Movies Books

Ed Watz' thoroughly researched and well-written book on the films of Wheeler and Woolsey deserves the highest praise. He approaches their career by examining their work on a film-by-film basis, providing very complete cast and credit information, production history, as well as biographical information on the two comedians. The book also includes a nice forward by their frequent co-star Dorothy Lee, who worked with the team since the 20s. Lee, who died in 1999, shares many memories of working with the comedians, and gives valuable insight into the making of these films.

Highly recommended for students and fans of stage and screen comedy.

This "sleeper" book, which I picked up because of my curiosity about the subjects (they are appearing regularly on the Turner Classic Movies station) is a revelation. Positively one of the best researched and entertaining books about a comedy team from the movies' golden age, the 1930s. To watch Wheeler & Woolsey is to understand what vaudeville-type comedy is (was) all about. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey have been overlooked in favor of teams like the Marx Bros. or the 3 Stooges. This book corrects that oversight. It is also a highly readable accounts of Hollywood politics behind the scenes at some of the major studios. If you're a fan of vintage movie comedy, get this book.

Wheeler and Woolsey were second to Laurel and Hardy in the heart's of movie going audiences of the 1930's. Since then, however, their star has faded and their acomplishments have been relegated to footnote status in the history of the golden age of comedy. Thanks to Edward Watz, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are alive and kicking again in a definitive history of the lovable pair and their films. Exhaustingly researched and lovingly executed, the book chronicles the career ups and downs of the most unjustifiably forgotten comedians in the history of show business. Personal biographies are included, as well as detailed accounts of all of their features and short subjects. Long time leading lady Dorothy Lee lends her first hand account of the way things happend with a refreshingly candid foreward. She also shares her memories of each of the films that she participated in with a fascinating view that only an insider could relate. The later years are chronicled in the final chapter, featuring accounts of Bert Wheeler's career after the untimely death of his partner. All in all, this book ranks along side the superlative Laurel and Hardy, The Magic Behind The Movies, and Abbott and Costello in Hollywood, as one of the most enjoyable and informative demonstration's of film history as can be expected. If you love film comedy, you should not be without this book.

I love this book! To my knowledge, the only book around about Wheeler and Whoolsey. It made me eager to see more of their films. The author did a great job of research, which couldn't have been easy considering how long ago these comedians were active.

Ed Watz's book 'Wheeler & Woolsey' is a superb film history of a great and sadly forgotten movie comedy team. This volume evokes the golden days of both Vaudeville and Hollywood, as we follow the rise and sad fall of Wheeler & Woolsey. Mr. Watz also sets straight the historical record in that the boys were second only to the great Laurel & Hardy in the 1930's and certainly ahead of their rivals the Marx Bros., the Ritz Bros., and the Three Stooges! Readers of this book will want to go out and see the films of Wheeler & Woolsey. Watz's book is a lost treasure.

A Woman's View, by Jeanne Basinger, was rightfully the most interesting history based book I have ever read. Although it can be lengthy at times, it touches on subjects in which I had barely any knowledge of, and shows how it was reflecting the time period of the 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's. Seeing as though this was about women right after the women's rights movement in the 20's, this book shows how Hollywood used female movie stars to incorporate the countries opinions on them. With that, I thought the introduction chapter on the genre of these types of movies was absolutely spectacular. It really made me have so much respect for women during these time periods. They had such class and such morals, which, sad to say, is starting to slowly fade away, or can at least be argued that it is.
A few of the sections of this book that I thought was the most interesting, were the ones about twin women in movies and the fashion and glamour of women. Before reading this book, I never really thought into the idea that being a woman in Hollywood, and acting a certain role represented something as a whole. These actresses were not just playing the part of their assigned character; they were representing women as a whole. With their fashion, their speech, and their actions, I found it truly inspiring to know that they were stepping out of their comfort zone and taking risks with the roles that they chose to act out.
One chapter, entitled Duality, included how Hollywood used twins in their movies to represent one specific point in these movies. This chapter, being one of the more detailed ones, showed how twins portrayed particularly two things: the good and the bad. The good twin, usually dressed in fashionably acceptable clothes and appropriate styles, was usually criticized by her twin, which represented evil, or the bad. I thought it was very much a shock to me how many of the so called "bad" twins in these Hollywood movies were constantly pretending to be their twin to confuse their family, friends, or even their husbands! Many of them did this only to find some sort of revenge on their twin for whatever reason they could think of. In my mind, I would have never thought of this as being presented in movies during these time periods, but I also have to remember that this was also a time when women were really standing up for what they believed in and stepping out of the ordinary molds they had always been put into.
What was so fascinating about this book was how Basinger found a way to represent women in film in such a respectable way, and not so much trashy as some may have viewed it at the time. Women like Loretta Young, Kay Francis, and Greta Garbo are true heroines when it comes to paving the way for all future actresses, and also for open our countries eyes to the lives of women, and really shows that they were becoming less and less like housewives and more like the hardworking entrepreneurs that they really were and always will be.

This book articulates for me why I have always loved this genre of film. The author highlights the work of many fine actresses of the period whose work is overlooked in many film books. Although the ideas they espoused may be dated, the desire of women to see the concerns of their private lives played out on screen still exists. I believe that the next century may bring a resurgurce of this type of film.

This is one of the most enjoyable "film studies" I have ever come across, essentially about "soap opera" 'women's pictures' of the 1930's and 1940's but expanding into the 1920's and 1950's a bit and touching on other types of films and the great women stars from this time period. From Kay Francis (who is the cover girl and Basinger's main muse for this tome) to Rita Hayworth, this is a wonderful book for any one obssessed with films from the era, it's like finding a new best friend to talk about these classic films. Basinger writes informatively yet in plain academic-free language making the book a pleasuer to read - and she knows when to crack wise and when to be serious, no mean feat. It's a skill a lot of "movie historians" don't have.

If you love movies you must read Ms. Basinger's marvelous study of "women's pictures" which encompasses the stars that acted in them, the directors that guided them, the writers that gave them life and the studios that distributed them. Hollywood history, women's history, art history all rolled into one readable and thought provoking volume. This one is right up there with Louise Brooks by Barry Paris as one of the best books on film and those who created it.

Jeanine Basinger is to be congratulated for shedding light on a too-little studied aspect of Hollywood history. She puts the movies and the stars she discusses in the context of how movie-going women perceived them at the time. In doing so, she concentrates not on the "greatest" stars, but rather on secondary figures like Kay Francis, Ann Dvorak, and Loretta Young, women who had (sometimes surprisingly) immense popular appeal while they were making movies but whose careers either faded, made the transition to character rather than leading-lady status, or moved to television. She reminds us that the "woman's picture" was far more than the drama of suffering and renunciation (like "Now, Voyager", "Back Street", or "Autumn Leaves") we most commonly think of today. She broadens her definition to include virtually any film that either focused on a woman as its central character or concerned itself with traditionally "women's" concerns.

What she makes clear is that, despite the pronounced limitations of the world view of the woman's picture, it represented a varied and vigorous film culture in which (as she writes) "on the screen ... the woman will decide. She is important. She matters. She is the Center of the Universe."

"A Woman's View" is that rare thing -- a scholarly examination of mostly obscure figures and works that is at the same time an excellent and entertaining read.

I readily and heartily agree with these three reviews! I'm in the process of reading this book presently. One of the cool things is that you can flip to any one of Gabin's movies to read all about that single film, completely out of order, if you wish, without losing any of the reading experience!

My only caution is NOT to read about the film you haven't seen yet because it will tell you more than you'll want to know!!

I recent bought and viewed Moontide, and started to read about it before watching it and had to stop myself so I wouldn't spoil my movie!

Also, I've recently rented Port of Shadows, Pepe le Moko, Le Grande Illusion, Le Bandera, La Bête humaine, Touchez pas au grisbi, and Deux hommes dans la ville, which also stars Alain Delon. { they were in a few together} And there are many more available for rent of purchase out there!

These are some really good and great films! So much more mature than the American films at the time. I guess because Hollywood wanted to treat us like the adults "they were" back then, but they had this little thing call censors!! French films include words like 'bastard' and make no bones about showing love scenes that Hollywood could only dream of showing pre-censorship days { before 1934, I think }

So, this is a great book to have as a companion piece to all the Jean Gabin films and a great source of movie knowledge about the man and one cool movie star across the pond!

Lastly or "encore, le livre est tres bon !"

Exhaustively researched, exceptionally informative, incredibly entertaining...

If one is even casually acquainted with the films of Jean Gabin (and if you haven't seen "La Grande Illusion," it should be at the top of your Netflix queue), this is a must-read.

This book is exhaustive and incredibly entertaining. It suggests to me that a course on Gabin would make an excellent addition to film school curriculum because of the depth, breath and sheer entertainment value of so much of his work. I really enjoyed this book. I valued Gabin as an actor in some of my favorite films before reading it but now I really understand him as a man. Good work, Mr. Zigman.

Jean Gabin: World's Coolest Movie Star written by Charles Zigman is one of those one-of-a-kind books that everyone should have to reference. Mr. Charles Zigman skillfully reviews, comments, digests and provides little known facts about this amazing French film star, his life and his movies. The writing is compelling, strong and rich. This fast paced book should grace every coffee table in America, Europe & Asia.

The Greatest Movie Star of all time... outside the English speaking world - "World's Coolest Movie Star: The Complete 95 Films(and Legend) of Jean Gabin" is a look at one of the best film actors the world has ever known which spanned nearly fifty years, and a war hero, husband, father, and farmer on top of all that. Covering his life and career in completion, author Charles Zigman introduces him to the English speaking world, where he holds quite the cult following, as best as he can, and leaves no detail to the reader's imagination. "World's Coolest Movie Star: The Complete 95 Films (and Legend) of Jean Gabin" is a must for any serious collection dedicated to film and cinema.

Over 150 adult movie posters from the 60's and 70's are inside, all of them full page and almost every one in color too! Classic taboo fare like "Debbie Does Dallas" and "The Opening of Misty Beethoven" is represented alongside such forgotten wonders as "Lust Combo", "Room and Broad" and "Assignment: Female". Some posters feature photographic images while others have very nice art work that would appeal to fans of pulp paperback or magazine covers. Almost every one has a fantastic blurb designed to titillate and seduce the movie-goer into buying a ticket. As you gaze in wild wonder at each provocative image you come to realize that the posters are far more interesting than the movie could ever be! Many say things like, "A Film So Incredible You Must See It To Believe It!" I can't think of a more fitting description for this marvelous book! I wait patiently for Volume 2!

This book is to adult movie posters as Art of Rock is to music posters. The posters themselves are great, and the book is in itself a great reference guide to exploitation films of the era. These posters are not obscene by any means, and so even if you are not interested in adult films you may enjoy the posters based solely on their artistic originality and merit. They surely bespeak a more creative and exciting time in world culture. I advise listening to some good lounge music and sipping an ice-cold martini as you flip through this first-rate book. Truly, this will be a collector's item.

But I must add that I share a frustration with the other reviewers: Where is Volume II???? Once that is released and I have it on my shelf, I would like to extend my congratulations to the producers of this work: you did it right and created a valuable documentation of this aspect of 20th century social history, an interesting aspect indeed.

This book is fantastic. Nourmand and Marsh rock for compiling all these great old posters for this book. The book says it is Volume One -- is there a Volume Two yet?

One thing I would like to clarify: Most of the films whose posters are in this book were done during the period where there was no X rating(which came in October 1968), but instead they were "adults only" films. Approximately 80% of the posters are of such films(many of which are considered lost or perhaps hidden in a basement or ???), usually companies like Something Weird video puts out these films.

There are some posters of XXX films in here(Deep Throat, Misty Beethoven, Debbie Does Dallas, a couple with John Holmes), but I would have liked to see more of those, hence my rating goes down a notch. I still recommend this book. (The most interesting poster to me was an "adults only" film with cowboy star Lash LaRue--I hope this film surfaces someday.)

Over 150 pornographic movie posters from the 60's and 70's are inside, all of them full page and almost every one in color too! Classic taboo fare like "Debbie Does Dallas" and "The Opening of Misty Beethoven" is represented alongside such forgotten wonders as "Lust Combo", "Room and Broad" and "Assignment: Female". Some posters feature nude or semi-nude photographic images while others have very nice art work that would appeal to fans of pulp paperback or magazine covers. Almost every one has a fantastic blurb designed to titillate and seduce the movie-goer into buying a ticket. As you gaze in wild wonder at each provocative image you come to realize that the posters are far more interesting than the movie could ever be! Many say things like, "A Film So Incredible You Must See It To Believe It!" I can't think of a more fitting description for this marvelous book! I wait patiently for Volume 2!

Another great book added to my collection.When I was reading this book,i kept thinking back to when I was watching the episodes and I laughed a lot.It all made a little bit more sense to me,(Im not all that good when it comes to understanding everything that they say)This book is a MUST HAVE for any AbFab fan!

Having seen most of the episodes that are in script form in the book, it was really hilarious to read them and think back on the episode. Five+stars for this one!!!!!!!!

Jennifer Saunders is one of the world's greatest comedy writers. If you are serious about comedy then you need to see Jennifer's show, "Absolutely Fabulous" on Comedy Central Cable TV. Airs on Saturday afternoon 4p.m. (Pacific time). This comedy was so succesful the American Networks rejected it for being "too funny!" Go figure. In any case, if you want to learn some great comedy buy this book, and watch the TV shows. You can also purchase Jennifer's movie, "The Last Shout" and her TV episodes. Jennifer Saunders is top notch professional comedy to the utmost. James Russell/California.

Buy this book-PLEASE! Do everything you can to get your little hands on it. You will not regret your purchase. J. Saunders is a comedic genius. She writes with the talent and craft that all comedians-turned-tv stars in the US dream they could posess. No comedian--not Jerry Seinfeld, Rosanne Barr, Jim Carrey--can write anything remotely as entertaining, funny, and completely fresh as Saunders. Not even Friends is this funny--and I enjoy that show.

No American sitcom can touch the level of orginality, spunk, finese, and energy of this British television show. In fact, 90% of the things done and said on this show are not permitted on American television (save the cable channel Comedy Central) because the show would be so funny (in comparison to all other US sitcoms) that it would expose the Grand Canyon-esque gap between it's sublime quality and the bloody mess that is American sitcoms.

(If you do not believe me, that US shows have become, well, redundant bird droppings, just watch any show starring a one-time-stand up-comic and see if they don't do the "I killed/lost your pet and bought a new one that looks exactly the same to fool you" number). Pure, uninspiring wishy-washy tv. I'm 24 and I swear that I have been watching the same show over and over again, no matter who they get to star in it or try hide this fact under a new series name. Sounds like you? Enter . . . Abosultely Fabulous.

Absolutely Fabulous 2 is truly beyond hilarious. My gosh! I do not know how J. Saunders and J. Lumley are able to transform mere words on a page to the masterfully acted characters of Edina and Pasty that they inhabit on screen.

I will never grow tired of reading or watching these episodes. Although this collection lacks the episode "France" which is also another favorite, the book features the scripts for the best ABFAB episodes ever. I am talking "Poor" "Morocco" and "Hospital"--they are the series finest and showcase Eddie and Pats at their best.

Buy and read this book while watching the corresponding episodes to see what I am talking about. You will not be disappointed unless you were expecting God to appear--oh, wait, that happens, (in Absolutely Fabulous the Last Shout which is absolutely required watching). Bye, Sweetie Darlings.

Frank Thompson does an excellent job of depicting the sadness yet triumph of the real battle in San Antonio in this book. This is an excellent novel which ties in adventure, action, war, comedy, and romance into one great book. Great portrayals of Davy Crocket, Jim Bowie, and William Travis. They truly were heroes. Sam Houston is also good, deciding whether to accept his destiny as a general, or to stay with his wife Talihina and the Cherokee Indians. This is a great read, and I highly recommend it.

Featuring more than 125 full color photographs, Frank Thompson's The Alamo: The Illustrated Story Of The Epic Film is an amazing tour of "The Alamo", from director John Lee Hancock, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid, Jason Patric, and more. "The Alamo" was the first theatric film about the brutal battle in over 40 years; The Alamo: The Illustrated Story Of The Epic Film includes a point-by-point summary of historical events, an extensive tour of casting, costuming, historical recreations and set design, the full movie script, and more. A treasure for cinema buffs especially, and the perfect companion volume to anyone who enjoys and appreciates the power "The Alamo"movie has had in bringing history to life.

The Alamo: The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film is a must have for fans of the Alamo. The book includes over 120 pictures from the movie, including the making of and production stills. As well, the full script is included in the book so readers can see what was cut from the final version of the movie. It is interesting to see all the things that director John Lee Hancock had to cut from the originally intended version. The book documents the making of the huge movie, background on cast and characters, and even some Alamo history on society and in the movies. If you enjoyed the movie, I highly recommend this book. Check out Frank Thompson's The Alamo: The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film!

Author Frank Thompson reveals hundreds and hundreds of details of the making of the most current version of 'The Alamo', which is surely to be the most historically accurate film on the subject.

From the beginning of director John Lee Hancock's interest in the Alamo in his childhood, through his early meetings with producer Ron Howard (originally slated to direct), to the hiring of two major historians and the building of the detailed and awe inspiring set, right into the extra-filled battle scenes complete with authentic weaponry and perfect period wardrobe, Thompson escorts the reader on an amazing visit to the set of what is certain to be 'the movie masterpiece of 2004'. Reading this book will educate you about the making of this weaponry, the selection of the cast, the decisions on the locales, the building of the sets, and every other intricate facet of film making at its best.

Get the inside scoop on the unusual 'naming' of extras, the selection of composer Carter Burwell (Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou), and what part Matte World Digital and CG plays in crafting 'The Alamo'. You will truly feel as if you are physically on the set hearing the actors recite their lines when you read the entire screenplay, which is contained in this book. Discover why the cast, including stars, bit players, and extras were totally personally dedicated to the making of this masterful film.

All this interesting inside information is accompanied by: 100+ beautiful color photos (many of which are full page) of the actors, the scenery and all that will make this film a beautiful visual experience, as well as historical details and time charts of the actual event that culminated with the cry of 'Remember the Alamo'.

You will 'remember' reading about the making of 'The Alamo' while you watch it unfold on the screen. This beautiful book will entertain and enlighten you and your enjoyment can only extend your pleasure when actually seeing the film for yourself.

A quote early in the book from actor Billy Bob Thornton begins: "When I first got here and I walked on the set, I got a chill up my back bone like I can't describe....and every time we walked through the gate...we were in 'The Alamo'...". Every time you open the pages of 'The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film The Alamo', you will be on that same set as if by magic.

Thompson has done an extraordinary job in capturing the making of what is destined to be a classic epic film. If you are not already dying to see this film, you will certainly change your mind after reading the book. If you ARE already hyped-to-the-max to view 'The Alamo', this will just increase your anticipation to nearly the I-can't-stand-the-wait level.

Margery Allingham is a great writer. Albert Campion is a classic figure in mystery literature and I hope they never stop reprinting her books. I haven't been able to read many Allingham books but I can say that this is one of her best. The mystery is fascinating and she provides a wonderful twist in the plot right in the end. Just when you think it's all figured out. Wham! Even Campion is shocked. This is the first Allingham I read and I was hooked. Campion is such an intrigueing character. Sometimes he's not even the main character in her books, but he's still a force to be reckoned with. A character that adds much warmth and richness to Allingham's books and particularly this one, is Magersfontein Lugg, Campion's valet, butler, cook, etc. He also happens to be a former burglar, I believe. Writers like Allingham don't happen all the time and I wish I had discovered her sooner. Any book written by her is bound to be good and I also recommend Tiger in the Smoke. Wonderful suspense too.

No doubt Allingham fans will remember Uncle William from "Police at the Funeral." William's near miss with the British legal system and the death of his mother having left him at loose ends, so he decides to write his memoirs. Having lived an unexceptional life, William decides to make it up out of whole cloth. Unexpectedly, the book, "Memoirs of an Old Buffer," becomes a comic bestseller. To ice the cake, a musical review, starring Jimmy Sutane, the dancer, is a runaway success. All should be roses.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Freak accidents and practical jokes have dogged the cast of the play, and nerves are running high. Uncle William calls in Albert Campion to help resolve the problems and return things to normal. After a backstage visit Campion accepts an invitation to Sutane's country house, where he meets Sutane's long time friend Squire Mercer, his understudy Benny Konrad, supporting actress Chloe Pye, and many other players in the drama about to unfold. Much to Campion's shock he find's himself stricken by Suntane's wife, Linda. Everything comes to a head when Chloe Pye falls off a road bridge directly in front of Sutane's moving vehicle. The inquest is inconclusive, unable to decide if se was pushed, fell, or jumped.

Completely befuddled by his feelings for Linda, Campion has difficulty focussing on the case. He withdraws, providing help only sporadically. Not even the sudden tragedy of the bombing murder of Benny Konrad, which leaves 15 people dead or injured, seems to rouse him from this state. Finally, it is the pleas of Linda herself that arouse him to the hunt again. Even so, it is an unwilling Campion that follows the trails to their inevitable, tragic conclusion.

This is one of Allingham's most difficult books. Truly, we are not used to an unwilling Campion. Without the precious antics of Magersfontein Lugg, Campion's manservant, the overall tone of the book would be darkly somber. Yet the writing is some of her best. Character depictions are deep and well made. There are moments in the dialog and narrative that attain an almost poetic clarity. The plot is complex and moves along well. And, for those of us who do not always pay close attention, the ending is a bit of a surprise. Allingham has wandered onto uncharted waters in "Dancers in Mourning," and she has done very well.

Uncle William Faraday (POLICE AT THE FUNERAL) was at lose ends for awhile after Albert Campion cleared up that bit of unpleasantness for the family a while back. After his mother passed on William needed something to occupy his time - and replenish his bank account, and so decided to write his memiors. Unfortunately Uncle William, other than that distastful murder business, had not led a very exciting life and his memiors reflected that. Being Uncle William he had no problem spicing them up a bit. Anyone else would have been exposed as a fraud but once again Uncle William was undeservedly lucky and his book was adapted for the stage, becoming a hit musical. When his old friend Campion turned up again Uncle William was happily included in the perpetual cast party being hosted by the star of the production, Jimmy Sutane, at his country house.

Sadly this is where the luck runs out and the trouble begins. Albert quickly becomes involved in the midst of things, sorting out the petty practical jokes that have been plaguing the production, unearthing old scandals, current rivalries and the odd murder or two.

This is the ninth CAMPION novel and Allingham has really hit her stride, Campion is now very much his own person with his own unique style. The mysteries (and there are several questions to be answered) are all clever, the clues are fairly laid out for the reader to follow and the characters, both old and new, come to life. This is an excellent read, definitely a 'must' for fans of the series but it would probably be better to begin the series with the earlier books.

I've often wondered what it would be like if Margery Allingham decided to write an English country manor mystery. I knew instinctivley that it would be nothing like anything we've seen from Patricia Wentworth or even Agatha Christie. Well, now I need wonder no longer. This is an English country manor mystery like none you've ever read before. For one thing it is much more sinister and much darker than the books from this genre usually are. Secondly, it's written by the grand mistress of crime Miss Allingham herself. We are treated to another look entirely at Albert Campion - different than anything before. The main difference is that he is much more personally involved with this one than he usually is, and he knows that too. And because he knows that he is not comfortable with it and tries repeatedly to pull himself away, but finds that he can never successfully withdraw from trying to solve these crimes. The book is also different for Miss Allingham and her hero Campion because it is set within the theatrical set. And what an excellent job she does of portraying the artistic temperament. It also goes to show that not only Ngaio Marsh can excel in this particular arena. You must read this book if you are interested to hear more since I will not spoil the fun for anyone. If you've never read Margery Allingham before this may be a good place to start, but bear in mind that the plot is quite different from most of her books about Campion.

This calendar is awesome !! There are 12 pages with Alias stars and it is perfect for the walls. If you love ALIAS you should get this ASAP..

This calender has GREAT pics from season 4! If you are truely an Alias fan you should deff have this hanging on your wall. I love the pictures and its so exciting to see who it will be for each month =)

I am not going to go into explicit detail on so simplistic an item.

The actual day-to-day calendar aspect of this product is typical for wall-mounted calendars. The pictures this time are a little fresher, and there are more of them, which is a good thing. Nearly every shot is a promo shot from Season 4 (of course) and while I could wish for some perhaps more original stances and poses, if you're an Alias fan, it's always nice to see one of your favorite cast members when you need to check the date or your plans for the month. A smallish version of the photos is up on this site, so you can tell what you're getting before you buy.

Only fans would get a kick out of this, but if you're a fan, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

What is great about the "Alias: 2006 Wall Calendar" is that it really is an "Alias" calendar and not a Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow calendar. After the month of January, which features a head shot of Garner as Sydney as the main photograph, with three candid shots of Sydney in disguise and one of her with Michael Vaughn, the star of the show never gets another photograph as big in the rest of the entire calendar. Yes, there are more pictures of Jennifer Garner than anybody else in the calendar, but the rest of the cast members in the ensemble each get their own pages (as a point of contrast and comparison, "The Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2006 Wall Calendar" has five pages for Buffy and only three other cast members get a month to call their own).

To name names the others getting the one big and four small shots are Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane, Michael Vartan as Michael Vaughn, Carl Lumbly as Marcus Dixon, Kevin Weisman as Marshall Flinkman, Greg Grunberg as Eric Weiss, Mia Maestro as Nadia Santos, and Victor Garber as Jack Bristow. If there are interesting shots of any of the characters undercover (e.g., Marcus Dixon doing his island guy routine) those are usually included in the candid shots. But I also want to note that for most of these shots the actors certainly look like they are in character, which is a nice touch. As a result, this is one of the better calendars for a television show that is out there this holiday season.

The calendar part of the calendar gives you the phases of the moon and national holidays. If you actually want to write things down on the calendar to remember appointments, birthdays and the date of the final episode of "Alias." The show will end in 2006 but the calendars should continue for a while as a retrospective for the show. That is already true for the 2006 version given that Vaughn is dead, Nadia is in a coma, and Weiss has a new day job (not that death, lack of consciousness or new employment has prohibited any of the characters from appearing in episodes this last season). But when ABC started playing around which where "Alias" was in the schedule I figured it was going to be the end of the road for the series.

Foley, Jack, editor. "All: A James Broughton Reader". Lethe Press, 2008,

"Long Live Gaiety for all the Laity"

Amos Lassen

James Broughton was quite a man yet to many he is basically an enigma. He was on top of the list in poetry and cinema and those that were familiar with his work adored both it and him. Now we have James Foley who has collected and edited the "best of Broughton" and we are able to look at his genius.
Broughton was a complex man and very talented. He reads like his nickname "Big Joy" and this wonderful anthology of Broughton's work gives you a look at the mind of a man who never achieved the status he deserved, His place in the canon of GLBT literature is secured by "All" and it will probably have you looking for more Broughton to read.
Broughton strongly believed in the power of laughter. His poetry abounds with whimsy and humor and it is evident that he never took himself seriously. He was innovative and never afraid to try a new idea.
The book is a great introduction to James Broughton and I feel the work of Jack Foley is perfection. Not many can laugh ay both themselves and G-d and Foley has found the best of Broughton doing both.
Aside from Broughton's writings which include his poetry, his journals, pieces about his films there is an interview with the man himself which is loaded with insight and am introduction by the editor which frames the selections. There is also an appendix entitled "Reflections: James Broughton's Films and the Art of Poetry" which is absolutely amazing.

Jack Foley has done a masterful job of collecting the very best of James Broughton's poems, plays, and prose and made them again accessible to a public in need of Big Joy.

While I was not very familiar with James Broughton's work, I had heard how much people liked him as both a poet and filmmaker. Poetry is not my first choice of reading but I can be induced to try out anything unfamiliar to me as it was with this book. The book was very engaging and let the reader immerse themselves in the author's personality. Broughton comes across at times, a happy and care free person and then there are times you can sense a bit of unhappiness or depression. All in all the reader gets a chance to see all facets of the author as a person and a great poet/filmmaker. The book somewhat serves as a primer on some of the collected works of James Broughton. It does this job admirably and I was intrigued to keep reading all the way to the end in one sitting. I highly recommend this book. The book can also serve as a literary work that needs to be added as a permanent fixture into the annals of gay literature for the GLBT community to have as a piece of their own history. Bravo to Jack Foley for putting this book together.

With the release of this important book on filmmaker and poet James Broughton we are handed a unique experience, for it is "the very first book to allow the various aspects of Broughton's complex personality to 'sing' to one another." Broughton, or "Big Joy," was so vastly talented and led such an extraordinarily interesting life, that one comes away from this gorgeous and excellently structured book wondering how we did without it. Foley knew Broughton personally; perhaps this is one of the reasons he brought the book to perfection. If you are familiar with James Broughton's work, you already know you must have this book. If you have not experienced Broughton's poetry, film or journals, treat yourself -- you're in for "Big Joy."

This is one of the most thoroughly researched film biographies I have ever seen. This book relates the life story of Tom Mix, the silent movie star who dominated Hollywood in its early years. Jensen has provided extensive documentation of all the information contained in this work, including material from original sources stored in the back rooms of libraries and museums. Due to the research and reliance on original documents (personal letters, court records, etc.), there is a considerable amount of material contained in this book that has never been published before now. This book is a true tribute to Tom Mix, and will serve as the definitive biography of his life and career for many years to come.

One of the better books on Tom Mix.I really enjoyed this one,it
tells the Mix story warts & all.Apart from spelling errors & some incorrect facts Mix fans will go for this one.A good proof
reader would have helped!!!
John,"B" Western fan.

"The Amazing Tom Mix" reads like a novel but it's a biography, which to me made it all the more enjoyable. I only knew a little about Tom Mix but my parents remembered him, so I read it and then gave it to them to read. All of us agreed that the book was fascinating. There is so much detail in the book, but you don't get bogged down in it. It's just a great book.

I loved this book and agree with these two reviews that were on the back cover:

"Here is Tom Mix as he really was ... captivating ... enchanting ... a splendid book."
- Richard S. Wheeler, five-time Spur Award winning author of "Trouble In Tombstone."

"...the most complete biography of Mix's life of trials, tribulations and victories."
- John Duncklee, author of "Bull By The Tale."