Hollywood Art: Art Direction in the Days of the Great Studios

by Beverly Heisner

Overview

In the 1930s and 40s heyday of Hollywood studio art departments, strong art directors like Cedric Gibbons and Hans Dreier brought together more artists and artisans working on the same projects than any other enterprise in the history of modern American art.

This is the first book to trace the history of studio art direction. The origins of art direction in the early motion pictures, the organization of art departments, and the nature of art direction from the 1920s to the 1950s are covered first. Then each studio is discussed individually with a survey of its art department output through the fifties. Comprehensive filmographies (a first) provide films and release dates for 226 art directors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786467068
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	09/23/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	412
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Beverly Heisner lives in Columbia, South Carolina.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     

Introduction: Film Design     
1. Early Art Direction     
2. Art Departments Under the Studio System     
3. United Artists and the Independent Art Directors     

Musicals and Epics

4. MGM and Selznick International     

Crime and Passion

5. Warner Bros.     
6. Paramount     

History, Dance and Comedy

7. 20th Century-Fox     
8. RKO Studio     
9. Columbia     

Monsters and Weepies

10. Universal     

Hollywood

References     
Filmographies of Art Directors     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

details each studio’s particular character in set decoration and scrutinizes the work of [individuals]”—American Cinematographer; “excellent reference work...recommended”—Classic Images.

From the Publisher

Traces the origins of art direction in early motion pictures, and its development from the 1920's to the 1950's. The art departments of eight studies are discussed individually, with a survey of their output. Includes comprehensive filmographies for over 200 art directors. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"excellent reference work...recommended"

Classic Images

details each studio's particular character in set decoration and scrutinizes the work of [individuals]

American Cinematographer