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Mr. Bernds Goes to Hollywood

My Early Life and Career in Sound Recording at Columbia With Frank Capra and Others

Author: Edward Bernds
Hardback: 352 pages
Publisher: Scarecrow Press (1999)
Avg. Rating: [9.00/10]
In Print? No

Reviewer: Scott MacGillivray (Massachusetts)

"The late writer-director Edward Bernds has become a familiar name to movie comedy fans, through his association with The Three Stooges, The Bowery Boys, the Blondie series, and a host of other comedy stars.

But Mr. Bernds made his reputation as a recording engineer during the early-talkie years, and was the number-one sound man at Columbia Pictures until he took on more creative duties.

This book chronicles Bernds' early years, from his first radio jobs through his successful association with director Frank Capra. Bernds was a stickler for accuracy, and drew upon his old diaries to confirm his excellent memory for facts and faces. He was just as careful to spell things out for the reader, explaining a technical process or a business practice to amplify the point he was making. Bernds' attention to detail makes for good, solid reading.

This writer was disappointed that the book stops when the author stopped working as a soundman. But it's understandable because Bernds, in his thoroughness, would have written a mammoth volume if his entire career were to be discussed. Joseph McBride recognizes the "missing" material by appending a more general interview with Bernds, conducted by McBride and Leonard Maltin.

Film buffs and historians will enjoy Mr. Bernds. For those who want Bernds' observations and recollections of his Three Stooges years, read The Columbia Comedy Shorts by Ted Okuda and Edward Watz."


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