Dance Books

I really enjoyed the book Frodo Franchise. I must have because I got two of them. Actually, I was curious about how a movie got made, especially one that I loved as much as Lord of the Rings. But I don't know why I got two.

DVDs can be stamped out in seconds, while VHS tapes are slower to produce because they have to be recorded in real time. Time is money, and so the movie industry's movers and shakers acted decisively to all but eliminate the VHS format - by charging video rental stores exorbitantly high fees for the rights to offer VHS rentals and much lower fees for the rights to offer DVD rentals. Author Kristin Thompson (Honorary Fellow in the Department of Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin-Madison) traces how this and numerous other profit-driven directives have permanently changed the modern film industry in The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood. Central to The Frodo Franchise is the story of Peter Jackson's celebrated three-film adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings", and the lasting impact it has had on cinematic and entertainment culture. "The Lord of the Rings" was utterly groundbreaking in that it was, from Jackson's initial vision, a commitment to three full-length movies to be released over a short period. Yet the success of the film itself is virtually eclipsed by the immense profits of the franchise label - toys, video games, movie-related books, collectibles, and countless other Lord of the Rings licensed merchandise. The Frodo Franchise examines this franchise phenomenon and its repercussions on modern cinema (where the real money to be made lies in a film that will spawn profitable sequels and merchandise, rather than one-shot stories), with especial attention paid to the construction of "The Lord of the Rings" trailblazer trilogy. Accessible to lay readers and cinema scholars alike, and illustrated with numerous black-and-white photographs as well as an inset section of color plates, The Frodo Franchise is an utterly fascinating, completely unbiased behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" movies and their effect on both the body of Tolkien's famous mythology and cinema as a whole. Highly recommended.

The Frodo Franchise is a MUST-HAVE for anyone who is passionate about: The Lord of the Rings movies, Peter Jackson and how he and his fellow creative geniuses revolutionized the movie industry, New Zealand, the LOTR fan world, etc. It is an engaging, carefully researched and very detailed work about all aspects of the PJ/LOTR phenomenon. It includes great photos, important interviews, fascinating information about the way films are marketed and how LOTR took that to a new level, etc. The title tricked me--for some reason I thought it would be a negative book; however, it is clear Thompson is a Tolkien fan who was at first skeptical about the films but then grew to love them. This book is an in-depth look at all things LOTR and, much to this reviewer's delight, it is clear the LOTR phenomenon is not going away anytime soon. Thank you, Kristin Thompson, for this wonderful and important book!

This book is an intimate look at the creation, filming, and deployment of The Lord of the Rings movies. It discusses all the key participants, the role of New Zeland, how fans influenced the movies over the Internet, and how the film industry is fundamentally changing because of this project. It is well documented and close to the events because the author had access to everyone involved, producers, director, actors, techis, the works. The book is also a great action-packed read. Maybe the best film book we have seen this year!!

The fifth revised, updated edition of what is becoming a true industry classic, From Option To Opening: A Guide To Producing Plays Off-broadway, is a 'must' for anyone involved in Broadway productions: the process of producing an off-Broadway play from start to finish is related in easy, clear language which assumes no prior familiarity to prove accessible. From obtaining a theatre and hiring actors to forming partnerships and co-production agreements, making decisions on how long the show will run and working with cast and crew, From Option To Opening is packed with tips and appendices of invaluable, updated resources.

The fifth revised, updated edition of what is becoming a true industry classic, From Option To Opening: A Guide To Producing Plays Off-broadway, is a 'must' for anyone involved in Broadway productions: the process of producing an off-Broadway play from start to finish is related in easy, clear language which assumes no prior familiarity to prove accessible. From obtaining a theatre and hiring actors to forming partnerships and co-production agreements, making decisions on how long the show will run and working with cast and crew, From Option To Opening is packed with tips and appendices of invaluable, updated resources.

The fifth revised, updated edition of what is becoming a true industry classic, From Option To Opening: A Guide To Producing Plays Off-broadway, is a 'must' for anyone involved in Broadway productions: the process of producing an off-Broadway play from start to finish is related in easy, clear language which assumes no prior familiarity to prove accessible. From obtaining a theatre and hiring actors to forming partnerships and co-production agreements, making decisions on how long the show will run and working with cast and crew, From Option To Opening is packed with tips and appendices of invaluable, updated resources.

I run a small (very small) Not-For-Profit (intentionally) Theater Group. It was with great interest that I discovered this little book on how the big boys do it in New York. It confirmed (beyond any doubt) that I don't want to go compete in the New York market.

Other than that, it was a fascinating look behind the scenes at what a producer has to go through to get a play on stage Off Broadway. I had assumed that it was just a bit bigger operation than what we go through. WRONG!

First surprise - Off Broadway is not just a theater that isn't on Broadway, there's a fairly complex definition of even what that means. Then there's the legal aspects. If you want to raise front money to investigate putting on a show, the law says that you can only ask four people. You can accept money from more than four, but you can only ask four.

I don't ever plan to go do a show in New York, but this book made fascinating reading.

The book is of the finest quality in printing and binding. The content is very educational and the reproductrion of JD's paintings is superb.

Descriptive words of Ghost Dancing, joined with the timeless wisdom contained in the words of Native America. Couple this with the paintings of JD Challenger and you have an opportunity to not read about but really feel. This is not a book just narrating the past but speaks volumes to the future. This book called to me from the library shelf and I have ordered to place in a prominent place on my shelf. This is a book to share with others and come back to often.

The text of this book is extremely informative on the Ghost Dance Religion of Native Americans. It covers the origins of the religion, its climax and the results thereof. Adding to this educational context is the Beautifully compelling work of artist JD Challenger. His riviting paintings jump from the pages virtually reaching out from the book and pulling you in. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Native Americans and most assuredly to anyone who loves art that emits emtional impact. I constantly go back to this book as a source of inspiration and to gain understanding of Native American's plight.

JD challengers work was the first original art that I have purchased. When I saw his work in a gallery in Santa Fe, I was mesmorized by the character of his subjects. Ghost Dancing provides a good overview of many of his prints that are available.

This is a wonderful book! It goes through all the basic techniques of film making from writing your script to camera angles to lighting, and gives great encouraging advice to future girl directors. There's even a little history at the begining that tells about the woman directors from the past. I really enjoyed this book!! It's so much fun to read and is so encouraging! Any teens interested in movie making will love this book! I know I do.

I love love love this book it is sooooo good. It has everything in it from different shot types to how to mooch off relatives for camcorders. Great. Buy it. Now.

I am a writer, indie film director and an artist so this book was a joy to read and fun to look at. Ms. Richards has given the reader so much to learn from and information that isn't common knowledge. If you are thinking about making your first film and don't know how to do it - buy this book! Review written by the author of Bruised But Still Strong

I love this book! It is such a cool combo of photos and interviews with filmmaking tips and suggestions. This is a great buy for that person (it could be a boy!) interested in making films.

This extremely readable, informative biography is both the hauntingly sad tale of an enchanting brief candle of a performer and an inside, knowing evocation of the New York theater world of the 40s and 50s. Joan McCracken's singing and dancing eight times a week on Broadway while diabetic, and her premature demise no doubt accelerated by her stage exertions, are heartbreaking to read. The author's explanations of dance steps and narrative accounts of ballets and show choreography are extraordinarily well done in converting dancer shop talk into something palpable and understandable for the lay reader. This book is a reminder that history, artistic and otherwise, is made not just by the superfamous. A show business career like McCracken's is more typical, and more illuminating to read about, than made-to-order rehashes of Stars A to Z. In the retrospect of fifty years, it is fascinating to read Sagolla quoting McCracken commenting on early television being too "commercial" and the servant of too many masters. Sagolla's book becomes not just a portrait of a singular performer but an oblique statement about changing times in the American entertainment industry. A well researched, engaging read to the end.

Dr. Sagolla's meticulous research reveals an exacting study of the life and person of Joan McCracken. From McCracken's beginnings in ballet to her Broadway debut to her experiences in Hollywood and the Actor's Studio, The Girl Who Fell Down chronicles an inside look at the dance and theatre world from the perspective of a free spirit whose bohemian nature occasioned her to be at times ahead of the women of her generation. The factual history is highlighted with contextual vignettes that are socially enlightening without the sensationalism of 'the business.' Includes the often inconstant life of theatre, her lesser-known mentorship to Bob Fosse, her debilitating illness, her frustrations with Hollywood and the many personalities along the way, as well as privy notes on McCracken's love of painting, decorating and fashion and her changing personal relationships over the years. The book paints a generously informative portrait of the dancer-comedienne pioneer. Historically thorough and enjoyable.

From its opening pages about the Broadway debut of "Oklahoma!" to the tragic last days of its subject, THE GIRL WHO FELL DOWN is a wondrous profile of the "Zelig-like" Joan McCracken. At every crucial moment, at every critical juncture of dance in America, Joan McCracken was there making vital contributions. When one of America's early ballet companies is taking its first, formative steps, McCracken is there as a leading dancer. When Agnes de Mille is revolutionizing Broadway choreography, Joan McCracken is there, bringing de Mille's work to life while stealing the show at the same time.

During the first glittering moments of television's Golden Age, McCracken is an early star of its finest dance and dramatic productions. When it comes to situation comedy, she "out-Lucy's" Lucille Ball before there is an "I Love Lucy."

In the early fifties, Joan McCracken bluntly tells a gifted young dancer he'll never be "the next Fred Astaire" and should instead focus on becoming a choreographer. She goes on to marry the dancer while nurturing and guiding him to a successful career. He goes on to become Bob Fosse.

Lisa Jo Sagolla's comprehensive research interestingly and entertainingly leads the reader through McCracken's entire life, from her childhood as the fortunate daughter of a popular Philadelphia sportswriter, to her successes and failures in every medium of show business, to her final loss in a lifelong battle against diabetes. Dr. Sagolla's precise prose provides a passport to the past, making the reader feel he or she has stepped into a time machine and is not just reading about history, but is there watching it unfold.

This is a fascinating book about an artist who participated in some of the most significant moments in American cultural history. Joan McCracken was just a name to me before I read this book. I knew she had been in a minor Rodgers and Hammerstein show called ME AND JULIET and that she was Bob Fosse's second wife, but that was it. She catapulted to fame in the original cast of OKLAHOMA, was a founding member of The Actors Studio and an early performer in the new medium of television, as well as being an active mentor to many artists including her husbands Jack Dunphy (later Truman Capote's lover) and Bob Fosse. As a performer, Joan McCracken created a whole new "type" in the American musical-the hoydenish comic pixie who could dance up a storm. She was the prototype for a long line of sensational entertainers that includes Carol Haney, Shirley MacLaine and Sandy Duncan, among many others. But there was a lot more to Joan McCrakcen than her professional credentials. Personally she was a complex individual usually described as a loner. James Mitchell said, "she was wonderful to work with...however, she was not a stable woman." She liked to paint and walk on the beach rather than party. Although she never went to college, she nonetheless (through the influence of Dunphy) developed a formidable intellect. She was a political Conservative, which seems to upset author Sagolla, rationalizes, "like her antiunion statements, McCracken's tirade against taxes was more likely the result of political naïveté than of true conservative leanings." She was prone to fantasy and some thought she experimented with hallucinogenic drugs. As a diabetic in the days before much was known about its treatment, her health was always precarious and she tried to keep her condition a secret. Ultimately she died of its complications at age 44. In her brief life Joan McCracken left a lasting influence on American culture. Lisa Jo Sagolla's excellent biography pays McCracken the tribute she truly deserves. This is one of the most interesting books about a woman I've read since THE DIARY OF ANAIS NIN. Sagolla provides detailed notes at the end of the book. (And by all means read the acknowledgements at the end of the book. That's quite a story in itself.)

THE GIRL WHO FELL DOWN is a must-read for anyone interested in the Broadway musical. Really. Five stars.

Every page of this book is beautiful enough to be framed -- it's just a work of art.

There's nothing like the sophistication of the era, and a close-up artist's view of these designs is just a wonder to behold!

This is truly a great collection of movie gowns! They are beautifully illustrated. I was glad to see that all was done on the thicker card stock type paper. Anyone who has always wanted to know what the gowns must have looked like in person will enjoy this collection, as it is the closest we will ever get!

Ever since I was a child I have loved old Hollywood movies because of the marvellous costumes worn by the actresses, so one can imagine how pleased I was to discover this collection of paper dolls. There is a wonderful simplicity about these dolls and the costumes are accurately rendered. This work (being one of Mr Tierney's earliest) is more graphic and two dimensional in appearance than his later work, and for me that is what gives it more impact and charm. I have seen these plates framed as prints, and they are truly of a quality that is worthy of framing.
A note to the artist, the sequinned gown worn by Joan Crawford in "The Women" was gold not red (source: "Gowns by Adrian").

A beautiful collection of paper dolls with excellent reproductions of original costumes worn by some of the most famous and glamorous stars of the thirties. I purchased this collection when I was in my teens and still have it in my collection today. I highly recommend Glamorous Movie Stars of the Thirties for your paper doll collection, Tom Tierneys work is fantastic!

Though best known as a performer, Groucho Marx always cherished the opportunity to express himself in writing. Robert S. Bader has collected a large number of his short works -- some of them autobiographical, others comic essays and letters -- most of which have never been published before in book form. Unlike the recent collection "The Essential Groucho," by Stefan Kanfer, which contained excerpts from Marx Brothers plays, films, and television shows, all the pieces collected here were written by Groucho himself (or were they? Bader's long, well-written introduction discusses the contributions of Groucho's silent collaborator, Arthur Sheekman). Not every one is a gem, but on the whole the collection is delightful. A "must" addition to any Marx collection.

One of the greatest books I've ever read on Groucho's written humor! Very complete! New info for old fans! I loved it! ....

Groucho was a funny man, we know that. He was an essayist, maybe we didn't know that. He wanted to be known foremost as a writer. Here's proof he should be.

This collection of Marx's essays is read by Carl Reiner. Reiner reads all of Groucho's works with a stunning facimile af Groucho's voice. It's as if Groucho himself has come back just to read this collection. Reiner's innate comedian's timing rounds out this performance making one of the best recorded performances I've had the pleasure of listening to.

Guaranteed to make a Groucho lover out of anyone. Even your kids..

A lot of the material in this book shows up in many of Groucho's other books, but the new material is very entertaining. Not quite as funny as the Groucho Letters, but a must for any Groucho fan...

I have not perused the section on historical instruments in depth, so none of my comments apply to it. However, the section regarding modern instruments impresses me continuously each time I open the book to look for references. I am a bass trombone player as well as a composer, and although the section on the trombone is rather brief (although accurate enough; and the listing of trombone family members, i.e. soprano, alto, tenor, tenor-bass, bass, and various contrabasses, grossly underdeveloped), Everything Else offers unparalleled information for the modern composer or arranger. Particularly useful is the citation of examples in contemporary music of instrumental prominence (where although certain composers are favored, this is perhaps done out of necessity given the slew of living composers today; and Stiller's choices of examples are superlative).
Dr. Stiller may underestimate the availability of certain instruments, however. The market for contrabassoons and contrabass trombones has increased greatly in recent years, and more slightly so for bass and tenor trumpets. As a rule, orchestral principal trombonists almost ALL own alto trombones (in alto clef, overtone series based on the Eb2 fundamental), and as aforementioned, the alto trombone is erroneously omitted from this book.
To create an inpenetrable weapon of scholarship, combine this book with Samuel Adler's "Study of Orchestration" and Kurt Stone's "Music Notation in the Twentieth Century", which is available at NPCimaging.com.

Stiller has created a fabulous reference source for the contemporary composer. He accurately covers information on almost every instrument and gives both detailed information as well as quick chart summaries. He spends a great deal of time dealing with modern and experimental techniques for many instruments, something which is not often dealt with in these kind of volumes. Its easy to use indexing system also makes it a wonderful "quick reference" source for when you might quickly need to know a piece of information like instrumental ranges. In my opinion, this is one of the best books of its kind available today.

unlike other orchestration texts, this states pretty much the facts and just the facts. very handy for impatient young composers or arrangers who just need to read about an instrument and not dig through endless examples of an instrument's usage through the ages (although that's always nice too). the information is quick and easy to find for the most part, but does not skimp in the least on detail. my only disappointment (and this is for an older edition, it may have been corrected since) in is in the slightly skimpy coverage of electronics and electric guitar while instruments like the crumhorn get comparatively massive coverage given their relative modern importance. worth every penny, and then some.

This is simply the best book of its kind I have ever seen. Each family of instruments receives an exhaustive chapter on its features amd capabilities. Impeccably accurate line drawings (with rulers showing the scale) illuminate the text in ways that no photographs could. Precise range charts include extended ranges, with a percentage estimate of how frequently the extended range can be produced, and maximum and minimum dynamics for each portion of the range. Detailed fingering charts for woodwinds are provided, including alternate trill fingerings. The book is oriented strongly to the contemporary composer. All musical examples are from contemporary or late 20th century pieces, and extended techniques receive thorough examination. If I have any complaint at all, and this is quite minor, it is that sometimes the author is rather aggressive in stating instrumental possibilities. The given maximum or minimum ranges are occasionally not universally accepted by all professional players, or the charts showing the maximum reaches for string double-stops include reaches that some players with smaller hands will refuse to execute. These are minor points. In most cases the book clearly distinguishes mainstream practice from advanced or extended practice, and personally I prefer a book that errs on the aggressive side. If you need to know how orchestral instruments work, including a wide array of percussion, look no further. The author rarely mixes opinions or dogma with facts (a rare feature for this kind of book), and when he does he clearly delineates which is which.

I purchased this book for my wife and I in order to get some ideas about anniversary celebrations. There are some good ideas (though I really think many of the party ideas are way too 'hokey').

The gift ideas for the various anniversaries are good (and easier for me to find than sifting through a bunch of internet sites trying to sell items when you perform an 'anniversary gift' search). I also like the book as a quick reference for 'what anniversary gift options go with what anniversary'...wood, iron, rock, paper, scissors, etc). The book does a nice job of describing the 'traditional' vs. 'modern' gift selections with some nice suggestions. I reference the book a few times a year for various reasons...overall pleased with the purchase.

Not only is this book interesting with the history behind each symbolic anniversary gift, but it's like reading a self-help book to rekindle romance between couples. The book actually flows like a novel and lights a little spark to help make thoughts move to excitement and fun instead of just staying in a comfort mode with one's day to day routine. My husband and I went on a cruise 2 years ago and reading the menu for "The Titanic" theme brought back wonderful memories of that very special experience. It's a "must read" for planning special anniversary fun or for interesting and informative pleasure reading.

I was recently faced with the challenge of finding a special way to celebrate my grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, while still honoring their request of no gifts. So, I set out to the Internet and happily discovered Ms.Kring's Happy Anniversary!

I was immediately taken with the effortless and engaging writing and found the book a joy to read. A particularly interesting aspect of the book was the explanations of anniversary traditions and etiquette. Ms. Kring offers the reader numerous creative and charming ideas for planning clever theme parties that are bound to be the backdrop to cherished memories.

Thanks to Happy Anniversary! I was able to give my grandparents a token of my love without cluttering their closets. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thoughtful, imaginative, and memorable way to celebrate any momentous occasion.

If your tired of the same old parties for anniversarys be sure to read this book. I have tried some of the great ideas and had many compliments on the ideas and asked where I came up with the idea.I would highly recommend Robin's books if a person is looking for the unusual and different ideas and needs some help.

Hearst Over Hollywood is a book that could appeal to a large cross-section of readers - historians, movie buffs, those with interests in journalism and media, etc. Louis Pizzatola has done an incredibly admirable job in compiling sources and data on William Randolph Hearst and presenting him in a new light - something very difficult to do after over 100 years of Hearst representations in the media and popular culture. That in itself makes it a worthwhile read.

While I hate to be the one to knock down this book's perfect customer rating to date, I feel that an honest review on my part would require that I also point out some of the book's flaws. Because it is so densely filled with information, many chapters bog down over sequences that perhaps could have been better conveyed if streamlined. I can appreciate the fact that it would be hard to determine exactly where to streamline, so I suppose that some readers who possess some knowledge on the subject going in will be able to pick out what interests them.

The book is about as objective as any work on Hearst could be and it is a pleasure to re-think Citizen Kane from the context of knowing more about its erstwhile main character. If you've never seen it or haven't in a while, I would recommend watching the film, reading the book, and then watching it again.

Pizzitola's thoroughness does serve him very well in exploring how Hearst built his media empire from the publishing industry through the nascent Hollywood studio system and balances nicely the clinical examinations with the gossipy show-business scandal aspects of the man's life.

Very well done.

The author describes himself as a visual artist and amateur film maker. I've got news for him: he's a first rate scholar too. I cannot remember the last time I've read a book on history that was so well presented and so amply documented. If you want to understand how the US came to become a "wag the dog" TV-ocracy and how CNN could morph into a televised version of the National Enquirer, check out this masterpiece. The source of our present day media sewer can all be traced back to Hearst's turn-of-the-century and-beyond media 'experiments.' This book belongs on the bookshelf - in a featured location - of anyone who is interested in 20th century American history. It's an absolutely stunning work of scholarship, packed with well documented detail, and completely approachable.

I have never read such a well researched and detailed examination of any topic. There are many Hearst books out there and many books about the innner workings of Hollywood but this book really does have it all.

I just finished this terrific book which I just happened upon (has it been reviewed anywhere?). As a journalist myself (not yellow)I always thought of Hearst as a publisher. This book completely surprised me in the way it builds the case for Hearst as the world's first media mogul. There are great details about Hearst's controlling role in Hollywood and puts Citizen Kane in an entirely new light. Great reading.