Arts and Entertainment Books

'Letters to Liesl' is just as good as the first book. Ms. Carr has included letters from all over the world which share stories about how the film touched their lives, as well as pictures of the cast all grown up, and more photos of during the filming. She gives personal opinions and thoughts after each letter and entry. She also shares more stories from the filming of the movie, and details of the "children's" reunion in Salzburg.

Many people were chosen from all around the world to contribute personal stories to the book. Each one is interesting in its own way. Some are from children, some are from adults. Each one shares memories and pastimes related to the movie.

In my opinion, if you are a Sound of Music fan, or a Liesl/Charmian Carr fan, this is a must read. It is a great follow-up to her first book and I hope there will be another in the near future!

Who ever wrote the inside cover of this delightful book was 100% right in stating, "When you turn the last page of "Life is a Circus", you will feel as if you have laughed and shared memories with a "new best friend" My only complaint was I read the book in an evening and wanted to read more!

Two highlights: numerous, never-before-seen (at least by me) photos and Blake (himself a make-up artist) reveals the secrets behind many of the actor's "thousand faces", at the same time dispelling many inaccurate "facts" that have been perpetuated over the years concerning said make-up creations.

Whether you're a fan of Chaney or of film history in general, you will find this book invaluable.

Reference books generally have a reputation of being full of facts, yet dry in prose. While a bio-bibliography may not be traditionally called "entertainment," this ambitious effort successfully breaches the limitations of such reference books. It is a thought-provoking history of the great Béla Lugosi (1882 - 1956). His career was as varied and tragic, both publicly and privately, as John Barrymore's. His legend remains secure, thanks to "Dracula" (Universal, 1931). The life surrounding the legend has been colorfully illuminated thanks to Gary Don Rhodes. His phenomenal research charts Lugosi's long voyage of fame and infamy, revealing details never before printed. His documentation is truly an achievement and a labor of blood, sweat and love.

Lugosi was a lover of style, sports, good living and women. Rhodes provides exhaustive examples of his exploits, both publicized and private. The wealth of photos alone display Lugosi out of his cape as a sociable creature, playful, enthusiastic, an avid reader and a cigar aficionado. A ladies' man, he was married five times. All five marriages are covered in detail - after all, there is curiosity about the love life of a vampire! There is documentation of his stage, screen and even court appearances; critical analysis of his career; and quotes and articles about or by Lugosi. The light side and the dark side are equally exposed. He was a man of strengths and weaknesses - perhaps the most notable and depressing of the latter was his long-term drug addiction. All of these elements are integrated to present a fascinating portrait of a complex artist. Those who are obsessed by the great Hungarian actor will find a sumptuous feast to satisfy their hunger. Even the mildly intrigued will be drawn into this unique individual's world. Lugosi never lost his dignity nor his offbeat sense of humor. His proud Magyar heart kept his spirit intact despite efforts to break it. Rhodes' book unflinchingly sees all and tells all - with intelligence, compassion and devotion.
- Copyright, 1997, Diane MacIntyre, "The Silents Majority" (http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/)