The Parade's Gone by

If I had to pick one book to give as an introduction to silent films this would be the book; if I had to pick one book to give to a silent film fan this would be the book. Kevin Brownlow did us all a service by interviewing people still living that were connected to the film indusrty during the silent era, then getting the book published in the late 1960s. I have several books on silent and classic films but The Parade's Gone By remains my favorite. I have read it several times since purchasing it in 1970, always finding a new enthusiasm for a particular director or star of the silent films. Here I first discovered the versatility of Lon Chaney, the athletic films of Doug Fairbanks, the charm of Mary Pickford, the great silent films of Cecil B. De Mille, and Napoleon by Abel Gance. And so much more. If you are a silent film fan this book needs to be on your shelf, if you are not yet a fan this book just might make you one. You will find that silent films at their peak have the same relationship to talking pictures as painting does to sculpture. This book and the documetary Hollywood: A Celebration of American Silent Film are the two most interesting ducumentation of the silent film era. I have the Hollywood set on laser disc, it runs several hours and is totally captivating. If it is not on DVD yet it certainly should be.

this book is indeed a masterwork....BUT...when is the counterpart of this book, the sensational documentary series Bronlow did in 1980 "Hollywood, a celebration of american silent film" going to be issued on DVD!???It not only includes a vaste amount of very rare filmclips but also totally unique interviews with the silent film makers themselves....the series mezmerized me totally when I first saw it way back , it is as unique and precious as this book and deserves a dvd box..infact I lknow that if it were to be issued it would be in great demand!

Kevin Brownlow has written THE definitive and loving tome on silent films. An informative, well-researched, and entertaining book, this is an essential must for every afficiando of the silver screen. The only competition of this caliber is Walter Kerr's "The Silent Clowns". It is a shame that silents are overlooked by the majority of the public----this book will enlighten and make you hungry to view the films discussed. Dave Gersztyn

This is one of two "must-haves" for fans of silent film, the other is "Silent Clowns" by Walter Kerr.Brownlow (as usual) researches well, provides great narrative, and treats his subject with the respect it deserves. Anyone who has seen his documentary collaborations with David Gill, or his restorations of great classics will be familiar with his thoroughness.This book is very easy to read, but insightful, helpful...makes you wish there were still silents, particularly in the wake of movies overdone with Dolby Surround.

Hey silent movie fans!! This book is for *you*! Kevin Brownlow takes us back to the golden age of filmmaking in "The Parade's Gone By." Read interviews of the stars, technicians, directors, and other behind-the-scenes people who provided the groundwork for this most well-known of art forms. Great pictures and a wonderful, readable text make this book a very welcome addition to your library. Lots of fun and very informative to boot!