About this item
Highlights
- In this book, readers can experience the tumultuous era of silent First World War propaganda films that helped shape U.S. opinion of the dreaded "Huns.
- About the Author: Anita R. Appelbaum is retired from the field of children's opera, in which she was founder and director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Opera.
- 211 Pages
- Performing Arts, Film
Description
About the Book
"This book encourages the reader to travel back in time to experience the tumultuous era of silent First World War propaganda films that helped shape America's opinion of the dreaded "Huns." Covering a range of pro-preparedness films versus pacifist films, "Horrible Hun" films, "Kill-the-Kaiser" films, outrageous comedies, thought-provoking war trauma films as well as patriotic documentaries, it documents America's cinematic view of "the war to end all wars." While a number of articles have been published on First World War propaganda films, few books have featured a comprehensive view of these films, including synopsis, cast, back stories and critical reviews and notes. Here are unusual stories and outrageous plots featuring serpentine Germans (Erich von Stroheim throwing a baby out of a window in 1918's The Heart of Humanity), noble French girls sacrificing their honor for the allied cause (Clara Kimball Young in 1918's The Road Through the Dark), as well as outrageous comedies (1919's Yankee Doodle in Berlin featuring a cross-dressing American flyer seducing the Kaiser and his high command)"--Book Synopsis
In this book, readers can experience the tumultuous era of silent First World War propaganda films that helped shape U.S. opinion of the dreaded "Huns." From pro-preparedness films pacifist films, "horrible Hun" films, "kill-the-kaiser" films, and outrageous comedies to thought-provoking war trauma films and patriotic documentaries, readers can survey America's cinematic view of "the war to end all wars."
Featured is comprehensive discussion of these films, including synopses, casts, back stories, and critical reviews and notes. Here are unusual tales and extraordinary plots with serpentine Germans (Erich von Stroheim throwing a baby out of a window in 1918's The Heart of Humanity), noble French girls sacrificing their honor for the allied cause (Clara Kimball Young in 1918's The Road Through the Dark), and singular Yanks (Bothwell Browne as a cross-dressing American flyer seducing the kaiser and his high command in 1919's Yankee Doodle in Berlin).
Review Quotes
"An interesting and enlightening study...this book does a fine job of presenting cultural history through the movie camera lens. Everything from towering classics to lesser known subjects are discussed, and, thankfully, the author does not overlook comedies (as many studies maddeningly do)...most highly recommended...one of the finest books to explore this interesting subject."-James L. Neibaur
About the Author
Anita R. Appelbaum is retired from the field of children's opera, in which she was founder and director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Opera. She lives in Land O' Lakes, Florida.