Book

Hollywood in the Seventies

by Michael Pye, Lynda Miles

📖 Overview

Hollywood in the Seventies examines the transformation of the American film industry during a pivotal decade of cultural and economic change. Authors Pye and Miles track the shift from old studio systems to a new era of independent productions and auteur filmmakers. The book covers key players and watershed moments that reshaped cinema between 1969 and 1979, from Easy Rider to Star Wars. Through interviews and research, it documents the rise of young directors like Coppola and Scorsese alongside the evolution of film financing, distribution, and audience tastes. The narrative follows both successful and failed projects, exploring how new approaches to storytelling and production emerged in response to changing times. Behind-the-scenes accounts reveal the complex relationships between studios, directors, producers, and stars during this period of experimentation. This account of Hollywood's reinvention offers insights into how industrial and artistic forces converge to create cultural transformation. The book demonstrates the lasting impact of this era on modern American filmmaking.

👀 Reviews

Limited reader reviews are available for this 1979 book about the Hollywood film industry. Most readers note the book's insider accounts from industry figures and behind-the-scenes details of 1970s film production. Liked: - Detailed coverage of studio politics and power struggles - Interviews with major directors and producers - Analysis of how independent productions changed the industry - Photos and production information from key films Disliked: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Some sections focus too heavily on financial/business aspects - Coverage skews toward certain directors while omitting others - Book went out of print, making copies hard to find Reviews/Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (17 ratings) Amazon: No current listings AbeBooks seller reviews mention condition only, not content One reader on Goodreads notes: "Good historical snapshot but missing key films and figures from the era." Another states: "The business details bog down what could be more engaging stories."

📚 Similar books

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind Chronicles the rise of New Hollywood through the stories of filmmakers like Scorsese, Coppola, and Spielberg who revolutionized American cinema between 1967 and 1980.

Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris Examines five Best Picture nominees from 1967 as a turning point that marked Hollywood's transformation from studio-driven to director-driven filmmaking.

Rebels on the Backlot by Sharon Waxman Follows six maverick directors including Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and David Fincher who changed 1990s cinema by building on the foundations of 1970s Hollywood.

The Dream Factory by Christopher Finch Provides a comprehensive examination of the MGM studio system's transition through the 1970s with focus on the business and creative changes of the era.

The Movie Brats by Michael Pye and Lynda Myles Details how film school graduates including Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Martin Scorsese transformed the Hollywood system in the 1970s.

🤔 Interesting facts

🎬 Though the 1970s were considered financially turbulent for Hollywood studios, this era produced some of cinema's most influential films, including "The Godfather," "Taxi Driver," and "Jaws" 📽️ Michael Pye and Lynda Miles conducted extensive interviews with directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, offering rare behind-the-scenes insights into their creative processes during this pivotal decade 🌟 The book details how young filmmakers of the '70s, many fresh from film school, revolutionized Hollywood by introducing more complex narratives and darker themes than their predecessors 💰 The decade marked a shift from the old studio system to a new business model where directors gained unprecedented creative control, though this freedom would diminish by the 1980s 🎥 The authors explore how technological advances of the 1970s, particularly in camera equipment and film stock, allowed directors to shoot in more natural lighting and diverse locations, fundamentally changing the look of American cinema