The Rise of the American Film: A Critical History With an Essay- Experimental Cinema in America, 1921-1947

by Lewis Jacobs

Surveys the development of the American cinema as an art form, technical achievement, and major industry from 1896 to World War II

Genres: Film

631 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected to dip into this book only occasionally and not get much enjoyment out of it, considering it's an academic textbook from 1939 about the history of American film (this late '40s reprint also has an essay about American experimental films from 1921-1947), but it's written in a conversational, accessible style blending historical journalism and academic, but not overly dry, critical analysis. The second half of the book gets a little sloppier and more repetitive, but the whole thing is a fascinating snapshot of early 20th century American history, politics, art, economics, and culture through the then-new film studies perspective.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in the 40s. History of American cinema, including early. Lots on Edwin S. Porter. It’s been a long time since I read this, but I have the impression that Jacobs was rather sneering towards commercial Hollywood cinema and was into experimental film and thought the British documentary movement was the bees knees. I think I thought him a stuffed shirt.