Customer Reviews

Balboa Films: A History and Filmography of the Silent Film Studio

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This book delves into the little-known history of the Balboa Film studio in Long Beach California. The Balboa studio gave Hollywood, California a run for its money in the 'teens. Hundreds of short dramas, westerns, serials, and features were shot there. Unfortunately, the studio was still expanding when a movie industry slowdown hit in 1918 due to World War I and the influenza epidemic. It was soon out of business, and was torn down in the mid-1920s when the oil business took over Long Beach.

This book is very well researched, and it has a very detailed filmography of the studio at the end. Several of the major stars of the era are profiled.

The book does have a couple of flaws though. Sometimes the authors reprint press agent puffery that makes the studio and the stars seem more important than they really were. Also, the authors relied on the book THE DEED OF DEATH for information on director William Desmond Taylor's murder. Subsequent research has revealed that DEED OF DEATH has several important facts about Taylor and the murder wrong.

Still, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in silent film history or Long Beach, California history.

I am not in the film industry, however,this book opens up new vistas of information to those of us who are interested in history! It is easy to understand and makes me want to read more. I almost feel like I am back in the era of silent films. This book would make a great gift for someone who is hooked on film making. The beginning is a good place to start!

This reader was frankly a bit disappointed by "Balboa Films." Yes, all the infomation is there but is is a tough task to separate the actual history of the little company from the hyperbole. The authors have for some reason bought into the era's flowery press agentry and their Balboa Amusement Producing Company is on several pages compared to the later M-G-M in importance. Still and all, any book on the early film industry -- especially local film-making away from Hollywood -- is greatly appreciated. Despite its flaws, "Balboa Films" is recommended reading.

I have read "Reel 4" twice, and I read it again last night. I must say that I am filled with awe at the amount of work you have put into your research.

One of the things that I found most interesting was the background of the stars at Balboa. Being such a small child I really did not know them. Now, after all these years, I feel I do, to a certain extent. You are gifted writers with a wonderful style of writing, so easy and natural--you make your readers "real page turners, eager to know what is coming next."

I enjoyed very much the sections on Baby Marie; you were so indulgent with me.

I have this book, and found it fascinating. It is very well illustrated, and brings out of obscurity many important stars and directors, and provides significant info on Baby Marie Osborne, who is 87 and living in California. Thumbs up, highly recommended!

Your book on Balboa is exquisite

In Balboa Films, the two authors, Jean-Jacques Jura and Rodney Bardin, have intensely researched an era in Long Beach, California, that had been long forgotten in its importance in the development of the Southern California film industry. Now we know where it started. We were there at the beginning.

This book is a most definate "MUST" for anyone who has ever seen a movie. It tells of when and where it all began. What a great book of history. A complete job and well done. My thanks to Mr. Jacques and Mr. Bardin.