The business of filmmaking began with the Thomas Edison Studio in West Orange, New Jersey. Many studios have come and gone since then. From the little guys like feisty Mark Dintenfass and his 1905 “Actophone” unit (an unlicensed Pathé camera furtively grinding out films in defiance of the Motion Picture Patents Company) to heavyweights like Samuel Goldwyn and M-G-M, 66 studios of all sizes and specialties are covered in this book. The culmination of many years of exhaustive research, these detailed histories discuss films, stars, successes, and catastrophes. Numerous rare photographs are included.

The late Gene Fernett spent many years in the motion picture industry, working as a director and scriptwriter. He was also a college professor, author, and big band leader. He lived in Ingram, Texas.

Gene Fernett
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 310
Bibliographic Info: 104 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2002 [1988]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1325-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0793-1
Imprint: McFarland

“this one will always be a favorite of mine”—Classic Images; “fascinating…detailed…lively…informative and enjoyable”—ARBA; “wealth of detail”—Choice; “admirable…excellent…recommended”—Film Review Annual; “informative”—Burlington County Times; “extensively researched”—Cinema Canada; “extensive”—American Cinematographer; “a lot of useful information”—Classic Images; “descriptive…fact-filled and fascinating…a must”—VideoMania; “thorough”—Reference & Research Book News; “wealth of detail…a lot of facts…recommend[ed]”—Preview.