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In the first few years of the Great Depression, before the Production Code was rigidly enforced in 1934, Hollywood took advantage of its laxity, producing racy and violent films that titillated filmgoers and outraged reformers. The American horror genre blossomed during this time and the studios exploited its lurid possibilities. The results were both shocking and controversial. Some of these films remain unsettling today. Hollywood's Pre-Code Horrors 1931-1934 appraises all of these films, from Dracula (1931), which spearheaded the American horror market, to The Black Cat (1934), the last chiller released before the strengthening of the Code. Each film is thoroughly analyzed, not only in its insinuations and/or portrayals of sex and violence, but in the context of the era in which it was made and the reactions of critics and filmgoers during this time. Raymond Valinoti, Jr. is a resident of Berkeley Heights, NJ. He has a Master's in Library Science from Rutgers University and is a freelance researcher. He is also the author of Another Nice Mess: The Laurel and Hardy Story. His articles on films have been published in the magazines Midnight Marquee and Films of the Golden Age.

Publicity men dubbed him "The Man with the Perfect Profile," yet the soul behind that silhouette belonged to a renowned yet reluctant witness to American history and Hollywood evolution. The battle between his tinseled image and his true identity broiled into an intriguing transformation of flesh and blood into fable and ballyhoo. Explore his meteoric rise from naive, small-town Nebraska boy to a celluloid heartthrob known around the world. His signature roles include Magnificent Obsession (1935) with Irene Dunn and Camille (1936) with Greta Garbo, and appearances with Vivien Leigh in A Yank at Oxford (1938) and Waterloo Bridge (1940), Bataan (1943), and Ivanhoe (1952) with Elizabeth Taylor. From 1959 to 1962, he starred in the ABC series The Detectives, and he hosted Death Valley Days (1966-1969). Discover his sheltered, almost emasculating childhood, his cursed marriage to Barbara Stanwyck, his blessed marriage to Ursula Thiess, and his discreet but intense love affairs with beauties such as Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, and Yvonne DeCarlo. During World War Two, he served in the United States Naval Air Corps as a flight instructor and as an actor in instructional films. Witness him hesitantly responding to a subpoena in 1947 to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings on Communism in American Films. Observe how he reluctantly ventured into early television yet enjoyed an unexpected, widespread success. Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism draws you into the unfolding drama of a cinema icon and an unwilling yet dynamic spectator to the American dream.

This is the HARDBACK version. Joan Steiger's marriage to Academy Award winning actor Rod Steiger ended on July 9, 2002 when he passed away at a Los Angeles hospital. It wasn't the first time she had lost a man she loved... and it wouldn't be the last. In spite of such trials, Joan has maintained a contagiously upbeat and positive outlook throughout her life. As a star of the stage and screen with countless credits to her name, Joan has worked with nearly every Hollywood icon in the business and counts many of them among her friends. Her fascinating story is filled with some of the highest highs and lowest lows that life can offer. Ultimately, Brooklyn Baby is a fascinating read guaranteed to inspire as well as challenge each of us to follow our dreams.

This is the HARDBACK version. Mention the words "horror star" and certain names immediately spring to mind-Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Vincent Price-but another, lesser-known name was also heavily involved in numerous horror and science-fiction films: Donald Pleasence. Featuring a distinctive look, memorable voice, and a serious approach to his roles, he shined brightly in many genre favorites. Whether as a maniacal body snatcher in The Flesh and the Fiends, a surgical assassin in Fantastic Voyage, the archvillain of 007 in You Only Live Twice, a sarcastic inspector in Raw Meat, or his career defining role as the heroic Dr. Loomis in Halloween, he proved himself to be a top performer in the fantastical genres of horror and science-fiction. He also made a name for himself in British and American theatre, garnering four Best Actor Tony Award nominations, beginning with his irascible tramp in playwright Harold Pinter's The Caretaker. He added to his acclaim by appearing in several big-budget Hollywood films, such as The Great Escape, Night of the Generals, and Will Penny, along with numerous TV appearances in a career that lasted more than forty years. The Films of Donald Pleasence includes a full biography, tributes from Pleasence's friends and coworkers, reviews of all his films, and a rare photo gallery in the first-ever book devoted to the man who became a genre favorite to countless fans worldwide. "Chris has written an excellent bio of Donald to start out the book, interspersed with many comments from his coworkers and family...I give credit to Chris, too, for playing down the synopsis and doing more commentary. Nice selection of photos. Another great book from Bear Manor." -Little Shoppe of Horrors "For Pleasence's fans it's an invaluable reference, bringing order and context to his bewildering filmography of 134 movies. Reading each entry, I found film upon film of which I was unaware or only vaguely aware, and which I'm now highly keen on watching, so already on that level the book is a success. And Gullo has done his homework: despite the many obscure titles, there are only two films he has been unable to track down and see, a fact that makes this volume far more complete than I had expected." -Mistlake's Blog

This is the HARDBACK version. Female silent film stars possessed beauty, persistence, flair, and probably a sister in the business. You may have seen Mae Marsh in The Birth of a Nation (1915), Constance Talmadge in Intolerance (1916), or Lillian Gish in Broken Blossoms (1919), but their sisters also starred in major motion pictures, such as Marguerite Marsh in The Master Mystery (1919), Norma Talmadge in The Battle Cry of Peace (1915), and Dorothy Gish in Orphans of the Storm (1921). These six appeared in countless movies. Most of their films are lost, but their legends remain. Few knew at the time that these extraordinary women were more than just faces on a screen; they were complex and human, with sometimes strange parents, body image issues, and relationship struggles. Their mistakes and triumphs often mirrored our own, though they were miles away in Hollywood. Their stories of violent marriages, heartbreaking tragedies, drastic surgeries, and secret identities are finally revealed in a candid exposé of the truth behind the tinsel. Sister stars in Reels and Rivals that are profiled include: Norma and Constance Talmadge; Lillian and Dorothy Gish; Edna Flugrath and sisters Shirley Mason and Viola Dana; Helene and Dolores Costello; Poly Ann and Loretta Young with sister Sally Blane; Constance and Faire Binney; Priscilla and Marjorie Bonner; Grace and Mina Cunard; Alice and Marceline Day; Marion and Madeline Fairbanks; Laura and Violet La Plante; Mae and Marguerite Marsh; Ella, Ida Mae, and Fay McKenzie; Beatriz and Vera Michelena; Mary and Florence Nash; Sally O'Neil and sister Molly O'Day; Mabel and Edith Taliaferro; Olive and Alma Tell; and famous Vaudevillians The Duncan Sisters and The Dolly Sisters. Illustrated with 94 studio portraits, film stills, and candid photos that capture the glamour and excitement of Hollywood's Golden Era. Indexed. About the author: Jennifer Ann Redmond's work has been featured in Classic Images, Vintage Life, and ZELDA magazine. She resides in her childhood home on Long Island, New York.

This is the HARDBACK version. WE BOMBED IN NEW LONDON tells the true story of one man's tenacious plight to get his musical mounted. From its romantic inception to its eventual demise and then the score's resurrection in cabarets and recordings, this book takes you on a journey through the ups and downs of the theatrical world with all its excitement, disappointment, laughter and hope. Packed with memorabilia, including rare photos and interviews, this book documents composer/lyricist Brian Gari's minute by minute development of his musical. Fortunately, he saved every scrap of paper, tape and calendar to account accurately for why and when certain steps were taken that eventually led to the sad dissolution of this promising musical. Brian Gari began his songwriting career at age 12 with his first song published at 15 and recorded at 17. He signed with Vanguard Records in 1975 and has recorded eight solo CDs to date. In 1987 his first musical, Late Nite Comic, arrived on Broadway. With over 800 songs to date, he is currently at work on his next musical, which is about his legendary grandfather, Eddie Cantor. This is his first book.

Interviews with some of the greatest horror icons on Earth: Tim Curry, Neve Campbell, Heather Langenkamp and more.

This is the Hardback edition. What was the very first situation comedy on American television? What was the first police drama? When was the first program broadcast in color? It takes only a moment of pondering such questions to realize how little we really know about the history of the medium that entertains us, informs us, and keeps us company at some point during each day and night. Every generation since the end of World War II has seen television become an integral part of our lives. However, even the most avid TV viewers are unaware of when, and under what circumstances, each onscreen television milestone has taken place. For the First Time on Television is a history of television presented with a fresh approach, by extensively examining the history of nearly 100 of television's "firsts," ranging from the first person ever to appear on a television screen, to the day the first HDTV screen made its debut, and everything in between. Here you'll find little-known but fascinating kernels of information regarding the groundbreaking programs, individuals, and events that have become an important part of TV history, and that still affect what we see on television today. You'll probably find yourself indulging in these "firsts" the way you'd treat an open bag of potato chips-by discovering how it is nearly impossible to enjoy just one or two without reaching for more. About the Author Garry Berman is a pop culture historian and freelance writer whose previous books include Best of the Britcoms: From Fawlty Towers to Absolutely Fabulous, We're Going to See the Beatles!, Perfect Fool: The Life and Career of Ed Wynn, and Between the Laughs. He has also contributed articles to Nostalgia Digest magazine, Beatlefan magazine, and several pop culture web sites. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Karen.

This is the HARDBACK version. Sylvia Sidney was one of a kind. Author James Baldwin said of her, "She was the only American film actress who reminded me of reality." Film historian John Springer called her the "finest emotional actress" of Hollywood's Golden Age. Her work enhanced landmark films of the 1930s, yet it wasn't until 1974 that Sidney received an Academy Award(R) nomination (Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams). Sidney was blunt and opinionated, offering salty assessments of her directors and co-stars. She had high praise for Spencer Tracy and James Cagney, but her opinion of Humphrey Bogart was less than enthusiastic. A whole new generation of fans enjoyed Sidney's about-turn in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice (1986). Along with acting, her passion for pug dogs and needlepoint contributed to the fascinating persona that was Sylvia Sidney. Author Scott O'Brien had input from Sylvia Sidney's co-stars and friends for this long overdue biography of one of cinema's best. Three of O'Brien's books have made the Huffington Post's "Best Cinema Books of the Year."

Intimate details about the Lasky family; Lasky's complex relationship with his wife; with Adolph Zukor, Samuel Goldwyn, Cecil B. DeMille; behind-the-scenes negotiations and development of some of Hollywood's finest classics.

This is the HARDBACK version. Dennis the Menace, a comic strip introduced in 1951, expanded into a comic book series; an American television series (1959-1963) starring Jay North, Gloria Henry, Herbert Anderson, and Joseph Kearns; a 1986 animated television series; and many subsequent television series, books, and feature films.Comic book and animation historian Mark Arnold covers Dennis the Menace history from its origins through the television series, the playground, and the merchandise. Includes biographies of creator Hank Ketcham and the people behind the scenes, Al Wiseman, Fred Toole, Owen Fitzgerald, Frank Hill, Bill Williams, Lee Holley, Bob Bugg, Ron Ferdinand, and Marcus Hamilton, as well as background on Mort Walker, Charles M. Schulz, Jay North, Gloria Henry, Herbert Anderson, Joseph Kearns, Gale Gordon, Walter Matthau, Don Rickles, Joan Plowright, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, George Kennedy, Betty White, Robert Wagner, and Louise Fletcher.Foreword by Mort "Beetle Bailey" Walker. 460 illustrations, Indexed, and with a Comic Book Index and a TV episode guide.About the author: Mark Arnold is a comic book an animation historian. He has written for various magazines, including Back Issue, Alter Ego, Hogan's Alley, Comic Book Artist, and Comic Book Marketplace. He is also the author of If You're Cracked, You're Happy: The History of Cracked Mazagine (Vol. 1 and 2); Mark Arnold Picks On The Beatles; Created and Produced by Total Television Productions; Think Pink: The Story of DePatie-Freleng; The Best Of The Harveyville Fun Times!; Frozen in Ice: The Story of Walt Disney Productions. He lives in Eugene, Oregon.

This is the HARDBACK VERSION. "Alan Sues was the funniest person I've ever known. Not just as a performer, but as a person."- Ruth Buzzi, castmate from Laugh-In. "When Alan dressed like me in curls, a boa, a dress and false eyelashes, he looked better than me."- Jo Anne Worley, castmate from Laugh-In. "Alan was so deeply, so genuinely funny that to just think of him makes me laugh." - Barbara Sharma, castmate from Laugh-In. "We all know how funny and bright Alan Sues was. What was more amazing to me was the sincere sweetness in his heart. He truly wanted to hand the whole world a big laugh." - Joyce Van Patten, actress. "Alan was a true comedy original."- Fred Willard, actor. "Alan was a very talented performer who everyone loved having around. He was hilarious. He was always funny, even when he wasn't trying to be."- Gary Owens, castmate from Laugh-In. "Alan was a delight, a real upper. He was a happy force field of energy who had an outrageous look at life. He could take a straight line and make it funny as hell." - George Schlatter, Exec. Prod. of Laugh-In. About the AuthorMichael Gregg Michaud is the author of the critically acclaimed, Lambda Book Award nominated Sal Mineo, A Biography (Crown Archetype, 2010). Michaud is the co-author, with actress Diane McBain, of Famous Enough, A Hollywood Memoir (Bearmanor Media, 2014). He writes about Hollywood history, and has contributed to numerous books about show business. He is also an award winning poet, and photographer. Follow him on Facebook.

Martial arts actresses, cult Heroes, and stuntwomen-badass women both on and off screen-discuss with author Chris Watson the challenges they've faced in their different career paths as cinema's toughest ladies.

This is the HARDBACK version. In a continuation of his memorable Vol. 1, again journey into a world of comedy featuring some of the best comedians and comediennes of a different time and place. Dozens of encounters, each based on a one-on-one interview, some dating as far back as the 1960s, recalled by John Stanley, for thirty-three years an entertainment writer for the San Francisco Chronicle's Datebook. Stanley specialized in exclusive moments with stars and up-and-coming stars, searching for how and why they had succeeded or were trying to succeed with comedy in the worlds of night clubs, television, and motion pictures. Enter the lives of such historic show biz personalities as: Shelley Berman Carol Channing Jim Nabors Ronnie Schell Frank Sutton Richard Kiel Chuck Jones Tom Hanks Carol Burnett James Coco Adrienne Barbeau Conrad Bain Sally Struthers Jean Stapleton Barbara Feldon Ed Platt Don Adams Pat Paulsen The Smothers Brothers Mary Tyler Moore Vicki Lawrence Harvey Korman Tim Conway Ernie Anderson Gale Gordon Phyllis diller Ken Curtis Dom Deluise Jerry Colonna Barbara Eden George Carlin Frank Fontaine Cloris Leachman Dick Shawn Bob Newhart

This is the HARDBACK version. Journey into a world of comedy featuring some of the best comedians and comediennes of a different time and place. Dozens of encounters, each based on a one-on-one interview, some dating as far back as the 1960s, recalled by John Stalney, for thirty-three years an entertainment writer for the San Francisco Chronicle's Dateook. Stanley specialized in exclusive moments with stars and up-and-coming stars, searching for how and why they had succeeded or were trying to succeed with comedy in the worlds of night clubs, television, and motion pictures. Enter the lives of such historic show biz personalities as: Sid CaesarImogene CocaBob HopeBing CrosbyKathryn Grant CrosbyGeorge BurnsLucille BallArt CarneyJackie GleasonAudrey MeadowsMilton BerleJack BennyDennis DaySheldon LeonardMel BlancHilliard MarksRodney DangerfieldJoan RiversWoody AllenDonald O'ConnorMae WestJimmy DuranteLiberacePeter SellersHenry ManciniHoe HowardWally CoxGreg GarrisonFrank GorshinRich LittleElliott Gould (M*A*S*H)Donald Sutherland (M*A*S*H)Alan Alda (M*A*S*H)Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H)Harry Morgan (M*A*S*H)Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H)Larry Linville (M*A*S*H)Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H)

NOT THINKIN' ... JUST REMEMBERIN'Alamo Journal, William Chemerka: "John Farkis' Alamo Village is the ideal companion to Not Thinkin' ... Just Rememberin': The Making of John Wayne's The Alamo, the author's impressive and comprehensive work about the 1960 big-screen epic. Updated from its first edition in 2005, Alamo Village has been greatly expanded with detailed information, fascinating insights, interesting interviews and numerous photographs about the important Texas film site." Amazon: "Not Thinkin' ... Just Rememberin' ..." is a tour de force. This manuscript is very thorough and exhaustively researched. Mr. Farkis is an adept writer. He knows his subject extremely well. His knowledge is intensive and extensive." True West Magazine, Stuart Rosenbrook: "... the definitive book on the making of the classic Western..." Texas Monthly, Stephen Harrigan: "Not Thinkin' ... Just Rememberin'..." is all about (I mean all about -- it's 900 pages long) Wayne's obsessive quest to direct his 1960 epic The Alamo."

This is the HARDBACK version. When Charles Chaplin signed a record-setting contract with the Mutual Film Corporation in February 1916, it was the culmination of events that changed the motion picture business. Mutual's founders redefined how films were bought, sold and distributed. Chaplin redefined screen comedy with a character that leapt into the hearts of moviegoers around the world. Together they established the value of star power and created twelves magnificent comedies that have endured for generations. From the nickelodeon to the internet, the MUTUAL-CHAPLIN SPECIALS have been viewed by more people than any other films in the entire history of cinema. CHAPLIN'S VINTAGE YEAR tells the full story of the MUTUAL-CHAPLIN SPECIALS, framed within the rise and fall of the Mutual Film Corporation, the worldwide phenomenon known as "Chaplinitis," the famous $670,000 contract, and the various acquisitions and releases these comedies have enjoyed for nearly one hundred years. The book includes a detailed filmography featuring period reviews and exhibitor comments, and is lavishly illustrated with over 150 photographs and advertising images.

"A marvelously entertaining memoir from a uniquely talented artist in the theatre and movies."- Angela Lansbury "Carleton Carpenter has led many lives, before and after he duetted on 'Aba Daba Honeymoon'. I'm so glad he has chosen to share those lives with us in this wonderful new book."- Leonard Maltin "At the movies, Carleton Carpenter was the boyish equivalent of an all-American Fourth of July picnic-wholesome, delightful, and utterly without pretense. The story of his life is equally likeable-candid, funny, and full of joy. For anyone who misses the golden days of Broadway and Hollywood, he shares his show business memories without artifice, phony sentimentality, or any of the usual axes to grind. This book puts a smile on your face and keeps it there."- Rex Reed At one time or another, Carleton Carpenter has been a bellhop, professional magician, circus clown, church organist, barroom piano player, carny pitchman, commercial spokesman, Navy Seabee, screenwriter, ASCAP composer and lyricist, cabaret singer, vaudeville performer, recording artist, and actor. He's appeared in more than 20 New York stage productions, countless tours around the country, thousands of TV and radio shows, and two dozen films, mostly for MGM-among them such classics as Father of the Bride, Summer Stock, Three Little Words, Lost Boundaries, Fearless Fagan, and Two Weeks With Love. His recordings of "Aba Daba Honeymoon" and "Row, Row, Row" (both with Debbie Reynolds), earned him two Gold Records.

That Kind of Woman profiles the life and career of one of Hollywood's finest character actresses and comediennes. Over two hundred rare photographs are featured as well as a complete filmography and a listing of her most memorable television appearances.