5 comments about The Beverly Hillbillies: A Fortieth Anniversary Wing Ding.

1. I became hooked on this author's books with the first one I bought (about the Munchkins), so it's no surprise that I love this one too! Once again, it's full of rare photographs, little known trivia and fascinating tid-bits. Even if you only had a passing interest in The Beverly Hillbillies, you're going to love this book. And if you're a fan of the show......you're going to be in Seventh Heaven with this one! You'll love this as much as Elly May Clampett loved her critters!!



2. This is a great book on the long running TV series"The Beverly Hillbillies" but where's the Max Baer(Jethro) Autobiography?It's been long overdue!!We're all anxiuosly waiting!!



3. The critics hated and audiences loved it. CBS only put it on the air because they had no other good sitcoms in the fall of 1962. What happened was a revolution in sitcoms. "The Beverly Hillbillies" went on to become one of the biggest hits in the history of television. It climbed to the top of the ratings faster than any sitcom in history. It is no wonder that forty years later audiences still love this show. With the exception of "I Love Lucy", not other sitcom has been so durable and successful in syndication. Thanks to Mr. Stephen Cox for writing a book about a sitcom that truly deserves such recognition. "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a runaway hit and a phenomenon. But, for me, it is simply a funny show that I don't mind watching over and over again.



4. Another winner for Steve Cox! His relaxed writing style makes for a fantastic read, and the photos compiled for it really make this collection stand out. A must-have for any fan of the BH, or heck - TV for that matter.



5. For anyone who is a fan of "The Beverly Hillbillies" (or is interested in TV history) this is the book for you! Steve Cox has a way of writing that makes you feel as if he is in your own living room telling you the remarkable story of the Clampetts. The book contains: fantastic black & white and color photos, behind the scenes stories, great interviews with the cast, an episode guide and a detailed history of America's favorite hillbilly family. So set a spell with Steve Cox as your guide and relive all the fun and laughter of The Beverly Hillbillies. Y'all read up now y'hear.

1 comments about The Beauty of the Beasts: Tales of Hollywood's Wild Animal Stars.

1. This book was very interesting and well-written. It is reassuring to read about how Helfer was so dedicated to keeping these working animals safe and well.

2 comments about What's Your Friends I.Q.?: 501 Questions and Answers for Fans.

1. I highly recommend you buying this book ... if you can't find it in any book stores around your area then buy it from amazon. The book contains 501 Questions for those of you'se who think you are a Friends Fanatic and these questions range from what number is chandlers and joeys apartment number? to what is Chandlers mum's name?

   If you think you can handle the questions then buy the book, but I warn you it is highly addicting and will keep your mind focused on one thing and one thing only...... FRIENDS!




2. A humorous book on the first season of the Emmy Award winning TV show. No you are not going back to school. This book is entertaining and fun. Test your knowledge of the "Friends" and get a rating of How good a FRIEND you are.

5 comments about How to Sell Your Screenplay: A Realistic Guide to Getting a Television or Film Deal.

1. Writing a screenplay for the movies or for television is only the beginning of the process. Once the script is written it must be pitched (sold) to a studio executive or a production company producer. Expertly co-authored by veteran script writers Lydia and Joan Wilen, "How To Sell Your Screenplay: A Realistic Guide To Getting A Television Or Film Deal" provides an informed and informative introduction to how the script writing business works, what the components of a professional-looking screenplay are, and how to format a script to make the best impression. "How To Sell Your Screenplay" then goes on to explain the role and importance of agent and managers, producers, lawyers, directors, and actors. Enhanced with the example of an effective query letter, "How To Sell Your Screenplay" also features the 'Square One System' for submitting scripts with a minimum of time, cost and effort, while achieving a maximum of success. Of special value is the up-to-date listing of resources, the advice for improving pitching skills, and avoiding common mistakes in pitching a script. Simply stated, "How To Sell Your Screenplay" should be considered 'must reading' for all aspiring script writers seeking to establish themselves professionally.



2. There are endless how-to volumes that skirt the necessary information needed to break down the vaulted door to Hollywood. Between the covers of such books are topics ranging from the author's personal brilliance to trivial and irrelevant sidebars. If you like that sort of thing, good news! There's plenty to choose from.
   
   However, Lydia and Joan Wilen have written the authoritative book for beginning scripters. The Wilens have actually had their material produced. That in itself is a feat most screenwriting "experts" can't boast of. So, when they have a suggestion, I pay attention. And what they have to say has led me to a legitimate producer who has requested my script. In fact, favorable suggestions were offered, which I've incorporated into a revised draft that's being read even as this is being written.
   
   The point is, none of this would have occured had I not purchased How to Sell Your Screenplay. My dog-eared copy has helped open a door for me not previously accessible. Buy this book, read it, then read it again before embarking on a journey as treacherous as writing a script - selling it!



3. I haven't tried to get my script published yet, so I can't honestly say if this book "works" or not. Also, it's the first book on script writing/selling that I've read. So that said, while I don't have any comparisons to other books that I can make, I can say that this books was a good introduction to a world I was pretty unfamiliar with.
   
   I liked the easy to follow format and structure of the book, as well as the authors' realistic but optimistic approach. I was pleased that the authors' presented varying points of view regarding various topics (i.e. sending scripts vs. query letters). Also, the resource list in the back, and glossary at the beginning, are wonderful for someone (like myself) who doesn't know where to start.
   
   An interesting and fun read, and a seemingly practical approach. I felt like I learned something!



4. It is a ggod book, but in the entertainment word it is not what you know, but who you know.



5. Despite the authors' distance from Hollywood and lack of produced experience as screenwriters, they've done a fabulous job--partly because of the excellent rubrics of the SquareOne Writers Guide series--of putting together a solid overview of what's involved in making a screenplay sale. The book contains invaluable sidebars--from sample collaboration agreement to sample query letters--that alone makes it worth the cover price. The systematic approach to marketing, glossary of industry terms, along with advice on containing your ego and controlling your emotions-all add up to making this a must in the Hollywood storyteller's library.

4 comments about From Option to Opening : aguide to Producing Plays Off Broadway - Revised and Updated.

1. The fifth revised, updated edition of what is becoming a true industry classic, From Option To Opening: A Guide To Producing Plays Off-broadway, is a 'must' for anyone involved in Broadway productions: the process of producing an off-Broadway play from start to finish is related in easy, clear language which assumes no prior familiarity to prove accessible. From obtaining a theatre and hiring actors to forming partnerships and co-production agreements, making decisions on how long the show will run and working with cast and crew, From Option To Opening is packed with tips and appendices of invaluable, updated resources.



2. The fifth revised, updated edition of what is becoming a true industry classic, From Option To Opening: A Guide To Producing Plays Off-broadway, is a 'must' for anyone involved in Broadway productions: the process of producing an off-Broadway play from start to finish is related in easy, clear language which assumes no prior familiarity to prove accessible. From obtaining a theatre and hiring actors to forming partnerships and co-production agreements, making decisions on how long the show will run and working with cast and crew, From Option To Opening is packed with tips and appendices of invaluable, updated resources.



3. The fifth revised, updated edition of what is becoming a true industry classic, From Option To Opening: A Guide To Producing Plays Off-broadway, is a 'must' for anyone involved in Broadway productions: the process of producing an off-Broadway play from start to finish is related in easy, clear language which assumes no prior familiarity to prove accessible. From obtaining a theatre and hiring actors to forming partnerships and co-production agreements, making decisions on how long the show will run and working with cast and crew, From Option To Opening is packed with tips and appendices of invaluable, updated resources.



4. I run a small (very small) Not-For-Profit (intentionally) Theater Group. It was with great interest that I discovered this little book on how the big boys do it in New York. It confirmed (beyond any doubt) that I don't want to go compete in the New York market.
   
   Other than that, it was a fascinating look behind the scenes at what a producer has to go through to get a play on stage Off Broadway. I had assumed that it was just a bit bigger operation than what we go through. WRONG!
   
   First surprise - Off Broadway is not just a theater that isn't on Broadway, there's a fairly complex definition of even what that means. Then there's the legal aspects. If you want to raise front money to investigate putting on a show, the law says that you can only ask four people. You can accept money from more than four, but you can only ask four.
   
   I don't ever plan to go do a show in New York, but this book made fascinating reading.

2 comments about The Emergence of Cinema: The American Screen to 1907 (History of the American Cinema, Vol 1).

1. This is an excellent, comprehensive and well-written analysis of the early cinema. It is written including views of the study of film history as well as numerous concrete examples of films for every point made by the author.

   Even if you're not a film student, check out this book. It's so well written that one can easily fall into the interesting history of an emerging art form and industry. The origins of cinema reach far back into the 17th century and, considering the enormous impact that film has on everyone's life, the origins of this most important art form of the past century are vitally important to you.




2. The Emergence of Cinema chronicles the very earliest history of cinema with focus on the development of film in America. It begins with the earliest technology of picture projection, and explores with great thoroughness each development in the technology and business of film. It is wonderfully illustrated, and clearly written, so that even the casual student of film history will not be confused or bored. This is a work whose peer I have never seen. If the rest of the series keeps up with the quality here, it will be basic to any film library. Perhaps the depth here will be to great for the truly casual reader; hardly any films here will find their way onto video.

4 comments about Sibelius Orchestral Works: An Owner's Manual (Unlocking the Masters).

1. David Hurwitz's book on the orchestral works of composer Jean Sibelius is definitely a must-have for anyone doing extensive research on Sibelius's music.
   This book offers a highly detailed analysis on all of Sibelius's symphonies, tone poems and shorter works and puts these works under the microscope so-to-speak. Granted, after reading this book, you'll probably never listen to a Sibelius piece the same way again.
   Additionally, the book comes with two audio CDs. One is nearly 80-minutes worth of highlights from Sibelius's masterworks including the third and seventh symphonies heard in their entirety. The second disc is a compilation of music from various Finnish composers who have followed in Sibelius's footsteps. Brief bios of these composers are spread throughout the book as well.
   Mr. Hurwitz has definitely performed his research well in writing this book. I personally have never read such an analysis on Sibelius's music that cuts right down to the most minute detail until this book was released. It's about time too.
   Definitely a must-have for die-hard Sibelians!!!



2. Written by radio commentator David Hurwitz, Sibelius the Orchestral Works An Owners Manual is a book and CD set celebrating the classic creations of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The text discusses Sibelius' musical language, symphonies, violin concerto, tone poems, theatrical music, and more, while two full-length CDs offer a beautiful cross-section of not only Sibelius' work, but also the compositions of his contemporaries and successors. An in-depth, at times modestly technical analysis, written especially for dedicated music lovers and musicologists, and a "must-have" for anyone interested in learning about and experiencing the Finnish master.



3. When I call the book Gigantic, I'm not referring to its physical size, which is quite modest. I'm talking about its intent and accomplishment.
   
   Writing about classical music is difficult. Much of the terminology is unfamiliar to most readers, and there's always the temptation to go in one of two unwelcome directions: either over-popularizing the subject or being dry and academic. The effective path lies along a fine line between those two extremes, and David Hurwitz walks that line beautifully. I'm so impressed by this treatise on Sibelius that I'm going to immediately start collecting the rest of his similar books on Dvorak, Mahler, Haydn, and anybody else he's covered that I don't know about yet.
   
   Although the market for a book like this one must be incredibly narrow, Mr. Hurwitz has waxed expansive and entertaining. His insights into the composition techniques employed by the Finnish master are unparalleled. The illustrative samples on the two included CDs are both wisely chosen and luminously recorded-- bravo!
   
   I should probably explain that I consider myself somewhat of an expert on Sibelius and his music, having studied both the composer and his output for well more than fifty years. David Hurwitz, who is considerably younger than I am, has nevertheless studied these subject even more deeply than I have, and his analyses and evaluations ring absolutely true. From now on, when people ask me about Sibelius, I will quote Hurwitz rather than myself!
   
   For anyone familiar with the jargon of classical music essays and with an interest in the subject, this book is a godsend. I had high expectations for it, and it exceeded them.



4. I have some of the other books from this Unlocking the Masters series, and they are WONDERFUL!!! Not only are they factual and informative, but they are easy to read and really show you what to look/listen for in the music! It comes with a CD which has musical examples of pieces that are talked about in the book! This book is a wonderful tool for any student!

No comments about The Member of the Wedding: The Play (New Directions Paperbook).

1 comments about Introduction to Play Analysis.

1. I am lucky enough to know one of the authors, and have been able to study this book in his class. I loved the class, and loved the book.

4 comments about The Big Lebowski.

1. The genius of thew Coens captured in this outstanding comedy. The characters, as ever, outdo the narrative, but the quotable lines come close to matching their masterpiece, Raising Arizona. Remember - nobody f#*k with the Jesus!



2. Although the words don't match exactly from the book to the movie, due to ad-libbing of the actors, this book is a must-have for any fan of The Big Lebowski. This book will make you laugh as much as the movie did.



3. One of the Coen Bros' best works. Their twisted world is never more hilarious as it is here.



4. This scriptbook is essential to the uncompromising Lebowski fanatic. Great for neighborhood plays too! An easy way to study the simply brilliant use of dialogue found and recycled throughout the film. What's more, the cover image is far out and would make a great poster.