These thorough bibliographic entries serve as a guide for those who wish to do further research into the first 35 years of talking pictures. A brief history of this era of films, the studio system, and the society of which they were a by-product adds context to the entries and accents their significance. The author has chosen 1965 as the cutoff date because it marked the end of the studio system and the beginning of the independent filmmaking era. This guide highlights the people and the art of the glamorous days of filmmaking in which actors and actresses set the standards by which all actors have been measured since.

The abundance of data collected in this guide reflects the exhaustive wealth of films and personalities associated with the golden age of moviemaking. Based on certain criteria such as the amount and availability of bibliographical material, notoriety, critical acclaim, and the number and quality of awards, the author has carefully selected the works and people included in this reference. Current and comprehensive, this reference tool includes bibliographical information that provides both positive and negative criticism and appendices, including an extensive general bibliography, lists of film festivals around the world, schools offering advanced degrees in film, and film museums and archives in the United States.