This full length monograph (forthcoming) on the life and work of the American film director Clarence Brown is the first study of this major filmmaker. Among the topics covered are: Brown's place within the American studio system; his contribution to cinema (including his innovations in both the silent and sound eras); and his collaborations with key stars such as Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Joan Crawford. It assesses how much Brown was able to impart a personal vision (encompassing thematic consistencies;and a distinctive visual style) in work that was created within the confines of an often restrictive studio system. It also traces the impact that Brown's Southern upbringing had on his handling of issues of race, the South, and landscape.