Arts and Entertainment Books

I first heard about this book at an event that John Rich attended, and spoke about the book, in 2006. I'm glad I bought this book - it is superb. I've admired Rich for many years, as the crown jewel of comedy directors. He worked in the biz for fifty years, and did and saw everything in this crazy town. He had a reputation for being one of the most forceful of directors, who demanded nothing but the best from his actors - and "Snake" is a wonderfully frank text. He directed the early years of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "All in the Family", which contained some of the greatest moments in comedy. But this book is far more than just a relay of anecdotes about those shows - it is a bonafide biography that covers Rich's entire career and relations with other showbiz actors and producers...and one helluva career it was. This book was especially welcoming for me because these times are adorned by schlocky producers and directors, who are less concerned about quality and more concerned about making money for themselves and the studio. Rich wasn't about that...and the world of television is all the better because of it. Five stars.

I found this book to be a mini history of the television industry peppered with personal stories from Mr.Rich.The behind behind the scenes antidotes alone make this must reading for anyone interested in "the business." I wish that I coud have read a book like this prior to my working in the TV industry,it would have saved me a lot of time and given me a leg up on the competition.Perhaps the most important thing that John Rich said was at the beginning of the book referring to a recent job interview with some young TV executives-"people Don't hire legends"-"they threaten the rookies." In a nutshell that's why TV is in such a bad state of affairs today.People don't hire legends but they should.Jim Cox

'Warm Up the Snake' is a Hollywood thing. But I'm not going to go into its meaning, for that you need to read Chapter 13.

This is a story of working in Hollywood during the Golden Age of Television. As you would expect, it is full of the most interesting little tidbits about what happened during the filming of numerous of the favorite television shows of the time.

'The Dick van Dyke' show was his. And 'All in the Family.' He had a long stream of solid hits. And with them an association with a lot of the biggest names in the business. This was a time when television was experimenting. Black actors were beginning to appear in shows and no one knew what to expect. The sponsors who paid the bills were leary and occassionally refused to sponsor shows. No one knew how the shows would play in the Southern states.

This is not a weighty tome on the television industry, but it's a very interesting read on how things are done from the directors point of view.

John Rich's story is not to be missed by any fan, student, or, for that matter, teacher of film and tv. This is one of the great generals writing about war - the biggest battles, the most intricate strategies, accounts of gruesome casualties, and, of course, hilarious battlefield mishaps and blunders. It's an easy read, as Rich, with a style that is funny, bombastic, and at times reverential to the business he truly loves, "talks" to us as though we're having a drink at the Polo Lounge, or, more accurately, in his den, in front of a roaring fire. This book has a special place on my shelf!

John Rich set Hollywood on its ear with his refusal to accept the status quo. If you want an unpretentious view of the Hollywood system, this is the book for you. Mr. Rich's ability to find the humor in any situation, and his ability to laugh at himself, pulls you into the story from the very first page. His career was spent defining the purpose and power of television with such ground breaking shows as "All in the Family" and "Maude" and made us laugh with "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "Barney Miller" and "Newhart". It would be hard to imagine television without John Rich's contribution to the medium. As someone who works in the entertainment business, this book holds a special place on my bookshelf and I consider it a must read. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

It is an enjoyable book to read about his life. It has many photos. All the important people in his life that could be contacted are featured in the book as well as quotes from Paul Frees himself. A great book!

I have been a huge fan of Paul Frees ever since I found out who he was. This book paints a remarkable picture of one of the great voice artists of all time. Speaking of painting, the picture he is standing next to on the cover is one he did - a talent I had no idea he had until I read the book.

In this nearly 300 page book, Ben Ohmart with help from some of Paul's friends and family, tells the life and times of Paul Frees...one of the most under-rated and one of the more mysterious figures in the word of voice acting. I named the review of this book "Natasha...stop moose and squirrel..." because of Paul's famous role as Boris Badenov on the cartoon, Rocky and Bullwinkle. I bought this book as soon as i learned it was on sale and i ALSO have the one Ben Ohmart wrote on Daws Butler. One of the things i loved about this book was the credits section. The author pin-pointed virtually everything he could find in which Paul Frees made an appearance. Paul was also a face-actor who appeared in a sting of movies as supporting player or walk-on but his voice was where he made his money. I also love the pictures that Ben Ohmart put in this book! You will find that Paul, upon reading this book, was a jack-of-all-trades. He could write, paint, sing, act...the author also goes "behind the scenes" and reveals aspects of Paul's personal life. But, the voices are what most readers will be interested in the most and Paul lent his voice to a staggering amout of projects through the years in radio, TV, and on records. On page 193 there's a priceless picture of Paul and Red Skelton during the recording session of the cartoon movie "Rudolph's Shiny New Year" in 1976, the year i was born! Paul and his famed female voice actor co-star, June Foray, are seen on page 174. On page 176, Paul is seen with Vincent Price. Paul had recorded some things for Price's horror movie "The Abominable Dr. Phibes"...in fact, the movie spawned a vinyl album/soundtrack of sorts in which Paul is heard singing several songs impersonating celebrities {Al Jolson; Humphrey Bogart; Ronald Colman; among others}. Paul Frees lived an interesting life and we haven't even began to talk about his years with Disney and UPA...his various commercial characters like The Pillsbury Doughboy and Tucan Sam OR his secret life as a spy!!! GET THIS BOOK TO READ MORE ABOUT THAT!! Paul Frees can be heard on countless cartoons on the Boomerang channel. I'd suggest you also seek out the DVD's of Rocky and Bullwinkle to HEAR Paul at his peak as Boris Badenov, Inspector Fenwick, and Captain Wrongway Peachfuzz...plus get this book to learn more about this under-rated legend.

I bought this book simply to read about Paul Frees' involvement with Disneyland and was quickly amazed at his career. A really enjoyable read, revealing both the good and bad. In other words - an honest look at a fabulous artist. Highly recommended.

Unlike many, I had known about Paul Frees being the man of multiple voices. The famous voice of the Disney Haunted Mansion ride "Ghost Host," Boris Badenov of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the narrator of the original "War of the Worlds" movie are but a few of this man's familiar characters. What I did not realize, however, was how well known, and in demand he was during his entire lengthy career. I learned, but was not surprised to find out, how many hours and productions he had participated in on the radio. Furthermore, I found it interesting that just about anytime any film maker needed to come up with an exotic voice, or wanted someone to finish up another actor's dialogue, they called Paul Frees. I learned all of this by reading his biography, "Welcome, Foolish Mortals," which is the tagline for the Disney Ghost Host.

Anyone wishing to read about the career of a person of outstanding versatility and talent, should read this book. The composition of the book is smooth, and the narrative sustains one's continuing curiosity and interest. I wish that the author had interviewed, and provided more quotes from more people in show business still living that had worked with him professionally. I would have liked, for example, if the author had spoken with surving personnel from the Disney organization, or individuals from companies for whom he had worked as a vocal pitchman. Pillsbury, for example, comes to mind; Frees was the voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy (of course, Frees was quoted as suggesting he did not want to be solely remembered as just being the Pillsbury Doughboy).

Compared to the late Paul Frees, there is no one his equal past or present. Even the great impressionist Rich Little must have been in awe of this incredible man. In his own field, he really was a Burgermeister Meisterburger!

I bought this book by chance but it is my current go to book when looking for inspiration and reviewing technique. Don Davis is a master. He uses subtle changes in his pieces that give them a uniqueness I enjoy. My only complaint would be that I wish he had more pictures of his work inside the book.

A wonderful book for beginners and experienced potters alike. Lots of new ideas with detailed explanation and pictures. An absolute must, and a great price too!

I loved the step-by-step approach this book takes with the many different examples of pottery. Also, it is great to show the techniques of the different potters. The book also includes photos of other pieces made with similar techniques. I borrowed this book, but now have to have my own copy.

This is a good book for beginners. The book has great pictures and the instructions are easy to follow. I also like the progression in the projects. It builds your throwing skills step by step.

When I first started throwing, I found this book an extremely useful source for reminders, clarifications, and pointers on techniques I'd learned in class. It's a great practical guide for beginners. Now that I've been throwing for a while, I find I continue to turn to it for ideas and pointers. I've purchased several other clay books that were touted as "must haves" for potters, but I've been disappointed with them. They often focused only a few pages on wheel throwing, or were not as clear when describing techniques. Davis' book, with its straightforward instructions, good illustrative technique photos, and interesting photos of varied designs and forms, is the reference I keep turning to for myself and sharing with my classmates.

Ed Watz' thoroughly researched and well-written book on the films of Wheeler and Woolsey deserves the highest praise. He approaches their career by examining their work on a film-by-film basis, providing very complete cast and credit information, production history, as well as biographical information on the two comedians. The book also includes a nice forward by their frequent co-star Dorothy Lee, who worked with the team since the 20s. Lee, who died in 1999, shares many memories of working with the comedians, and gives valuable insight into the making of these films.

Highly recommended for students and fans of stage and screen comedy.

This "sleeper" book, which I picked up because of my curiosity about the subjects (they are appearing regularly on the Turner Classic Movies station) is a revelation. Positively one of the best researched and entertaining books about a comedy team from the movies' golden age, the 1930s. To watch Wheeler & Woolsey is to understand what vaudeville-type comedy is (was) all about. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey have been overlooked in favor of teams like the Marx Bros. or the 3 Stooges. This book corrects that oversight. It is also a highly readable accounts of Hollywood politics behind the scenes at some of the major studios. If you're a fan of vintage movie comedy, get this book.

Wheeler and Woolsey were second to Laurel and Hardy in the heart's of movie going audiences of the 1930's. Since then, however, their star has faded and their acomplishments have been relegated to footnote status in the history of the golden age of comedy. Thanks to Edward Watz, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are alive and kicking again in a definitive history of the lovable pair and their films. Exhaustingly researched and lovingly executed, the book chronicles the career ups and downs of the most unjustifiably forgotten comedians in the history of show business. Personal biographies are included, as well as detailed accounts of all of their features and short subjects. Long time leading lady Dorothy Lee lends her first hand account of the way things happend with a refreshingly candid foreward. She also shares her memories of each of the films that she participated in with a fascinating view that only an insider could relate. The later years are chronicled in the final chapter, featuring accounts of Bert Wheeler's career after the untimely death of his partner. All in all, this book ranks along side the superlative Laurel and Hardy, The Magic Behind The Movies, and Abbott and Costello in Hollywood, as one of the most enjoyable and informative demonstration's of film history as can be expected. If you love film comedy, you should not be without this book.

I love this book! To my knowledge, the only book around about Wheeler and Whoolsey. It made me eager to see more of their films. The author did a great job of research, which couldn't have been easy considering how long ago these comedians were active.

Ed Watz's book 'Wheeler & Woolsey' is a superb film history of a great and sadly forgotten movie comedy team. This volume evokes the golden days of both Vaudeville and Hollywood, as we follow the rise and sad fall of Wheeler & Woolsey. Mr. Watz also sets straight the historical record in that the boys were second only to the great Laurel & Hardy in the 1930's and certainly ahead of their rivals the Marx Bros., the Ritz Bros., and the Three Stooges! Readers of this book will want to go out and see the films of Wheeler & Woolsey. Watz's book is a lost treasure.

His title is poignant--it could mean, "Why am I discriminated against just for being black?" or it could mean, "Why did God single me out for such stardom and an extraordinary life?" Both of these themes weave throughout the book. Sammy was part of a show-biz trio with his father and "uncle" Will Mastin. He began performing at a very young age, and these two kind men managed to shelter him against racism until he entered the Army. Then, literally from day one, he faced the worst of racial hatred and ostracism, which lasted well into his famous years. He had his nose broken three times. He could play in a Las Vegas club, but had to find accommodations elsewhere. He could not enter the casinos where he played. When he married the blonde and beautiful May Britt, there were still states that had miscegenation on the books, so they could not travel together legally. But little short, one-eyed Sammy was determined to beat the odds. "If I'm a star," he figured, "I can break down these doors." But he didn't have an easy time of it. The whites thought he was too black, and the blacks thought he was too Uncle Tom. He was all set to perform at JFK's inauguration, when he was suddenly "uninvited." He became personal friends with MLK, Jr. and RFK, only to see them gunned down. His marriage to May died because he was the "always on" guy, drinking and whoring and never there for their three kids. He HAD to live up to his "swinger" image, and he felt that stardom was the only hedge against his being deemed a second-class citizen. He then met Altovise, a black woman whom he married. It seems as though she had a much better tolerance for his over-the-top lifestyle than May did. But he still ended up $1M in arrears to the IRS, which he eventually paid off. (He was always good at earning money, but even better at spending it.) He was a brilliant star, good at singing and dancing. telling jokes, and playing the trumpet and drums. Frank Sinatra was his lifelong friend, giving him breaks and encouraging him every step of the way. And Sammy championed RFK as the best president that we could have had during our times for civil rights. This book ends four years before his death, but the cause of death was throat cancer--too much singing and smoking and drinking killed him in the end. But what a ride!

In simple, down-to-earth prose, the late Sammy Davis, Jr. tells his moving life story, from playing cheap theatres in the 1920s South as a five-year-old with his uncle, to the magnificent fame he achieved decades later. Before he became universally beloved, Davis had to endure, and overcome, brutal bigotry. The best line of the book is when he asks, "How do you kill an idea?" His answer: "With a better idea." Go read it.

Fascinating personal account of show business, racism, politics and famous personalities from the 40s to the 80s. Shows how excess (Sammy) or even the appearance of excess (Dean Martin) is useful (necessary?) for the publicity that makes one a star.

Mr Davis'is revealed to be much more than performer. We find Sammy to be an activist, comedian, swinger, a great human being. His friendship with Frank Sinatra is shown to be pivotal in his giving up drugs. Another laugh and cry book.

I really enjoyed this book, I had no idea what the blacks in the US had to go through, having grown up in Australia. Sammy had a big chip on his shoulder which he carried throughout his life but it is understandable when you read what he went through. This isn't just a boring story of a star's life, it is a fascinating look at racism, politics, being rich beyond your dreams and in debt for millions - a great read.

It's hard to review this book. I read it while The Police were in full Reunion Tour and old Police Fans were feeling the cruelty of Ian and Kim Turner precocious deaths.
Ian was a force, he wasn't perfect and he knew it, but nontheless he tried to do his best.... and what best! Along with his brother Miles he created a new way of managing music and musicians, against all odds.
The book alternates moments of fun, of tragedy, of description of the secrets behind the musical scenes.... hilarious scenes, along with Viet Nam tales.
My perspective on music business has been confirmed by this great book. And now I'm sure The Police have always been 4: Sting, Stewart, Andy & Ian. Yes, Miles was obviously important: Ian was determinative.
We miss you so much Leroy.....

Ian Copeland, brother and booking agent of The Police's Stewart Copeland, gives an amazingly detailed description of what it takes to manage a band and put them on the road. It's a very complicated process. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this, but I was instantly enthralled. I had presumed it was going to be just another third person account of the antics of The Police, but I was wrong. Ian is no name-dropper. Instead, he takes you on a journey, from growing up in foreign lands to watching his brother play sold-out stadiums, the drugs, the women, the cruel machine that is the music industry. I got this book when it first came out, and never had the chance to tell Ian how good it is - he passed away earlier this year. However, it remains a treasured part of my library.

That's why this book is ranked so high today, I'm sure.

I read the book when it first came out; my main interest was his role in the ascent of R.E.M., then at the top of the pop music heap, but it was an excellent autobiography of an interesting and eclectic person.

In later years, he owned a restaurant, and his death was due to melanoma, a tragic and nearly hopeless form of cancer.

Warning: reading this book may be hazardous to your sleeping patterns. Why? Because it's nearly impossible to put down once you begin Ian's tale, and you may find yourself staying up all night to finish it in one sitting.

Ian Copeland is a fabulous storyteller, and in this book he takes us on an exciting journey through his life and times, from his youthful adventures in the Middle East, through Vietnam, and then into the music scene of the 70's as the rock dinosaurs were dying out to be replaced by a "new wave" of young musicians. The Copeland brothers Miles, Stewart and Ian would each have a tremendous influence on the development of rock music in the late 70s and 80s, and reading Ian's inspirational story of hard-fought success will provide you with great insight into how it all came about.

Don't read this book if you are a Police fan simply looking for insight into that band only; although they certainly play a part in Ian's story, it is only one chapter in a much greater adventure. Read this book if you are looking to be inspired about what a person can accomplish with determination, and the self-confidence to break out of how he's told things should be done to instead find his own way.

Although not strictly a book about either the Police or Sting the links to both are fairly obvious. Ian "Coolbreeze" Copeland's autobiography is well worth buying. His experiences of growing up in a (let's be honest) unusual family situation, of serving in Vietnam, his time as a road manager and the ups and downs of booking agency are all recounted and hold the interest consistently. There are two specific chapters on the Police - one on the early US tours and one on the Shea Stadium show - and many other references to them scattered throughout the book. Buy it - you will definitely enjoy it!

I had to write this review after reading the previous reviewer's comments, which make little sense. THE OUTLAW is a fantastic read, and, more importantly, the first book that really grapples with the strange, magic reality of Willie Nelson. It is virtually un-put-downable, full of character and verve, honesty and insight.

Even as I tore through it I suspected there might be a split between those who read it: for so-called 'loyal' Willie fans who treat him like some kind of God, it may not appeal. Those who are looking for an uncomplicated, unthinking homage to Willie will not find it here - there are plenty of those kinds of books on the shelves, but this is the first Willie book to really grapple with the complexities of the man; it is a warts 'n' all study, although affectionate, knowledgable and fair, and presents him and his amazing world in a thorough and truly new way.

It is clearly and cleverly written, with little up-close vignettes of Willie in between each chapter, and with cameos from all the major players in Willie's life. I bet Willie read it with a wry chuckle and thought, 'Yep, they finally got me!'

A wonderful book, highly recommended to all Willie fans who don't wear blinkers, and all other music fans.

I enjoyed the book, and felt that it presented a pretty thorough, well-rounded view of an interesting person. I do think that Mr. Thomson knows the music scene very well, although he unnecessarily inserts some of his personal condescending viewpoints of some currently popular country artists. I knocked the rating down a star because it needed better editing - there are several typos that should have been caught.

I gave the book as a gift, and they thought it was great

Great insight to one of America's greatest song writers and musicians. I've followed Willie for over 30 years and I'm not a country music fan. Willie reaches everyone who loves a good song.

Awesome book! Fills in a whole load of gaps in Will's life that I often wondered about. I've been a fan for 25 years and hoped this kind of 3-D book would come along - it's not only very astute on his life and character but also absolutely BRILLIANT on his music.

I enjoyed this book. It was an absorbing, eye-opening look into the world of the ballet written by an insider - a young, intense and highly intelligent young woman, a dancer with the NYC Ballet, who exposes life in this elite and unique world.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a wonderful glimpse into the real world of professional dancing. Miss Bentley told this story with beautiful language, her words flowed like water. I found it wonderful to know what it was like to live the life of a dancer, to know the struggles and the victories, the fantasies and the realities. I recommend this book for all who love dance and for anyone interested in show business or simply anyone who enjoys a good read.

With "Winter Season," Toni Bentley allows her audience to see a real picture of the incredibly tough, demanding and creative world of professional ballet. We see George Balanchine at the end of the career, and such greats as Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins. The incredible, difficult, almost insane demands put on the dancers are clearly drawn, as is Ms. Bentley's love for her art. Especially evocative is her struggle with reconciling art with her demanding profession.

Often, artistic memoirs focus on the superstars, the Tallchiefs and Nureyevs, for instance. The view from the corps de ballet is all the more interesting for being so rare. This book is beautiful, wry, humorous and exquisitely-written. I wish Ms. Bentley had written several other volumes.

Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal is the exquisite chronicle of a ballet dancer's experiences with the New York City Ballet. The dancer, Toni Bentley, claims a certain naivetee, but I don't believe it's innocent ignorance as much as it is simple yearning for experiences she rarely has.

She has a delicate flair for words, and her prose couldn't be any less lovely than her pliees and tondus.

Dancing with a world-famous ballet company is gruelling. The dancers are overworked, underfed, and have little understanding of how the "real world" works, yet it would seem they like it that way. Ballet companies thusly have much in common with military outfits: soldiers and dancers work brutally hard, but have their concerns looked after by the higher-ups. Balanchine is the dancers' general.

With the incredibly long hours and the accompanying mental and physical exhaustion, how did Toni get the time to write this book?

She writes,

"We are hairless. We have no leg hairs, no pubic hair, no armpit hair, no facial hair, no neck hair and only a solid little lump at the top of our heads. Any sign of stubble must be closely watched out for and removed.

"That is not all. We don't eat food, we eat music. We need artistic sustenance only. Emotional, inspiring sustenance. Al our physical energy is the overflow of spiritual feelings. We live on faith, belief, love, inspiration, vitamins and Tab."

Toni eventually does break free of the NYC Ballet machine, but she's drawn inexorably back. After all, as she says, "We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain."

This is a beautifully written very open look at the world of a professional dancer. The difficulties and joys of life in a world class ballet company are clearly and thoughtfully laid out by Bentley. The pride she had for her place in NYCB, and the sadness of standing in the background while others danced in the spotlight in front of her. But ultimately we are allowed to see the great joy finds in her dancing, and the struggle and work it took to get her there, as well as the struggle and hard work it took to keep her there. Overall I thought that Bentley was very candid and very honest about her life in NYCB. Every dance student planning a life as a professional dancer should read this book.

This is one book I will keep in my private library. Very good book with all the pictures. My mother has enjoying looking at it also.

I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures. I first read "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria which was great but I wanted pictures and more info and this book was greatly enjoyed.I really liked it.

I had the opportuntiy to buy this book last fall when I saw the grandchildren of Maria Von Trapp in concert at the Dollywood theme park. Having read the account by Maria in her book "The story of the Trapp Family Singers" as a child I was fully aware that the movie and the real story were not identical, however the liberties of the movie version aside this book is a delight for anyone who loves the story and music of the Von Trapps. It gives you a first hand insight to what the family went through from the Natzi's to the building of their inn in Vermont to the rebuilding of it after it was destory by fire. The photography is superb and the history of this family is one I have enjoyed for years and will for years to come. I can hardly wait til next Christmas to add the Von Trapp Children CD to my holiday music enjoyment.

....because I find so many information about the Trapp Familiy which I don't know. I saw the two german movies from 1956 und 1958 and the american from 1965, and I like all this films.

The pictures make it easy to read.

But there is something, that I don't like. Martina, who died in 1951. Maria Augusta wrote only one and a half sentences about her stepdaughter. Why had she done that ?

Good, that I've read "Yesterday, Today and Forever", so I know the tragedy of Martina's death.

...

This book is a really great behind-the-scenes type book about the real Von Trapp family. Fans of the movie may not like it as much, because there isn't very much stuff written about the making of the SOM. However, it really gives you a very clear picture of the way the story reall was without detracting from the magic of the movie.

If you are an actor or want to know what it takes to become a great actor, this book is a must read. I have not found any book on acting that has kept me interested and intrigued as this book. It is a wounderful read for all seriously interested in acting.

What I enjoyed were, in addition to notes on the role, the notes on what it was like to be an actor in England after growing up in apartheid South Africa. Good to meet some of the greats of theatre: "Trevor Nunn", "Chris Hampton" etc as well..

As a studying actor, I could relate to some of the mental processes that Antony Sher revealed in his book "Year of the King." Through this journal, I was able to see how Sher prepared to play the role of Richard III, his thoughts when confronted with a problem, and in what places he looked to find the answer. This book showed me the importance of keeping a record of my own progress during a production. The only thing I wish from "Year of the King" is that a video had been included to allow us to see Antony Sher's end result!

I first read Year of the King 6 years ago while studying in London. I fell in love with the works of Antony Sher on stage and was thrilled to find this book. Its been a source of inspiration and admiration since and has opened my eyes to what a different world actors live in. I am now that much closer to understanding the intricacies of performance through the words (and sketches) of Antony Sher.

This is the best book I have ever read on the process of acting. It should be required reading for every actor! It details the process that Antony Sher went through in developing the character of Richard III. It's a "fast" read because you are so eager to find out what he will do next. Highly recommended.