jjares reviewed The Hollywood Studios: House Style in the Golden Age of the Movies on + 3384 more book reviews
For a complete understanding of the studio system, this is the book. The author starts at the very beginning and goes through the three stages of the silent films before heading into the golden age of the movies. He knows his stuff because he includes the small as well as major studios (from Paramount to RKO). I liked the way the author divided things, talking about the 'house style' of each studio -- how it began and then blossomed.
The Hollywood system, good and bad, ended when the Supreme Court decided that companies could not create and then exhibit films in their own closed system. Because this constituted a monopoly, the studios had to sell off their theater chains after the case ended in 1948. Most of the studios are still functioning but in a very different way than in the early days of their inception.
On the other hand, Ethan Mordden is not gushy about Hollywood, its stars, directors, etc. He offers critical analysis. He talks about the strengths and weaknesses of each of the movie moguls, studios, and even stars. It makes for fascinating reading.
The Hollywood system, good and bad, ended when the Supreme Court decided that companies could not create and then exhibit films in their own closed system. Because this constituted a monopoly, the studios had to sell off their theater chains after the case ended in 1948. Most of the studios are still functioning but in a very different way than in the early days of their inception.
On the other hand, Ethan Mordden is not gushy about Hollywood, its stars, directors, etc. He offers critical analysis. He talks about the strengths and weaknesses of each of the movie moguls, studios, and even stars. It makes for fascinating reading.
