Performing Arts Books

After teaching English for several years, Judy Muller worked her way from small-town radio up to network television.

Her short, readable memoir is by turns poignant, moving, and hysterically funny. The copy that I checked out of the library had many dog-eared pages and I quickly grew to expect laughter -- that is, to hear myself laughing out loud -- when I reached one of these frequent waystations.

I knew that Judy Muller teaches a graduate course in broadcast journalism and I checked this book out of the library because I thought it might provide some good insights into the specifics of delivering the news. Beyond learning that radio reporters actually write their stories (but many TV reporters don't), which for some reason I found surprising -- you mean they don't just wing it? -- I learned very little about the mechanics of broadcast reporting, yet "Now This" is so accessible, and so funny, that I read the whole book anyway.

The editorial reviewers (above) have pretty much covered the topic areas of the book, so let me mention something other reviewers have not emphasized.

In anecdote after knee-slapping anecdote, Muller really captures a prevailing disjunction, a gap between the way the Big Media Powers that Be (back in New York) see the world, and the way the rest of us see it out here on the other side of William Penn's woods.

Judy Muller must have zillions of these stories under her belt by now, and now that she's gotten her memoir out of the way, it would be great to sit back and enjoy hearing her recount some episodes from her travels through small-town USA.

I look forward to a sequel, especially if it as as funny as the original ... Now This!

Judy Muller's unique combination of sharp wit, keen perception, brutal honesty, and personal courage gives us a glimpse into radio and TV journalism we can't get from just listening or watching. The book is a triumph, fleshing out the real people behind the talking heads. Her frank description of personal alcoholism is heart-wrenching, and her tale of the prices paid, and the gains made, in her profession should be required reading for anyone seriously considering a career in journalism. A fine read on several levels. Thanks for sharing, Judy!

This is easily one of the best written, most thoroughly delightful books I've read in many years. If you are a parent you will love it! If you're interested in radio you'll love it! If you're interested in TV you'll love it! One of the few books I've read in recent years where I truly hated to see the last few pages coming up.

Now, this is why Judy Muller is one of the very best correspondants on television--she's obviously a superb storyteller on the air, and when she's got some real time, boy can she ever write 'em down. Ms. Muller says up-front in her book that she comes from a whole family of storytellers. The lady's got great genes.

Judy Muller's wonderful book is a treat for anyone interested in an inside look at the whacky world of television news. Ms. Muller has a terrific sense of humor which keeps the reader doubled over throughout. I read the book cover-to-cover in one sitting, then gave it to a friend who also found it impossible to put down. We both had a good laugh together afterward comparing notes on our favorite stories from the book.

Ms. Muller also infuses her book with fascinating tales from her vantage point on history and poignant moments about dealing with life's problems. Her story is told honestly and from the heart. This is easily the best book by a television newswoman since Linda Ellerbee's "And So it Goes."

'Now You Know' pretty much sums up the content of this book and the epic motion picture that inspired it. Every page is a human story, a story of everyday people changed by the unspeakable horror of war. One cannot help but be moved by the sheer honesty of the reactions evoked by this film. With the royalties going to the National D-Day Museum let us hope that the messages of this film and book continue to be remembered, for the sake of our future, and for the people who gave their lives for our freedom...

(REVEALS INFO!) I thought this book was great but the movie was a lot better in my opinion. Saving Privite Ryan the novel was about a 4 on a 1-5 scale (5 being the best). My favorite character is Reiben because he carries a BeretaAutomaticRifle and he does not die. This book made me appreciate what the men of our country have done and I don't look down upon older people any more;I would like to thank them for it.

"Now You Know" is a first rate little hard-bound book concerning viewers' reactions to the movie "Saving Private Ryan." It is clearly a labor of love and all profits are being donated to the National D-Day Museum. Anyone who saw the movie and loved it as I did will want this book. The viewers' express their observations with heart-felt emotion and insight. It would be rare to find something like this anywhere else.

I teach a film history class and Saving Private Ryan is one of the films we watch and discuss. This collection of letters is very moving. The variety of reactions and emotions is very moving. The letters were impressive and they fit in well while teaching the film. If you teach a film class or plan to use Saving Private Ryan in the classroom I highly recommend this collection to supplement your teaching.

On June 6, 2000, The National D-Day Museum will open its doors in New Orleans, LA. It will be the only Museum in the U.S. dedicated to telling the stories of the amphibious invasions or "D-Days" of World War II. The royalties and earnings frm Now You Know are going to be dedicated to this Museum

The stories told in Now You Know will be mirrored in the Museum. Ordinary People who did the extraordinary. They came not to conquer, but to liberate, not to loot or destroy but to bring life and freedom.

Now You Know has helped me realize the debt that we owe that generation...a debt they never tried to collect. It has also helped me realize the opportunity I lost when my father died. A chance to say thanks.

Thanks.

This was a pretty good Sabrina book. Sabrina keeps popping into TV shows and books, because of a spell Hilda tries to put on Amanda. This book has some funny parts, but in some places it was a little boring.

Sabrina pops in and out of books and tv shows, because Amanda has put a spell on her. It's a great book, and it's real funny!

The Sabrina books are naturally good. Now You See Her Now You Dont is a really humorous book.It's all about a youth potion a random popping spell and Sabrina's bratty cousin Amanda.I think Sabrina fan's will really enjoy this fascinating book.

What's going on? All of a sudden, Sabrina keeps popping out of real life & into a novel or TV show! Then a few seconds later she pops back to the real world again. So far, no one has witnessed her strange disappearances. But how long can she be that lucky?

Sabrina is sure it's just another pop quiz from the Quizmaster. But she can't she can't come up with the right solution, & there's a party at the roller rink tonight. What if she's skating & just disappears into thin air? Won't everyone think that's a teensy bit weird?

Even worse, every time Sabrina pops out, she's gone a little longer. If this keeps up, she could disappear from real life completely!

What's going on? All of a sudden, Sabrina keeps popping out of real life & into a novel or TV show! Then a few seconds later she pops back to the real world again. So far, no one has witnessed her strange disappearances. But how long can she be that lucky?

Sabrina is sure it's just another pop quiz from the Quizmaster. But she can't she can't come up with the right solution, & there's a party at the roller rink tonight. What if she's skating & just disappears into thin air? Won't everyone think that's a teensy bit weird?

Even worse, every time Sabrina pops out, she's gone a little longer. If this keeps up, she could disappear from real life completely!

This is one of the classic texts on the principles and practices of modern film editing. While it was written nearly thirty years ago and refers occasionally to the techniques of linear editing on actual film, its summary of the rules of good editing remains as relevant today as ever, even for filmmakers who will only ever edit video on their computers. Editing is where the film is brought to life and Dmytryk outlines in a very clear and engaging way the basic considerations that allow that to take place. The author was not only a major filmmaker but a master teacher, and it shows in both the precision and clarity of his explanations.

What makes the guide as fresh today as when it appeared is that it is primarily not about technical considerations but about how an editor has to think in order to construct seamless and engaging scenes that are true to the overall story of a film. At the same time this thinking is given a practical application. The focus is on why rather than how, but it goes much further in explaining the basics of what to do when editing and how to put together a scene than many other books out there.

Dmytryk makes a distinction between a cutter and an editor, and cutting is merely competence with the equipment of film editing, whether it is a moviola or Final Cut Pro. Editing is always thinking, and is as creative in its approach to the film as shot as directing is creative in its approach to the film as written. Subtle variations in editing can change completely the tone or mood of a film. Dmytryk illustrates his points with several examples from major films he directed or edited (e.g. The Caine Mutiny, Murder, My Sweet and many more). Dmytryk is a master of his craft and is generous in his description of what it takes to pursue this mastery. This little book is an indispensible part of any filmmaker or film lover's library.

What if you have already read another editing book? Read this and then go back and read your other book. The author has a lifetime of experience in Hollywood and explains how Hollywood movies are edited, at least until the 1970's (most still use these methods). The methods described are the standards that form the basic language of the craft. Another plus is that the work is very concise and a good read into the history of film.

this is an excellent book on this very delicate craft. I also liked "the eye is quicker" but this was very informative and a better read. there is no substitute for actually editing and what works is hard to descibe in words but this book demonstrates some very subtles points and Mr. Dmytyk is a film maker. If your just starting read the eye is quicker but if you have some experience and want to go to the next level, this is a good one.

This is not only a really awesome book to help improve
your editing skill, but also one of the nicest overall books I've
ever read. Worth while buying.

One of the most important books in my life. I read and re-read this book in preparation for editing my FIRST film ever. Reviewers say my film possesses a "master level" edit. This book is why. Buy it. Read it. Re-read it.

My message to all young grasshopper: Read. And now read some more. Read and you become master phlegm-en-zepher.

I could not put this book down! What a great read it was, learning about the cast of characters in Carol's childhood, including her beloved Nanny. One of the best autobiographies I have read!

Although written over 15 years ago, Carol Burnett's
autobio is an amazing one. It covers just about all
(or seemingly so) of her early years in Texas,
her move to California, and at age 21, her move
to New York where she hit the 'big time'.

Carol obviously didn't have it easy. Her family
was impoverished and her mother and father were
absentee parents. Only because of her grandmother,
Nanny, did Carol pull through. Although neither
of Carol's parents survived to see her success,
Nanny did...and for that I'm sure she'll eternally
be grateful.

Unbeknownst to me before reading the book, her mother had
an illegitimate baby girl, Chrissy, which she kept...and this
was back in the 40's when such things were
scorned mercilessly. Luckily, just before
her mother died prematurely, Carol was able to take Chrissy
back to New York where she finished her formative years.

The coverage stops all too soon...Carol's narrative
is especially inviting. I was hoping that a few
bits about "The Carol Burnett Show" and Harvey, Tim,
Vicki, and Lyle would be included, but it's easy
to see why that element was left out.
Although the structure doesn't really take the
form of a letter, the book claims to be a letter
written for her three daughters. A unique format.

A must-read for any Carol fan. Definitely among
the best bios I've ever read or will read.

I enjoy reading books written by celebrities. It helps you understand who they really are and whether they are genuine or not. Carol Burnett definitely is. This book is about her life from when she was a child to when she got her break. She had a very rough childhood but she also had love. Her mother was definitely dysfunctional. Her Dad was not in the picture due to her parents divorce, his illness and booze. But when she did see him, he was very sweet to her. Her mother had her own demons. Pregnant with Carol's sister Chrissy by a married man (Tony), she had the baby and kept it. Carol's mom also dealt with alcoholism. Nanny was the root of her childhood memories. She came off as weak and elderly but she really was the rock that held the family together. She did everything she could to keep food on the table and a roof over their head when Carol's parents couldn't. Nowadays, if someone grew up in this type of situation, they would probably end up dysfunctional themselves. Not Carol. Carol, no matter how bad her childhood was, she played by the rules. She received money from an unnamed elite in Holllywood to go to New York and have a shot at Broadway and she appreciated it. She wrote letters to this person to let him know how she was doing and when she finally earned enough money, she paid him back. She rescued her sister Chrissy when things got tough at home and raised her from her teenage years. I admire Carol for her success but more importantly for how she has handled her fame. She sets a great example for people who have become famous. Especially for those who have started from nothing. I am so glad I read this book. I'm now off to find the TVLand schedule to see if there are any Carol Burnette Show re-runs to watch.

Carol Burnett is probably best known for her television show where she performed in various skits with a talented cast. One might not realize just how shy she was as a kid, or that she never dreamed of being a movie star until college. However, it is all here in this autobiography, a charming and personal account of a life filled with entertaining characters. We learn about Nanny, the woman who raised Carol and her younger sister Chrissy. We find out about Carol's alcoholic parents Jody and Louise, very different people and different influences on Burnett's life. There are many stories of growing up, school, various jobs, and family, each incredibly relatable and great fun to read. It is hard to put this book down. It is written to constantly leave the reader wanting more and never disappointing.

It is obvious that Burnett has a great love for her childhood although she wasn't always the most popular or the richest. She is an ordinary woman with a life that anyone can latch onto. The only disappointment is that it is so short. Burnett skips talking about her famous tv show as well as the marriage that brought her the three children she wrote the book for. It leaves the reader wanting more. Perhaps there will be a sequel one day; it will no doubt be as good as the first.

Carol Burnett hit the bullseye with the re-telling of her now familiar life story. The pacing is gentle and flowing while the anecdotes and stories are vivid and well written. Reading this, one can really appreciate "destiny" because the truth is that someone who had her experiences should never have even had the gumption to get herself into UCLA -- let alone take the rest of her journey.

Yet she did it all, with both verve and aplomb and for those of us who are fans, we're grateful that she was able to share her natural gifts with us. Singer, comedienne, actress, entertainer -- she's all of them and more -- and how she got there is a wonderful reminder to everyone that you can't ever stop believing in the power you have to imagine your own life and destiny.

This is a sweet, simple story about Tucker and his need to dance. My son, too, is the only boy in his dance class and I thought it would be the perfect way to show how books can mirror your own experiences. My son likes the book well enough but I find some of the language doesn't flow very well in the beginning. Overall, I'd recommend this book for any child's library.

This is a delightful book, with great illustrations and a great lesson. The main character is completely endearing. And the story of his courage to be different and do what he is passionate about is very well told. Girls, boys, and adults will love this book--especially those who are fond of ballet.

From the moment he wakes up in the morning until the moment he goes to sleep at night, Tucker is in constant motion. His boundless energy and upbeat personality make him bounce down the stairs, twirl around his parents, and weave between his younger sisters. His natural affinity for dancing leads him to ballet class. He absolutely loves dancing and enjoys his class. He doesn't care that he's the only boy enrolled in the course - until his male classmates find out and make fun of him for it. His uncle isn't too keen on it either. Happily, Tucker follows his heart (or, rather, his feet!) During a football game, his speed and agility impress his peers, and the teasing diminishes.

Gruska's text is simple and easy to follow, and the colorful illustrations by Amy Wummer suit the story. Even the endpapers are pretty! (I really love argyle.) The book includes a glossary of ballet terms to further educate hopeful dancers. This story will encourage readers of all ages to keep dancing to the beat of his or her own drummer.

The Only Boy in Ballet Class is a perfectly charming book, wonderfully illustrated by a prolific artist, but it's also an important story for young children about coming to terms with your true self and expressing the passions you really feel, even if others don't quite get it. It's a story about commitment, about perseverance, and about unanticipated rewards.

Tucker Dohr loves to dance, and not just any kind of dancing, but the difficult discipline of the Ballet. Being the only boy in a ballet class is very hard, but Tucker needs to dance, even though many of the kids in his neighborhood mock his participation in a "girly" activity. And if that weren't bad enough, Tucker has an uncle, equally rigid and unsupportive, who constantly carps at his dancing and urges him to take up more stereotypical activities for boys. But Tucker looks forward to his ballet classes, and doesn't give up.

He has heart, in a heartless world, or perhaps just a world burdened by the many broken-hearted people who've let their own dreams fade away, and then settled for someone else's dream, someone else's life.

Tucker is very lucky as well; his Uncle has no real say in his life, other than as a wet blanket and kibbitzer from the sidelines. Tucker's parents support him, and allow Tucker to be himself, to find his own way, and to dream his own dreams.

The illustrations beautifully extend the text of the book and make it more compelling, allowing us to see Tucker's sense of joy and fulfillment in dance, both in private moments and during public performance.

This book will be attractive to any child interested in the Ballet, and even includes a little glossary of dance terms which describes the various movements Tucker excels at. But it will also be attractive to any children who find themselves inhabiting the unknown territories at the boundaries of life, whether that be the difficult negotiation of gender roles and behavior, as in this book, or those who are fascinated with unpopular subjects -- like lepidoptery, or Etruscan pottery -- because Tucker does just fine. His passion turns out to be valuable in fields outside the dance studio, and he still loves to dance.

The Only Boy in Ballet Class is a passionate, entertaining, funny, and poignant look at a boy's struggle to be his most authentic self. I read this with my daughter and it moved her, literally, to dance around the living room. She had me demonstrating the various balllet moves from the glossary in the back. Then, in mid pirouette declared her intentions to become a ballet dancer, just like Tucker Dohr. No doubt this book inspired her to move. But I appreciated it most for the valuable message it imparts to its readers, of celebrating the uniqueness in all of us. Because, after all, that is what makes us each special.

I bought this copy of the book after having lost my original. I felt that I needed to read this book again, after meeting El Cordobes in Benidorm many years ago when Benidorn was still a small towm.
Well worth reading a second time.

Perhaps one of the best biographies I have ever read, this book tells the story of the fabled Spanish bullfighter Manuel Benitez "El Cordobes"!

Born in strict poverty, this youngser defied all the odds in becoming perhaps the most famous modern day "toreador"! His phenominal rise to fame is truly something out of a novel! El Cordobes, desperate, illiterate, starving had one dream, to become a bullfighter. And the odds were stacked heavily against him. This noble profession certainly had no room for such a peasant! But the heavens were looking out for him and rise he did. With the help of an influential patron, El Cordobes succeeded, and with a fervor almost unparalleled. This is no "dull biography" but a gripping one, complete with all the ingredients of a first-rate novel! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins have written a great book. "Or I'll Dress You In Mourning" is a powerful account of the life and times of "El Cordobes", which I had the good fortune of watching him fight a bull in the 60's in a black and white footage. His lack of fear and proximity to the bull while making his "passes" can only be described as exceptional courage! Regardless wether a person likes or does not like bullfighting as a sport or as an art, the fact remains that these particular kind of bulls are a breed that can quite easily kill a person with just one gore of their deadly horns. These are no friendly, peaceful animals. Some of them are amazing sights. Just to imagine one charging at you knowing their split second reactions allows them to turn on a dime, sort of speak, makes a person appreciate the drama involved in a "corrida". The story of "El Cordobes" and the period of time in which it took place in Spain makes for great reading. This "Matador's" poverty and desire to become the best is nothing short of exceptional. Dominique Lapierre is a great writer. Another great book by him is "City of Joy". A book of such spiritual force that leaves the reader helpless with awareness. I like the fact that this kind of writing is non fictional. Larry Colling has collaborated with Lapierre and must take equal amounts of credit for this book. 5 stars for this great book, a proud inclusion in anyone's library.

This is my favourite book of all times. I have read it at least seven or eight times and every time, it never fails to excite me. The story is well told and animated and as well as understanding the life of El Cordobes, you also learn so much about the history of Spain, the era of Franco and the impact his tyranny had on the country. If you read this book, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I've read this book twice now. Never fails to enthrall me. It is great on 3 levels. One, a spellbinding plot that can keep you up all night. Two, it teaches some Spanish history and bullfighting lore. Three, it makes you grateful for what you have and shows that with perseverance your dreams can come true. A good book for a teenager. One of the best I've read in a long time.

I was fortunate to find this book on this site at a decent price, and I'm so glad that I did. Not only is it informative and readable, but it really gives you insight into the life of one of the most underrated and neglected young actresses of the 50s, Anna Maria Pierangeli, known as Pier Angeli during her MGM contract. The Italian actress lost her father in her early teens and was controlled and chaperoned by her controlling mother, Enrica, who essentially kept Pier away from her true love, actor James Dean, and convinced her daughter to enter into a marriage with singer/actor Vic Damone, a union that would be short-lived and a disasterous mistake. Her career faltered during her marriage to Damone and it never regained the same momentum. Pier found herself in increasingly more unworthy and exploitative films in Europe before her return to Hollywood in 1971. Her second marriage to musician Armando Trovajoli was as disasterous as her first, and she lost custody of her children. However, her return to California was a time of high hopes that her career could be rejuvenated. I personally never believed that Pier committed suicide, and it's good to see that the author argues against this theory and proves that there was no suicide note, as has often been claimed. She loved her children and her sisters far too much to do that, even if pills and alcohol did bring a temporary escape at times.

There are some wonderful sources and people who were close to Pier who make this biography all the more interesting, such as her fraternal twin sister Marisa Pavan, her younger sister Patrizia, her son Perry Damone, as well as many who worked with Pier and befriended her. You have to wonder how reliable of a source Enrica Pierangeli was, however. The term "stage mother" is never used but the way their mother and daughter relationship was described (love/hate, Enrica's constant presence and living through her daughter's career, how she tried to control who Pier dated, the fact that they were dependant on each other despite that they had a "terrible relationship" and would check with each other many times a day), seems remarkably similar to the lives of Natalie Wood and Sandra Dee, both of whom had stage mothers. And the fact that Marisa and Patrizia were pushed into the background and the focus was on Pier in the family - speaks volumes. Enrica tried to downplay Pier's relationship and feelings for James Dean, and I get the strong impression that Enrica's dislike of Dean and the fact that she lost control over Pier through much of her time with Jimmy and later her marriage to Damone played a large part in how Enrica relayed things after Pier's death.

Pier was a gentle, childlike and somewhat naive young girl at the beginning of her screen career, and I think because of that and her mother's pushing to have Pier support the family, that made her vulnerable to both the studio and to people around her who did not have her best interests at heart. She was never really given the kind of roles that showed her acting talent, with a few exceptions, and to me that's a shame because I truly think that the world was deprived of Pier's talent and presence. She longed for love, and perhaps a bit of a father replacement, since she adored him and kept his photo (along with that of James Dean) for the rest of her life. She managed to avoid marrying Kirk Douglas, but sadly Damone was her mother's choice and she went along with it, although there may have been affection on her part for Vic, her heart always belong to Jimmy, as she stated later in life.
She suffered so much, but she did not take her own life.

I would like to thank Jane Allen for her effort and for bringing this great biography of Pier and for opening a window into her world and the times she lived in. I wish Pier's family and friends all the best and hope they are doing well, and I hope Jimmy and his Annarella are together in heaven.

And I don't say that lightly. This is an incredible book for several reasons.

Information, especially good detailed information on Pier Angeli is quite hard to find and here is a whole book in English, just about Pier.
The book is well researched and is written in a warm , respectful tone towards its subject.
You don't always see that in a biography.
I also enjoyed the format and layout of the book. I thought it was done beautifully.It also had some photos of Pier I'd never seen before.

Most of all I was just grateful for an opportunity to find out more about Pier . And I was happy to see her story sympathetically told.Her story should be much more well known and she is sadly underrated as an actress.
I first heard of Pier because I am a huge fan of James Dean.
But I have became a fan of Pier in her own right.The book touched me deeply. I did not know that Pier had experienced so much unfairness and agony in her life, especially in her final years. I knew she had experienced some rough times throughout her life, but I did not half the things she had been through.I think Jimmy would be saddened to know all the pain that his "Annarella" has suffered.
Pier was a sensitive , fragile, unique woman and I relate to certain aspects of her character such as her oversensitivity and the part of her that never wanted to fully grow up and let go of the innocence and free spirit of childhood very much.
What happened to Pier was a tragedy.I still don't understand why the studios turned their backs on this beautiful , talented actress. That was a huge mistake because it cheated both Pier and her fans out of all the terrific work she was capable of doing.
If the major studios hadn't unfairly turned their backs on her , she would have had the lasting quality career she deserved.Her life would have probably have been different and she might even be alive today.Who knows?
I don't mean to make this book seem all negative because its not.Pier's story is a heartbreaking one thats for sure, but the book also celebrates the good things in her life-her beauty, her love and loyalty to family, her love for her children, her talent, her once luminous career.And the book also presents proof that Pier DID NOT commit suicide as is so wildly reported and believed.
I would recommend this book to any fans of Piers, any fan of classic Hollywood , its personalities and its darkside,and also to fans of James Dean. There is a chapter about her relationship with him and several mentions about him in the book.

My only possible complaint about the book is sometimes I feel the Author tried to insert her own speculations as to what Pier was thinking and feeling at certain moments, when nobody not even her family or friends could know that unless Pier came out and explicity told them, but I suppose thats common practice in a biography.
But it don't feel it takes away any from the high quality of the book.

It's hard to find information on Pier Angeli so this book written by Jane Allen is a perfect source. I originally bought this book because I am a huge fan of James Dean and she is mentioned in so many of his biographies. After reading the chapter on him, I felt compelled to find out about what happened to her later on after his death. And it was not happy. I see Anna Maria Pierangeli as a young woman looking for love in all the wrong places and in the wrong people, hoping to recreate the security and comfort she had with her father who had died just as she reached stardom.

She was a misunderstood young woman who wasn't prepared for how big she was getting in the movie industry and who was too trusting, though this was not her fault but mainly part of her nature. She was a kind person who had a good heart and had the best intentions for those she cared about, especially her sons. But too many heartbreaks (the end of her relationship with James Dean, his death), failed marriages to Vic Damone and Armando Travajoli, the physical and mental abuse she endured from lovers she hoped to find companionship with, hoping that it would lead to some sort of happiness in the end.

All of this took over her life, thereby making her believe that she could not find the happiness she longed to have. This biography is very intimate and shows the readers a side of her that she desperately tried to hide away for fear of rejection, rejection that she frequently experienced. A lot is provided about her personal life, the betrayals, the never-ending events of unhappiness, disappointment, etc. It seems that life never really treated her fairly and during the times when it seemed that all was well, they were simply too good to be true and always came to a miserable end. I felt sympathy for her because of what she had to go through, an independent life which she desperately wanted when she was dating James Dean and when she got it, she found that she couldn't harness it herself, especially after James had died. All that she went through led to her untimely death, which was NOT suicide, apart from what fans and/or other biographers claim.

It hurts me to think of all her pain and misery, thinking that Jimmy Dean would have been heartbroken if he was watching over her after his death. It's true, she was a loving person even though at times she turned to alcohol and pills to relieve her of her pain, even if it was only temporary. She believed she could depend only on love to get her through, part of her idealistic life. But in the end, she could not have this. As true to the title of her biography, she did have a fragile life. I could not put the book down and page by page, I felt that I could relate to her, her emotions, her views, and her reasons for her actions which weren't in her best interest, though through no fault of her own but simply her misguidance by those who controlled her and her weakness to stand up for what she wanted, to be a non-conformist (an influence that Jimmy Dean had tried to help her to demonstrate).

After reading that Pier considered Jimmy to be her one true love, you start to think about what could have been between them had fate not intervened, leading up to his unexpected and sudden death. Pier went through many hardships, many that she should not have had to endure. Whether you are a James Dean fan or not, this book is a must-read, you won't be disappointed.

Jane Allen, lets us all know the truth about how much Pier Angeli and James Dean really loved each other. The questionable paternity of one of her children. The shocking papers that were found in James Dean's Porche after his death. The eyewitnesses who saw the lengths each one had gone to to see each other. There has to be a movie made about this relationship that gets deeper into their rocky romance not just their intimate moments in Malibu at the beach house but their long talks. They had so many interests in common not just a loss of a parent which is what everyone who has seen the other television movies about James Dean have found out. Their love for each other was emphatic in every way. I know that they were reunited when she left this world, accidentally, as Jane Allen points out, on September 9th, 1971. This is a great book.

The only thing I have to negatively comment about is Jane Allen's belief that Pier wanted to be envied. Pier wanted to be adored by her fans. She always wanted praise but not envy.

this was a wonderful read, and beautiful written story of the life of the equally beautiful yet flawed pier angeli, i think the title was a bit misleading because i don't think pier was as fragile as the world thought she was, in the book i saw a woman who just didn't really have her piorites right and made bad decisions.the only thing i critize about the book is the book format, it's written as though you are reading a newspaper with very small print.

This book is very readable - the author uses several anecdotes to engage the reader, and also provides lots of hard facts, and excellent suggestions. If you are planning a film - buy this book.

What initially drew me to this was the low-budget part. It turns out to be full of practical advice for anyone thinking of getting into making movies whether from the purely creative or the cold-hard-cash standpoint. Actually, this book makes an excellent point of connecting the money and the art especially in the field of filmmaking where the pursuit is hardly ever one-man or completely free of expense. This is not just about the low-budget film but about filmmaking in general discussed in a way you would discuss how to bake a lasagna. You realize that anyone can bake a lasagna. Whether or not anyone would eat it? That's another story.

Planning The Low Budget Film by producer and production manager Robert Latham Brown draws upon the author's 30 years of experience to lay out the principles of solid film planning with strictly limited resources. Chapters discuss how to get into the low-budget film business, how to apply and adhere to a schedule, methods of calculating and keeping track of the budget. Of especial value is the meticulous step-by-step instructions for anyone who is brand new to the confusing world of financial recordkeeping. Written in down-to-earth, no-nonsense format, Planning The Low Budget Film is enthusiastically recommended for aspiring and professional film producers of all experience levels.

I found out about this book quite by accident on Wikipedia, as so many people rely on expensive computer budgeting programs now. I refuse to shell out more big cash on programs and books. The D.I.Y. film information industry has become so bloated, you could spend so much money on materials, you could've made a feature film instead of buying more books on HOW to do it. But this is a really good book from an actual teacher who knows how to communicate. It's a secret self-published book that I'm glad I stumbled upon. As word-of-mouth spreads, I imagine many more people will find out about it.

Anyway, now that the script is done five years later, I've been avoiding the idea of all this real work, hoping I could run a cute photo and a personal ad for a knight to ride in and save me. I didn't care if the knight was white or black or even abusive. But no dice. And since I have to do this anyway, I wanted to really learn the logic of how and why to break down and budget a script. It's a surprisingly easy read for such a dry subject and I'm carrying my copy around like a newly dog-eared pet, reading a little bit more each time. Good luck to both you and me!

Update: I broke down and not only had to buy a program (which I still can't figure out six months later--if only Scott Billups would write every manual!)--but I also took a pre-production class with Debbie Brubaker, the line producer. Man, she is rock n' roll.

If you are making your first legitimate movie where people besides your friends and family are depending on you not to screw up big time and you just searched Amazon for books on filmmaking and you need a no-nonsense step by step guide to help you through the behind the scenes process, this is the book for you!

I work with a comedy group in California, and we recently shot our first budgeted short film. As I am the most organized member of the group I was appointed the "Line Producer" and put in charge of making the whole thing come together on the back end. Coming from a theatre background, I knew what went into putting a stage performance together, but I was in the dark when it came to preparing for a film. After scouring Amazon (and a few other sites) this book seemed the most adequate to help me prepare for my job.

I've worked in film before, so a lot of the books I looked at about making a movie spend 2/3 of their volume explaining the difference between DV and Film and what a DP does, but I needed something that cut through that introductory fat, and would help prepare me for pre-production and detail exactly what went into pulling a film together.

This book is that book. It was my bible. It was glued to my side like Biff's Sports Almanac in Back to the Future 2.

Mr. Brown walks you through everything that goes into "making it happen." From breaking down the script into a functional shooting schedule to preparing an accurate budget to determing how far behind schedule you are to making sure there is a place for people to go to the bathroom, it's all in there. Additionally, the book even helped me to prepare for a lot of the basic legal and propreitary issues that we would encounter.

Brown also peppers the book with great anecdotes that help you avoid the pitfalls and roadblocks that he himself has encountered on large feature films like The Goonies. Yeah, The Goonies, you can't mess with someone who worked on The Goonies.

This book is essential. Bottom line. Read it. Love it. Use it.
Make well prepared movies.
Be a hero for your production.

These CD's are hilarious!!! Though most of the jokes are suitable for children, be aware that there are some that are risque and many that are just plain over their heads. Also many of the political jokes are dated. You'll find yourself thinking, now who was John Kerry again? But aside from these minor drawbacks, it's a great way to while away the hours on a road trip. Don't want to buy it? See if your public library has it in its collection. Mine did.

I play this CD whenever I need to laugh. It is classic funny Prairie Home Companion humor, both intellectual and silly.

Garrison Keillor can leave me cold, but these collections are a great distraction in the car on trips. Virtually all the jokes I already know, but they are still fun to hear and draw an occasional laugh.

The four CDs in this collection are great entertainment, albeit a bit ribald, from Garrison Keilor's NPR radio shows. I've bought several copies for friends and even sent a couple of copies to our troops in the mid-east. My son says it helped boost morale when he was there. Avoid it if you're easily offended, but great fun for the rest of us.

This is the best way I know to get through a long road trip laughing. It will also take your mind off your worries, because you have to really pay attention to keep up with the rapid fire delivery style and you can't think about much else at the same time. This has become a classic in our home, and a great gift for everyone who says, "I have to have that for myself!"