Silents, Please

Lon Davis has spent most of his life as a movie buff, with a particular fondness for silent film. He has written several fine books on motion picture history — including the recent Ma and Pa Kettle on Film— often in collaboration with his wife Debra. With Stumbling Into Film History (BearManor Media), he now gives us an engaging collection of essays that not only cover some of his favorite performers, but also serve as a memoir of sorts. 

The opening chapter gives us a vivid portrait of silent film star Beverly Bayne, whom the author met as a teenager. His depiction of her as “alternately charming and imperious, and given to sudden bursts of volatility” is intriguing. I also liked the chapter on Diana Serra Cary (“Baby Peggy”), which provides a detailed account of her career as a child star, but is enriched by Davis’ memories of their longtime friendship. Another strong essay lets us get better acquainted with film historian Kevin Brownlow, author of the seminal work The Parade’s Gone By. 

This melding of the personal and the professional, of movie icons and the fans who love them, makes for an engaging book. It’s hard to imagine that anyone who shares Davis’ happy addiction to movie lore wouldn’t enjoy it. I certainly did.

NOTE: I was furnished a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.