A Song in the Dark: The Birth of the Musical Film
Barrios offers a meticulous, historical account of early musical films, which though they appear amateurish and even ridiculous are groundbreaking experiments, technological feats, and an important stage in film history. Without the efforts of their directors, sound engineers, studio executives, and talented performers, treasured films such asSingin' in the RainorThe Wizard of Ozwould not exist. Barrios debunks the myth ofThe Jazz Singeras the first of its kind, conveys the significance ofThe Broadway Melodyto the "talkies" that followed, and goes to great lengths to reveal the films' progress from idea to footage and their role in the larger history of film. Barrios' knowledge of the subject is apparent, but this book provides too much information for the average film buff. Although it will aid people researching the subject, it is not "light reading" by any stretch of the imagination.Janet St. John--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.