Description
Book SynopsisExplores the relationship between literature and film, what is involved in adaptation, and how best to judge films based on celebrated books. Robert Calder offers production histories, insight into both fortunate and misguided casting decisions, shrewd analyses of performances and film techniques, and summaries of public and critical responses.
Trade Review“An astute and thought-provoking account of Somerset Maugham’s relationship to cinema. Comprehensive in scope, Calder’s book gathers together basic production information, chiefly on scripting and casting, on a large number of films derived from the works of one of the most popular and prolific writers of the twentieth century.”—Russell Campbell, author of
Marked Women: Prostitutes and Prostitution in the Cinema“A thorough, well-researched study of all the films (and TV shows) based on Maugham, together with sharp critical appraisals and information about their production and initial reception. I learned something on almost every page.”—James Naremore, author of
More than Night: Film Noir in Its ContextsTable of ContentsList of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
1 Maugham, Hollywood, and Screenwriting
2 A New Industry Finds Gold in Somerset:
The Silent Era 3 Swanson, Crawford, and Hayworth:
Rain 4 Eagels and Davis: Evil behind the Smile:
The Letter 5 Rebellious Wives, Secret Agents, and Beach Bums: Early Sound and the 1930s
6 Bette Davis’s Corrosive Mildred:
Of Human Bondage 7 Garbo Speaks Maugham:
The Painted Veil 8 Fascism, Bigamy, and the Creative Spirit: The 1940s
9 The Greatest Generation’s Quest:
The Razor’s Edge 10 Life in Short Sharp Strokes: The Omnibus Films
11 Twenty-First-Century Perspectives:
Up at the Villa and Being Julia 12 Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Appendix: Film Productions of Maugham Works
Notes
Bibliography
Index
