“Clarence Brown: Hollywood’s Forgotten Master”
We have Five Books to Give Away via Twitter or this Blog
It’s time for our next book giveaway! CMH is happy to say that we will be giving away FIVE COPIES of Clarence Brown: Hollywood’s Forgotten Master by Gwenda Young, courtesy of University Press of Kentucky, from now through Dec 8. (plus ONE more copy here via Facebook and this Blog — feel free to enter this one too).
In order to qualify to win one of these prizes via this contest giveaway, you must complete the below entry task by Saturday, Dec 8 at 9PM EST. However, the sooner you enter, the better chance you have of winning, because we will pick a winner on five different days within the contest period, via random drawings, as listed below… So if you don’t win the first week that you enter, you will still be eligible to win during the following weeks until the contest is over.
- Nov 10: One Winner
- Nov 17: One Winner
- Nov 24: One Winner
- Dec 1: One Winner
- Dec 8: One Winner
We will announce each week’s winner on Twitter @ClassicMovieHub, the day after each winner is picked at 9PM EST — for example, we will announce our first week’s winner on Sunday Nov 11 at 9PM EST on Twitter. And, please note that you don’t have to have a Twitter account to enter; just see below for the details…
If you’re also on Facebook, please feel free to visit us at Classic Movie Hub on Facebook for additional giveaways (or check back on this Blog in a few days) — because we’ll be giving away ONE MORE cop via Facebook/Blog as well!
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And now on to the contest!
ENTRY TASK (2-parts) to be completed by Saturday, Dec 8 at 9PM EST — BUT remember, the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win…
1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post
2) Then TWEET (not DM) the following message*:
Just entered to win the “Clarence Brown: Hollywood’s Forgotten Master” #BookGiveaway courtesy of @KentuckyPress & @ClassicMovieHub #CMHContest link: http://ow.ly/Nw1Q30mvGZB
THE QUESTION:
What is one of your favorite Clarence Brown films and why? And, if you’re not familiar with his work, why do you want to win this book?
*If you do not have a Twitter account, you can still enter the contest by simply answering the above question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog — BUT PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ADD THIS VERBIAGE TO YOUR ANSWER: I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
NOTE: if for any reason you encounter a problem commenting here on this blog, please feel free to tweet or DM us, or send an email to clas…@gmail.com and we will be happy to create the entry for you.
ALSO: Please allow us 48 hours to approve your comments. Sorry about that, but we are being overwhelmed with spam, and must sort through 100s of comments…
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About the Book: Academy Award nominated director Clarence Brown (1890–1987) worked with some of Hollywood’s greatest stars, such as Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Mickey Rooney, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy. Known as the “star maker,” he helped guide the acting career of child sensation Elizabeth Taylor and discovered child star Claude Jarman Jr. for The Yearling (1946). He directed more than fifty films, including Possessed (1931), Anna Karenina (1935), National Velvet (1944), and Intruder in the Dust (1949), winning his audiences over with glamorous star vehicles, tales of families, communities, and slices of Americana, as well as hard-hitting dramas. Although Brown was admired by peers like Jean Renoir, Frank Capra, and John Ford, his illuminating work and contributions to classic cinema are rarely mentioned in the same breath as those of Hollywood’s great directors. In this first full-length account of the life and career of the pioneering filmmaker, Gwenda Young discusses Brown’s background to show how his hardworking parents and resilient grandparents inspired his entrepreneurial spirit. She reveals how the one-time engineer and World War I aviator established a thriving car dealership, the Brown Motor Car Company, in Alabama – only to give it all up to follow his dream of making movies. He would not only become a brilliant director but also a craftsman who was known for his innovative use of lighting and composition. Clarence Brown: Hollywood’s Forgotten Master explores the forces that shaped a complex man―part–dreamer, part–pragmatist―who left an indelible mark on cinema.
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Click here for the full contest rules.
Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible.
And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).
Good Luck!
And if you can’t wait to win the book, you can purchase the on amazon by clicking here:
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
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I love Clarence Brown’s THE GOOSE WOMAN, a great silent film with an incredible performance by Louise Dresser and fine performances by the rest of the cast, including Jack Pickford, Constance Bennett, and Marc McDermott. A woman following on very tough times finds a way to gain notoriety again, but at the risk of losing everything.
I would love to win this book and learn more about Clarence Brown. I love many of his works including National Velvet, The Yearling and Angels in the Outfield!
When in Rome and Wife Vs Secretary!
Ooh, a book on Clarence Brown! It’s about time. I feel he is a rather under rated director.
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite of his films. But if I have to, it would either be A Free Soul or The Rains Came. I love Shearer’s and Barrymore’s performances in the first. And I think the second deserves more attention as a really interesting film.
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
Thanks so much for entering and Good Luck 🙂
I have to choose Anna Christie as my favorite Clarence Brown film simply because it introduced Garbo’s voice to the American film audience & was the first of his pictures that I saw! Both Garbo & Marie Dressler were fantastic in this film & it stands out as a wonderful testament to the early portion of the pre-code era.
Flesh and the Devil (1926) why? Garbo and Gilbert. ‘nough said.
Without a doubt, my absolute favourite Clarence Brown film is FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926). Not only is it the movie that kicked off my love affair with silent film, but it’s also the movie I turn to when I’m craving high drama, lush cinematography, sexual chemistry that’s off the charts (ahem John Gilbert + Greta Garbo), and wonderfully original filmmaking. No other silent film I’ve seen has as much impact as this one does. It sets my blood on fire and I’m often emotionally exhausted by the film’s end. It’s absolutely beautiful – every single thing about it.
I must confess that I had never previously heard of Clarence Brown although I’m certainly familiar with his films. I’d love to win a copy in order to learn more about this little-known master. Thanks!!
My favorite Clarence Brown movie is ANNA KARENINA. His direction of the movie was superb, and Greta Garbo was at her best in this role.
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
Thanks for entering, and Good Luck 🙂
I Love both the Yearling & National Velvet. I saw Wife Vs Secretary also.
Clarence Brown is an underrated Director.
I would Love to Win this book and learn more about this forgotten Master.
Clare Brown?! Me! He’s done everything and well. The Eagle with Valentino. Anna Christie. The Yearling–too painful to watch a second time! It’s impossible to choose. What genius.
The title is apt; for all his accomplishments over a 30+ year career, Clarence Brown remains one of the more underrated filmmakers of the classic era. Like many fans, I especially treasure his collaborations with Greta Garbo, and I relate to the romantic sensibility present in many of his films. I’d love the chance to read a book-length analysis of his career and artistry.
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
I adore Clarence Brown, he’s one of the great humanist directors. Naming just one is tough, but I’ma go with Intruder in the Dust, which I was privileged to see at this year’s TCMFF with Claude Jarman, Jr., introducing (he was fantastic). Why? Because of how brave it was to make in 1949—a movie about a proud black man who refuses to bow down to white men in Mississippi. Because Juano Hernandez, who plays Marcus, gives a truly indelible performance. Because the rest of the cast, especially Porter Hall and Elizabeth Patterson, are absolutely incredible. And because Brown actually shot it in Faulkner’s home town, Oxford, Mississippi, using townspeople as extras. To do this when Mississippi lynched more people than any other state was brave and beautiful.
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I remember seeing “They Met In Bombay” (1941-Rosalind Russell and Clark Gable) and Idiot’s Delight” on TV when I was a kid and since then I’ve watched both films several times. If I had to pick the one I like best it would be “Idiot’s Delight (1939”. Adapted from the Broadway play, something seldom done any more, Norma Shearer is wonderful hiding a secret and with her thick phony Russian accent she pulls her comedic scenes off quite well. She also looks fabulous in her blonde wig. Clark Gable is hilarious in his only scene in a movie where he sings and dances and because he’s so awful at it. Everything about this film works e.g., the cinematography, acting, set and costume design and of course the directing by Clarence Brown.
I love the Clarence Brown film The Human Comedy from 1943.
I am a big fan of World War 2 era films especially those depicting life on the home front.
This film in particular is very heartfelt and emotional.
It is very well made.
There are many Clarence Brown films that I love.
I watched The Plymouth Adventure coincidentally yesterday.
My favorite is probably “Ah! Wilderness.” I love Eugene O’Neill anyway, and this is such a great encapsulation of a great play, even with the inexplicably popular Wallace Beery. Walter Huston is exactly what I want in Nat Miller, and it makes me wonder what he could have done with a role like James Tyrone. It’s darn near a perfect film of a darn near perfect play
I want to win this book to learn more about Clarence Brown’s work. I’ve heard wonderful things about many of his films!
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My favorite Clarence Brown film is “Sadie Makee”. The film is frivolous, charming, warm and with such good old fashion humor. Overlooked but a terrific film in my opinion. Hard choice he made so many great films. Of course I would love a copy of the book. Regards Fran Peters
Hi Francis, I can’t seem to find your tweet. Could you please confirm you tweeted, or let me know if you don’t have a twitter account, or if it’s private. Thanks!
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
I haven’t got a favorite film by Brown. I’m very intrigued by this short bio and intend to hunt down a copy of INTRUDER IN THE DUST as soon as I can.
I love THE EAGLE (1925), specifically the version scored by Carl Davis as one of the Thames Silents in the 1980s and released on HBO Video. First, I love the shot over the table that Brown would repeat in ANNA KARENINA ten years later, and second, I love that he managed to get from Rudolph Valentino the doomed star’s finest performance. It’s a little sad watching the film because it’s a sign of what he really was capable of doing in film.
Wife vs Secretary (1936) has been a favorite of mine for years. Gable, Loy and Harlow are at their best. I’d like to read this book to learn more about his silent films.
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