Synopsis:
This deft amalgam of biography, film history, and analysis is a superb por¬trait of a pioneer who was critically important to the creation of cinema as the defining art form of the twentieth century. Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939) was not only one of the first film superstars, he was also a screenwriter, a major independent producer during the silent film era, a founder of United Artisla- and a founder and the first president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The optimism, energy, and huge success during the 1920s of his best¬remembered films The iVlark o f Zorro. Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood. The Thie f o f Baadad, and The Black Pirate-made Fairbanks a popu¬lar hero throughout the world and showcased his talents as a creative producer whose work set the standard for excellence. Douglas Fairbanks takes the full measure of the star's remarkable life. Jeffrey Vance bases his portrait on a rich array of sources, including Fairbanks's personal and professional papers and scrapbooks, newly available documen¬tation and rediscovered films, and his own extensive interviews with those who knew or worked with Fairbanks. Engagingly writ - ten and sumptuously designed, with 23- pho¬tographs, the book goes beyond Fairbanks's public persona to thoroughly explore his art and his far-reaching influence.
Review:
"One of Hollywood's earliest megastars gets lavish treatment in Jeffrey Vance's Douglas Fairbanks. . . . A real treat for cinephiles."--Martin Levin"Toronto Globe & Mail" (01/09/2009)
"Lavishly illustrated, Vance's painstakingly researched, comprehensive and thoughtful work is a book for buffs to treasure . . . a riveting read."--Bill Thompson"Charleston Post & Courier" (03/22/2009)
"A gorgeously illustrated, solidly researched new biography."--David Bordwell"David Bordwell" (11/26/2008)
"The research is impeccable, the writing engaging and illuminating, and the deluxe illustrations exquisite."--T. Lindvall"Choice" (03/01/2009)
"An ambitious book . . . it tells you a lot about its hero, and it's generously illustrated."--Robert Gottlieb"New York Review Of Books" (02/26/2009)
"A serious biography of one of the pioneers of cinema . . . magnificent photos."--Heather Shaw"Foreword" (09/01/2008)
"Jeffrey Vance's biography 'Douglas Fairbanks' retells the story of the man who became one of Hollywood's first superstars."--Carolyn Kellogg"Los Angeles Times Book Review" (02/05/2009)
"A handsomely produced, long-gestated biography . . . stunningly produced photographs."--Jay Weissberg"Sight & Sound Magazine" (03/01/2009)
"Looks at the mad life and times of one of cinema's first superstars . . . brings a lot of freshness to the Fairbanks biography."--Paul Dale"The List" (02/19/2009)
"Jeffrey Vance's glorified, and glorifying, picture book retrieves the memory and the glamour of one of the first superstars."--Frederic Raphael"Times Literary Supplement (TLS)" (04/22/2009)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.