This is a book about an influential pioneer film stylist whose name isn't as well known as the films he helped to art direct - the technique of production design. The most famous of these was the GONE WITH THE WIND (Selznick 1939) and it was William Cameron Menzies who made that film into an early example of a movie experience by adding color visual techniques that gave audiences the feeling of grandeur in a way that other films couldn't match, particularly during the pre-1953 period before films were made in widescreen. Much of this was combined with special effects. His trademark look often involved montage, or tracking shots - often using actors in silhouette against dawn or dusk, fire or storm. This book is the first full length account of his life and of the films to which he added his considerable talents. When you watch these films today it becomes clear that modern film directors have seen them, and not only that have emulated his style.