Lady in the dark: Iris Barry and the art of film

Iris Barry (1895?1969) was one of the first critics to recognize film as an art form. The mother of film preservation internationally, she founded the film department at New York City's Museum of Modern Art and became its first curator, cementing film's critical legitimacy. Drawing on letters, memorabilia, and other documentary sources, Robert Sitton reconstructs Barry's remarkable life and work, sharing the story of a thoroughly modern muse and mentor to some of the most influential artists of her day. Although she had the bearing of a British aristocrat, Barry was the self-educated daughter.;Early years -- "We enjoyed the war" -- "Dear Miss Barry" -- The other Bloomsbury -- Life with Lewis -- Children -- Alan Porter -- The spectator -- Splashing into film society -- Cinema paragons, Hollywood and Lady Mary -- Let's go to the pictures -- Victory and defeat -- America -- The Askew Salon -- Museum men -- Remarriage -- Settling in -- Cracking Hollywood -- Art high and low -- On to Europe -- Going public -- The slow martyrdom of Alfred Barr -- Meanwhile, back at the library -- New work, old acquaintances -- "The master" and his minions -- Temora Farm -- The museum enlists -- Mr. Rockefeller's office -- L'affair Bunuel -- The other library -- Divorce -- Postwar blues -- Abbott's fall -- Hospital -- Departure -- La Bonne Font -- Things past -- The Austin house -- Readjustments -- New York and London -- Final breaks -- The end.