silent films

It's 1914 and twelve-year-old Darleen Daring is a silent film star. When a fake kidnapping set up by her studio goes wrong, Darleen finds herself in the hands of actual criminals who have also just kidnapped Victorine Berryman, the heiress of one of America's largest fortunes. Darleen and Victorine will have to live their own adventure serial, with dramatic escapes, murder plots, and a runaway air balloon in order to survive.

"As one of the most famous faces of silent cinema, Buster Keaton was and continues to be revered for his stoic expressions, clever visual gags, and acrobatic physicality in classics such as Sherlock Jr., The General, and The Cameraman. In this spirited biography, every aspect of Buster Keaton's astonishing life is explored, from his humble beginnings in vaudeville with his parents to his meteoric rise to Hollywood stardom during the silent era. Based on vigorous research of both Keaton and the film industry, it also delves into the dark sides of fame, such as Keaton's ill-advised businesses deals and alcoholism, to his unexpected resurgence in the 1940s as his contributions as both an actor and director were finally celebrated. This is a fascinating and uniquely astounding look at both the classic era of Hollywood and one of its most beloved stars"--.

"It's 1914, and twelve-year old Darleen Darling has the most exciting job in the world--she gets to dangle from cliffs and stop moving trains and soar through the sky in runaway balloons! Yes, that's right: Darleen is a hero and a star--in the make-believe world of the movies ... But Darleen's fictional adventures collide with reality when a fake kidnapping intended as a publicity stunt becomes all too real. Now she is in the hands of the dastardly criminals who have just nabbed the famous young heiress Miss Victorine Berrryman. With their lives at stake, can Darleen become the daring heroine she's long pretended to be on film?"--Provided by publisher.

In 1927, George Valentin is a silent movie superstar. However, the advent of the talkies will kill his career and he will sink into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller, it seems the sky's the limit as major movie stardom awaits. Though their careers are taking different paths their destinies will become entwined.

When silent movie director Larry Trimble decides to put Strongheart, a police dog, into his movies as the lead actor, he must first train him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog, but Strongheart becomes a sensation until his military training leads to trouble, and possibly the end of his career. Includes author's note on the real Strongheart.

During the filming of the silent movie "The Dangers of Daphne," star Calamity Kate is beset by perils that are all too real.

Traces the Hollywood westerns from their origins in the 1890s to the beginning of talking pictures in the 1920s, and examines their influence in the development of the film industry.

A history of American film from 1907 to 1915, discussing how film forms changed during the seven year period, and tracing the transformation of the film business from a small-time amusement enterprise to a gigantic entertainment industry.