Arts and Entertainment Books

When I ordered this book, I don't know what I expected. I absolutely despise reading, and this book is not small by any standards. However, it is an excellent (and quite interesting, I might add) perspective on the life of the "melancholy clown," and I assure you that you will learn more about him than you ever wanted to know! If you're thinking of ordering this book, go for it!

this book is so great & filled with things about dudely moore.
in it you will see that he had good times & bad. You will learn about his life story & how so great he was. As a person &
actor as well . you get to learn about his two son's & his wifes too. In all i think it book is the best of dudely moore that i have ever read. He was so wonderful in his music & movies . Now you will get to learn about his early childhood & about mr moore himself. Buy this lovely book. Dudely will thank you for it. we miss you dudely :)

Mr. Moore is a very talented person, and reading about him in this biography was most interesting. When learning of the many hardships he faced, the reader must possess a stone heart to not be filled with compassion. I highly recommend reading this excellent book.

This is no easy, inspirational biography. It really goes in depth. But you finish thinking you understand this enigmatic man about as well as possible.

If you like or are curious about Balanchine, READ THIS BOOK!

I've so happy I bought this book, it's a pleasure to read. I'm a long time ballet fan, but I would stronly recommend this book for anyone who is interested about ballet, you can learn so much reading it!

Taper's Balanchine biography is one of the best books I have ever read! It combines the biographical information with personal accounts and stories that really give you the feeling of getting to know the amazing George Balanchine. Some may have read other books, like Gelsey Kirkland's "Dancing on my Grave", that give a bad impression of Mr. Balanchine, but I promise if you read this book, you will have a change of heart. Although no biography can be completely free of bias, this author describes Mr. Balanchine in a truly honest and real way. I really do feel like I know Mr. Balanchine and I promise that if you read this incredible book, you will too

This book is a cherished treasure in my personal library. The comments of artists who performed each Balanchine Ballet together with the wonderful pictures make it an intimate and beautiful historical document that will be surely enjoyed by dance lovers. A true homage to the great choreographer. Worth it's price.

The book was all that I hoped for, a copy in excellent condition.
It will make a wonderful gift for a talented ballerina on her fourteenth birthday. The book also arrived quickly.
Thank you. Dale Allan Pelton.

This lavishly illustrated and handsomely designed book is as much a tribute to choreographer George Balanchine as it is to the photographer Costas. True, it is Balanchine who gets centre stage, commemorated for the centenary of his birth with no less than 50 of his ballets, covered by quite an impressive host of authors. Dancers like Maria Tallchief, Suzanne Farrell, Sara Leland, Karin von Aroldingen, Violette Verdy, and Peter Martins, who have been instrumental in bringing Balanchine's work to life or proved an inspiration to "Mr. B." at various moments in his cornucopian career, are joined by the fine fleur of Anglo-saxon dance writers of today - Clive Barnes, Robert Greskovic, Robert Gottlieb, George Jackson, among others - to pay homage to his creative genius.

Yet, it is the photographic legacy of Costas - born Costas Cacaroukas in Chios, Greece and a dance photographer for more than 35 years - which turns "Balanchine, Celebrating a Life in Dance" into an irresistible reference work. With more than 370 photographs (color and black and white) showing Balanchine at work or illustrating his ballets as performed by various leading ballet troupes and artists, past and present (New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera, Kirov-Mariinsky, Bolshoi), this book will prove indispensable to any ballet lover.

A most fitting tribute.

Sorry, I haven't read the book, but I was wondering if there is any movie stills of Cillian Murphy (without the mask) in this book, or if I would be better off with "The Art of Batman Begins"? E-mail: kayjeckel@yahoo.com

First, ignore the review by the guy from Chile. He can't articulate the language, what makes me think he knows what he's talking about regarding Batman Begins? With any big budget blockbuster comes the inevitable parade of merchandise. Few films other than Star Wars can match the marketing juggernaut of the Batman films. Batman Begins is the long awaited beginning to a new series of Batman films, revived back to life after Joel Schumacher and George Clooney nearly killed the franchise. The official movie guide is a great scrapbook and companion to the film. It features dozens of photographs from the film, absolutely brilliant photography. There are snippets of the script as well as several short pieces detailing Batman's origins, as well as interviews. Not just a throwaway marketing item or a piece of fluff, this is definitely a collectible you'll want to have. It's informative and entertaining.

If some people spent half as much time proofreading their reviews as the did spewing bile maybe they wouldn't look like they were written by a disgruntled 8 year old. This is a very informitive look at a great movie. Very highly recommended.

I must agree with the other reviewers who posted on this fabulous collector's item. Jan Alan Henderson and Steve Randisi have done an amazing job of cataloging all of the films made by George Reeves. They have provided a chronological listing of each movie, short, and government war films in which this actor appeared.

This compilation is the result of five years of extensive and painstaking research and accumulation of rare films and photos for this actor. Admittedly, I had no idea that he had done sixty films throughout his career in addition to "The Adventures of Superman" television series! If you can obtain some of them listed in the book, then you will see the range of George Reeves' acting ability and the diverse roles he had.

The book provides not only a synopsis of each film, but also lists the rest of the cast, producer, director and even the studio where each film was made. One begins to realize how well-connected George Reeves had been with so many other Hollywood stars throughout his career in film and at the Pasadena Community Theatre, later the Pasadena Playhouse.

I really enjoyed this book on many levels. I NEVER had any idea how many BIG stars Reeves co-starred with! Cagney, Wisemuller, Sanatra, Cliff, Gable, Regan, Lake, the list goes on. It also provides hard photographic evidence that the movie "Hollywoodland" was WRONG about George not being able to wrestle by showing Reeves doing it at a fair with Jean LaBelle (Mr.Kryptonite).
I myself was a "Indy" wrestler briefly (I had just enough of a taste to be really disapointed) and ALWAYS admired Reeves for his athletic prowess as well as his acting skill. This book shows both.
Oh yes, the painting on the back of the Jacket is Awesome as well.

"Behind The Crimson Cape: The Cinema Of George Reeves" by authors Jan Alan Henderson and Steve Randisi is a magnificent film book on the motion picture career of George Reeves, best known for playing the title role in the famed television series 'The Adventures Of Superman' (1951 - 1957).

"Behind The Crimson Cape" is a handsome, hardbound, 337 page volume that documents the entire film career of George Reeves, film by film in chronological order, covering no less than 58 feature length films and 12 short subjects. It also contains hundreds of rare photographs from his many films. Authors Henderson and Randisi did extensive research, and uncovered several previously unknown George Reeves film appearances. They even included for complete thoroughness several U.S. Army training films that Reeves made while serving in World War Two!

Every single film credit contains a plot narrative, detailed movie credits, and a great deal of intriguing film history regarding George Reeves and his co-players. Movie fans, film buffs and historians will be delighted to discover that "Behind The Crimson Cape: The Cinema Of George Reeves" was written by Jan Alan Henderson and Steve Randisi in the format of the old Citadel 'Films Of ....' series, and will therefore become a priceless addition to their movie book libraries.

Even though George Reeves died suddenly and violently in 1959 at the still young age of 45, authors Jan Alan Henderson and Steve Randisi remind us that he was an incredibly gifted, multi-talented actor who displayed genuine star charisma.

There is a poignant epilogue to this book where the authors inform us that this volume was for readers to find the real legacy of George Reeves, his gallery of performances and body of work on motion-picture film. They write that many people have tried to investigate the death of George Reeves, 'but after four and a half decades decades, no one has solved the crime! No one has come close.' For once, the authors are wrong.

There is one literary book that does solve the case on the mysterious death of George Reeves, or at least comes close enough so that the discerning reader can judge for him or herself. That book is 'Speeding Bullet' published in 1999, and written by Jan Alan Henderson!

Without a doubt, this is the most comprehensive look at Bing Crosby's activities, literally on a "day by day" basis from his birth in 1903 to his death in 1977, that has ever been published. Malcolm Macfarlane, in what obviously was a labor of love, has painstakingly uncovered every bit of information on Bing's life that he could find. His attention to detail is
impeccable.

To enhance the coverage of Bing's films, radio/TV, and stage performances, Malcolm utilizes countless reviews and press cuttings from various publications. The "show biz Bible", VARIETY, is often quoted, providing a time capsule effect to Bing's life and times. These reviews are, in essence, the history of show business for over half a century, further adding to the appeal of the book.

Indeed this is a book not only devoted (and casual) fans of Bing will treasure, but also those doing research on virtually any other performer of his era. Bing's path crossed with most of them, a fact proven by the extraordinarily detailed index.

Malcolm has also provided the reader with a "fact file", citing milestones of Bing's life. His forty top hit recordings, gold records, feature films, careers in radio and TV are all covered in a general manner. A discography is also provided, listing only the song titles and dates recorded, from 1926-77. Rejected and alternate takes have been omitted.

The only minor disappointment, and it entirely rests with the publisher, is the lack of illustrations to accompany the entries. As it stands, Scarecrow Press devoted a mere 16 pages out of over 800 total to photos. But don't let that deter you from purchasing this fabulous book.

To be sure, this is a book the whole family can enjoy. I, for one, found it amusing to look up milestone dates in members of my family's lives, to see what activities Bing was involved with on those days.

The book carries with it a rather hefty price tag, but make no fuss about it, you're getting a lot for your money.

Yes, this book carries a hefty price tag and its paltry number of illustrations grates a bit on the nerves. But the content within the covers is absolutely amazing. Any serious fan of Bing will beg, borrow or possibly steal this tome because it's fasincating and detailed.

Do you want to know where Bing was or what he was doing on May 12, 1941? Easy, just flip to the entry for that date. The littlest bit of trivia is included and it makes for sometimes amusing reading. Bing caught four fish on this date in 1956, he played 36 holes of golf at the Bel Air Country Club on this date in 1942... it's all here. It's incredible to realize how multi-faceted Bing was and what a full life he led, truly something to be envied.

Rounding out the book is a complete discography and an index which is complete and easy to follow. This is a "must have" for anyone seriously interested in the career of this laid-back, phlegmatic legend. I highly recommend this beautiful volume.

What a book! For the casual history buff, it's a detailed look at America (and much of the world) from 1903 to 1977. You cannot read this book and think that Bing was 'lazy' or 'sloppy' or 'lucky' - he worked hard, he planned, he gave generously of his time and talents to the world during some of its darkest days. This is a perfect book to purchase and donate to a school or a library if you're able to - a valuable resource, well written and meticulously researched!

One thing about Professor Moore: the man rides motorcycles and has more energy than a 6-year old. He's not the average UCLA professor.

Thus, you should be aware that the book reflects it's writer's personality. The book is not only informative, but a pretty fun read as well. Friends from other law schools tell me how dry and dull their entertainment law texts are - a fact which absolutely boggles my mind. The Biz is concisely written, and filled with lively examples

Mr. Moore teaches at UCLA, and his course is extraordinarily well attended. His book is considered a must-have for lawyers working in Entertainment, and although the focus is law, I think it would be a handy reference for anyone new to the creative side of Entertainment, especially those seeking to protect themselves and their interests when making deals and such.

I was afraid when I picked up _The Biz_ that it was going to be a dry read-- legal aspects of any business are not known for being a scintillating read. However, I am happy to report that it was not only a quick and interesting read, it was a genuinely funny one. Moore had me laughing out loud on several occasions.

Even granted that this is not a book you read for the humor, it is refreshing to see a reference book so well written. My only quarrel was that I would have liked to see a bibliography included with the book in case I wanted to go in depth into any of the areas covered.

great book, if you want to know everything about humphrey bogart , buy this book
j .gomez

This book is just what it says-A Celebration of the Life Films of HB-the Stephen Bogart book on HB is more of the biography that I should have gotten-however, the Bogie book is great in its presentation of the films, the actors, and directors of those films

In addition to excellent photos covering Humphrey's life and career, this volume has a concise biography, an insightful appreciation of his acting, and details on all of his nearly 80 films and his dozen or so appearances on the Broadway stage. For casual fans, it is a must-read, and for fanatic fans a must-own. Good job from the creators and publishers, it would make a fine gift for any Bogie-lover one knows.

Mark Payress's original book from 1992 has long been consider by many in the Bolan community as the "Bolan Bible" Ok their words not mine but is surly was the most detailed and well researched book at the time.
I had hoped Mark would one day find the time to update the book as Marc Bolan as an icon and respected musical figure has grown by leaps and bounds since then, along with a new treasure trove of unearthed material that had been locked away.
That in itself was enough to update the book but also on the personal side of Marc's life the past 10 years saw Marc's only son Rolan come into his own and in turn opened the doors for other family members to add to the Bolan story.

This truly is a MUST Have book for any Bolan Fan

marc bolan expert mark paytress has produced a superb revised edition of this definitive account of the life of the t. rex star. bolan's childhood, his various early bands like john's children and solo outings, his hippie- era career with tyrannosaurus rex and the far more popular t. rex, and his interactions with other famous performers like david bowie, elton john, and ringo starr are explored with great detail and informative tidbits of trivia. while not every recording of bolan's was meritorious or interesting, paytress describes all facets and periods of bolan's all too brief life with clarity, depth, and fascination. this is the best chronicle of bolan's carreer to date, and is a superbly readable and engaging book on this diverse performer, a musician whose very best work( quite a bit of the tyrannosaurus rex stuff, the early 70's albums ELECTRIC WARRIOR and THE SLIDER, and singles like CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION and 20TH CENTURY BOY),are first rate recordings. important colleagues and supporters like producer tony visconti and legendary british d.j. john peel offer illuminating testimononials and insights. a fascinating reminder of a vital British artist who provided some of the best late 60's / early 70's rock, and whose catalogue remains quite underrated in the U.S.A.

This is a well-researched, detailed biography. Paytress captures the excitement developing in 1960s Britain as the mod scene sweeps Mark Feld -- a sometime photo model and guitar-strumming minstrel with an obsession for Dylan and Donovan -- into the role of a self-made rock'n'roll icon. It's not a smooth transition. Often ignored and put-down in his earliest efforts, Bolan eventually finds success through the support of radio maverick John Peel; his subsequent rise to stardom, fame, and the eventual excesses that lead to failure is the stuff of countless rock briographies. What sets Paytress's book apart from the usual sad story is Bolan's star-making drive -- first as a brash upstart and self-promoter, then as a performer whose real talent lay in crafting the perfect three-minute pop song. The book goes a great way to renovating Bolan's tarnished image as a 70s rock'n'roll curiosity, and while his work may not be the equal of his contemprary David Bowie, Bolan was as much a craftsman in image and music as Ziggy himself. Paytress writes the T Rex story with a blast of glam energy from start to finish.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1D1VVR3SLW80N George Takai promotes The Book of Bert!!

Jon Chattman and Rich Tarantino have written an homage to one of man's best accessories - the moustache -
Brett Underhill has illustrated this very funny little book to perfection.
These folks write about men of varied degrees of moustaches - from Charlie Chaplin to Weird Al Yankovic - they rank people in like industries as far as who has the best moustaches, and I must say, I didn't realize there were so many prominent guys (and one female artist) with distinctive moustaches -
I have always been partial to a man with a moustache, and when my all time favorites - Sam Elliott and Tom Selleck were featured, ok - I knew these guys knew their stuff -
It is a really clever look at moustaches and lists famous folks who sport them - worth a look!

This book is amazing! The information is of course wonderful, but the illustrations.... Oh, MY. What a talented son, I mean artist, that Brett Underhill is. His mother must be so proud.