Wednesday, February 21, 2018

News about Pamela Hutchinson's Book on the Louise Brooks' Film, Pandora's Box

Speaking of Pandora's Box (see yesterday's post about the film's upcoming showing in Paris, which we were alerted to by the one-and-only Pamela Hutchinson).... there is a new book out on the film from BFI Film Classics. The book, by the same Pamela Hutchinson, is highly recommended.

I read it and loved it. This book is smart, detailed, incisive, and gracefully written. And at 106 pages, it is a quick, enjoyable read. And a must have for every Louise Brooks devotee, not to mention anyone interested in early German film.

If you haven't already gotten a copy, do so today. Follow THIS LINK to order a copy. And after you've read it, be sure and leave a review. That's important in getting the word out about the things we care about: authors, silent film, and anything to do with Louise Brooks needs your support. (If you can't afford a copy, why not ask your local library to acquire a copy. Many local libraries have "suggest a purchase" forms.)

If you hang out on the silent film and Louise Brooks groups on Facebook, then you may recognize the author's name. She is the Editor of Silent London, and writes on early and silent film for the Guardian newspaper and Sight & Sound. The book has been in the news of late. Sight & Sound ran a great review of the book in its February 2018 issue by David Thompson, who called Hutchinson's book a
highly sympathetic and well researched book … a welcome and long overdue addition to the BFI Film Classics series … particularly valuable in detailing the origins of the film, how it came to be made at all and the striking personalities involved …

As this book makes very clear, rarely has the blurring of a screen role and real life been so fruitful for a creator and so tantalising for the audience.

Pamela was also a recent guest on the Nitrateville Radio podcast. She chatted about Pandora's Box, both the film and her new book. It is well worth listening to. Check it out below.



Have you ordered your copy? The book is available on amazon UK, USA and around the world) as well as where ever better books are sold.

1 comment:

Louise Brooks Society said...

HERE IS MY GOODREADS REVIEW: "There is a lot to like about this book. Pamela Hutchinson's study of the seminal 1929 Louise Brooks film, "Pandora's Box," is smart, detailed, incisive, and gracefully written. And at 106 pages, it is a quick, satisfying and scholarly read. As the Director of the Louise Brooks Society, I've read a lot about this film, but I must admit, I learned a thing or two while reading this fine book. It also gave me a fresh perspective on a classic film -- that's what the best books do, they enliven our minds. Hutchinson's book is a must have for every Louise Brooks devotee, as well as anyone interested in early German film or Weimar culture."

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