cover image The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965

The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965

. Applause Books, $35 (1300pp) ISBN 978-1-55783-551-2

This volume, appropriate for film buffs and novices alike, covers actors from Abbot & Costello to George Zucco. Monush, associate editor of the annually published book of filmographies, Screen World, here profiles actors who graced the silver screen through 1965 (a second volume, picking up where this one ends, is in the works). Monush includes information on each actor's career in his or her homeland (since some of the subjects aren't American), shares a photo from the Screen World archives and notes each actor's stage, television and film credits. Though the book lacks of an index, the brief bios are thorough and organized alphabetically. Monush has a distinct writing style that, while not always objective, lets his personality and sources--mainly Screen World and Films on Review magazine--shine through.