a sense of immediacy. It feels less like a textbook and more like a love letter to silent films.