Horror in Silent Films: A Filmography, 1896-1929

Rating:
Summary: A welcome addition to any silent film library
Review: Author Roy Kinnard chose the title of his book with the utmost care. There were no true Horror films produced in the silent era -- at least not the kind we today associate with the genre. There were plenty of horror elements, however, and as Mr. Kinnard points out, the first decade and a half after the changeover to sound highly reflected a kinship with silent films such as THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI and NOSFERATU, both not coincidentally German. Basically a catalog of fantastic or gothic films, the book lists each entry according to year of release. Wherever posssible the author supplies a brief plot synopsis, background material and well chosen excerpts of contemporary reviews. Mr. Kinnard does provide some rather strange spellings of names on occasion. Carl Theodor Dreier, for example, becomes Dryer and actress Marin Sais is listed in several places as Maria Sais. But that said, HORROR IN SILENT FILM is a valuable and welcome tool for further research.

Rating:
Summary: A sincere apology to Mr. Kinnard!
Review: In my review of this fine book, I rebuked the author for misspelling the name of legendary Danish director Carl Th. Dreyer -- and then promptly mispelled the great man's name myself. As a Dane, I have much less of an excuse than Mr. Kinnard, to whom I deeply apologize!