Arts and Entertainment Books

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.

A first-rate book with a lot of new (to me) information (like that the whole Apple Computer/Apple Corps legal battles started when George Harrison ran across an Apple Computer ad in a magazine). Also, I've read a ton of Beatles books and interviews, and was impressed that most of the quotes by John, Paul, George and Ringo in this book were quotes I'd never seen before. I do think the author is an unnecessarily sour and incorrect critic about certain things (like complaining about audience noise in the Beatles Shakespeare skit...if you watch the skit on YouTube, that audience noise was obviously encouraged as part of the performance's extreme irreverence). But over all I really liked this book.

This new examination of the history of the Beatles considers just how the Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein pioneered not just their music, but the modern music business itself. From how they promoted and sold records to playing concerts, making films, and setting up their own recording companies, BEATLES FOR SALE provides a very different focus from the many books which have revealed their music and lives, making it a top pick not just for popular music collections, but for business libraries as well.

As someone who's read just about everything out there on the Beatles, I was pleasantly surprised by the latest offering from John Blaney (Lennon and McCartney: Together Alone, previously published in separate iterations). There have been a few books out there addressing the business, as opposed to the musical end of the Beatles' career. But none has offered the amount of detail and insight while remaining steadfastly readable as this one.

Blaney takes us on a thorough investigation of how the Beatles became the success that they were in terms of their business dealings, be it through their club dates, their merchandising, their music publishing and so forth. At first glance, such a potentially "dry" study may seem to be of limited interest, but Blaney is such a masterful researcher with a sharp eye for the kind of minutia that fans find irresistible that you'll find yourself drawn in, as I was, to learn the nuts and bolts of how it all happened. (Did you know that the Beatles pioneered the concept of the tour bus?)

Another strength of the book is how it dissects and clarifies long-held myths about their history. The Beatles literary canon is replete with hearsay, but Blaney has done a great job in going back to the original sources to brush aside the shrouding fog of nostalgia, contextualizing their achievements (which only serves to make them more remarkable).

I highly recommend this work for anyone who's been baffled about the ins and outs of their business affairs or Brian Epstein's efforts on their behalf. The good, the bad, and the ugly is laid out in crystal-clear detail - this eminently readable work will stand as one of the more worthy additions to anyone's Beatle bookshelf.

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.

This is an excellent biography of Bob Hope. It is also a great history book. It also offers up a nice slice of history in America and some of the world during Bob Hope's lifetime. The 1920s and 1930s are described as being like a completely different country: regional and national acts seemed to stop at small cities across Ohio.

Bob Hope was talented, and a hard worker. He was also sort of a Cad or a Lout, but it was more acceptable to be that way back then. I like the part about how he thought there would be no war in Europe, based partly on the fact that Nazi Germany was the biggest export market for American movies back then. During virtually all of Bob Hope's peak earning decades, most of his income was in the 71 to 85 percent tax bracket. He, and many others, got around this by claiming it in corporations which employed more people and had a lower tax bracket. It seemed to work well.

This one's definitely worth reading. You get a very human version of Hope, a lot of respect but no mindless worship. And Strait knows how to tell a story and write for an audience in a way that keeps you constantly entertained.

This is an excellent tribute to Bob Hope written within months
of his death. The work has many memorable pictures of Bob with
Dorothy Lamour, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Charlie Chaplin,
Bing and the famous USO Tours which were a trademark for the
performer. The author describes Bob's early work in Cleveland,
performances with the Jolly Follies, the Ziegfield Follies of '36,Casanova's Big Night and various co-host performances for the '56 Academy Awards, Christmas caravans and virtually every tour of any consequence. This work is a fitting tribute to
Bob Hope. It will be treasured by his many fans throughout the
USA and the world. The book would make a great gift for any
of his many fans .

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.

A poignant, yet unsentimental self portrait of a life created solely through a passion for movies, puppetry and the entertainment industry. A good read, especially for those who feel they might otherwise have gone further in life but for different parentage or role models. Jacoby's childhood background appears to be a modern-day Dickensian one; but to him, apparently, motivational and testament to the phrase "the child is father of the man". His story also includes some interesting, personal and amusing vignettes of some entertainment industry luminaries. Read in one sitting.

This book shows how imagination and the human spirit can overcome a tragic, mixed-up childhood. Joe Jacoby took a few early images and turned them into a successful and fascinating career. It's a good lesson for today's whiny and privileged kids who don't get the concept of paying dues.

Joe Jacoby has survived an incredible life. It's hard to believe that someone could become an orphan at seven, go through the revolving-door of foster homes and institutions, and somehow come out a normal human being. He brought tears to my eyes -- and also made me laugh a lot, especially about Joseph E. Levine and Match Game. An uplifting book.