Arts and Entertainment Books

For Tim Holt fans or B-western fans, I enthusiastically recommend this wonderful book. Not only is this packed with all sorts of interesting information on the actor and his films, it's lovingly written and compiled with the author's passion for this man and his B-westerns shining throughout its pages. It's sad to see this treasure out of print and so expensive.

The book begins with biographical information on Holt, presented in a question and answer format. We're given an insightful look into Tim's childhood and personal adult life without being too intrusive. It's a fascinating look into the life of this beloved western star. Photographs are generously sprinkled throughout the book, along with copies of personal letters included from people who knew Holt adding to the personable charm of Tim's story.

Tim's films are listed with introductions profiling the defining moments in Tim's professional life. The sections include "Getting His Foot in the Stirrup: The Early Years" (1928 - 1943), "Earning his Spurs: The Pre-War Western Series" (1940 - 1943), "The Mature Cowboy Star: The Post-War Western Series" (1947 - 1952) and "Just a Sideline: The Other Films (1946 - 1971).

The author does a fine job of critically reviewing the films, without the criticism or gushing. Something I would never be able to do. Each film includes a personal rating from Rothel, Cast and Crew information, plot summary and the author's personal comments which include trivia with filming locations, behind the scenes photos and lobby posters.

The book also includes interviews presented in the same question and answer format as earlier in the book. Interviews are from Holt's family, female and male co-stars and Richard Martin (Chito), Tim's sidekick from his later B-westerns films. These interviews are a valuable source of trivia giving us a more intimate glimpse into Tim's professional and personal life. Then the book finishes with the section titled "Tim Holt's Scrapbook" that includes publicity material from the studios and newspaper articles written on the B-western star.

On a more personal note, I would like to add that Tim Holt is my favorite of all the B-western cowboys. This book is a delight for someone like me and I feel it beautifully honors Tim and his films. His films except for a handful are not available on DVD and are only occasionally shown on TV. I hope one day that will change.

Being the granddaughter of Tim Holt, I know a lot about him. But for someone who doesn't, this is the best book to read and learn about him. My favorite part of the whole book are all the wonderful pictures! David Rothel is a great writer, and he did a wonderful job writing this book! If anyone has any questions that aren't answeredby the book, e-mail me. Thanks! Happy Reading!

"I was five years old...I tried to sit up straight in the saddle as (my father) did, and every once in awhile I'd look down at my new cowboy boots...and I made up my mind that I'd never wear regular shoes again as long as I lived. I was going to be a cowboy for the rest of my life." Those are the words of Tim Holt later in his career, quoted in this magnificent book by author David Rothel. Tim Holt was a great "B" western movie cowboy star of the 1930's-1950's. His post-WWII western movie series that ran up until 1952 has to rate as the best series of "B" westerns ever made, with good acting, directing & production values, a lot of action, and great on-location photography. In many cases the RKO films made from 1947-52 should be more accurately referred to as "A-" westerns. The stories are always enjoyable and pleasing, and you can tell the good guys from the bad guys. Tim Holt was a fine actor and also appeared in several first class films such as Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Amersons," and with Humphrey Bogart in "Treasure of Sierra Madre." In his westerns he presents himself as a warm, easygoing & friendly cowboy with a good sense of right and wrong, a real hero. He is often drifting between jobs when the stories begin. This book is the first and only book about his life and films. I was born after his last westerns were filmed, and happened to discover the movies in the mid-1970's, after Tim Holt had already passed away (at age 54). I took an immediate liking to him as he presented himself in the movies, and when I later went to libraries and book stores to try to find information about him, found nothing except a few brief sections in several western film books. One paperback I found, "Great Western Heroes," published in the 1970's, gave more information than the other books, but not enough. Tim Holt has been a western hero to me since I saw the first movie, and it was a real joy to discover that this book existed when I found it on amazon.com. It's well worth the price. The book is well-written and is solidly bound with excellent print & photographic reproduction, has a great color cover of a more recent painting of Tim Holt, and is just loaded with a treasure trove of information on him. Childhood photos, reviews of all his films with accompanying pictures, copies of newspaper articles and his obituary, interviews and commentaries with his co-stars and fellow actors and family members, even copies of articles and interviews from western film magazines of the 1940's-50's. And some mysteries about his family life, his work after he walked away from acting (at age 33!) and did the rodeo circuit and shows, and the cancer that killed him are revealed here too. It's impossible to really express what a great book this is, and the author David Rothel deserves all the credit for the extensive research and effort he put into this magnificent volume. Highly recommended.

This is THE book about the longest-running show in TV history (and rightfully so.) All the profits from it go to charity. I bought it a few years ago. It includes a chapter (biography and photos) on each of the show's four decades; what happened after the show ended; song lyrics ("I watched the tube today, Wall-boy/Captain Super didn't make the grade..."); fan comments; and sections on some of the show's behind-the-scenes people, other performers like Dan Horn, and regular guests like Officer Harry, celebrity guests; and more.

The best thing about this book is all the photos. I loved the photos from the early years. I didn't start watching until the '70s, so those '50s and '60s photos are fascinating to me. I also liked the photos of their live shows (remember Legend City and the state fair?) and the photos of the set. Too many of them look a bit grainy or out-of-focus. It would've been nice to have more photos of Pat McMahon's hundreds of different characters. (That could've been a book in itself!) But since more/better photos probably don't exist, I can't fault the book for not including them. This book is as good as it could possibly be.

It will be of interest to anyone interested in TV history and/or Arizona history. I think it should be required reading for all the masses of people moving here. And if you're a Wallace and Ladmo fan, how can you live without it?

Damn, I miss these guys. Even Gerald. They make me proud to be an Arizona native. Here's to you, Ladmo!

If you grew up in Arizona like I did, and grew up watching the Wallace and Ladmo show after or before school...religiously as I did, you've got to get this book which chronicles the show wonderfully and really brings back very fond memories. KJ Chandler, AZ

When I was a young child in Arizona, I used to watch Wallace and Ladmo every morning before I went to school up until I was 7 and moved to California. I didn't move back to Arizona until I was in my 20's and by then the show had gone off the air. But just because it is no longer on the air does not mean it has to fade away. This book was the greatest gift I could have ever received. Not only could I reminisce about the show I loved as a child but I also learned about how the show started and what happened in the years after I had moved away. And this book is filled with hundreds of photos that bring back so many memories. Even though I only watched the Wallace and Ladmo Show for a few years, it will always have a big place in my heart and I will always be able to relive those happy memories with this great book.

What a great gift--for one's own nosalgic journey and for anyone else who will want to have a keepsake of the times and tides of our nation's preoccupations, whether with celebrities, politicians, sports figures, important 'voices' of inspiration. The pictures are captivating; the joy is infectious. It speaks volumes about how and why Oprah has led the way for a nation's curiosity and insight. It reminds us of all of the friends we've made as Oprah introduced us to who was 'happening' and how we came to open our world to all of them. Important !!

I'm a huge fan of Oprah Winfrey. I've watched her television show since it first came on the air. TO OPRAH WITH LOVE has wonderful color photos from many of my favorite episodes. It's filled with pictures of Oprah with tons of celebrities, politicians, sports heros, authors and others. So many priceless moments from her tv career are captured on these pages. It's just like a photo album filled with pictures of your best friends and family! As I first looked thru it I realized how much Oprah has made me laugh, made me cry, made me think, made me wonder and made me happy! I'll cherish this book! Wow!

THIS IS THE REAL THING.AN ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS CHRONICLE OF OPRAH THOUGHOUT THE YEARTS.IT SHOWS HER AS SHE EVOLVED AND FEATURES ALMOST OF HER MOST CELEBRATED GUESTS.THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A BEATIFUL PICTURE BOOK.IT IS A HISTORY OF TELEVISION AND OUR TIME.IT ALSO WISELY LETS EVERY PICTURE TEELL THE SORY AND DOES NOT CONTAIN A LOT OF PUFFERY.THIS LIMITED EDITIOB IS A THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR.

I worked indirectly for Bryan. He was in charge of the Financial Advisors in the region I worked .I was a dual employee of a bank as well as brokerage. He held a monthly meeting for all the Advisors and Licensed Financial Sales Consultants .He made all his meeting very interesting and productive. I always took away a valuable lesson from these sessions. He is a powerful public speaker and always delivered tips and points that made me an excellent sales person. Because of Bryan I am now working for the largest mutual fund company in the Nation. I highly recommend reading his book.

An easy to read style which gives hands on and practical advice everyone in sales (regardless of your industry ) should read. It is Head and Shoulders above the other sales books in which I have read. Mr. Mitchell's approach to planning and executing sales strategies are simple but brilliant! Top Producer will give you the edge necessary to increase sales performance. I myself have 17 years of sales experience behind me and feel that Top Producer has given me insight into what I have been missing all these years!

It's high time Bryan shared his ideas. I have 17+ years in sales experience as a financial consultant, and for a brief while, worked under Mr. Mitchell as my sales manager. I felt at the time that his sales meetings stood apart from those of other managers. Rather then just berate the staff about "increased production" Bryan brought useful, pragmatic material to his meetings to increase our sales. These came in the form of fresh ideas, or new spins on old sales techniques. His suggestions are interesting and useful. I integrated several of his ideas into practice and had a very successful career. One point Bryan made that I found to be true is that many sales professionals have no plan, and "any plan is better then no plan at all". Bryan takes this a step further by outlining a specific plan that anyone can use sprinkled with interesting, practical ideas. Furthermore, Bryan is not just driven by revenue, a mistake many managers make, he was the only sales manager I had ( and I had many) that openly spoke of, and concerned himself with "the good of the shareholders", a sentiment rarely heard in an era of upper management corruption these days. I encourage anyone in sales, or interested in a sales career to read this book.

I highly recomend this book. It is a well written look at Heath's young life. Many wonderful pictures & facts the author seemed to have studied. There were a few errors I caught; like the picture of Heath & the nun he had a romp with at the beginning of Casanova, he stated under this picture that it's Heath & Sienna Miller. A few other mispelled names or words, but otherwise a fantastic book to enjoy if you loved Heath & his acting talent.

I consider this book a double-edged sword: it's beautifully written with amazing photos never seen of Heath, but it's a painful reminder of the loss of a man who, although already proving himself an accomplished actor, had so much promise, potential, and life ahead of him. I am still having a hard time accepting that I'll now have to read books written in memory of him, but this one helps heal the heart. A beautiful tribute to an amazing man who is sorely missed.

This is a great tribute to a great actor, Heath Ledger. The book gives its readers good background information about Heath, but also includes some great pictures of Heath as well. This book is well worth the money!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fantastic book.
I thought I knew a lot about Heath, but I quickly found out that I was wrong. Heath was a very complex and mysterious man, and this book illustrates that fact throughout.
If you love Heath Ledger, you won't be disappointed in this book. Very informative, with absoluely breathtaking photographs.
Debra

This is an excellent book packed with photos and information. I don't know why Amazon has this book listed at a whopping $85. I just met Noel Neill at Wonder-Con in San Francisco where Noel Neill & the author Larry Thomas Ward both signed it and it cost me $30 which is the retail price printed on the back page. 1-800-574-7438 is the number listed on the inside cover for ordering additional copies. I'd try that number before paying $85 through Amazon for it even though it is well worth it at that price too.

'Truth, Justice, & The American Way: The Life And Times Of Noel Neill' by Larry Thomas Ward is an absolute, must have book for afficionados of the classic television series 'The Adventures Of Superman' (1951 - 1957), which starred George Reeves and Noel Neill.

Movie fans will discover that Noel Neill had made over 80 feature films, and starred as Lois Lane in two Columbia studios serials, 'Superman' (1948) and 'Atom Man Vs Superman' (1950), prior to the famed TV show. Ms. Neill joined the watershed series in it's second season and made 78 episodes, a special U.S. Treasury Dept. 'Superman' film selling savings bonds, as well as extensive personal appearances with Reeves and the TV cast!

This book contains hundreds of rare and never before published photographs from Ms. Neill's personal collection. It also has an exhaustive and detailed listing of Noel Neill's film, TV, and stage credits! Mr. Ward's writing skillfully transports the reader back to the golden days of Hollywood, and in the delicate footsteps of Noel Neill!

Noel Neill does not place herself in the controversy surrounding the mysterious death of George Reeves, as to whether it was a homicide or suicide. However, she does describe in detail the final days of Mr. Reeves and the television series, leaving unmistakable clues to the discerning reader to follow. Several books have been written on the bizarre, violent death of George Reeves, but Noel Neill and author Larry Thomas Ward recommend only one for the reader interested in seeking the truth!

"Truth Justice & The American Way' covers the fascinating life of Noel Neill and readers will enjoy this journey.

"Truth, Justice and the American Way" is a must-have book for fans of the original Superman TV series. Written by Larry Thomas Ward in close collaboration with Noel Neill, the book gives an insider's view into the making of one of the most famous TV series of all time - not to mention the two Superman serials that preceded it. The book is a quick, breezy read, and my only complaint is that when I finished it, I wanted more. The portrait of Noel Neill that emerges from this book is of an independent but upbeat and relentlessly cheerful actress. Readers who remember her only as Lois Lane will be suprised to learn of her career as a singer and dancer. If only that cut scene from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" could be found...

THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY BOOK, SO FULL OF THE LOVE OF LIFE, AND WILL MAKE AN ENGROSSING AND VERY PROFITABLE MOVIE!

Reading Vision in the Desert is a wonderful Trip in Time
The honesty and sincerity of Vassili capture your Heart and Mind and can't put the book down. Wishing some Producer will make a Movie there is enough Memories and Emotions to be an Academy Award.

This is the story of Vassili Sulich, written by him, in his own words. You can hear his voice as you read it. Dancer, choreographer, painter, & poet; it's a fasinating life story of a man filled with many famous names in dance and theatre. For anyone interested in the world of dance, classical or theatrical, it's filled with stories involving many legendary names. For someone that worked with Vassili for many years, it's a revelation. His story is a part of the heritage that makes the dancers of today. And finally, the entire book is an affirmation of his drive to communicate life through dance and the great joy that he has in it.

Roger Miller sang "England Swings(like a pendulum do. . . " back in the sixties . . . and Roger hit on something "special" about England . . . "it swings"! . . .

England gave us Shakespeare . . . Hayley Mills . . . The Beatles . . . and Ms Wendy Richard MBE!!! . . .

Wendy has been a "presence" in British theater and television since the sixties . . . and continues even today in a long-running role as Pauline on "The Eastenders" on the BBC and on Public Television in America.

But i remember (and still watch) Wendy as "Shirley Brahms" in "Are You Being Served?" . . . one of the all time great "classic comedies" which began it's run in 1972 . . and which continues to be aired and enjoyed here in "the States" over Public Television. Wendy will always "be" Miss Brahms!

In this book, Wendy recounts her most intersting life . . . from childhood to adult "fame" . . . and it is obvious that "fame" to Wendy is not what it seems to so many of us. She is quite normal . . quite "human" . . . and quiye unimpressed with ther artifice of "fame" . . . She is proud of her success as an actress . . prouder still of her care and concern for animals . . . and happy that her "work" and "talent" and "person' has brought so much joy and pleasure and delight to so many who have watched her on "the tele" . . . so many who look upon her as a person they "know" though never actually met.

Wendy can make you laugh hysterically . . . smile gleefully . .and even "cry" with sympathetic recognition . .. in her filmed work and art . . . but she can accomplish these same effects by recounting her real actual life as well . . and she does this in this volume. (There is a photograph of Wendy, as a child, standing outside a pub which her parents operated . . . and then, she stands outside that very same pub as a full grown successful adult . . . after reading this book, this photograph is so telling . . . and one wonders what thoughts must have ran through Wendy's recollections as she stood there for this most recent photo . . .

One thing becomes perfectly clear: Wendy Richard is a Londoner . . she loves "her city" . . and is faithful to it. (And now she's "Wendy Richard MBE"! :)

This book is a great read . . and you'll meet a great person when you begin reading it: Miss Wendy Richard (no "S")!

Whether one is familiar with her as Miss Brahms on Are You Being Served? or as Pauline on Eastenders, fans of either show are sure to enjoy this lively and very personal memoir of (and by) actress Wendy Richard.

From her early years as the only child of somewhat nomadic parents in the licensing trade through to her courageous (and successful) battle in 1996 with breast cancer and her recent MBE award, Wendy is very frank and upfront in chronicling both her personal life and her career. She tells of her deep love for her parents and how the tragic loss of her father while she was still a child resulted in hardship for her and her mother. Following the deterioration and death of her mother around 1973, Wendy embarked on a series of disastrous relationships (three of which were marriages) that spanned a period of more than twenty years, and Wendy takes us through it all.

As an interesting touch, Wendy chronicles the story of Pauline (the character whom she has portrayed on the soap opera Eastenders since 1985) at the same time as she chronicles her own life story. Pauline has been a huge part of Wendy's life and she seems to feel a real attachment to the character. I am not a soap fan and have never seen Eastenders; nevertheless, Wendy's own life reads so much like a soap opera itself that the parallel story is somewhat appropriate, and I rather enjoyed her account of it.

The book contains 24 pages of photos (colour and b/w). There are a few stills from AYBS?, but most of the photos are from Wendy's own collection--photos of her parents, of her as a child, of friends and fellow cast members, of her precious pooch named Shirley (Wendy is a committed animal lover!), and of her at various functions and events.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography--so much so that I had trouble putting it down. Wendy comes across as a very down-to-earth and caring person, and one can practically hear that distinctive (and delightful) "Cockney" accent as one reads! When I finished the book, I felt, quite honestly, like I'd just finished a lovely letter from a dear friend. Very highly recommended to fans of AYBS? or of Eastenders.

Wendy Richard is one of Britain's beloved maternal figures better known for Pauline than Miss Brahms. This autobiography shows us her life up close and personal. She is one of those people who deserves more from life. If she was a mother, I bet she would have been a fantastic mother to any child. Unfortunately, she has had three marriages all ending in divorce for one reason or another. She now has love with John Burns but I think she could get married again. She has fought for her career and life and I think she is a wonderful role model. She is honest and candid and is aware of hurting others. When she thought about turning down an M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire), I wanted to reach in and slap on the television set. Of course, she deserves it. So what if she's a Conservative Monarchist and the Prime Minister is Labour. It doesn't matter, she has provided both great comic and dramatic moments. She has also had another bout of breast cancer since then and she has come through. God Bless you, Wendy.

Peter Wooley obviously loved working in the film industry as his enthusiasm for the business is on every page. This is a light-hearted look at what happens behind the scenes when a film is being made.
He tells some very funny as well as some very touching anecdotes.
Many people write sour books about their experiences making films. I'm ceratain that Wooley had some of those moments but he prefers to remember the funny, interesting moments -- the ones that made him stay in the business for life.

Fans of Hollywood gossip will find this an entertaining memoir which examines what part is played in the movies and television by production designers. The author has been a production designer for over thirty years: he's worked with many talents and his job is to make locations realistic - from the actors to the scenery. Gossip and tall tales abound here.

A hiliarious peek at what happens behind the scenes, this funny book tells the stories that don't even make it to the "Making Of..." books and movies. Peter Wooley talks about Blazing Saddles, The Day After, High Anxiety and more. This is the great stuff that goes on in the movie industry, not just behind the camera, but behind the behind the camera!

Best of all, it's the really funny stuff and the quick-witted one-liners and stories that make it a hilarious read.

About the only negative thing I can say is that I would have loved to hear more about Blazing Saddles, one of my favorite movies of all time: "The sherrif's a..."

This is an absolutely delightful book.
Through Tony Randall's gift of "perfect recall" we can relive the wonderful days when Hollywood was still big studios with contract actors.
So many antecdotes about many famous people (actors, writers, producers, directors) I was laughing out loud many, many times.
After reading this book I feel like Tony Randall is a good friend and I have spent an afternoon chatting with him on the porch.

Tony Randall's wit,intelligence and remarkable memory including photographs of his remarkable life and career is demonstrated in this beautifully entertaining collection of show business stories.Along with co-writer Micheal Mindlin begin with Tony Randall as a young, eager acting student at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York then his superb theatrical Career with such legends as Ethel Barrymore,Lilli Palmer,Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Muni and on the screen with Rock Hudson,Doris Day,David Niven,Marilyn Monroe and Debbie Reynolds.He became a household name starting in the TV series Mr. Peepers with Wally Cox and the marvelous portrayal of Felix Unger in the long running series The Odd Couple.This book makes wonderful reading!!

I read the Publishers Weekly review at the top of the page and was stunned at the criticism. Whoever wrote that review has no sense of humor, or is just an idiot. This book is the funniest, most enjoyable book I've ever owned. It was a gift in 1990 and is still entertaining me, my family, and my friends 14 years later. The stories are short and concise, so you can pick it up and start reading anywhere in the book. Maybe it's because I've done some theater and film work that I can identify so easily with the stories in the book. But I believe anyone could read this gem and get endless hours of laughter out of it. BUY THE BOOK!