Adventures With D.w. Griffith

by Karl Brown

Karl Brown, the 16-year-old kid who fast-talked his way into D. W. Griffith's film company, was a keen observer of and participant in two of the most momentous occasions in film history - the production of The Birth of a Nation and of Intolerance. Discovered in retirement by film director and author Kevin Brownlow, who has also contributed the introduction to this book, he was persuaded to tell the story of his beginnings on Griffith's crew. What emerges is a detailed account of D. W. Griffith, his world, and a bygone era of filmmaking.

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

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Kieran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at early Hollywood from somebody who was right there while it was still developing into what it is today. I don't believe all of his stories, but they make for a worthwhile read if the subject is to your liking.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely informative and interesting book about cameraman Karl Brown’s work with Griffith in California, about 1914-16. Brown was a very good writer, and it’s an essential book for research on Griffith or Bitzer.

[Tom Newth · Rating 4 out of 5]

utterly invaluable first-hand accounts, occasionally overly ironic or just a bit dull, but mostly thrilling.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining read, and from it I also learned where the word "influenza" comes from.