Overview

Explores Irving Thalberg's importance as not only a producer, but also a theorist of studio-era filmmaking Offers a critical reappraisal of Thalberg's legacyProvides in-depth analyses of Thalberg's productions at MGM from 1924 through 1936Examines Thalberg's impact on film-historical turning points, including the transition to sound cinema and the development of the Production CodeIrving Thalberg was not just a critically important producer during Hollywood's Golden Age, but also an innovative theorist of studio-era filmmaking. Drawing on archival sources, this is the first book to explore Thalberg's insights into casting, editing, story composition and the importance of the mass audience from a theoretical perspective. It examines Thalberg's impact on film-historical turning points, such as the transition to sound cinema and the development of the Production Code, and features in-depth analyses of Thalberg's productions at MGM from 1924 to 1936, including films like The Big Parade (1925), The Broadway Melody of 1929 (1929) and Romeo and Juliet (1936). The book argues that Thalberg's views represent a unified conceptual understanding of filmmaking - one that is still significant in the modern day.

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9781474451048

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"In this original interpretation of Irving Thalberg's role as MGM's creative centre, Ana Salzberg makes an important contribution to the growing field of producer studies and to our understanding of the operation of the Hollywood studio system. Analysing his key filmmaking concepts of entertainment value, ""oblique casting,"" and each film's ""one great scene,"" Salzberg creates a portrait of Thalberg as a scholar of his profession and a significant theorist of studio-era filmmaking.--Professor Richard Maltby, Flinders University"

Author Information

Dr Ana Salzberg is Lecturer in Film Studies and Visual Culture at the University of Dundee.

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