During the early days of cinema, moviemaking had yet to begin its move West. Long before there was a Hollywood, silent film studios were thriving in the East, South, and Midwest. The state of Florida, in particular, was one such location that was the backdrop to many silent films and early studios.

Shawn C. Bean’s The First Hollywood: Florida and the Golden Age of Silent Filmmaking shines the spotlight on Florida, offering a fascinating exploration of the state’s ties to early cinema. Here, Bean discusses film production in the state, with an emphasis on the Jacksonville area. In addition, Bean tells the story of various film pioneers and visionaries who worked in Florida during the Silent Era, filming locations, and films shot in the area. Bean’s book is thoroughly researched and connects the past to the present by including a “then and now”-style comparison of the area near the end of the book. Bean’s prose is highly informative and engaging in addition to being supplemented by photographs and advertisements tied to the history of the area.

Bean’s book is not to be missed, especially by fans of silent cinema.

The First Hollywood: Florida and the Golden Age of Silent Filmmaking is available for purchase via the University Press of Florida.