Matthew Hopkins

I'm not sure if anyone can help with this (probably not) but some years ago in a local charity shop I came across a film encyclopedia of some sort that was published around the 1930s(?). It was a small format hardback and what was interesting about it was that it had very lengthy filmographies for such an old book. The shop wanted a tenner for it, which I thought was too much, so didn't buy it and then it was sold. I have no idea of the title, but would love to find out what it was. I doubt I ever will though...

penfold

I think I know the one, a cracking little book (quite small but lots of pages)...and it's not particularly rare....if you're interested, this chap has it for less than £10.... Book Details

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Matthew Hopkins

Thanks for the quick response Penfold. It could well be the one, although I don't remember it having red cloth - I thought it was black - possibly a later edition? It gives me something to follow up on though. Do you have a copy yourself?

penfold

Yes, somewhere....

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

howard 65

That 1933 book is one of my bibles.

I've had two copies.

Rennie

Cheap UK copy here:

UKBookWorld.com - ordering / further information

howard 65

Thanks.

Does anyone know if there were follow up editions?

penfold

I've never seen one, and bearing in mind how relatively common the 1933 book seems to be...I would say not.

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

howard 65

Yes it's strange.

Maybe it didn't sell well and that's why there's so many copies around ;was it expensive for the time.

Pity as a yearly edition would have been great; nothing like it since until the internet.

It contains one of my favourite photos of all time; ERNST LUBITSCH, KAY FRANCIS AND HERBERT MARSHALL on the set of TROUBLE IN PARADISE then called THE HONEST FINDER; I've never seen this photo elsewhere since the fifties, when I first saw this book at school!

penfold

One of my favourite films from 30's Hollywood.....funny, moving, and with a real erotic charge. Lubitsch....what a genius.

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

howard 65

Have you got this book; if not get it.

It lists the addresses of practically everyone in films in Hollywood and London.

Imagine that today!

penfold

Having thought about it, the early thirties were tough for many people...if they had bought the '33 book, would they want a '34 edition or an extra ten trips to the pictures? (I'm guessing the costs, but you get the drift) or, indeed a Picturegoer Annual?? After all, we're finding the '33 edition useful in 2007, so not, I imagine , a priority. My ten-year old Virgin Film Guide has never been replaced either....bad news for the publisher one would imagine.

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Janice Healey

There are a couple of other reference books that appeared in the early 1930's the Picturegoer's Who's Who and Encyclopaedia published by Odhams Press in 1933 and Who's Who in Filmland edited and compiled by Langford Reed and Hetty Spiers published by Chapman & Hall Ltd first appeared in 1927, 1929 and 1931. Its great for biographical information as it also includes where they were educated.

howard 65

What was it about 1933? Was there a lull in the depression?

ChristineCB

Or maybe the author and/or publisher saw a chance to kick it up a notch! Sounds like a terrific book.