Arts and Entertainment Books

this book is amazing for anyone who wants to see what it was like for maroon5 to tour for 4 years. a great book for any fan!

The book delightfully displayed wonderful memories through photographs of the bands musical tour. I enjoyed the message each member of the band wrote, not wordy which I prefer but insightful. The photography is very good and the pictures are a treasure in itself. You will be very pleased with this book.

this book is a must have for every m5 fan. it chronicles, in photography, the band's three year tour from small venues to soldout arenas. the book measures 6.5' by 9', and each picture is a full-sized page. it's a behind the scenes, in front of the scenes, at breakfast and long after midnight ~america to europe & back~ photo-diary of their lives for the last 3 years. also included is a page or two that each of the guys wrote for us.

I had the Pleasure of Meeting all 5 members of Maroon 5 at a Book Signing here in California last week and they could not have been nicer! They were Very Friendly, were on Time(unheard of for a band this big) and happily chatted and posed for photos with fans! These Guys Really appreciate their fans! The Book is Beautiful, packed with HUNDREDS of Photos from their last concert tour which lasted 3 years in support of their cd songs about jane. What is fascinating about the book and the band itself is that before songs about jane came out, these guys were just a struggling band playing in small clubs and colleges(hard to beleive but true). So the book actually gives you a rare glimpse of a band right before they became huge and you the reader get to witness this and view how fame and fortune changes the band and judging from the Book signing, fame and fortune hasnt changed these guys at all. When songs about jane became a huge seller, many people in the media called maroon 5 an "overnight sensation", The guys must laugh at this because the overnight sensations was like 10 years in the making! These guys worked their butts off to achieve the success that they now have and its nice and refreshing to see that they are still down to earth and they havent forgotten who got them to this point. The book in alot of ways is a tribute to their fans so GO BUY IT!

I've been "in love" with Matt, if I can call him that... ever since I first saw him and watched his first movie. He is truly gorges, talented, and brillant!!!!!!! I just want to thank him in this liture for being the most beauitful, talented and GORGES person I've ever seen, heard, read, or watched before!!!

I enjoyed this informative book on Matt Damon. He is a talented actor (not to mention good looking), and I've always loved watching his movies.

Without a doubt, Matt Damon is one of the most exciting new faces to have recently entered the Hollywood scene. This book does a terrific job of balancing the cultural influences that created Mr. Damon's charming sensibility, with an insider's take at Matt's past, present and future projects. Whether you are shopping for an adoring child, or you find yourself strangley curious about this rising new star, I whole-heartedly reccomend this "perfect" summer read.

I think Matt Damon is a great influence on young adults. Any one who can write like him, act like him, and be so all together charming has my vote! Yeah, Leo's cute, but his head is way up in the clouds! And he can't write like Matt!! I loved this book, I also bought Golden Boy;a biography and Matt Damon and Ben Affleck;on and off screen I recomend them all!!

This book is a most delightful and remarkable look at a mother/daughter relationship during the pre-teen years, that time of delicate balance between dependance and curiosity. When a child isn't at the rebellious stage yet but is ready to expand their horizons beyond the apron strings.

Hollywood, with all it's perils and pitfalls, provides a perfect metaphor for this age. For Gigi acting is a means to experiment with her own emerging independence and sense of individuality. For her mother it's a roller coaster ride of love, hope, a bit of anxiety and, of course, the occasional bout of exasperation.

But most of all this book is real, nitty-gritty and gutsy. At times, Gigi's diary entries paint such an exact picture adolescence, everything from hair crises to the playful use of exclamation points, that it'll make any woman smile with reminiscence and empathy. Her mom's entries hold nothing back, she's obviously not trying to come across as perfect. Just tells it as it is, warts and all, but with honesty, warmth and rare wit.

Individually these are wonderful stories. Interwoven they present a unique portrayal of what it is to be a family.

I loved this little book. What a great adventure for an eleven year old and her mother. Because the book was based on private journals, it has a special freshness and honesty that most books lack. My only criticism is that it is too short. I wanted to read more and I hope a second book in the works. I want to find our what happens to Gigi's movie career. It will be interesting to see if the next book can keep its freshness and honesty.

This book is great for families. Especially ones that include a teen or pre-teen. It is written by a child and her mom. The kid is Gigi. An 11 year old angel/devil. This book deals with the ups and downs in the family. It is outragously honest and incredibly funny. I would suggest this to book everyone and their mom.

In the thoroughly enjoyable "Me, My Kid and Hollyweird", down-to-earth mom, Chartreuse Braun proves that not all stage mothers are frustrated wannabe performers forcing their children into the limelight. Chartreuse and her daughter, Gigi, bravely pull up their Florida roots and transplant themselves in Los Angeles pursuing the not-quite-teenage girl's dream of becoming an actor. Gigi has decided she wants to be a, "kid actor not an adult actor", so time is of the essence...

The book includes their practical experience about a child actor's world; headshots and agents, acting coaches, auditions and contracts. The story is told through candid, mother and daughter diary entries and follows the excitement and anxiety of these two as they learn together about show business and the business of growing up.

Fascinating and illuminating book about the way movie classics were made in the 30's and 40's. This man knew his job and we are lucky that in the making he wrote those long memos. The people they were sent to found them annoying. We movie fans find them fascinating.

It's a genuine pleasure to see this 1972 volume back in print again. Practically the entire history of classic Hollywood can be seen within the pages of this fascinating series of memos, a veritable stream of behind the scenes trivia and the most impressive book of name-dropping ever seen in print. The cinematic genius of Selznick and Company is told as only it should be told...in the Master's own words.

David O. Selznick was behind some the films considered classics from that era. He was known for his memos that he sent to others in the industry and those working for him. The book is a fascinating look at the studio system at the time - and is also a reminder that people at one time actually communicated in writing - no cell phones, no email. This book is a must-read for those interested at all in film lore - and it's a great read!

I was a bit leery of a book of just memoes but ... This is truly an extraordinary book, full of insights into every aspect of film making. The most interesting parts are about scripts and script construction. That was what Selznick had a genius for, and that comes through clearly. Some of his faults come through too. There are a number of memoes about his life and emotions so you get a picture a man not just an executive.

For anyone who likes old movies a must.

Earle Hagen is a true American original. You know his music. It's played on TV in syndication every day of the week all over the world. Almost every theme he wrote is a bonified classic in it's own right. Earle learned and performed with the best bandleaders and musicians in the big band era, did live radio broadcasts aplenty , and made his mark in feature films working alongside most of the greats in the industry back in the 50's. (Alfred Newman ring a bell?) He went on to DEFINE scoring for picture in television . A true artist and craftsman who's arrangements, orchestrations and conducting were second to none in the 1960's world of quality episodic television when real orchestras were used instead of electronic approximations and dubbing was done on the fly before the days of the Avid digital film editor. And if that weren't enough, he wrote a true bonified jazz classic/standard , the great "Harlem Nocturne" recorded hundreds of times by artists all over the world and later to become the theme for TV's Mike Hammer series.

And to top it all off, this guy is FUNNY !! This book if chock full of down to earth stories about all aspects of his business. The heroes and villains, the professionals and the hacks. Earle knew and worked with most of them at one time or another. He recounts his experiences in a very easy to read style that kept me turning the page and finishing the book the day after I started reading it.

I have enjoyed Mr. Hagen's' music for more than 50 years and after reading this book I have a much deeper understanding of the hard work and dedication to his craft that went into his classics themes and underscores. By the way, contrary to the title of this book, I actually HAD heard of Earle Hagen, myself being a compulsive credit reader at the end of movies and TV programs. His passing earlier this year led me to this wonderful book. What a life this guy had! WOW! And what a body of work he has left behind for all of us to continue to enjoy!

Who doesn't recognize the theme to The Andy Griffith Show or The Dick Van Dyke Show?

Mr. Hagen gives a unique and enlightening perspective not only about his life, but about the time of the Big Bands - Dorsey, Noble, Miller, etc.

He also sheds a behind the scenes look of the television industry and the role that music and orchestration plays in the quality of show.

I'm sure you will really enjoy this publication!

Mr. Hagen's life story of his career in television and the music industry is extremely fascinating. Imagine...working with Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and so many more folks from the Big Band era!!

As his career transitioned to television and theme music, he worked with some of the biggest icons of the television industry...Sheldon Leonard, Danny Thomas, Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, and more.

If you have any interest in classic television and/or the music industry, this is a definite must read. Mr. Hagen's insights are interesting and intriguing, to say the least!

You may never have heard of Earle Hagen, but there are few people who have not heard his music. This book -honest, funny, touching, loaded with insight- gives the reader a chance to know the author, and relive the years of the Big Band era with Tommy Dorsey and Hagen, Ray Noble and Hagen, Harry James and Hagen, Benny Goodman and Hagen. It takes us through World War II and the musicians in uniform. And then, there are his adventures in Hollywood and memorable films with stars like Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe. Hagen's remarkable accomplishments in television come alive as he relates his experiences with the producers and stars of series like I Spy and Dick Van Dyke and Danny Thomas and Andy Griffith. He opens a whole new entertaining vista, revealing what went on behind the scenes. Always interesting, always revealing, always provocative, one realizes that Hagen is not only a great composer, but a remarkable storyteller. I loved every page!

Pam Tent accurately captures the spirit and craziness of the Haight/Ashbury and of San Francisco during the Summer of Love. Her book is full of details and insights from one who lived the life to its fullest. It is an amazing story proving that you can be as "far-out" as you wish and survive to tell the tale.

This important seminal era of avante garde theater and queer history circa 1968-74 was almost lost to posterity due to the AIDS deaths of so many of its' important voices. Thank Goddess it has been lovingly and meticulously posited in history/herstory in a tangible way in this book by one of the Cockettes best suited for the calling - Sweet Pam. Her tone IS sweet, but hardly naive. The author deftly weaves the significance of this cultural watershed throughout her priceless juicy gossipy gutter level dish. For those of us who were too young to be in SF then and who want to know more, the book provides a detailed chronological survey of the evolution of the Cockettes. The book serves as the perfect step child to the great documentary film about the Cockettes that came out a couple of years ago.

Pam Tent's voice in her writing of this unusual and culturally important story is much more clear, incisive and organized than the subject she is dealing with. Her letters home provided the basis for a period that many of us, because of the indulgences of the time, have forgotten. It's so interesting to relive it (or see it for the first time) through her eyes. She's such a good story teller and was right in the middle of the whole thing. We are lucky she is still around to tell it-many others have died. I'm sure you'll enjoy "Midnight at the Palace" and will recommend it to anyone interested in the late 60s/early 70s and how that brief cultural explosion affects us today.
Robert Burnside, founder of the "no science fiction, thanks" book club

This book is worth a read for the outfit descriptions alone. This book made me want to invest in gallons of glitter. Fascinating: these folks depended and thrived on a system of families and communes rather than a "straight" lifestyle of jobs and paychecks. Not only did they thrive, but they created a troupe of performers whose antics I wish I had been around to experience. The Cockettes lived their art, which seems like a rarity in these icky conservative times.

Full of many rare photos with funny captions. This updated book is so entertaining I read it in three days. Work of course prevented me from reading it in one sitting!
Alan (Angus) Young is a master story teller and you can just picture yourself in the cold Canadian mountains as you read.
A must for all fans of good writing and of course Alan Young himself!

I am very happy with the book and with the service received. It is what I expected ...and more. Thank you for your service.

Mister Ed and Me and More! is the autobiography of actor Alan Young, perhaps most famous for his sitcom role as Wilbur Post, co-starring with the "talking" horse Mr. Ed. Born in England, raised in Canada, yet often playing the role of "the all-American boy", Young tells of his youth, his friendships with Hollywood elite, his movie career, and much more. A dollop of tongue-in-cheek humor as well as an assortment of vintage black-and-white photographs rounds out this genial memoir. Especially recommended for fans of Alan Young - or Mr. Ed!

I bought the first version of Mr. Ed and Me when it came out in 1994, but this new expanded version entitled Mr. Ed and Me and More is far superior. With much added text by Alan Young and extensively illustrated with many more rare photographs, this new more elaborate version is well worth the money. This is a quirky and delightful memoir by the man who worked with the world's most famous talking horse, Mister Ed, in one of the most beloved television shows of all time. The book also contains a new section written by actress Connie Hines who played Carol Post, Alan Young's wife on the Mister Ed show. She writes for the first time about her background, life, and, of course, Mister Ed. Alan Young has a charming writing style and it is easy to see the fun and warmth of the show reflected in the man. Full of behind the scenes information about the Mister Ed show, Young also writes about his film roles including the classic film version of H.G. Wells's The Time Machine (1960) directed by George Pal, and his other notable motion pictures such as Mr. Belvedere Goes to College, Androcles and the Lion, Tom Thumb, etc. Young has also provided the voice for Scrooge McDuck for Walt Disney cartoon films. Highly recommended, and a perfect gift book for friends

Although "Monkey on a Turntable" is about Ken Keller's memories of his life as a radio announcer, it's much more than that: it illustrates how some of the turns our life can take do lead to very positive results.

Although a sort of technicality ended his broadcasting career, the author took a good sober look at what he was really good at. He turned to a career in advertising at which he excelled.

In addition to being a book about an aspiring announcer and the broadcasting industry in the second half of the 20th century, the book is chocked full of fascinating stories of the celebrities he met, and of the struggle by a young announcer to make ends meet. The author is not afraid to admit embarrassing or "difficult" moments, such as the time he rushed to get to his broadcasting microphone right after a major snowstorm--in a car that would only run IN REVERSE!

I won't spoil any of the stories, except to say that it does have a happy ending. Ken Keller has been married to the love of his life--Mary--for more than 48 years, and we would all wish to be as happy as this couple that fits together so well.

A wonderful book and time capsule for radio broadcasters. The personal "coming of age" stories are as enjoyable as the hilarious tales of live broadcasts and radio adventures. I think everyone can relate to some part of this very funny book.

This is a very enjoyable book! I literally laughed out loud in several places and interrupted my husband's TV viewing of a baseball game to read sections to him. A quick read and a thorougly entertaining experience!

Great book! A definite must-read for anyone in broadcasting, but great entertainment for anyone. I am still laughing over the antics of the mail-order monkey.

I read an edition of Starlog magazine about Bob Burn's Halloween extravaganas. I always wanted to attend one of these Halloween shows. Monster Kid Memories is as close as I will ever get. The book makes you feel like you were right there when it was being built and shown. Bob Burns is probably the greatest SciFi fan out there. The book is hard to put down once you start. I do wish Mr Burns would put a video out showcasing the Halloween shows. If you watch a documentary of The Time Machine you can see a portion of one of his shows.

he didn't save lots of kids from burning buildings or shoot down Zeroes, but Bob Burns sure did a lot of other cool things. A neat story of the famous and near famous as told by one of the nicest guys ever to dress up like a gorilla. The writeups on his giant halloween extravaganzas are fantastic - could you imaging being a kid and being able to look forward to these giant home-transforming shows at the end of your street every year?

To my mind, there is no greater Monster Kid than Bob Burns. Burns has lived (and continues to!) the life that every Monster Kid dreams of. He has met some of the giants in the field; become friends with many other lesser-known, but equally interesting personalities; participated in the making of some of the classic films of the genre; appeared on television as part of Shock Theater; has accumulated an untold number of props and other memorabilia over his more than 50-year association with monster and science fiction films; and produced some of the most talked-about, elaborate, and awe-inspiring Halloween "haunted attraction" spectacles of all time.

Yet, despite his extreme good fortune, which could turn lesser men selfish and possessive, Bob Burns never hesitates to share his stories, anecdotes, collection, and super big heart with others.

At long last, Burns, in collaboration with horror/science fiction genre writer Tom Weaver, has gathered a collection of his wonderful experiences in Monster Kid Memories. Here, Burns shares many of the highlights of his life with fellow fans, in addition to hundreds of amazing, seldom-seen photos (the book contains over 300 illustrations), including one very special, never-before seen shot of the Martian costume from War Of The Worlds.

Ever the selfless, generous Kid, Bob turns the spotlight on others, allowing them to shine. We: listen with envy as he describes seeing Bela Lugosi on stage and relates his encounters with Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Chaney Jr., George Pal, and William Castle; visit the sets of films (Destination Moon, Unknown Island, the 2002 remake of The Time Machine); learn the intricacies of portraying a gorilla; discover the man behind the genius that was Jack Pierce; help Bob rig the seats for a showing of The Tingler; and learn of Bob's innumerous movie prop acquisitions over the decades (he owned the original Time Machine!) and how he came to possess them - these are just a handful of the many treats awaiting the reader.

The book contains numerous highlights, but a few deserve special mention:

The chapter where Bob discusses his friendship with Glenn Strange (the man behind the Frankenstein monster in the Universal House films and Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein) is touching and sweet. The two men first met when Bob was a teen, but a genuine friendship started, and lasted until the day Strange died in 1973. The two men shared many experiences together, and such a bond developed, that Burns came to think of Strange as a second father. It's wonderful to read of a friendship between two men like this, and to have Strange step out of those huge Frankenstein monster boots (which Strange gave to Burns by the way, along with an unused Monster headpiece) and learn that he was just a down-to-earth, regular Joe.

A chapter detailing Bob's friendship with George Pal is illuminating. We learn that Pal was a warm and fun-loving man, in addition to fascinating facts about the making of Destination Moon, The Time Machine, and War Of The Worlds. Unfortunately, the chapter is also heart-breaking. To learn Bob's opinion of what really killed Pal is to want to storm the offices of today's Hollywood bigwigs with torches and pitchforks.

The fact that Bob relates the lives and stories of many "behind-the-scenes" people - people whose names won't ring any bells and often don't receive any of the credit and recognition they deserve, is refreshing and very welcome. Some of the make-up artists, stuntmen, bit players, prop and special effects people that Burns knew receive their just due here, and I was grateful to learn of some of the "invisible" people behind some of my favorite old-time films and serials.

Lastly, the chapter that details the history of each of Bob's Halloween "haunted spectaculars" made this reader greener with envy than Elsa as the monster in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Reading of the amount of time, effort, and talent that went into producing each of these shows, merely for the entertainment of friends and neighborhood children, is a testament to just how big Bob Burns's heart really is.

The mere fact that these memories, and much more, are captured in one book is reason enough to recommend it. But quite often the telling of one's life to another can make for a dull, difficult read. Not Monster Kid Memories. Although many of these memories occurred decades ago, you wouldn't know it to read it. When he's relating one of his many stories, there is such genuine excitement and enthusiasm emanating from Burns that you swear you're sitting in a chair across from him, listening, caught up in his excitement - several times while reading I found myself actually exclaiming, "Oh, wow!"

This sense of fun and "gee-whiz!" excitement, perfectly captured and transferred to the page by co-author Weaver, is the book's grand accomplishment. For several hours, the reader once again becomes a little 15-year-old boy (or girl!). Only a handful of books can accomplish magic like this, and Monster Kid Memories is one of them.

My only regret is the fear that the title might turn away a wider audience. While the book does concentrate primarily on Burns's association with monsters and science fiction, a potential reader should know that these stories will appeal to anyone. You don't have to love monsters and aliens - Bob Burns does, and the kid-like joy and genuine love that he has for his subjects spills over onto the page and will captivate any film fan.

Just a terrific book.

Being a long time lover of everything that is classic horror & sci-fi, I consider this is a great and highly recommended book from one the most beloved fans of the genre, Bob Burns. It really feels as if he is sharing all his wonderful memories about guys such as Glenn Strange (the Frankenstein monster of the 40's), George Pal (War of the Worlds, The Time Machine), and Charlie Gemora (Monster & the Girl, "the Gorilla man"), with you in your living room. It is a fun adventure to share all of Bob's wonderful memories, and gives insight to not only those actors, directors and makeup men I mentioned, but to Bob's life as well. He is THE fan that we all wished we could be, and along with "IT CAME FROM BOB'S BASEMENT", is a wonderful journey back to the days of classic horror and early sci-fi!

Morning Glory: A Biography of Mary Lou Williams is an interesting work that captures the personality of the wonderfully talented musician. The biography captures the struggles and achievements of Williams; it also shares some amusing details that make the book hard to put down for anyone interested in the careers of early black musicians.

An engagingly written book on a much ignored, extremely talented musician. Mary Lou Williams was (and is) respected by music giants the world over, including the likes of Duke Ellington. This book puts Williams' importance to American music in perspective, and gives her the overdue credit she so obviously deserves.

My recommendation is to put on a MLW disc, sit back and read. It will be a rewarding experience.

Mary Lou Williams' jazz experiences are detailed in a biography which covers both her life and career and her role as an Afro-American female musician. Dahl was given unlimited access to the Williams archive and her first full-length biography of Williams makes for an important coverage.

It's too easy (and condescending) to say that Mary Lou Williams was one of the greatest female jazz artists; she actually was one of the greatest, period. Her compositions and arrangements for the Andy Kirk band while she was a member throughout the 1930s brought much praise and admiration at the time (and still do today). (She also arranged for Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and other top-rated swing band leaders.) She was a sensational pianist, too, one of the finest boogie-woogie and stride players in jazz; she was also a great innovator and was among the first to master and play bebop in the 1940s. She greatly influenced many modern pianists, and personally changed the styles of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. Mary Lou was a deeply religious person and wrote much religious music and kept very close relations with the Catholic Church (Ms. Dahl covers this aspect of Mary Lou's life very thoroughly.) Williams was a demanding player and seemed to have her greatest difficulties dealing with incompatible bass players (she once fired the great bassist Richard Williams during a New York club engagement). Linda Dahl has written a detailed and comprehensive biography of Mary Lou, covering all her musical and extra-musical activities. Included is a nicely organized selective discography. Anyone familiar with Mary Lou's playing or arranging and would like to learn more about her will benefit greatly by reading this excellent biography.