"Hollywood" (1980) TV mini-series

Directors:

Kevin Brownlow
David Gill

Writers:

Kevin Brownlow (writer)
David Gill (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

9 February 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | History

Plot:

The definitive documentary about the American silent film industry.

Plot Keywords:

Film Clip | Silent Film Maker | 1900s | Reminiscence | Nostalgia

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

James Mason

...

Himself / ... (13 episodes, 1980)

Also Known As:

Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film (USA) (video box title)
I istoria tou Hollywood (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

60 min | 676 min (13 Episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

BBC Enterprises, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

Thames Television

Trivia:

Filming for this documentary began in the mid 1970s. Among those who either declined to be interviewed, or were scheduled to be interview, but canceled at the last minute, included: Myrna Loy, Dolores del Rio, Fay Wray, Richard Arlen, Anita Page, Jean Arthur, Beatrice Lillie, Loretta Young, Marceline Day, Frank Coghlan Jr., Frankie Darro, Virginia Grey, Ernest Morrison, Sally Eilers, Arthur Lake, Carmel Myers, Baby Peggy (Diana Serra Cary), Noble Johnson, Dorothy Mackaill, Stepin Fetchit (nee Lincoln Perry), May McAvoy, Carolynne Snowden, Doris Kenyon, Sally Blane, Una Merkel, Esther Ralston, and Ricardo Cortez among others. Kevin Brownlow and David Gill reportedly tried to contact Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and William Powell for interviews, but all could not be reached.

Movie Connections:

Features The Three Musketeers (1921)

My all-time favorite documentary

This is a wonderful history of the early days of Hollywood. It was made in the 1970s using filmed interviews with a rapidly shrinking group of the great stars and directors. These interviews are matched with the scenes that the actors or actresses are discussing. It is one of the great editing achievements of all time. I first saw it on public television in the late 1980s and was very happy when it was released on video. I hope it is released on DVD. I have purchased many copies of the 13 set series and given them as gifts. Everyone who I gave this set to told me that it was really great. If you want to take a wonderful trip back in time to a long forgotten land this is for you. I think this is the best documentary ever. Period. Nothing comes close. Hope you enjoy it.