William Beaudine: From Silents to Television [Paperback]

William Beaudine: From Silents to Television by Wendy L. Marshall is a real eye opener. I have newborn respect for the artistry and professionalism that Beaudine brought to film because of this book....Wendy L. Marshall is William Beaudine's granddaughter and, while she's objectivea rare feat for a granddaughtershe gives us a personal portrait that none of the other books on directors can boast. She is committed to getting his story down and she does so in an appealingly professional manner. At times she does tell us her relationship with her grandfather, and these warm moments add much to the text. She does not, however, go overboard. She's a film historian, foremost....I reveled in learning about Beaudine, and the author does not disappoint on this front....this unique study will open up a whole new side of Hollywood. And it finally gives the director the respect he deserves, for his amazing outpouring of films that on the whole were quite good in spite of the budgets....Beaudine was a true professional, yet over the years much misinformation has been spread about his prolific career, which this massive, all-encompassing biography at last re-dresses....a definitive study that not only chronicles the making of Beaudine's many films, but also captures the essence of the man. Superb! FIVE STARS>Serious film studies tend to be either theory-centered works or histories of the evolution of filmmaking based on an artist's life. Wendy L. Marshall's fine book William Beaudine: From Silents to Television is an entertaining, informative example of the latter....This biography offers a useful look at the hard work, care, and joy that could go into directing...The author offers a fascinating study...I recommend it for a personal or university library and for any readers interested in the vital, but unsung, contributions of the bread-and-butter film makers....both fascinating and informative, a book that can be read by anyone remotely interested in film to those constantlyl3¬