Celluloid: The Film Today (First UK Edition)

London: Longmans, 1931. First Edition. First Edition. The very uncommon first issue dust jacket, with no illustration on the front panel.

One of the most important books on the early sound era, an ambitious attempt to assess the state of world cinema, with a factual look at American films, British films, the role propaganda and education in films. The second half of the book is devoted to a series of Rotha's reviews of key films of the day, including City Lights, The Threepenny Opera, Cimarron, and Le Million, ending with two essays, one on the films of Fritz Lang and one on "The Revival of Naturalism."

Very Good plus in a Very Good plus example of the scarce dust jacket. Small stain on the front board, small contemporary owner name (dated 1940), vintage bookseller label at the bottom of the front pastedown, and light wear at the jacket extremities. An attractive copy.