Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood

Rating:
Summary: Too long - no content
Review: This book has a few bright spots, but overall it's too long and says absolutely nothing. Like another reviewer said; I hardly felt like I knew Frances when I was finished. It dosen't even give you the feel of what early Hollywood was like. Just a bunch of loose, wordy descriptions to make the book even longer and look more impressive. Overall, save your money.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Unlike other reviewers, I felt I knew Frances very well after finishing this book. Her generosity, her sense of artistry, and her passion (and sometimes hatred) for her profession really come through. This is one of the few books, biography or silent film history, that is actually well-written in addition to being informative. It's rare to find an historian who can write well, or a biographer who pays attention to history. And as for rah-rah feminism, Beauchamp merely points out a fact--that women were highly involved in every phase of early film-making. If you are interested in silent film history, women's history, or just want to read an entertaining biography, you won't be disappointed.