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The Man Who Made the Movies: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of William Fox Kindle Edition

by Vanda Krefft (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 118 ratings
Editors' pick Best History
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This biography of a forgotten film-industry titan with a still-famous name is both “a great American success story and a shudder-provoking cautionary tale” (The Wall Street Journal).

A Huffington Post Best Film Book of the Year

A major Hollywood studio still bears William Fox’s name—but the man himself has mostly been forgotten by history, even written off as a failure. This vivid biography, drawing on a decade of original research, corrects the record, explaining why Fox’s legacy is central to the history of Hollywood.

Growing up in Lower East Side tenements, the eldest son of impoverished Hungarian immigrants, Fox began selling candy on the street. That entrepreneurial ambition eventually grew one small Brooklyn theater into a $300 million empire of deluxe studios and theaters that rivaled those of Adolph Zukor, Marcus Loew, and the Warner brothers, and launched stars such as Theda Bara. Amid the euphoric roaring twenties, the early movie moguls waged a fierce battle for control of their industry. A fearless risk-taker, Fox won and was hailed as a genius—until a confluence of circumstances, culminating with the 1929 stock market crash, led to his ruin.

At the heart of Fox’s life was the myth of the American Dream. His story intertwines the fate of the nineteenth-century immigrants who flooded into New York, the city’s vibrant and ruthless Gilded Age history, and the birth of America’s movie industry amid the dawn of the modern era.

“[The author’s] attention to detail makes for gripping storytelling.” —Publishers Weekly

“Stunningly researched, lucidly told, and consistently illuminating.” —Brenda Wineapple, award–winning author of The Impeachers

“Krefft captures both the culture of the origins of cinema as a business and the many fascinating personalities at play within the narrative. No longer Hollywood’s forgotten pioneer, William Fox now has the history he deserves.” —The Washington Post
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  1. Print length
    965 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Harper
  5. Publication date
    November 28, 2017
  6. File size
    9572 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of December 2017: William Fox’s journey from Lower East Side immigrant to successful movie mogul is in many ways a classic tale, but for one exception—within fifteen years, he was out of the company that still bears his name. Fox’s rise and fall is thoroughly examined by journalist Vanda Krefft, leaving few stones unturned in this voluminous portrait. What emerges is the story of an historic character, who launched careers and built an empire, and who battled it out with other moguls throughout the roaring twenties, only to be taken down by circumstance and the historic crash of 1929.—Chris Schluep, The Amazon Book Review

Review

“a celebration of Fox’s spirit, his determination, and his lasting impact on the motion picture industry.” (Booklist)

“A big dig of a book, a nuanced human portrait as well as a sweeping financial chronicle, excavating William Fox from ancient burial grounds and restoring his preeminence as the T-Rex and Volpone of American silent film.” (—Patrick McGilligan, author of Young Orson:  The Years of Luck and Genius on the Path to Citizen Kane)

“Life, ever unfair, had its way with the fantastic Mr. Fox. Yet Krefft reminds us, in this big, brassy production of a book, of his grand legacy.” (USA Today (four stars))

“The most exciting new biography I have read in years. The rags-to-riches tale of William Fox, a fascinating though inexplicably neglected figure in our history, is as big and vibrant as the film industry he helped to found…. Rich in conflict, teeming with energy, and impossible to resist.” (John Matteson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father)

“Krefft’s thoroughly researched, engagingly written book shows this scrappy visionary to be an enabler of the best sort of talent.” (Huffington Post, Best Film Books of 2017)

“Krefft has devoted years to her research and has emerged with a story that is not only fascinating, but surprisingly revelatory for an historical figure as high-profile as this one. Fox’s story is filled with colorful incident and surprising reversals of fortune, and moreover is beautifully written here.” (J.B. Kaufman, film historian)

“Stunningly researched, lucidly told, and consistently illuminating, The Man Who Made the Movies is actually the story of America: the tale of an immigrant who rises high, a captain of industry capturing dreams, a visionary later forgotten after the forces he helped to broker bring him down.” (Brenda Wineapple, award-winning author of Ecstatic Nation and White Heat)

“Vanda Krefft shines a light on previously unknown or ignored corners of his life and brings out the real man without whose efforts Hollywood would not have gained the status of the Mecca of international cinema. This meticulously researched book is virtually the previously ignored history of the Hollywood. It is an important book to understand how the American cinema began and evolved and gained the present status in the world of world cinema.” (The Washington Book Review)

“William Fox has been hiding in plain sight, and Ms. Krefft has done an extraordinary job of putting him in the spotlight through exhaustive research in archives and libraries across America. The book is an immensely valuable resource...simultaneously a great American success story and a shudder-provoking cautionary tale.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“In The Man Who Made the Movies, an excellent biography of this criminally forgotten figure, William Fox lives up to his billing...Krefft has exhumed the story of a crucial figure slighted by history. She’s also crafted a captivating portrait of a flawed dynamo. Somewhere out there a screenwriter now has the raw material to give Mr. Fox his due.” (Sight & Sound)

“Krefft captures both the culture of the origins of cinema as a business and the many fascinating personalities at play within the narrative. No longer Hollywood’s forgotten pioneer, William Fox now has the history he deserves.” (Washington Post)

“Whether Krefft is describing how Fox built his studio, ushered in the talkies, or weathered a litany of troubles—bankruptcy, jail time for trying to bribe a judge, and poor health—in his later years, her attention to detail makes for gripping storytelling.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Krefft provides an in-depth overview of the early film industry and a lucid assessment of Fox’s role in advancing the technology, art, and business of making films.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XJV26FW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper (November 28, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 28, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9572 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 965 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 118 ratings

About the author

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Vanda Krefft

Vanda Krefft

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Vanda Krefft is the author of The Man Who Made the Movies, the first serious, in-depth biography of Twentieth Century Fox founder William Fox. The book was inspired by her friendship with Angela Fox Dunn, William Fox's niece and the last person alive who knew him well.

Involving more than ten years of research, The Man Who Made the Movies was supported by fellowships and grants from the Leon Levy Center for Biography, the Dedalus Foundation, the Lilly Library at Indiana University, the American Jewish Archives, the Hagley Museum and Library, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the Historical Society of Southern California.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
118 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Record Producer
5.0 out of 5 stars As in-depth a job as anyone could hope for
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2018
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Thoroughly researched book (the Acknowledgments, Notes, and Bibliography sections add up to over 140 pages), Vanda Krefft's remarkable THE MAN WHO MADE THE MOVIES takes the reader on a fascinatingly detailed historical journey about this most important -- and almost forgotten -- cinematic trailblazer. Covering nearly all aspects of his life -- including a focus on Hollywood as the business that it is -- this comprehensive book reveals the strengths and weaknesses of a complex and innovative person. While one wishes for a happier ending to his tale, one is grateful for the years of research and crystal-clear writing that the author put into a book of this scope, so that we can follow this tale of early movie-making about this singular Hollywood figure. It is good that the relatively unknown William Fox has finally gotten his just due, and that his legacy in the hands of someone who truly cared about investigating all aspects of his life.
7 people found this helpful
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Charles Castel
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative but at times gets too bogged down in financial details
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2018
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This is a very informative and long biography of one of the more forgotten pioneers of the American Film Industry William Fox. By and large the book succeeds at rehabilitating his reputation which was damaged by a combination of losing his studio in 1930, an explosion of the Fox film library which destroyed nearly every print of films released by the studio between 1914 and 1930 and the last years of his life which were marked by bitterness and engaging in some very questionable legal and business dealings. The author does a fine job of contextualizing the history and circumstances of Fox's rise to prominence with interesting passages about corrupt NYC Tammany Hall politics and the mood of the country's movie audiences with regards to what made certain movies popular. However as Fox makes his move to take over Loew's and the sharks of Wall Street start to swim to take over his company, the narrative gets bogged down in excessive financial detail. Also the author is at times quite adamant in making the reader understand how important Fox was and at times she seems to be finding ways to excuse or rationalize or shine the best light possible on some of his more dubious actions. I found it a bit off putting but at least she gave us enough well researched facts to let a reader draw their own conclusions even though she does her best to sway. This is an excellent book for film history buffs as well as for those interested in finance and corporate intrigue stories.
12 people found this helpful
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horsemeat
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting portrait of a man driven to succeed, but less interesting dealing with early production.
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2018
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Looked forward to reading this. A bit disappointed as it seemed less about a moviemaker than about a man obsessed with control and success. He did love the industry, but his actual involvement in the filmmaking itself seems a bit underwhelming. An interesting story, nonetheless, just (at times) a bit tedious if you're looking for an account that includes more hands-on production decision-making. Fox doesn't come with the legendary status of his peers only because he wasn't bigger than life in ways that arouse passion or excitement. Most producer bios are less interesting than those of the great directors, but comparing Fox with Goldwyn, the bio of Goldwyn is for movie buffs, that of Fox is for business people.
7 people found this helpful
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Pam M
5.0 out of 5 stars A Mesmerizing Read!
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018
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Informative,entertaining and authoritative. I spent my Christmas holiday reading this captivating book. Ms Kreftt is a terrific writer and I look forward to whatever she plans to write in the future! Buy this book!
6 people found this helpful
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Le Bibliothécaire
4.0 out of 5 stars William Fox book very detailed yet entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018
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The book held interest despite the very minute details often involving business decisions. Fox's life was full of failures, but he was a true pioneer and innovator in the beginning years of movies. His discovery of Theda Bara, his championing of William Farnum, his nurturing of John Ford and other interesting motion picture discussions make the book very entertaining.
One person found this helpful
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Lewis Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love movies, then this book is a must
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2017
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The Man Who Made the Movies is an important literary achievement that sets a new standard for what is considered a book of quality. It's been a while since I've read a book where such clarity of writing and thought was found in each and every chapter and sentence. The research that went into this biography on William Fox is extensive, yet the book extends beyond the simple history of a man. It forces the reader to consider the ramifications of each moment of his/her own life when reflecting on Fox, a man struggling to make his life meaningful and at the same time to shape society. It made me consider the nature of myself and my place in history. If you love movies, then this book is a must. If you don't love movies, well... I'm guessing you will after reading it.
15 people found this helpful
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Lou Sabini
5.0 out of 5 stars This wonderful biography of William Fox is something that every film ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2018
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This wonderful biography of William Fox is something that every film buff should read. Painstakingly researched about the man who discovered filmdom's first sex symbol, Theda Bara and made such classic films as THE IRON HORSE, SUNRISE, WHAT PRICE GLORY and many others. Ms. Krefft not only focuses on the life of Mr. Fox, but delves into the ups and downs of running a major studio and the wondrous innovations this remarkable man brought to the table like sound on film and wide screen projection. Intelligently written and well executed.
8 people found this helpful
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Ascher Yates
1.0 out of 5 stars Fox contributed a great deal to the rise of the motion picture entertainment ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2018
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No doubt that Wm. Fox contributed a great deal to the rise of the motion picture entertainment industry and with out a doubt this book was completely researched and every detail of Fox's business and personal activity was reported in this book. Since before the days of ancient Greece, the business aspect of entertainment has always had the charm of a cut throat, take no prisoners atmosphere. William Fox was swimming in a sea filled with sharks and he did his best to take on all the megladons, but all of them at the same time. This book has such an academic syntax that it would be more suitable as a Ph.d thesis and has as much satisfaction as reading a telephone directory.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Wingate
3.0 out of 5 stars Didn't need to put all her research into the book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2019
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The author has obviously done a lot of research and put it all in her book.So for example we are told what he wore to meetings and what he smoked.When she deals with Fox as a film maker the book is quite interesting.However when the book reaches page 460 it goes downhill rapidly.There is a mass of financial information which is totally boring.Just skip through it.
Her contention that Fox was the real instigator of talkies because of his sound on film process simply doesn't hold up.Although Warner used the inferior Vitaphone system they produced The Jazz Singer followed by The Singing Fool.This later film was the no one box office hit till GWTW.
The book should have been cut in half with most of the later part removed.
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Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Can we be sure the author has got all her facts right?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2018
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Can we be sure the author has got all her facts right? In one passage she characterises in 1930 my grandfather, Ben, as a ne'er do well who cadged loans off his brother Sol which he never repaid and 'predictably' stole from his employer (the theft allegation apparently comes from Fox archives). The author eventually produced as evidence a family letter about loans written in 1923. Nothing about events in between. As I explained to her, Sol in 1924-5 got Ben a job in the Fox construction department which he went on to head for 25 years, in charge of building the sets. Wasn't it a stretch to extrapolate that description from a seven year old letter? She has not replied. There are comparable editorial swipes at Sol who headed production at the Western Avenue studio. Elsewhere she has done a lot of research though too much of it is on the page in paces. A more magisterial approach would have been more reader-friendly. David Wurtzel
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