Hollywood 7 VHS

This is Episode 3 of a 13 volume set which examines the early history of America's motion picture industry: from its inception in New York through Hollywood's silent era. This episode focuses on the events leading to the creation and implementation of the Hays Code for the production of motion pictures. Featured are the events leading to the death of starlet Virginia Rappe and the resulting trial of Fatty Arbuckle for her murder, Arbuckle's ruination, and the resulting impact on his career and Hollywood's motion picture industry itself.In this episode, it can be seen that Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was one of the two top comedians in Hollywood during its early years, the other being Charlie Chaplin. Then, in September 1921, Arbuckle attended a wild Hollywood party in San Francisco during which Virginia Rappe died mysteriously. Arbuckle, primarily because of his weight, was accused of murdering her during an attempted rape during which his extreme weight caused her bladder to rupture. Railroaded by an overzealous district attorney, he was tried (as I recall) three times; the first two resulting in hung juries, before finally being acquitted. But the damage was done. Arbuckle had been villainized in the public mind to such an extent that his career was over. Theaters refused to show his films, and his contract was cancelled. At the same time, Hollywood had been dragged through the mud and something had to be done to save the industry. The result was the extreme Hays Code of censorship which prevailed for the next forty years..After watching this episode, one can't help but feel sorry for the hapless Arbuckle, who was clearly a victim of circumstances and an unscrupulous district attorney. But looking back on it now --- considering the current sorry state of motion picture violence, ethics and values --- one must also long for the days of the Hays Code, when America was the admiration of the world. Perhaps Arbuckle's career didn't die in vain. In any case: this is a great episode, which should be of interest to anyone interested in the history of the motion picture industry. And it is greatly enhanced by the marvelous voice of its narrator, James Mason.

I am very glad I got this collection, new, when I did!This set of mini-documentaries and interviews are a treasure that is woefully overlooked in the growing interest in silent film groups.Oh - to have it in DVD!The silent star recounting their excitement and memories are infectious. This is a classic work - very well done - and but for the intro music and some graphics, holds it's age .As many silent film collections that have come forward in the last few years - some very obscure - this set would have more mass-appeal - and including the later classic actors' views on the silents would be interesting to Classic Movie Fans as well.That it includes very major silent film stars interviewed in-depth is remarkable and one can see and feel time roll back - and the actor/actress reborn. Some of my favorites are Viola Dana recollecting the death of her fiance in an aerial stunt for the movies. The other is (I believe - I'm writing this from memory) Hal Roach's ribauld memories and also King Vidor's observations.It's like sitting on the backlot of an old movie studio - and hearing the gossip retold of the teens and twenties!This set caught my interest in silent film when I was in my teens viewing it in the early 1980's. It never let-go.Does anyone know who can be written to request the DVD version be produced?Thank you.

I am a silent movie fan. Big time. This well produced BBC documentary was very informative and a pleasure to watch. Too bad it never came out on DVD.

I fell in love with this series when it first appeared on PBS. Not only was it an excellent documentary, it gave many viewers their first and, probably, last look at stars from the silent era; most of whom would be dead within the next 5 years. Also since saving film wasn't much a concern back then, many of the clips used have probably deteriorated to dust. My only complaint is that this excellent 11+ hours series isn't released on DVD in America, as yet, and I still have to lug out 13 individual VHS tapes to watch it instead of 2 or 3 DVDs in a compact case.

For the lover of silent film...look no further. This documentary was truly a labor of love for the film makers. Every silent film great and not so great had been given an opportunity to give their point of view of how it was during the silent film era. How smart of the producers to decide to film the recollections of these silent film veterans. It's been twenty years since it was filmed and most if not all of the witnesses of the silent film era have passed away! For the true film historian this is one doucmentary series that you cannot pass up. Enjoy!

Excellent service, my collection of these is now complete

I own 6 of the 13 in this series - and bought them when they were available separately.This is the most fantastic, fascinating, educational series of perfection a silent film enthusiast will ever own.I simply adore it.

I had seen it on TV years ago , i am wrapped to now have a copy , great footage wild storys , everything i expected.

Item arrived very quickly, well before the date that it was expected. Very pleased and would order again