Hollywood, Legend and Reality

Hollywood, Legend and Reality, Volume 1, provides a comprehensive look at the motion picture industry. Published in conjunction with a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition, this work examines the technical and creative processes of American cinema. The text covers essential elements of motion pictures history, including production, direction, screenwriting, design, and scoring.

This non-fiction study of motion pictures in the United States emphasizes rare visual documentation. The volume features a vast collection of photographs depicting stars and directors at work, alongside various production props. By combining excerpts from earlier publications with unique illustrative material, the book offers a detailed perspective on the evolution of the motion picture industry.