Mack Sennett's Fun Factory: A History and Filmography of His Studio and His Keystone and Mack Sennett Comedies, with Biographies of Players and Personnel (2 volume set)
Although Mack Sennett has a permanent place in film history, his contribution has not been fully documented until now. This exhaustive survey of Sennett, his films, and his studio is divided into three parts. The first, “Mack Sennett and the Movies: A Historical Overview,” describes Sennett’s early career as an actor, his move from New York to Hollywood, his involvement with various studios, the transition from two-reelers to feature films, and then the emergence of sound.   In the filmography that forms part 2, nearly 1,000 short films are arranged chronologically by the studios that distributed them, from the Biograph Company (1908–1912) to Paramount (1932–1933). For each film, author Walker provides title, release date, footage length, technical credits, cast information, and a synopsis. Additional information may include filming and shipping dates, production cost, and archives that have prints. The 18 feature-length films Sennett produced between 1914 and 1932 are listed separately. Part 2 also lists other Sennett film credits (consisting of 5 educational films); his Broadway, radio, and television appearances; and theatrical compilations that use footage from his comedies. Part 3 of the volume comprises several hundred biographies of people who worked at the Mack Sennett studio 1912–1933, divided into separate sections for performers and those who worked behind the scenes. A bibliography and index complete the work. Some 280 illustrations include photographs from different films as well as candids taken on the set.   Although it may appeal to fans of silent film, this volume will be especially useful for researchers. It belongs in any comprehensive film-studies collection. --Patricia Hogan--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.