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Part biography, part true-crime narrative, this painstakingly researched book chronicles the improbable rise and stunning fall of Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle from his early big screen success to his involvement in actress Virginia Rappe’s death, and the resulting irreparable damage to his career. It describes how during the course of a rowdy party hosted by the comedian in a San Francisco hotel, Rappe became fatally ill, and Arbuckle was subsequently charged with manslaughter. Ultimately acquitted after three trials, neither his career nor his reputation ever recovered from this devastating incident. Relying on a careful examination of documents, the book finally reveals what most likely occurred that Labor Day weekend in 1921 in that fateful hotel room. In addition, it covers the evolution of the film industry—from the first silent experiments to the connection between Arbuckle’s scandal and the implementation of industry-wide censorship that altered the course of Hollywood filmmaking for five decades.
"In 1921, one of the biggest movie stars in the world was accused of killing a woman. What followed was an unprecedented avalanche of press coverage, the original "trial of the century," and a wave of censorship that altered the course of Hollywood filmmaking. It began on Labor Day, when comic actor Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, then at the pinnacle of his fame and fortune, hosted a party in San Francisco's best hotel. As the party raged, he was alone in room 1219 with Virginia Rappe, a minor actress. Four days later, she died, and he was charged with her murder. ROOM 1219 presents the crime story from the day of the "orgy" through the three trials. Relying on a careful examination of documents, the book finally reveals, after almost a century of wild speculation, what most likely occurred in room 1219. In addition, ROOM 1219 covers the creation of the film industry--from the first silent experiments to a studio-based system capable of making and, ultimately, breaking a beloved superstar"--
Celluloid Mavericks: A History of American Independent Filmmaking documents this rich history, showing what it meant to be "independent" in the 1930s and what it means today. Author Greg Merritt distinguishes between indie and semi-indie productions, explores the genres represented under the independent umbrella, and addresses the question of what makes a movie independent -- its "spirit" or the budget backing the production. From one-reel flicks at the turn of the century to the blockbusters of the ‘90s, Celluloid Mavericks takes readers on a fascinating tour of the industry.
Included in Midland: The Way We Were are photographs that span the first 100 years of the city. Midland, Michigan began life as The Forks, where the Tittabwassee and Chippewa Rivers met. By 1858, The Forks became the Village of Midland, and in 1869 it was incorporated and named the Village of Midland City. Lumbering and farmland attracted the first settlers, and in 1897 a brash young man named Herbert Henry Dow persuaded 57 investors to start a new business there named the Dow Chemical Company. Midland, by then a city, was forever changed. Included in Midland: The Way We Were are photographs that span the first 100 years of the city. From Main Street landmarks such as the Frolic Theater, to the churches and schools where Midland's residents worshiped and learned-here are over 200 images detailing Midland's history.
"Agent Harlan McClain has his target in sight. But he's not pulling the trigger. Instead his assignment is providing Stacy Giordano--the governor's aide--with security. An easy job for a former marine sniper. And yet, the guarded single mother's beauty and devotion to her exceptional child soon have Harlan reshuffling his priorities. In the dead of night, in her bed, he promises to keep her and her son from harm. But when an unexpected crisis arises, Harlan is suddenly torn between keeping his word, and taking out a killer"--Publisher.
Midland, Michigan began life as The Forks, where the Tittabwassee and Chippewa Rivers met. By 1858, The Forks became the Village of Midland, and in 1869 it was incorporated and named the Village of Midland City. Lumbering and farmland attracted the first settlers, and in 1897 a brash young man named Herbert Henry Dow persuaded 57 investors to start a new business there named the Dow Chemical Company. Midland, by then a city, was forever changed. Included in Midland: The Way We Were are photographs that span the first 100 years of the city. From Main Street landmarks such as the Frolic Theater, to the churches and schools where Midland's residents worshiped and learned-here are over 200 images detailing Midland's history.
The fastest-growing segment of the film business is the production and distribution of small, independently-financed films. This book provides the reader with real-world facts and advice on producing independent movies.
This reference volume provides an evaluation of Oliver Stone's work as a screenwriter, producer, and director.
The independent sector has produced many of the most distinctive films to have appeared in the US in recent decades. From 'Sex, Lies and Videotape' in the 1980s to 'The Blair Witch Project' and New Queer Cinema in the 1990s and the ultra-low budget digital video features of the 2000s, indie films have thrived, creating a body of work that stands out from the dominant Hollywood mainstream. But what exactly is 'independent' cinema? This, the first book to examine the question in detail, argues that independence can be defined partly in industry terms but also according to formal and aesthetic strategies and by distinctive attitudes towards social and political issues, suggesting that independence is a dynamic rather than a fixed quality. Chapters focus on distribution and relationships with Hollywood studios; narrative ('Clerks' and 'Slacker' to 'Pulp Fiction', 'Magnolia' and 'Memento') and other formal dimensions (from 'Blair Witch's' 'authenticity' to expressive and stylized camerawork and editing in work from Harmony Korine to the Coen brothers); approaches to genre and alternative socio-political visions.