Arts and Entertainment Books

I am delighted that John Coldstream's biography of Dirk Bogarde is now out in paperback, which means that more readers will have access to this compelling story of one of the finest actors of the 20th century. And, to my own pleasure, the paperback makes it easy to read in bed or carry in a pack, removing all worry about damaging my cherished hardcover version.

Without reserve, I can say that this is one of the best biographies I have read in years and certainly the finest that will ever be written on Dirk Bogarde. From the minute one picks up this book, as beautiful in paperback as in hardcover, one knows that it is not the usual star biography filled with gossip, written merely to pump up a star's image or to make a quick profit. Coldstream's engrossing look at the public and private lives of this icon of British film is impossible to put down. The first page quickly turns into 200 pages.

Coldstream has the rare perspective of friend and one who worked with Bogarde, which brings a special understanding and appreciation of the private Bogarde to this biography. Yet, unlike writers who set out to prove theories, Coldstream's balanced, extensively researched approach is the ultimate tribute to Bogarde. The reward for readers is a compelling view, written with candor, insight, and affection.

Given unlimited access by Bogarde's family to private papers, photos, and rare home movies, Coldstream unfolds a life that holds us spellbound. He illuminates the early influences on Bogarde, his military years, journey from matinee idol to serious actor, second career as a writer, and knighthood in 1992, giving us behind-the-scenes looks at some of the biggest names and players in British film and Hollywood.

We are privy to Bogarde's thoughts on the Rank and Hollywood Studio systems, on acting, the rigors of filming, and his unaccredited revisions of inadequate scripts. We hear his usual candid, often affectionate comments on the famous people who graced his beautiful homes on any given weekend: Ingrid Bergman, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Charlotte Rampling; directors Cukor, Losey, and Visconti, to name a few. Bogarde knew them all. Equally fascinating are their thoughts on him, the private man and actor, in the countless interviews Coldstream conducted across the globe and the extensive papers and firsthand sources he examined in the course of his research.

But Coldstream gives us more than the glitter of Bogarde's career in film. There is Bogarde at his beloved farm in Provence, the stray pets he sheltered, his natural talent for writing and the evolution of his 15 best sellers and later years writing for the Daily Telegraph, to the dark days when illness overcame his partner Forwood and then stalked Bogarde. Coldstream does not shy away from addressing questions readers have had about the elusive Bogarde, no easy image to capture. A continuing question has been whether his 40-year relationship with agent and companion Tony Forward was a homosexual one, something Bogarde denied to his death in 1999. To Coldstream's great credit, he does not speculate but lays out what he finds and leaves it to the reader to make up his mind on this and other aspects that continue to swirl around this fascinating man.

The paperback version has retained the elegance of the hardcover edition and its extensive chapter-by-chapter sources, appendices, and comprehensive index, including the wonderful endpaper drawing of Bogarde by Richard Cole, all of which reveal the taste and intelligence behind this effort. There are some 130 photos many never published, including Bogarde's own drawings. An added perk is a new cover photo of a younger, ever handsome Bogarde in his late 30s at the top of his game as reigning matinee idol, a throne he eagerly abdicated for more complex roles. A perfect choice, the photo reveals Bogarde's discerning intellect and inner discontent, which drove him to make such daring, independent career choices.

Coldstream has truly captured the spirit of Bogarde, the actor, writer and man, as well as the caustic wit yet kind and loyal friend. Few books leave one with the satisfaction of having spent time and money well. This is one of them.

This is one of the best biographies I've read in years and certainly the finest written on Dirk Bogarde. From the minute you pick up this beautiful book, you know that it is not the usual star biography filled with gossip, written merely to pump up a star's image or to make a quick profit. Coldstream's engrossing look at the public and private lives of this icon of British film is impossible to put down. The first page quickly turns into 200 pages.

Coldstream has the rare perspective of friend and one who worked with Bogarde, which brings a special understanding and appreciation of the private Bogarde to this biography. Yet, unlike writers who set out to prove theories, Coldstream's balanced, extensively researched approach is the ultimate tribute to Bogarde. The reward for readers is a compelling view, written with candor, insight, and affection.

Given unlimited access by Bogarde's family to private papers, photos, and rare home movies, Coldstream unfolds a life that holds us spellbound. He illuminates the early influences on Bogarde, his military years, acting days, career as a writer, and knighthood in 1992, giving us behind-the-scenes looks at some of the biggest names and players in British film and Hollywood.

We are privy to Bogarde's thoughts on the Rank and Hollywood Studio systems, on acting, the rigours of filming, and his unaccredited revisions of awful scripts. We hear his candid comments on the famous people who graced his beautiful homes on any given weekend: Ingrid Bergman, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Charlotte Rampling; directors Cukor, Losey, and Visconti, to name a few. Bogarde knew them all. Equally fascinating are their unvarnished thoughts on him, good and bad.

But Coldstream gives us more than glitter. There is Bogarde at his beloved farm in Provence, the stray pets he sheltered, his natural talent for writing and the evolution of his 15 best sellers, to the dark days when illness overcame Forwood and then stalked Bogarde. Coldstream does not shy away from addressing questions readers have had about the elusive Bogarde, no easy image to capture. A continuing question has been whether his 40-year relationship with agent and companion Tony Forward was a homosexual one, something Bogarde denied to his death in 1999. To Coldstream's great credit, he does not speculate but lays out what he finds and leaves it to the reader to make up his mind on this and other aspects that continue to swirl around this fascinating man.

This is also an elegantly done book of rich colours, fine paper, extensive appendices and index, which reveal the taste and intelligence behind this effort. There are some 130 photos many never published, including Bogarde's illustrations for his books, with a stunning front cover photo of the handsome Bogarde and one taken by Charlotte Rampling on the back cover.

Coldstream has truly captured the spirit of Bogarde, the actor, writer and man, as well as the caustic wit yet kind and loyal friend. Few books leave one with the satisfaction of having spent time and money well. This is one of them. And when it ends, we wish for more.

This book is essentially a long interview by Wilder with Josh Davis, and if you've seen Scratch, you know that Shadow can be very articulate. In essence, Wilder guides the story and gives it context, but is basically letting Shadow speak for himself. They go the whole nine yards: delving into Davis' childhood, how he discovered hiphop, how he started making his first mixes and tracks, who he met and when, and how he made the album in question. The focus is one Endtroducing... but you get the arc of his whole career up to Private Press. A very worthwhile read, in my opinion.

I supplemented my reading with the liner notes from the deluxe edition of Endtroducing... and also listened to the album and Preemptive Strike and all the b-sides. It's a fast read, you could finish in one sitting. Sold!

D.J. Shadow's 1996 album Endtroducing created a new sound sonic pop music was to follow for years, influencing electronica and reaching out to other forms. Music critic Eliot Wilder follows this change in ENDTRODUCING, which is basically one long interview with DJ Shadow via telephone during 2004. From DJ's passion for music to his involvement in mixing and interactions with some of the key electronica wizards of modern times, any who would understand the man or his music needs ENDTRODUCING in their collection.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Charles Delaunay's book covers everything you'd ever want to know about gypsy guitar legend Django Reinhardt in a captivating, readable form. Included anecdotes make you feel like you really got to know Django from the perspective of friends and fellow musicians. Many of them are quite funny too.

In addition to the exceptional story of Django and his music, Delaunay's book includes many pages full of rare Django Reinhardt photographs.

Get this book now! You won't be sorry :)

Although I wouldn't necessarily call this book a literary classic, it's quite readable and certainly worthwhile for anyone who likes the music of Django Reinhardt and is interested in learning more about him as both a person and a musician, as well as the other musicians (such as Stephane Grappelli) of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France and others that played and recorded with him. There are plenty of anecdotes that bring their songs to life for me in a new way. Just to take one example, the first song on the first disk of the 5-CD set "Django Reinhardt: The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order" (which I'd highly recommend, by the way) is a popular song that was new at the time, called "I Saw Stars." It's a nice little tune, with some great solos by both Reinhardt and Grappelli, but I learned from this biography that the newly-formed quintet had never played it before. They were on their way to their first-ever recording, and were concerned that their music might not be commercial enough to be accepted, and Grappelli had just obtained a copy of the sheet music for "I Saw Stars" (which was a popular hit in the U.S. at the time). They went over it a couple of times in the taxi on the way to the studio, stopping along the way to pick up vocalist Bert Marshal, who Reinhardt thought might give the group a more commercial sound. (In later recordings, the QHCF rarely used vocalists.) To listen anew to the recording knowing now that they were just improvising on a song they'd never even played before just brings home all the more how intensely talented these musicians were. This biography is full of similar examples, as well as filling the reader in on Reinhardt's early background and musical studies while travelling on gypsy caravans as a boy, and on his teen years spent backing up "musette" dance musicians in Paris cabarets and so on. All in all, I'd say that if you're a fan of the great Django Reinhardt's music, this biography will enhance your appreciation of it all the more. (The author, Charles Delaunay, by the way, was a French music critc and contemporary of Reinhardt and Grappelli, who was instrumental in getting their professional careers started and who probably knew them and their music as well as or better than anyone. So this is as authoritative a biography of Django Reinhardt as there is ever likely to be.)

The only tragedy about this book is that there are'nt Moore pages. I was truely in awe after every word that I read. This book kept me glued to my seat. I find the career of Sir Ray Moore a perfect analogie of "The Ship of Dreams", The R.M.S. Titanic. As she left port (Peaty Wheatstraw) she was a strong force to be reckoned with, and she was very long too. As The ship of dreams picked up Moore passengers, she gained momentum (Dolemite) until that fateful night where she stoped so suddenly and sank to rock bottom (Disco Godfather). But much like the memory of the mighty Titanic, Rudy Ray Moore will remain hard, in our hearts. "OH DOLEMITE, IM SO HAPPY, IM GONNA TELL EVERYONE DOLEMITE IS COMING HOME"-Queen Bee

This fascinating biography, written by Julian & David Shabazz, chronicles the meteoric rise of one of the world's most influential comedians of the late 1970's, Rudy Ray Moore. The book explores Moore's unerring lust for comic superstardom, a drive that propelled him to the very top of the entertainment scene for much of his adult life. Powered by sharp wit and raw dynamism, Moore created what is arguably the most popular icon of modern folklore: the sassy, street-smart Dolemite, a man whose sexual and fighting prowess have made him the legend of choice for today's black youths. Dolemite is the very embodiment of coolness and style, created by Moore to be a reflection of his own self. The Shabazz siblings also detail Moore's many other characters, from the affable Petey Wheatstraw (or, as he was known to the many pimps and street hustlers of his day, "Mr. Excitment") to the dangerously-menacing Disco Godfather, who mastered the ancient art of karate in order to win back his plundered nightclub. The book also covers Moore's eventual fall into movie obscurity, the end result of a sickening downward spiral that included drugs, hustling and, ultimately, death. Overall, this biography is very well-crafted and contains just the right combination of hard-hitting drama and steamy sexual hijinks, two elements which Rudy Ray Moore not only pioneered but was made famous for.

Just having a listing of the episodes of DORIS DAY'S BEST FRIENDS, the animel-centered series she produced and appeared in back in the 1980s, would be reason enough to purchase this enchantingly obsessed volume. But there are plenty more. I enjoyed seeing McGee scampering through the gardens and byways of Day's multifaceted movie career, mysteriously cut short after the release of THE BALLAD OF JOSIE and WITH SIX YOU GET EGG ROLL. He even has a section detailing the films Day might have made but alas, or in some cases thank God, she wound up not playing in. I never really wanted to see her playing in THE GRADUATE, but some of the other roles offered her she really should have said yes to. Of course there were many other complications in Day's life, and to his credit McGee takes them all on. She had bad luck in husbands, and despite an eternal, and very American optimism, the sunny side of Doris Day we are initially drawn to, there's a darker, sadder, even more melancholy side to her persona as well that's a little harder to access. Thus her appearance at Rock's side in his episode of BEST FRIENDS revealed her in a new avatar, the brave stalwart supporter, nearly an angel, in the time of AIDS, avowing a sexual knowledge she had played with and played behind since the days of ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS.

McGee is also extremely thorough on Day's recording career, a subject on which I was never very well briefed, and now I think I could hold my own end up in any charity competition for knowing how many of Rodgers and Hart's songs Day recorded (plenty, compared to the very few of, say, Cole Porter's) if that was one of the test questions. McGee loves Doris Day, that is for sure, and yet he is surprisingly objective about her talents, judging this or that as a failure or success in its own terms. I never realized, for example, what a mistake JUMBO seems to have been for Doris; its failure, McGee states, precluded Fox from giving her the Maria Von Trapp psrt in the Robert Wise film of SOUND OF MUSIC.

Not simply a biography, but a reference book of Doris' life and her career on records, radio, film and television. This was a much needed book, and is very nicely done. Succinct, thorough and with some nicely rare pictures, although I noticed at least one photo caption which incorrectly identified the year, but that is a small quibble.

Kieslowski changed my life. I watched RED first, then WHITE and Finally BLUE. I've never watched anything that moved me so. So much better than anything that comes out of Hollywood( except for the occasional Shawshank). Ann Insdorf does a great job narrating the DVD--in the 'extras' section of the trilogy. Based on her performance, I bought 'Double Lives'. I enjoyed her personal observations of the master at work. I loved her book. My only complaint is I wanted more analysis of the Trilogy(and the Decalogue). But she gives a fantastic job on the Trilogy DVD set. She's a true scholar of the sage.

I have been an enormous follower and keeper of Kieslowki's work since a fateful afternoon when I stumbled upon a showing of "Blue" several years ago. This of course came to a bittersweet juncture when K died in 1997. Regardless, this book accurately captures the the development of this extraordinary director... and writer. Insdorff presented some interesting insights in her writing amidst some oversights: the car in Blue was a Puegeott, not BMW, and no mentioning of "Blue's" Julie's accident interruption in court in "White". Although Kieslowki's beginnings and earlier works like his string of documentaries and "Decalogue" are crutcial to his foundation as an outstandingly brilliant director as showcased in the Three Colors trilogy, I wished more expoundment was made on the his final three works which is truly poetry in images.

I have loved reading biographys for as long as I can remember, they were my first introduction to serious reading. I had heard of Douglas Fairbans Sr.since my childhood days but all I really knew about him was that he was a famous actor who got his start in silent films. A very dear friend of mine got me interested in silent movies several years ago and had some of Dougs' movies, most of them were silent movies but she also had some of his later sound movies. I bought this book mainly out of curiosity and I'm so glad I did because I enjoyed it from the very first page to the last, it was never boring and I was sorry when I reached the last page, I wanted it go on and on. I found it far more interesting than any biography or autobiography I have ever read . I was amazed at the versatility of the man, he was so much more than just a "movie actor". He loved writing as much as he did acting and started writing short stories while still in his teens. His love of writing continued right up until his death. and his stories were published in various popular magazines. Doug got his acting start on Broadway and after appearing in many flops finally became a star on Broadway. From there he went into movies and soon learned that he preferred making movies to performing on the stage because he could do more and reach a much larger audience with movies. He wasn't satisfied in merely starring in movies, he had to learn everything about the making of them, and later wrote most of his own scripts and formed a movie studio in partnership with his wife Mary Pickford, his good friend Charlie Chaplain, and the legendery D.W. Griffith, they named the studio United Artists. He was a great believer in physical fitness and wrote many articles on the subject for various publications. His atheletic prowess was unsurpassed by any other film actor, he could do things others would never even think of doing, he was truly a superb athelete. In spite of his healthy lifestyle Fairbanks had one bad habit that probably contributed to his early death from a heart attack. This was back in the days before the dangers of cigarette smoking was known by the general public, and Doug was a very heavy smoker, on the average of two to three packs a day. I could go on and on about the man and about this fascinating and unique book. It was brilliantly put together by the curator of the Douglas Fairbanks Museum in Austin, Texas, Keri Leigh. She and the museum staff obviously put many long hours into finding, selecting and compiling the very best of Fairbanks' written works, and I recommend it very highly to anyone who likes biography, or is just interested in movie history.

This is a beautiful and unique book which I'm sure would appeal not only to fans of silent screen legend, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., but also to the general reader with various interests. Fairbanks himself had many interests, skills and talents reaching far beyond those of his acting and film-making career, and this charming book reveals some of these other facets of the Fairbanks personality. This book is, in fact, a collection of written works by Douglas Fairbanks which were first published in the period 1912 to the mid 1930s, ranging from a short story, magazine articles on various topics, interviews and even a few personal notes and letters; even lyrics for a song. All these items are from the Douglas Fairbanks Sr Museum in Austin, Texas, and the museum's curator, Keri Leigh, along with other dedicated Fairbanks fans who have volunteered their time and efforts, have put together this miscellany of Fairbanks' written work to show today's public that Fairbanks was far more than the action-adventure screen hero of the 1920s.

This book begins by revealing Fairbanks' interest in storytelling and writing, with his 1912 short story which is a light-hearted adventure-comedy not unlike many of the films he would star in just a few years later. But his popularity as a screen hero from 1915 onwards did not curb his passion for writing, as the remaining articles in this book reveal. Not only did he enjoy sharing with the public his behind-the-scenes adventures and ideas about the growing film industry in Hollywood, but he generously revealed his deeper thoughts and feelings, such as life style and personal development philosophies which have only become fashionable in recent years of our time. Reading his thoughts penned in the late 1910s and 1920s, it becomes obvious that Fairbanks was a pioneer and visionary, not only in his career as actor and film producer, but also in his personal life with an outlook and wisdom far beyond his time. Furthermore, his writing retains a certain old-fashioned elegance and tone, while also revealing his energetic, positive mentality and sense of humour, making each item - long or short - a pleasure to read and like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, they come together to make a more complete picture of the real Doug Fairbanks. The layout and presentation of "In His Own Words" are also a pleasure to behold, and rare photos and further information on Fairbanks and his work are also included. As an introduction and guide throughout the book, Museum Curator Keri Leigh has penned an excellent foreword which helps to appreciate the contents even more, and further in-depth information is available at the Douglas Fairbanks Sr Museum's website. As a complement to other Fairbanks-authored books still popular today (such as "Laugh and Live" 1917) or on its own as a special compilation, this book reveals Douglas Fairbanks better than any biography could, and is definitely a must-have for fans, as well as a worthwhile read for many others.

This charming book is presented as a children's book, but is suitable for all ages. The large, beautiful illustrations and reproductions coupled with the whimsical text make this imaginative book a delight to look at and read. Small children will appreciate the bright colors of the artworks, and the parents will appreciate the inventive way the author introduces an artist to children - without pretension or difficulty. Any parent wishing to raise culturally educated children should buy this book today! (PS: I say this with experience, both my 3 year old and my 10 year old love this book, but for very different reasons -- and I even catch my husband flipping through it at times)

If you are in early education this book is great for children to see line and patterns. Paul Klee is know for his childlike artwork and it gives children ideas of what to look for in his paintings. The history of his life is also very interesting and that is on the last 2 pages.

Reading this book and being from Central America took me back to the place I came from and remember all the stuff that my Dad and my Uncles used to do. I feel like I was reading part of my life. It made me cry, it made me happy, it made me sad....I think its a great book and I definitely recommend it!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS THE PEOPLE EVER READ BECAUSE TELLS ALL THE TRUE ABOUT SPANISH PEOPLE HOW HARD WE WORK TO SURVIVE IN LIFE HOW HARD WORKING PEOPLE WE ARE THANKS RENAN FOR REPRESENT OUR CULTURE AUR PEOPLE SO WELL THE WAY YOU DOU THANK YOU ''CUCUY''

I have long recognized the important role Loie Fuller played in 20th century dance, and her impact on turn-of-the-century arts and letters. (Her influence on Mallarmé and Rodin alone would qualify her as worthy of study.) An American who made her greatest impact in Paris, Fuller is most often cited as a brilliant technician for her manipulations of costumes, scenery and especially lighting. But if one examines how other artists (visual and literary) responded to her work, their reactions were far from "technical." There's a good bio of Fuller (by the Currents), and (if you read French) the study "Loie Fuller, Danseuse de l'Art Nouveau" that looks at her influences on visual art. But Garelick's book is the first I've encountered that really examines Fuller's work as a dancer, artist, and filmmaker, and attempts to examine the work's content from several perspectives. This is a thoughtful, well-written study, and I'll forgive Garelick occasionally repeating herself for the insights she offers into Fuller the dancer and artist, and the unique, seminal place she had in the history of modern dance.

A magnificent accomplishment that spans fields, ideas, and phiiosophies and makes for compelling reading. Smart, insightful, funny, wide-ranging.