Iris Barry

Biography

Iris Barry was an influential figure in the world of film criticism and is considered among the most versatile of critics. Barry is noted for her innovative work with film theory, which she approached from a variety of fresh standpoints including those in terms of sociology, mythology, and genre. She is probably best remembered as the curator of New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) where she almost singlehandedly created its whole film archive comprised of books and rare films. She was born and educated in Britain where she became one of the first female critics. From 1923-1930 she wrote for the Spectator; she was also film editor for the Daily Mail from 1926-1930. Barry's Let's Go to the Pictures, published in 1926, enjoyed great popularity. After coming to the U.S., she wrote the scholarly classic D.W. Griffith: American Film Master. She also became a regular book reviewer for the New York Herald Tribune. In addition, Barry wrote articles for popular magazines and taught courses in cinematic studies while doing her work at MOMA. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide