Performing Arts Books

A wistful look with hundreds of old photos

"Sparkling. Captures the flavor of the Borscht Belt. The Frommers take the reader on a sunny cruise down memory lane."

"The book's profusely iullustrated 239 pages are loaded with reminiscences that are bawdy, rueful, whimsical, and profoundly human. Most engrosssing are the tales of sharp moguls, barely off the boat, building grand hotels out of brazen nerves and chutzpah. With interviews from over 100 subjects, the Frommers have made a time capsule fascinating to anyone who savored "Broadway Danny Rose," wept when Jack Benny died, or would sell their souls for some good pastrami.

This exuberant oral history of what Jewish comedians used to call the Borscht Belt re-creates a world now gone--a New York State vacation haven in the middle decades of this century primarily to New York City Jews. The Frommers, who collaborated on The Games of the 23rd Olympiad, have transcribed reminiscences of owners, executives, workers, entertainers and guests of establishments like Grossinger's, the Concord and the Nevele, which lured visitors as diverse as Nelson Rockefeller and an Indian maharajah and served as a proving ground for the developing talents of Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Neil Sedaka, Tony Martin and even opera star Robert Merrill. Besides stories of life in glamorous hotels, the coauthors recount adventures in the more modest bungalow colonies and smaller spots among the 500 resorts that populated the area. A wealth of ethnic jokes and photos also fill this unqualified treat.

While working at the Nevele Country Club, one of the many legendary Catskill resorts covered in this magnificent document, I briefly met Myrna and Harvey Frommer while doing their research. They probably don't remember me, I was too young at the time to offer the kind of history they were looking for, but the pair's enthusiasm and obvious love for the area's resorts and their unique (now long gone) familial atmosphere was readily apparent. When I finally got to read this book, it provided me with a sense of pride for being a part of its history. There's even an ancient picture of my father playing sax in the old Art Kahn Orchestra! But aside from personal connections, this book stands as a definitive oral history of an era. The people interviewed are true insiders, some of them legends in their own right among Catskill lore. And while the book provides some deep sociological perspective concerning its ethnic background, the authors know how to balance this with charming, amazing and often sidesplitting anecdotes. If you ever spent a weekend at Grossinger's, The Concord, The Nevele or one of the dozens of small bungalow colonies, this book will wash you in warm memories. And if you didn't have the chance, it will make you wish you did.

"For theater lovers, this holiday brings books that should satisfy even the pickiest soul. My favorite is a gossipy portrait of Broadway over the past 60 years - IT HAPPENED ON BROADWAY, AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE GREAT WHITE WAY..... It's fun to browse in (lots of nice pictures), but addictive as a bag of potato chips."

This is a one of a kind Broadway book. The stories, the photos, the whole feel . . .it is like table hopping at Sardi's.

IT HAPPENED ON BROADWAY: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE GREAT WHITE WAY By Myrna Katz Frommer & Harvey Frommer

The Bloomsbury Review, November-December 1998

What better way to write a history of the last fifty years of Broadway theater than to get the information from those who made it all happen! The Frommers have compiled an oral history that is told by many of those wonderfully talented, hardworking people who spared no effort to create great hits and, yes, occasionally, flops. More than one hundred actors, directors, choreographers, producers, composers, lyricists, and playwrights as well as set, costume, and lighting designers, extras, and publicists have contributed to this deliciously enjoyable compilation of material about the great white way.

It Happened on Broadway is filled with background information about the Broadway shows of the last half century, and the successes, failures, struggles, and uncertainties of many personalities. Many interviewees have been household names for generations, others are just achieving recognition, and some names are not likely to mean much to most readers. Yet they all bring us some of the most interesting experiences and insights about the Broadway theater of recent years. One wonders how the Frommers managed to persuade so many luminaries to share their tales.

The first chapter "Broadway Calling," should be required reading for every theater student, aspiring actor, and budding theater professional. To hear Carol Channing, Jerry Herman, Betty Buckley, Manny Azenberg, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Al Hirschfeld, Richard Kiley, Leslie Uggams, Louise Lasser, Charles Durning, Patricia Neal, Jerry Zaks and many more tell how they got started in their careers is an education in itself and makes for superbly entertaining reading as well.

Much of the book is devoted to musicals, since those were the majority of "name" Broadway shows of the last half century, but there are also stories of the Theater Guild, from Eugene O'Neill and Bernard Shaw to William Inge and Sean O'Casey and the last week of Clifford Odets, and about the extraordinary talents of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams and such performers as Marlon Brando and Tallulah Bankhead. Celeste Holm tells how her Broadway career began when she was cast by Lynn Fontanne in The Time of Your Life together with Gene Kelly and William Bendix. And there is talk about the groundbreaking impact of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.

In one chapter "Look, Look, Look Who's Dancin' Now," Gwen Verdon, Marge Champion, Donna McKechnie and others share stories about Agnes DeMille, Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, and the creation of Chorus Line and Chicago.

Most new shows go through a difficult gestation period before they are ready to be presented to the public. In some instances, a late edition of a song or conversely, deletion of some material can turn a potential loser into a future hit. Backstage tales, candid comments on their own performances and those of their fellow actors, the roundabout ways in which producers obtained production rights, often after years of effort, all make for fascinating reading.

This book gives the rare opportunity to hear the comments of those who were involved in the creation of Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, Zorba, Wonderful Town, On the Twentieth Century, The Will Rogers Follies, Annie, Nine, Grand Hotel, Titanic, and many, many more.

To sum up, the Frommers have combined these interviews and stories into a rich, seamless, history that masterfully captures the essence of Broadway's last five decades in a most enjoyable fashion. _____ __

Paging through this book is like stepping back through those years in the mid to late 20th Century when Broadway was bursting with fresh talent and wonderous creativity. Fantastic photos (many of which I have not seen elsewhere) and the collected personal memories of an army of Broadway veterans. Instead of muddying these memories with reams of connecting text, the editors have grouped related anecdotes into chapters and let those who lived this history speak for themselves. A great read for anyone who loves the theatre -- Broadway in particular.

The stars, both onstage and off, that have helped create the Broadway theatre of today have committed their lives to one of the most important and vital of all the arts. This book gives them their due in a way few others have. It Happened on Broadway is a very well-done book recording for posterity the fine tradition that is Broadway theatre, using almost entirely the words of the people that actually lived their lives there. It is funny, touching, englightening, and a must-read for anyone who loves Broadway and theatre as much as those in the book who gave their lives to it.

Sharon Stone's hilarious shower scene...the breastfeeding of Kirstie Ally's possums & the psychology of Hollywood schadenfreude...the racy rituals of Tribal Hollywood (in a chapter that reads like Margaret Mead on a joy ride down Wilshire Blvd.)...this book careens around some truly funny curves and hairpin tales, tidbits and even, towards the end, throws in some genuinely poetic writing...a crazyquilt of savvy analysis (though the numbers are far less fun than the quotes) that is served up hot and spicey by an obviously keen and clever insider...I can honestly say it made me alternately gasp and laugh all over again seven years after I first checked it out...Why haven't we seen a sequel yet, Mr Ulmer???

Or maybe a Sharon Stone (she is not spared in these pages). Quite simply, this book is impossible to put down. James Ulmer's clever rating system is interesting enough in itself -- but the best part of the book is his personal stamp. He makes no bones about being star-struck, yet his mission is the demystification of the gods, and he does it with gimlet-eyed clarity and intelligence. A dirt-filled riff will turn on a phrase into a sharp insight into the celebrity cult and our fascination with it. Some of his observations of actors are priceless. My image of Marlon Brando struggling up the Brooklyn waterfront ramp will now forever be juxtaposed with him struggling up the aisle of an L.A. supermarket, dressed in a muumuu and eating from an as-yet-unbought gallon of Breyers ice cream. This is a great summer (or winter) read, but don't take it to anyplace where you're self-conscious about laughing out loud. Because you will.

For anyone who enjoys following the cult of celebrity -- go backstage with James Ulmer and find all of the behind-the-scenes gossip (ok really thruths) about today's biggest stars. Ulmer has been compiling this list for industry insiders for years and this is the first time he's published his info for the general public -- can't wait for the next installment!

It's fun and funny to see how the industry perceives itself, this book is a hoot. The information they based the ratings on is already outdated, (Russell Crowe's career trajectory arrow is going sideways? Hello?) but it's still worth the $$ for the essays, especially the one on star perks, (you will not believe the story about a certain actress and a baby opposum) and the "inside dirt" remarks.

The title only tells half the story. The lists are fun to browse (the 200 top stars), especially the inside dirt on each star. But the essays are really hilarious: weird twisted perks, gossip and insecurity, naughty inside references - a pretty amazing picture of business and culture in Hollywood, where Ulmer says nothing binds people together like money, tribal membership "and the desire to see your best friend fail." Yikes. This book definitely goes on my holiday gift list.

Even though Peter Cowie is a noted film historian, the text isn't anything special. But some quotes are quite interesting. For the most part I didn't learn anything new about Joan. But the book is filled with wonderful photos of my favorite actress...so I can't help but love it.
I would buy this book all over again if I had to.

This coffee table book is a great conversation piece. I love the pictures of Joan taken by George Hurell. He really knew the power of light, shadows and retouching. Not one freckle is visible on many of his Crawford presentations. I chose the word 'presentation' because that is precisely what Hurrell seems to be conjuring. He promoted her to be a presence! Crawford's image still holds up today. Her trendsetting clothes,meticulously coiffed hair and flawless makeup originated the personification of STAR.
Today's leading ladies of the cinema, Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron have all unkowningly borrowed from the Crawford standard of beauty. Each and every time they strut down the red carpet, a tribute to Crawford is made.

Even without having read the book yet (it arrived yesterday--a day BEFORE the release date?) but just from perusing the photos I can guarantee that every Crawford fan NEEDS this one. It's a big, coffee-table book, not another of those mediocre biographies that keep flooding the bookshelves every Christmas.

There is biographical text but it's rather minimal. The focus of the book is really the beautiful photography, concentrating on the EARLY part of Joan's career, the forgotten part for most people. I think those who can only see Joan as "Mommie Dearest" really need to look at these images--for not only is Joan beautiful in them in a way that they probably never dreamed, but her beauty is soulful and humanizing--NOT the face of a caricature or an iron-willed automaton.

It's impossible to look at these pictures without recognizing a woman who must have been many things to many people--especially in the candid photos such as one early shot of Joan and Roman Navarro jokingly dancing together in between takes of "Across to Singapore". Joan is young and vibrant, laughing with her arm around Navarro as they attempt to get in synch--and in one click of a shutter her sense of humor and playfulness are revealed. I think Joan--because of her later characterizations, those gorgeous but glacial Hurrell images, and gossip, has developed an undeserved reputation as having been rather humorless, domineering and bossy. But so many of these photographs show a soft side, a fragile side, a funny and earthy side--all contributing to a new epiphany that she must have been--at least during the era focused on in this book--a rather lovely human being.

Her strength and determination shine through too, of course, and many of these photos I have never seen. Others I have seen on the internet, and was glad to have them now in high resolution as they are beautiful--I can now throw out my cheap print-outs! Rizzoli is a fantastic publisher and have done an exceptional job assembling the book. I think it will go far toward restoring Joan's personal and professional legacies, both much deserved and long overdue.

Peter Cowie's coffee-table book "Joan Crawford: The Enduring Star" is a lush photo-Valentine to Joan fans old and new ... but especially the new.

I came of Joan-age in the mid-1980s, just in time to revel in Alexander Walker's "The Ultimate Star," published in 1983, and the "Legends" Kobal-collection photo book, which came out in '86. These two books, along with "Conversations with Joan Crawford," published in 1980, helped solidify my Joan fandom after I'd discovered her as an actress for the first time---in a VHS rental, "Grand Hotel," watched on a tiny screen in a university library.

I suspect that the photographs of "The Enduring Star" will act for a new generation of those teetering on the brink of Joan-fandom as a similar catalyst: enough to send 'em over the edge into either full-blown admiration, or into a quest to learn more about her films before they make up their minds. Whichever the case, the book has done its job. As film critic Mick LaSalle says in his introduction: "Look at that face--modern, arch, knowing, passionate, ready to eat the world. That's still something new, that's today looking right at you." Indeed. You can't look at that face and not be impressed and dazzled.

Admittedly, when it was first announced in June 2008 that LaSalle would be writing the introduction to a book about Joan Crawford, I was immediately wary. He was, after all, a high-profile Norma Shearer-booster, and one who often dissed Joan in the process of boosting Norma (or just dissed Joan for the hell of it). His 2000 book "Complicated Women," for instance, includes such semi-bon mots as: "Crawford [in her early-1930s performances] looked like an act trying to impersonate a human being. Emotional problems certainly contributed to this, her image didn't help." Later in the book, he cattily says Crawford's onscreen energy is that of "a woman dancing fast to keep the whorehouse customers happy."

LaSalle now seems to have amended his cat-calls in time to contribute to his colleague Peter Cowie's book. He gives Joan more than a fair shake in his appreciative intro, as when he writes: "When you see her, you'll feel, maybe for the thousandth time, maybe for the precious first time, what she meant to the fans who originally discovered her. That should be our goal, to see Joan Crawford fresh, for the work she did. She and we deserve nothing less."

The book's primary strength lies in its thoughtfully chosen, gorgeous photographs, which do indeed enable even long-time fans to "see Crawford fresh." As a long-time fan myself, I enjoyed rediscovering and appreciating Joan's face anew with each turn of the page.

The selection of publicity shots, films stills, and a smattering of candids tilt heavily toward her 1930s images, with a focus on Hurrell's iconic work. That's definitely good enough, of course, but the fact that her post-1940 period isn't better represented is a bit disappointing (post-1940 pictures comprise about a fifth of the book's total); Joan had some stunning sessions during the '40s, for instance, with photographers like Bert Six and Whitey Schaefer, and it's a shame that their work, and more of Laszlo Willinger's late '30s sessions, didn't receive more attention. The dearth of Ruth Harriet Louise's seminal 1920s shots is also regrettable.

Another minor quibble: The book-jacket claims that more than 100 of the photos here have not been seen in the past 25 years. The author seems to have forgotten the miracle of the Internet! As the webmaster of a Joan website with a photo gallery consisting of literally 1000s of photos, I've spent the past 5 years compiling Joan photos from various sources for the gallery. I counted the photos in this book that I haven't yet seen: 53 of the 213. While the claim of "more than 100" might be off, for a regular Joan-photo-searcher like me to have not seen a fourth of the photos is, nonetheless, a more-than-respectable accomplishment.

And for the average Joan fan, or especially the Joan beginner or the merely curious, the selection here is an absolute treasure trove, destined to create new admirers or to turn what might have begun as only a passing interest into a full-fledged obsession. As director George Cukor writes, from his 1977 eulogy in this book's Afterword: "She had...above all her face, that extraordinary sculptural construction of lines and planes, finely chiseled like the mask of some classical divinity from fifth-century Greece. It caught the light superbly. You could photograph her from any angle, and the face moved beautifully...The nearer the camera, the more tender and yielding she became -- her eyes glistened, her lips parted in ecstatic acceptance. The camera saw, I suspect, a side of her that no flesh-and-blood lover ever saw." The photos in "The Enduring Star" religiously manifest the face of Cukor's words.

Despite the glory of the photographs, the text of the book is, however, primarily filler. Almost all of the information comes from other biographies, and Cowie heavily pads the text with lengthy plot details of the movies. In addition, the author gets a few facts wrong, including the howler that Marie Dressler was considered for the part of Flaemmchen in "Grand Hotel," and that "Flamingo Road" takes place in either Missouri or Mississippi (it's set in Florida). And a couple of photos from the 1930s show up in the 1940s section. Cowie also descends to the borderline-creepy on a couple of occasions, a la biographer David Bret, as when he waxes lascivious about Joan's sexuality: "When [Johnny Guitar] displays his sharpshooting skills, Vienna hisses, 'Give me that gun!' It's a moment of sheer emasculation, and once senses that the whip and the paddle are but a heartbeat away..." Then later there's: "[I]n private life she still craved a man whom she could respect, even if she would invariably wear the trousers in domestic (and perhaps sexual) terms."

This type of sniggering prose is not only annoying, but also incorrect: While conventional wisdom has it that Joan was a real ball-buster, in reality, her primary relationships were with men more accomplished than she, and as strong, if not stronger. Husbands Doug Fairbanks Jr. and Franchot Tone were both willful and cultured, and Joan played the willing pupil to each. Pepsi president Al Steele was certainly no shrinking violet himself; nor were long-time lovers Clark Gable and Greg Bautzer, both known for their dominant personalities. For real psychological insight into the woman, one does better to turn to Alexander Walker's "The Ultimate Star." Here's Walker's more insightful analysis of her androgynous quality, as he discusses Sadie Thompson in "Rain": "[Director Lewis Milestone] reveals the male will that inhabits Sadie's assertively female body. This is precisely the conjunction that fascinates many of Crawford's admirers today, even those who do not find her sexually attractive. She is a woman with power over men -- and part of that power is the disconcerting discovery a male makes that the power is of the same gender as himself. It proved too unexpected a change, too raw a demonstration, for Crawford's fans to accept in 1932."

Despite Cowie's occasionally simplistic overview of Joan and her career, and the infrequent error, his text is, however, for the most part competent and well-researched. Mid-level and hard-core Joan fans won't learn anything new from the text, but for beginning fans, it is a helpful, clear, and detailed introduction.

Another strength of the Cowie book lies in its professionalism. The publisher, Rizzoli, is known for quality coffee-table books, and this Joan-book lies in the company tradition, a welcome relief from the recent spate of amateur contributions to the "Joan canon." (The recent David Bret bio was a rehash of former biographies combined with filler plot details and goofy asides; the Charlotte Chandler book was, despite including author interviews with Joan, rather sloppily patched together, also padded with unnecessary plot recounting; the "Letters" book by Michelle Vogel was amateurishly organized, filled with factual and grammatical errors, and accompanied by illegally-reproduced photos on poor-quality paper.) "The Enduring Star," on the other hand, is thankfully all-pro, with its glossy pages and its adherence to publishing conventions: It's been properly edited and copy-edited, with actual photo credits, source notes, and a complete Filmography that clears up one mystery about some of Joan's early films. The inclusion of the complete text of director George Cukor's insightful posthumous 1977 eulogy as an Afterword, which I'd previously only read snippets of, is also a welcome addition to in-print Joan information.

"The Enduring Star" is a high-quality contribution to Joan's legacy. I recommend it for staunch fans, neophytes, and Classic Hollywood photography connoisseurs alike. A glamorous tribute in recognition of a face, and of a woman and actress, that both embodies and transcends her era.

Beautifully printed, oversized, hard cover book with many beautiful Joan photos. Fans will love it. Some of the information is incorrect in the text portions (as reported by a previous reviewer)...but you would be buying this for the photos anyway and the reproduction of all the photos is very nice. Worth the money.

This book and CD are absolutely beautiful. I recently gave it to my godson at his christening - I also sang the song during the ceremony. The pictures are so inspired and match John Denver's words just perfectly. Thank you for gifting us with such a treasure, I'm going to have to order another one for my book shelf too.

I love this book. I bought it for my daughter's first Christmas because it reminded me a lot of my pregnancy and birth of her. She is now one and not that interested in reading it yet, but I'm sure she will grow into it.

Ancient Rhymes is a beautiful book, based on the wonderful words of Bob Samples and sung by John Denver. Christopher Canyon has done a superb job with the illustrations and it is a wonderful way to bring the songs of John Denver to the next generation.
Thank you Christopher Canyon, Bob Samples and John Denver for this wonderful book

It is a wonderful book and the illustrations are great. We had Christopher Canyon at our school. It also has a CD with it and it is great also.

Deftly adapted and beautifully illustrated by Christopher Canyon, Ancient Rhymes: A Dolphin's Lullaby showcases singer/songwriter John Denver's song "Ancient Rhymes" which he composed in 1991 after the experience of swimming with dolphins. Also available in a hardcover edition (158469064X, $19.95) which includes an accompanying CD and Score, Ancient Rhymes: A Dolphin's Lullaby is confidently recommended to the attention of school and community librarians, and anyone of any age who admires John Denver's music or who has ever wanted to swim with the dolphins themselves!

This is the 2nd book about Johnny Depp that I've bought, both written by Christopher Heard. I like this author because he writes about who Johnny really is. Instead of dwelling on the negatives as so many are prone to do, you learn about the real person. Excellent portrayal of a great actor.

... and she let out a squeal when she unwrapped it, so I guess it was a hit. Personally, I don't get the whole Depp thing, but there ya go....

The photos were fantastic! The written material was very interesting and the fact that Johnny's own words were included made the material much more interesting and memorable. I truly enjoy having this book and look forward to adding more Johnny Depp books, DVD's , etc. to my collection.

Bought this for my sister who is the HUGE Depp fan. She loved it!

Book is very enlightening on Johnny Depps career. Shows how he has broadened his career as an actor. Photos were great. Looking forward to more of his movies and acting career.

I went to Barnes and Nobel in Australia looking for a great children's book. I came across this book and fell in love with story but didn't want to pay $28 at the store. Josephine the kangaroo wants to be a dancer more than anything but everyone keeps telling that she isn't meant for it...to make a long story she achieves her goals with flying colors. This is a great book and a great lesson for everyone. Enjoy!

Jackie French's JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE enjoys Bruce Whatley's zany story of a kangaroo who doesn't want to hop, but dance. Josephine dreams of being in the ballet, but everyone rejects the idea and won't let her - until the prima ballerina twists has ankle on opening day and Josephine at last displays her talents. A fine story of achievement and possibilities.

Josephine wants to dance. She practices her bounces and leaps with the long-legged birds. When she sees a poster for a ballet, she dreams of wearing a tutu and silk ballet slippers. Sneaking into town to watch the ballet rehearsals only makes her want to dance more.

Her brother, Joey, doesn't understand. He just keeps reminding her she is a kangaroo and what she does is jump, not dance.

On the day of the first performance, the prima ballerina twists her ankle and Josephine has the chance to live her dream. Will she do it well enough? Will the show go on? This is an adorable, pink book reminding children not to give up on their dreams, even when they seem impossible. The combination of story and illustrations is delightful and sure to make for a fun time.

Armchair Interviews says: We're never too young-or too old to live out our dreams.

This lovely Australian import created by the award- winning team of Diary of a Wombat (Clarion, 2003) will delight preschool children. Josephine is a Kangaroo who loves to dance and learns her steps from the graceful movements of other animals like brolgas and lyrebirds; their motions are described in evocative similes that stretch the imagination, "she swayed like the lyrebirds as they call to their sweethearts." Her brother Joey loudly tells her, "Kangaroos don't dance" but Josephine ignores him and continues to seek ever more inspiration: Then a ballet company comes to town and Josephine wants to dance "in a pink tutu, with silk ballet shoes." The illustrations express and extend beautifully this humorous and lively tale. Josephine is depicted dancing on her toes and doing pirouettes; her body is always a swirl of motion as she strikes one dramatic pose after another. At one point she hides in a garbage can outside the ballet practice room window so she can learn how to perform the ballet. When Josephine actually performs the ballet on stage, her very attentive and expressive audience is featured in a dynamic and amusing double spread that shows various different people but also includes a sheep and a dog family: the puppy's ears are all that is visible in one chair. The design of this book is lovely from the eye- catching cover that shows Josephine dressed in a tutu and ballet slippers to the many endearing illustrations that stand out beautifully from a warm pink background. The font is easy on the eye and large font size is used for declarations, "I can't dress a kangaroo!" says the costume designer. Enjoy using this book in story times and if you display the bold cover, patrons will snap it off your shelves.

Reviewed by Olivia Alejandre (age 4) for Reader Views (12/07)

Mom's review / summary:
I love this book! Not only does Josephine follow her dreams to be a ballerina, even though her brother continually tries to discourage her, but she does it through her OWN intuition and initiative! She doesn't wait for someone else to encourage her or help her find a creative solution to becoming a dancer. She goes out and finds a way herself. Wow! Thank you Jackie French!

My daughter Olivia and I had read five new books and I asked her which one was her favorite - she pointed to this one. She connected with the story AND the artwork - that's relatively rare for someone of her age (she just turned 4).

I wish there was more background with the artwork, especially on the pages where Josephine danced on stage. I was hoping that Olivia could get a visual of Josephine being on a stage in front of a crowd and not being scared. She might remember that someday when she is in a recital or concert of some kind. The artwork looked too similar from page to page (minor issue compared to all the positives of this book).

Olivia's review:
"Josephine loves to dance. `Don't dance, Josephine! Kangaroos don't dance; they hop.' Josephine still danced and she danced over her brother. There was a ballet class going and `I am going to go to the ballet class.' Josephine sneaked into the door and the girls in ballet class hurt their legs. There's a kangaroo dancing; that kangaroo can really do ballet. And he makes a dress for Josephine and some slippers. `Come out of there,' said Josephine's brother. `No, I'm going to dance,' said Josephine. She can jump higher than anyone. Last dance was from Josephine."

Some quotes from Olivia about "Josephine Wants to Dance":
"Is Josephine a rat?"

"Pretty." (Josephine dancing)

"She has to try to dance because she's never done it before." [Mom]: "And, what happens if she practices?" [Olivia]: "She gets better. And, then her brother is dancing! And, her brother doesn't have to tell her that anymore."

[Mom]: "What do you think about someone telling you that you can't do something?"
"Mean."

sry for anyone who thinks otherwise...but i am joshua jacksons bigest fan...and obsessor...i honestly cannot speak for everyone but almost everyone i know finds out how much i love joshua jackson in the forst 5 minutes of knowing me...so for all those heartbroken girls who dotn quite grasp it..i am joshuas biggest and most adoring fan
xoxo

This book was way cool. I don't just give it five stars, i give it 10,000! Scince I am Joshua Jackson's BIGGEST fan (sorry all those other girls out there, but i know I beat you!) I want to know as much about Joshua Jackson as I can. I thought this book did a lot of that. I could have done with more pictures though. (but of course I already don't think there are enough Joshua Jackson pictures in the world as it is) This book is great, but even if it wasn't i would buy it anyways because it's about Joshua Jackson! What more do you need in a book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this book was great because it brought out a lot in his home life as well as his personal life. I kno we all love gossip gals! ! I also think Josh Is the HOTTEST guy on the planet and that also makes this book great ! ! !

I think Joshua Jackson Is Brilliant. He has done a lot for himself. He always looks great and all the films hes been in are exellent! I have seen all of them so far. This book tells you what hes really like. Not pacey in Dawsons creek, not damon in Urban Ledgend but Joshua Jackon,the greatest star in the world. I love him! Email me if you think so too

I really liked this book. It told me a lot about Josh. He's a really great guy, and funny as well as cute. I always loved Pacey, but now I think I prefer Josh.

A well engineered, detailed book which chronicles the life of one of the greatest voices in pop music. Another example of a singer who fell victim to the industry's need to pigeon hole each artist in a specific genre to make them more "marketable".
Judith fell into the folk music trap and her talents elsewhere (blues, jazz, the piano)were ignored. Unfortunately, the folk music scare of the mid sixties didn't last long enough to sustain a proper career and Judith was forever classified as "that gilrl who sang with the Seekers". Pity.

This is the biography of a name that may not be familiar to most Americans, but her voice is recognized by all the baby boomers. Judith Durham was the lead singer for The Seekers who had so many hits in the mid 60's. She left the group in 1968 and began a solo career that is still going strong today.
Her voice is her trade mark and is like no other. She has had a very successful career with her husband, Ron Edgeworth, who was her arranger and pianist. He died in 1994.
The Seekers re-united for a single concert in 1993 which was stretched out to 110 concerts since so many people wanted to see them again. In one day, 10 concerts sold out completely.
They did their "final concert" in 1995, since all had solo careers to which they wanted to return. That lasted a few years and then they got together again in the last few years for more concerts. Primarily in Australia and New Zealand.
Judith's story is fun to read. I was particularly interested in how her career spanned so many countries and musical art forms. She and Ron started off in England, then moved to Switzerland since British taxes were so awful. They entertained in Europe, England, Australia, and the US. Spending considrable amounts of time in all places. They were such a talented combination that they could work just about anywhere.
They finally settled in Australia, where Judith was born and grew up.
Judith does not hold back the highs and lows of her career, which makes the book very real life.
This is a great book for all Judith Durham fans,anyone familiar with The Seekers or musical entertainment. And the nice thing is, you can still see Judith performing and buy her CD's and DVDs. She turns 63 this summer and her manager said that she is taking a break from performing right now.
Judith Durham is only 5'3" and weights around 100 pounds, but has one of the most powerful yet pleasant voices I have ever heard. It is truly unigue.
The male members of The Seekers brought in at least 4 other female singers to recreate the group, but none could replace the voice of Judith. Their 4 part harmony is what we all remember so fondly. This is a very good read.

"Colours of My Life" traces the life and career of Judith Durham, lead singer of the Seekers. Now a singer/songwriter in her own right, Judith shares her fascinating yet heartbreaking journey. Born in Australia to working-class parents, Judith struggled with issues of self-esteem, body image and depression. Her years with the Seekers brought both fame and frustration, as she coped with the need to spread her wings as an artist while being held back by her loyalty to the group.After four years of being relegated to nightclubs and variety shows by a manager who always played it safe, Judith gave six months' notice that she was leaving the group to pursue a solo career. Judith had always felt that her strong areas were jazz and blues, but feared there was no audience for this in the sixties. As she sought to shed her "folksinger" image, and compete with the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Simon and Garfunkel, Judith had to find her own niche. And in doing so, she also found her husband, pianist Ron Edgeworth. The two embarked on a 25 year musical journey which saw them living all over the world. And on a spiritual path which ultimately carried Judith through her health problems, recovery from a very serious auto accident, and the losses of her parents and husband. This book serves as biography, travelogue and music history lesson. But most importantly, it serves as an inspiration. Despite a lifelong condition causing limited lung capacity, Judith's voice rings strong and clear, now in her sixth decade. By sharing with us her joys and triumphs as well as her heartache and loss, Judith imparts a sense of purpose and zest for life, both in her songs and in her book.

This is an in depth story of a great Australian singer.
You can realy get glued to this.There is certain parts that you want to read a few times over again.Such as when the Seekers broke up.I dont think at the time she realized the heartbreak she would cause by leaving.Not that i remember cause i was only 1 when they broke up.
I dont think anyone can understand her reasons for leaving,unless they put themselves in her boots,and this is as close as you will get.
Now i was not a Seekers fan till i saw them perform at the 1994 AFL grand final.That voice just was so good i became a fan from that moment.I did know alot of their songs,mum had a few old singles,as well as i'd heard them on the radio mainly on the oldies stations.This book goes through her life,and how she reached stardom in the Seekers.Their careers seemed to explode when they took a ship called the SS Fairsky bound for England.
Its very interesting to read about the things that interested her in her younger days,and how she got into the Jazz scene.It goes through all the happenings in the Seekers.As well as into her solo career.
It also describes the accident she had in 1990 and the circumstances around that.I just love reading about when the Seekers got back together and the subsequent tours,and recordings.
They did their last tour in 2004,this edition was in 2003.

In the afterword of "Colours of My Life" Judith Durham describes life as "what happens to you when you are making other plans." This phrase would certainly describe the life of one Judith Durham. This biography, lovingly written by Graham Simpson, was first released in Australia way back in 1994. It has been recently updated and reissued for the enjoyment of her fans all over the world.
While I have been a fan for all these many years I was certainly never a Seekers or Judith Durham fanatic. After all, the Seekers never achieved the popularity in the States that they enjoyed in their native Australia and the UK. About three years ago I was spinning my vinyl copy of the Seekers "Greatest Hits" when I remarked to my wife that Judith is perhaps the best female vocalist I had ever heard. This remark prompted me to do a search on Judith on the internet. I was really curious as to what she might be doing after all these many years. Much to my amazement, I discovered that the Seekers had reunited in 1993 and had recorded a new album of original material "Future Road". I was not aware of any of this. I immediately ordered the new CD and from that point on I have become a Seekers/Judith Durham fanatic!!!
I simply could not put down "Colours of the Day". What an interesting life Judith Durham has led. There are so many highs and lows, so many twists and turns. Graham Simpson has done a wonderful job in chronicling all of it. You will discover how Judith came to be a Seeker and the reasons why she chose to leave the group back in 1968. You will follow her around the world in her pursuit of a solo career. Learn how she met her beloved husband Ron Edgeworth and follow their travels over two decades from England to France to Switzerland to South Africa and back to Australia. It seems that they were always on the move in search of new musical horizons. You'll learn about the causes Judith really cares about and about tragic illness that claimed her loving husband.
Judith Durham has been honored all over the world for her work as a member of the Seekers, for her solo work and for any number of humanitarian causes she has become involved with. She is a remarkable lady. You are sure to enjoy her life story.

I carried this book everywhere, for years. It went into my pocket, coming out, when I needed it.
The pages became worn, and dirty, but it didn't mater.
I've accidentally dropped it in water. The inks didn't bleed, and the pages weren't crinkly. Nearly ten years later, and it has held up, now sitting pretty in an album.
The info inside is off, being unofficial.
This is a must for all Justin's Fan Base!

It's so handy! It's got all this Justin info in it and it's in a small and adorable book with cute pics!

Great pictures of Justin and the rest of the group. Great collectible item for any Justin fans. Whenever I need an uplift, I just pull out this book, read and look at pictures of Justin. He is very inspirational and is so mature for his age. I wasn't mature enough at 19 and that was 21 years ago! LOL

This little book about Justin was really short but it had, at least, a picture on every page and there was little-known stuff about Justin. All of the pix were very cute and some of them I haven't seen anywhere else. I think it was worth the money, especially since you can put it in your pocket!

You can't get any hotter then JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE!!!!!! this book have sooo many pic of justin that you will go crazy. it is worth it!!