denny History & Criticism

From the first published movie review in the late 1800s to the 21st-century era of the “great movie critics’ wake,” this chronicle reviews the nature, scope, and controversies in American film criticism. Moving through the Silent Era, the pre- and post-war years, the golden age of the 1970s, and the eventual decline of the 1980s and 1990s, this exhaustive overview includes biographical information on some of the most influential film critics—including Leonard Maltin, Roger Ebert, Pauline Kael, and James Agee—as well as a historical record and critical assessment of their work. Illuminating various past controversies, this invaluable reference documents the battles between auteur theorists and their opposing critics as well as between the critics and studios, filmmakers, and even themselves. Little-known aspects of film criticism lore are also related, such as the epic battles waged in print by Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris, the studio boycotts of the New York Times and New York Herald Tribune over unflattering press, and the critics barred from attending premieres by studios for writing "negative" reviews. Honoring those who shed light on the artistic visions and storytelling sensibilities that have graced the big screen, this authoritative guide is a must-have for industry professionals, film historians, and movie buffs.