What began as "silent" and "black and white" soon became film without dialogue, but with musical soundtracks for accompaniment.  By the early 1920s, 80 percent of the black-and-white films actually depicted shades of gray frequently tinted or toned with color.  Throughout this development, the technology advanced, the business matured, the stars were born, the directors emerged, and the industry supported a huge staff of support people equipped to powder, primp, print, publish, and promote these new celebrities (even if it meant fabricating their glamorous backgrounds).  Much like today, famous names including Lillian Gish, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Clara Bow, Norma Desmond, John Gilbert, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Rudolph Valentino, and Louise Brooks appeared frequently in gossip columns in mass-circulation tabloid newspapers. 

There’s so much to cover in describing silent movies to today’s film buffs who were raised on blockbuster special effects "movie events."  Despite the challenge of explaining genres, stars, crew, business, equipment, and techniques, Kobel does an excellent job presenting the material in an organized, interesting manner, while simultaneously blending the artistic and technological aspects of the silent movie industry.  Even so, the luscious photographs are clearly the stars of this show.