Book Review: Clarence Brown: Hollywood’s Forgotten Master.

Gwenda Young’s thorough and fascinating biography on MGM film director Clarence Brown goes a long way in making sure his contribution is noted as lasting and significant.

Under contract with MGM, Brown directed some of that studio’s finest films, maintaining a creative artistry and a keen visual sense from the silent era into the television age. Brown’s finest period was during Hollywood’s golden age of the 1930s and 1940s. But during the 1920s he accepted such challenging assignments as the controversial “Smoldering Fires” or the grueling shoot that became “The Trail of ‘98” (1928). He connected with stars like Rudolph Valentino, John Gilbert, and, especially, Greta Garbo, who lauded his work.

Brown’s connection to Garbo extended to her first talkie, “Anna Christie” (1930), making the decision as to her first scene, which has since become an iconic piece of film history. And as he continued into the 1930s, Brown maintained his visual understanding of cinema from his work in silents – note the choice of shots during the emotionally powerful sequences in “A Free Soul” (1931); the film that made Clark Gable a star.

Brown’s work during the 1930s and 1940s included such timeless classics as “Emma,” “Chained,” “Ah Wilderness,” “Edison the Man,” “The Human Comedy,” National Velvet,” and “The Yearling.” In the latter two films, Brown’s use of Technicolor further enhances his keen visual eye. But most are noted for the concentration and drama that stems from actors like Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford, Marie Dressler, and Mickey Rooney responding to their director. Out of many, many contenders, “The Human Comedy” might contain Mickey Rooney’s finest performance.

The director’s work concluded by the early 1950s, but he lived until 1987, dying at age 97. During his career, Brown was nominated for an Oscar six times, but never won.

Young’s book details Clarence Brown’s start in motion pictures, his connection with Greta Garbo, his lack of connection with Norma Shearer, his being impressed with Lionel Barrymore’s work ethic, Clark Gable’s charisma, and Mickey Rooney’s extraordinary talent. The book discusses Brown’s happiness working with Myrna Loy, ability to make intimidated stars like Jean Harlow comfortable, and his deep understanding of how the cinematic process can create and establish stars.

We also learn about Clarence Brown’s continued connection to, and support of, the University of Tennessee, from which he graduated in 1910, and his service in the air force during World War One. But the main portion of the book is the fact that of his 53 directed features, from “The Last of the Mohicans” (1920) to “Plymouth Adventure” (1952), nearly all of them were critically acclaimed, successful at the box office, and have become timeless entertainment that continues to resonate during the 21st century.

Young not only provides us with a biography of a great director’s life, she offers fascinating information about the approach to filmmaking during cinema’s infancy, the power of the studio system, the many varied personalities whose work we continue to revere, marketing methods, critical reactions, box office stats, and how the work continues to impact us.

“Clarence Brown: Hollywood’s Forgotten Master” makes a real case for our better appreciation of a brilliant director, and does so in a manner that is informative, enlightening, interesting, and entertaining. It is a book that demands to be included in any library or research center, University or public, and in the personal collections of anyone interested in the richness of Hollywood cinema’s history.

The book is available here: Clarence Brown/Gwenda Young