Rating: 
Summary: They Were There
Review: For many years this book was considered the definitive, authoritative tome on silent films, and remains, today, a must read for anyone interested in this subject. Its greatest, most singular draw is the priceless information Brownlow gathered through interviews conducted with over 100 silent film personalities, directors, producers, and cameramen. Brownlow pieced together a one-of-a-kind reminiscence of a by-gone era from the stories, anecdotes, and first hand observations of many of the now-dead greats of the past, infusing an immediacy to a time previously shrouded in myth and misconception, and in the process left behind an incomparable legacy. Legends such as Clarence Brown, Francis X. Bushman, Charles Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Allan Dwan, Abel Gance, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Alfred Hitchcock, Buster Keaton, Fritz Lang, Jesse Lasky, Harold Lloyd, Arthur Miller, Pola Negri, Mary Pickford, Hal Roach, Charles Rosher, David O. Selznick, Josef von Sternberg, Gloria Swanson, King Vidor, and Adolph Zukor ~ plus dozens more ~ contributed their stories and offered their opinions and recollections in their own words. One is a little cowed to realise that when Brownlow wrote this book the silent era was still a fairly recent phenomenon, less than a half century removed from the author's contemporary era of the 1960s, and Brownlow himself yet a young man in his twenties. In fact, Brownlow was a sort of child prodigy, beginning to collect historic films at the age of 11. Brownlow was only 15 years old when he obtained two reels of Abel Gance's 1927 epic film 'Napoleon', which he restored as an adult, and obtained his first industry job as an apprentice editor at a documentary production house when he was but 17 years old. In this book Brownlow affords everything its due: from the earliest years to the advent of the talkies, and touches on all aspects of film-making, marketing, and advertising. Many photos are scattered throughout the book, including some very rare stills from Brownlow's own collection. Brownlow is a filmmaker and self-taught historian who has made the restoration and preservation of silent films his life's work. He has overseen the restoration of endangered landmark films and inspired other preservation efforts. Brownlow has also researched the period and authored a series of books, beginning with 'The Parade's Gone By' in 1968, and documentaries including 'Abel Gance: The Charm of Dynamite', 'Unknown Chaplin', 'Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film', 'Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow' and 'D.W. Griffith: Father of Film'. A few caveats. Since its 1968 publication date, some of the films mentioned as lost have indeed been found, and the dire predictions offered by Brownlow as to the state of cinema of the future have, at least up until this point, proven unfounded. Indeed Brownlow himself has affected cinema greatly through his own restoration efforts and productions, allowing us all a more ready access to the `Golden Era' of film.
Rating:
Summary: They Were There
Review: For many years this book was considered the definitive, authoritative tome on silent films, and remains, today, a must read for anyone interested in this subject. Its greatest, most singular draw is the priceless information Brownlow gathered through interviews conducted with over 100 silent film personalities, directors, producers, and cameramen. Brownlow pieced together a one-of-a-kind reminiscence of a by-gone era from the stories, anecdotes, and first hand observations of many of the now-dead greats of the past, infusing an immediacy to a time previously shrouded in myth and misconception, and in the process left behind an incomparable legacy. Legends such as Clarence Brown, Francis X. Bushman, Charles Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Allan Dwan, Abel Gance, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Alfred Hitchcock, Buster Keaton, Fritz Lang, Jesse Lasky, Harold Lloyd, Arthur Miller, Pola Negri, Mary Pickford, Hal Roach, Charles Rosher, David O. Selznick, Josef von Sternberg, Gloria Swanson, King Vidor, and Adolph Zukor ~ plus dozens more ~ contributed their stories and offered their opinions and recollections in their own words. One is a little cowed to realise that when Brownlow wrote this book the silent era was still a fairly recent phenomenon, less than a half century removed from the author's contemporary era of the 1960s, and Brownlow himself yet a young man in his twenties. In fact, Brownlow was a sort of child prodigy, beginning to collect historic films at the age of 11. Brownlow was only 15 years old when he obtained two reels of Abel Gance's 1927 epic film 'Napoleon', which he restored as an adult, and obtained his first industry job as an apprentice editor at a documentary production house when he was but 17 years old. In this book Brownlow affords everything its due: from the earliest years to the advent of the talkies, and touches on all aspects of film-making, marketing, and advertising. Many photos are scattered throughout the book, including some very rare stills from Brownlow's own collection. Brownlow is a filmmaker and self-taught historian who has made the restoration and preservation of silent films his life's work. He has overseen the restoration of endangered landmark films and inspired other preservation efforts. Brownlow has also researched the period and authored a series of books, beginning with 'The Parade's Gone By' in 1968, and documentaries including 'Abel Gance: The Charm of Dynamite', 'Unknown Chaplin', 'Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film', 'Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow' and 'D.W. Griffith: Father of Film'. A few caveats. Since its 1968 publication date, some of the films mentioned as lost have indeed been found, and the dire predictions offered by Brownlow as to the state of cinema of the future have, at least up until this point, proven unfounded. Indeed Brownlow himself has affected cinema greatly through his own restoration efforts and productions, allowing us all a more ready access to the 'Golden Era' of film.
Rating: 
Summary: An indispensable book for any silent movie fan.
Review: Hey silent movie fans!! This book is for *you*! Kevin Brownlow takes us back to the golden age of filmmaking in "The Parade's Gone By." Read interviews of the stars, technicians, directors, and other behind-the-scenes people who provided the groundwork for this most well-known of art forms. Great pictures and a wonderful, readable text make this book a very welcome addition to your library. Lots of fun and very informative to boot!
Rating:
Summary: Brownlow excellent silent film scholar
Review: I have read several of Kevin Brownlow's books on film, and Parade is one of the best. His interviews with silent film stars and technicians give life to the era, and remind the reader that these were actual people instead of historical footnotes.
Rating:
Summary: Essential for film students and silent film buffs
Review: I met the author of this book a few years ago, and he is a remarkable treasure trove of information. How lucky we all are that he thought to interview these people when most had forgotten them and their work. If Mr. Brownlow had waited even a few years to do these interviews, much of this information would be lost forever! This was actually used as a textbook when I was in film school.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book on Silent Era
Review: If I ever catch the guy who stole my copy of this book he will be in serious need of a bookectomy. A marvelous study of an artistic expression that grew out of the nickleodeons. For those who think or silent movies as jerky action, pie fights and silly chases, well, you probably don't read anyway. For the rest of us, there were films of power and majesty and comedies as subtle as anything ever spoken. And you can look it up, right here in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book on Silent Era
Review: If I ever catch the guy who stole my copy of this book he will be in serious need of a bookectomy. A marvelous study of an artistic expression that grew out of the nickleodeons. For those who think or silent movies as jerky action, pie fights and silly chases, well, you probably don't read anyway. For the rest of us, there were films of power and majesty and comedies as subtle as anything ever spoken. And you can look it up, right here in this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic book on Silent Films
Review: If I had to pick one book to give as an introduction to silent films this would be the book; if I had to pick one book to give to a silent film fan this would be the book. Kevin Brownlow did us all a service by interviewing people still living that were connected to the film indusrty during the silent era, then getting the book published in the late 1960s. I have several books on silent and classic films but The Parade's Gone By remains my favorite. I have read it several times since purchasing it in 1970, always finding a new enthusiasm for a particular director or star of the silent films. Here I first discovered the versatility of Lon Chaney, the athletic films of Doug Fairbanks, the charm of Mary Pickford, the great silent films of Cecil B. De Mille, and Napoleon by Abel Gance. And so much more.
If you are a silent film fan this book needs to be on your shelf, if you are not yet a fan this book just might make you one. You will find that silent films at their peak have the same relationship to talking pictures as painting does to sculpture.
This book and the documetary Hollywood: A Celebration of American Silent Film are the two most interesting ducumentation of the silent film era. I have the Hollywood set on laser disc, it runs several hours and is totally captivating. If it is not on DVD yet it certainly should be.
Rating:
Summary: Silent film fans MUST have this book!
Review: Kevin Brownlow has written THE definitive and loving tome on silent films. An informative, well-researched, and entertaining book, this is an essential must for every afficiando of the silver screen. The only competition of this caliber is Walter Kerr's "The Silent Clowns". It is a shame that silents are overlooked by the majority of the public----this book will enlighten and make you hungry to view the films discussed. Dave Gersztyn
Rating:
Summary: The Parades Gone By...
Review: Kevin Brownlow's book on the silent pictures is outstanding. Written in the late 1960's, in contains many first hand interviews. He covers everything from the camermen and stunt men to the stars. 575 pages, no "fluff", some great photos, this book has it all. As a silent comedy fan, I especially enjoyed his chapters on the three geniuses: Buster, Charlie and Harold. THE PARADES GONE BY... is the companion to Walter Kerr's THE SILENT CLOWNS. Kevin Brownlow is the man.
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