Description
Book SynopsisA view into the creative process of one of the most talented figures of American cinema. When production began in 1928, writer/director Erich von Stroheim predicted the silent epic "Queen Kelly" would be a great achievement. Yet, this work shows that it was a masterpiece that might have been.
Trade ReviewWe finally get a chance to witness von Stroheim's intended juxtaposed and parallel themes that show how little separates the debauchery of both the low and privileged classes, similar to the parallel themes of the intended full-length version of Greed (1924). We come to understand that von Stroheim may have seemed to be wildly out-of-control but was, instead perhaps, only fanatical in his pursuit of his vision of cinema realistique… Ultimately, this book is a required acquisition for fans of von Stroheim, one that is on the same level of importance as Herman Weinberg's volumes on von Stroheim films. -- Carl Bennet/Editor * Silent Era *
The lengthy introduction, which traces the film's tortured production, shows all the hallmarks of dedicated research, whilst the script's descriptive passages vividly conjure a sense of the intended opulence...bound to impress scholars of the late silent era. * Film Review Magazine *
Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Queen Kelly: The Screenplay Chapter 3 Part One: Europe Chapter 4 Part Two: Africa Chapter 5 Part Three: The Original Ending Chapter 6 Part Four: The Revised Ending Part 7 Notes Part 8 Appendixes Chapter 9 Production Credits Chapter 10 A Talking Sequence Chapter 11 The Swanson Ending Chapter 12 The Kino Restoration Chapter 13 Glossary of Terms
