Crimson

I have just finished reading Shepperton Babylon, pardon me for seeming a bit thick but I have no real idea what the author is driving at. Can anyone enlighten me?

David M.

I've read the book myself and quite liked the earlier part of the book but later on I sort of lost interest a bit. Lets face it , hardly "Hollywood Babylon" was it. Also the copy I have has a scene from "The Man in The White Suit" on the cover correct me if I'm wrong but "Shepperton" ! .

David McC

D Cairns

Driving at? I think he's just trying to restore interest in neglected areas of British film history, as well as suggesting that we have had more scandal and excitement in our industry than is generally supposed.
I'm not 100% convinced that all of the films he's arguing for are actually all that good, but it was interesting to read a defense of the quota quickies, and even the saucy seventies stuff.

Steve Crook

There's an even better (well, certainly very well researched and detailed) book about the "Quota Quickies" - it actually covers all the second feature and B-movies produced in Britain from 1928-39, not all them were actually Quota movies. They all get a mention in the extensive table in the back and many of them are discussed.

Quota Quickies by Steve Chibnal
(Amazon says it's also by Brian MacFarlane - but the book itself doesn't mention Brian)
Steve is Professor of British Cinema at De Montfort University, Leicester.

Steve

catflap

I believe Brian is doing the second volume of that book, covering the period from 1939 onwards. Originally it was to be one volume, but due to the scope of the project it was split into two. He was working on it for several years. A lot of research was done and many films were watched in the process.

julian_craster

<<I believe Brian is doing the second volume of that book, covering the period from 1939 onwards. Originally it was to be one volume, but due to the scope of the project it was split into two. He was working on it for several years. A lot of research was done and many films were watched in the process.>>


This is correct...Volume Two ('B' films to 1965) by Brian McFarlane will be published by the BFI during 2007....

David M.

I did like the reminiscenes of the "forgotten" actors and actresses that he had managed to track down, enlightning to say the least.

David McC

Crimson

Yes it did stir interest in the early years of British filmaking and the long forgotten stars, but I felt that there was no depth and that half way through talking to these past stars the author lost interest. I also got the impression that there was more ground to be covered if only the author could have been bothered.
Yeah The Man in the White Suit is on my edition, Shepperton?

brrrrrett

It has nothing to do with Shepperton whatsoever! The title is arbitrary and in keeping with Hollywood Babylon could have been better titled Pinewood or Borehamwood Babylon.

Lord Brett

Damn! I had actually strarted researching something similar myself. Time to think of a plan B.

Lady Lois

I rather liked this book - as a collection of miscellaneous reminiscences - and found it quite entertaining

I have The Unknown 1930s, Ed. Jeffrey Richards, to read next...

penfold

And when you've finished that, try 'From Dickens to Dad's Army, Films and British National Identity' and 'Best of British' both by Richards and Anthony Aldgate. Both terrific books. Richards and Aldgate are academics but manage to write in a non-academic language.

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Steve Crook

Also their "Britain Can Take It: British Cinema in the Second World War"

Steve

Lady Lois

Thanks, I shall. I already have "Britain Can Take It" on my list

Lady Lois

Thanks, I shall. I already have "Britain Can Take It" on my list