The Silent Feminists

[E]xpertly marshals historical data to offer a persuasive perspective on the active and dynamic roles that women performed in the evolution of the art of film. This tight, succinct, cogent volume shines a deserved light on talented but neglected auteurs...and by so doing reveals priceless treasures of the silver screen. Recommended as a solid little gem for all collections. * Choice Reviews *
Slide gives voice to, contextualizes, and documents the lives and accomplishments of these no-longer-silent feminists. * Feminist Collections: A Quarterly Of Women's Studies Resources *
Slide’s book is there because he is aware of the interest in women filmmakers — and aware, too, that it is easier to research the thirties and forties, and that most ‘historians’ in this area ignore the silent period as though it doesn’t exist. His book, covering the silent period and especially the early years, does all the work for them — but makes no extravagant auteurist or feminist claims….The historical research is thorough, the critical evaluations sound, and he has taken the trouble to interview as many people as possible to get first-hand information…..it is well-considered, well-researched. * Films In Review *
In his new foreword, Slide acknowledges how much information—and how many films—have been uncovered in the years since he first wrote his text. This essay is worth the price of the new edition by itself. Slide is not shy about expressing his sometimes-acerbic opinions, but he also provides a wealth of information about these often-forgotten females. Film historians everywhere should applaud the return of two such important books. -- Leonard Maltin