"As a director, actor, writer and producer, Tod Browning was a dynamic Hollywood figures during the birth of commercial cinema. These essays critically explore such topics as the connection between Browning, Poe and Kant; Browning's cinematic techniques; disability; masochism; sound and suspense; duality; parenthood; narrative and cinematic trickery; George Melford; surrealism; and the occult. A filmography is included"--Provided by publisher.