Photoplay editions were usually hardcover reprints of novels that had been made into movies, illustrated with photographs from the film productions. Sometimes, instead, they were "fictionized" versions of film scripts, rewritten in narrative form. Here is an annotated checklist of more than 500 horror and mystery photoplay novels and magazine fictionizations, collected over a period of four decades. Photo-illustrated stories that are not strictly in the horror or mystery genres are included if they are linked to films with such stars as Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, or other genre figures. Mysteries are generally defined as novels or stories featuring a detective as the central character, although in some cases melodramas, thrillers, and film noir books having crime as a plot element are included. Science fiction and fantasy works, and others having outre aspects, are also within scope. With a few exceptions, the cut-off date for inclusion in the catalog is the year 1970. In an entertaining introductory essay the author reflects on the attractions of assembling such a collection, analyzes aspects of the social significance and aesthetic content of its books, and draws many surprising inferences from their advertisements, illustrations, and marks of previous ownership. The subsequent catalog is the first survey in the field to extend bibliographical coverage beyond books to movie tie-in magazine stories. Included in an appendix is the complete text of "The Gorilla," a short story version of a lost First National Film, reprinted from a rare issue of Moving Picture Stories from 1927.

A reference bibliography (by film title) for collectors of "Photoplay Editions and other MOvie Tie-In Books". These are special publications that coincide with the release of a feature film. Either a re-issue of novel or a novelization from the screenplay are the typical presentations. The book will "tie-in" the film and story through movie photo/artwork or written credit. Each book listing dtails author, alternate titles, film company, year of release, major actors depicted and a description of the book (including values). The bibliography references the begining years for this material through 1969 (1912-1969), involving 6200 books and over 4000 films. All books are printed in the English language.

Photoplay editions--movie tie-in books published in conjunction with the release of the film--were first published around 1912, reached their height in the 1920s and 1930s, and continue, sporadically, to be published today. (And stage play editions go back to the 1890s.) For many lost films of early Hollywood, photoplay editions can be the most tangible reminders that they ever existed. The most popular, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and King Kong, sell for thousands of dollars on those rare occasions when they are offered. Two text chapters trace the history of photoplay editions to the present and discuss the major and minor publishers and the various formats that developed. The condition, popularity, demand, and value of photoplay edition books are also discussed. Part One is a list of American (including Canadian) photoplay editions listed by book title and including such details as the author, publisher, date published, alternate titles, type of dust jacket and the number of photographic stills, main credits, and the estimated value in U.S. dollars. Part Two is a simple list by author of these photoplay editions. Parts Three and Four follow the same format but are listings of British (including Australian) photoplay editions. Part Five lists stage play editions by book title (with full data) and Part Six is a simple list of stage play editions by actor or actress.

In the early years of the twentieth century, both psychology and motion pictures were just beginning to emerge as significant cultural forces. Published in 1916, this fascinating work from prominent psychologist Hugo Munsterberg analyzes early films from a psychological point of view.

Wondrous and wacky photographs paired with quirky, clever prompts make PhotoPlay! a delightful invitation to imaginative exploration! Design an upside-down world, a passing parade, and an underwater garden. Draw a tasty birthday cake for Bob, a pet for Grace, and Ravi's imaginary friend. This offbeat photo-based doodle book invites creative minds of all ages to draw outside the lens.

Hugo Münsterberg's The Photoplay (1916) is one of the first and most important early works of film theory. Münsterberg's work on the emerging art of cinema remains a key document for film scholars, but it has long been out of print. In this new edition, Allan Langdale provides a critical introduction to the seminal text and collects numerous hard-to-find writings on film by Münsterberg.