The Art of the Moving Picture

Vachel Lindsay's The Art of the Moving Picture, published in 1915, holds a special place in film history for two key reasons:

• Pioneering Film Criticism: It's considered the first major American work dedicated to analyzing film as an art form. At a time when movies were seen as mere entertainment, Lindsay recognized their artistic potential.

• Early Insights: The book offers fascinating insights into the silent film era, discussing specific films (many now lost) and analyzing their techniques.

Here's a breakdown of the book's key points:

• Elevating Film: Lindsay argues that film, with its ability to capture movement and emotion, deserves recognition as a legitimate art form alongside painting, sculpture, and literature.

• Unique Qualities: He identifies the unique strengths of film, such as its ability to create a new kind of storytelling through moving images and editing.

• Analyzing Silent Films: The book delves into specific silent film genres like the chase film and the "closeup." Lindsay analyzes how these films utilize visuals and acting to convey emotions and narratives.

• Predicting the Future: Interestingly, Lindsay makes some remarkably prescient predictions about the future of film. He anticipates the rise of the director as the film's central author and the growing importance of technology in filmmaking.

• Focus on Business: The book also touches on the business side of film, recognizing its commercial potential while advocating for artistic integrity.

Overall, The Art of the Moving Picture is a valuable historical document that sheds light on early film criticism and offers a glimpse into the artistic potential that Vachel Lindsay saw in this nascent art form.