Television Books
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"CCTV" Is MAGNIFICENT!!!Review Date: 2001-10-16
ExcellentReview Date: 2001-09-17
Outstanding ResourceReview Date: 2002-10-30
Vlado does an excellent job explaining some very technical aspects of complex items in a way that is easy to follow.
It's about timeReview Date: 2000-12-10

Used price: $0.73

Celine Dion by MArianne McKAyReview Date: 2008-02-27
Beautiful pictures unseen elsewhereReview Date: 2001-08-05
It was great!!!!Review Date: 1999-10-21
This Book is the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Review Date: 1999-06-17

Used price: $11.88

Pretty good, somewhat sparseReview Date: 2007-12-30
Part of the problem with this book is that the audience is undefined. Is this book written for the rapidly diminishing group of fans who are still collecting 8mm films of Chaplin? Then a large portion of the book serves some purpose, as it is a listing of all the known films and their alternate titles. Most people, however, are content to watch this on dvds, so this section of the book is almost useless.
Also, I purchased this book expecting a new insight into the films as I watch them. Instead, many of films are quickly dismissed. I can dismiss a film quite easily by myself, thank you, I need help appreciating them!
It's a good read, but not really what I expected.
Perhaps the wierdest moment of all was realizing that several of my old Amazon reviews had been quoted (and fully acknowledged) in this book! It's a shame, really - they aren't even very good reviews!
Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the TrampReview Date: 2007-03-09
Fascinating look at Chaplin's early film careerReview Date: 2005-10-01
A new, refreshing approach to familiar territory! Definitely not the same old stuff.Review Date: 2005-11-22
When Ted Okuda and David Maska told this writer about the publication of this book, I was intrigued by their novel approach to the subject: concentrating entirely upon these often neglected comedies, Okuda and Maska viewed the films in chronological order. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that this simple and very effective approach has been applied to Chaplin. The results are praiseworthy.
We can follow Chaplin's screen character (and his own blossoming talents as a filmmaker) during its formative stages, in the proper sequence. The authors even offer some new evidence that certain films were produced or released in a different order than most Chaplin filmographies indicate.
Okuda and Maska examine the "body of evidence" with objective eyes. This isn't the usual pedantic Chaplin discourse; the tone is disarmingly casual, and meets the reader on common ground as a fellow viewer or a video enthusiast. There are so many alternate versions of the early Chaplin films, and so many bad bootleg prints and videos, that the authors take pains to steer readers toward the optimal viewing experience, and warn them about films that are incomplete or not well preserved.
Not everything Chaplin did was golden: Okuda and Maska are sometimes candid about those improvisational films that were simply haphazard fights or pants-kicking festivals. But the authors do show respect for other tastes, by following their own assessments with a variety of critical viewpoints.
Longtime collectors and home-movie enthusiasts will especially enjoy reading about the dozens and dozens of alternate versions of the Keystones and Essanays. There are also some excellent vintage illustrations, including a beauty of a one-sheet poster from the 1914 comedy "The Knockout" -- this 1920 reissue boldly promotes Chaplin over the actual star, Roscoe Arbuckle.
If you like Charlie Chaplin, you'll like this book. If you love Charlie Chaplin, it's essential reading.

The charm of evil: the films of Terence FisherReview Date: 2006-09-26
"what might be the only type of book on my fav director."-A+Review Date: 2000-12-27
"what might be the only type of book on my fav director."Review Date: 2000-12-27
Dixon's Book Pays Tribute to a Great DirectorReview Date: 2000-09-08

Used price: $31.00

Good overview for the subjectReview Date: 2006-09-15
The text focuses on the basic history and various trends of the Christmas specials and episodes for the past forty some years of the genre. Segments include: the variety specials, the animated classics, the "anti-sentimental" specials, the mixed faith episodes, Dickens and A Christmas Carol, etc.
There's some great commentary on the classic Jack Benny-Mel Blanc seasonal skits that started on the radio and was eventually transplanted to television as Jack nearly drives a salesclerk (Mel) mad with constantly changing how he wants his Chistmas present wrapped. From such humble beginnings, Ms. Werts moves unto the black and white period of the fifties (Father Knows Best) to the golden age of the sixties (Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Grinch, etc). As the book evolves into the eighties, brief mentions are made of such episodes as the Nanny Christmas Special and the PeeWee Herman one.
Included is a pretty good summary of the infamous Bundy Christmas in "Married With Children" which may rank up there as one of the first "anti-Christmas" shows. I may even give the "Hebrew Hammer" a try, since its aroused my curiosity. How can it not? With a Jewish super hero trying to stop Santa's evil son from corrupting the holiday.
This closes the chapter, which examines the recent multicultural trend where couples of mixed faiths try to juggle a Christian celebration with a non-Christian faith such as Kwanzaa and Hannakah.
The text moves fast, and helps to refresh the holiday fan of all the different specials and episodes that we have seen over the years.
-- Ms. Werts knows her Christmas specials. An enjoyable read.
Some caveats:
At forty dollars, the book would do better in a paperback edition at about twenty.
There's enough material for a volume 2, even a chapter on forgotten tv specials such as The Great Santa Clause Caper with Art Carney.
The Christmas episodes of "Get Smart," and "The Six Million Dollar Man" were omitted. Ok. I'm being a bit of a stinker here, expecting her to include everything.
Lasty, it's a shame that Ms. Werts fails to recognize the genius that is the Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978. A sure fire classic that the author puts in the "worst" section.
Sincerely,
JThree
carolyn@dia.net
WHAT MEMORIES THIS BRINGS BACK!Review Date: 2006-02-23
Rather than just go chronologically through the years Werts takes a different tack, instead looking at these shows through the many different themes that were used over and over through the years such as shopping, decorating, feasting, being away from, or coming home for the holidays. Werts sites an unending supply of examples for the various themes such as the Partridge Family bus breaking down in a ghost town on Christmas Eve in a 1971 show or Tim Taylor being stuck in an airport during a storm in a 1995 holiday episode of Home Improvement. The theme of a working Christmas was explored in a 1970 Mary Tyler Moore show when Mary finds herself alone in the newsroom until the rest of the cast show up to bring the Christmas party to her.
One of my favorite themes is the one where Santa is proven to be real. In a 1964 Christmas episode of Bewitched, Samantha takes a little boy (played by Billy Mumy) all the way to the North Pole to prove to him that Santa is real. The same year also gave us the Flintsones show where Fred helped out an ailing Santa by delivering gifts but forgets his own family's presents. The desire for an old fashioned Christmas and lamenting commercialization has been a common theme from the days of A Charlie Brown Christmas right through the 2003 Christmas episode of Bernie Mac. And Dickens' A Christmas Carol has played out numerous times over the decades on shows like The Odd Couple, Sanford & Son, and The Simpsons. Thank God for TV land who runs blocks of these old Christmas shows every year!
Of course what would Christmas on TV be without mentioning the great, and regrettably now missing variety shows. Bob Hope did his first Christmas show on NBC in 1950 and continued for over forty years. His most famous shows were those he spent entertaining our armed forces throughout the Korean, Viet Nam, and first Gulf Wars. His 1970 and 1971 specials from Viet Nam are still ranked among Neilsen's Top 30 shows of all-time. Besides Bob there were so many other great variety shows...who can forget the annual Bing Crosby and Andy Williams shows, or even the Muppets. Werts also takes a look at the great animated shows like Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer. While many classic Christmas episodes are forgotten and variety shows are no more, the classic animated specials never get old or lose their luster.
Werts' book is filled with a comprehensive bibliography and index making it easy to find your favorite old Christmas episode. There is also a short, but enjoyable photo section. Truly a fantastic book! My highest recommendation!
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Pop culture scholarship at its distinguished bestReview Date: 2006-08-30
A book for the ages!!!Review Date: 2005-12-06

Collectible price: $95.00

GREAT READING!Review Date: 2000-09-10
GREAT READING!Review Date: 2000-09-10
Great for Film Students - not for the general public or fanReview Date: 2000-11-15
Walken deserves betterReview Date: 2000-08-24

Used price: $20.00
Collectible price: $29.99

A must for fansReview Date: 2008-01-03
"Are you a punk or are you just fakin'?"Review Date: 2003-07-19
You must purchase this book immediately!Review Date: 2002-05-21
A Great Find!Review Date: 2002-08-31

Used price: $2.95
Collectible price: $21.95

A+Review Date: 2008-06-20
The Cuisine of CinemaReview Date: 2005-09-10
I Love This Cookbook!!Review Date: 2004-11-20
Individual recipes are served up with an on-air witReview Date: 2003-11-14


A great bookReview Date: 2008-04-22
Soister does it again!Review Date: 2000-06-01
Claude Rains Fans....The book you've been waiting for!Review Date: 2000-04-12
Exceeded expectationsReview Date: 2008-04-13


A Wealth Of InformationReview Date: 2008-10-11
Clear and Concise CopyrightReview Date: 2008-10-09
Must read for all filmmakersReview Date: 2008-09-30
A MUST READ for indie producersReview Date: 2008-09-24
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