3 comments about Bob Fosse's Broadway.

1. I purchased this book as a resource when I began choreographing a production of "Chicago". The perspective from one of his main dancers is very interesting, getting insights about how the various shows and specific dance numbers were created. Definitely a good book for a dancer's or choreographer's collection!



2. Here for once is first hand musical theatre history written by someone who took part in the making of some extraordinary shows. A dancer who worked with Bob Fosse (as both a performer and an assistant) gives us her personal insights in how the man worked. It is a very rare thing to get such an intimate view from inside the creative process. Ever wonder why "Fosse dancers" are a breed apart? This book is a great place to start finding the answer.



3. Less comprehensive than most other books on Bob Fosse, this book focuses on Margery Beddow's experiences while working with the great master of dance. She recounts back stage happenings, and let's you in on little known facts about these great musicals. She takes a more personal look at Bob Fosse, but at times can get lost in a dreamy yearning for yester year.(But who wouldn't!) I recommend this book to anyone who has a career in theatre or dance, as it is a truthful look at a successful gypsy's life. I have had the pleasure of working with the author in a touring show when she was writing this book, and have watched it's progress. Margery has done the theatre communtiy a tremendous favor by preserving this up-close and personal look at Bob Fosse, and his work.

1 comments about Fifty Ballet Masterworks: From the 16th Century to the 20th Century.

1. Lincoln Kirstein's genius as a writer of dance history is his ability to concisely and accurately relate dance to politics, industry, and economics--among other things. This book is organized chronologically by dance masterpieces, beginning with the sixteenth century and ending in the twentieth century. It's a great quick reference book to the great ballets. For each ballet, Kirstein describes the plot, creation of the ballet, and artistic collaborations that made the ballet possible. More importantly, he puts each ballet into historical context by discussing the art movements and politics of the time that affected the performers, choreographers, composers, costume designers, set designers, librettists, and other creative contributors to the ballets.
   
   There is also a section of photographs, lithographs, etchings, and drawings at the end, in addition to the art that appears with each ballet. You won't find a lot of biographical information in the book, nor is it filled with anecdotes about the artists. The bibliography will point you in the right direction if you want to learn more. This is a straightforward, factual book that never ceases to educate and fascinate.

2 comments about Team Roping.

1. This is a great book on Team Roping by author Leo Camarillo & I could be Joe Beaver the team roping (header) & my team roping (heeling) partner Alica Foster or Stephen Shore.

   This is the man who turned team roping into an art form. It would be cool to do team roping in Las, Vegas Nevada at The National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center & other places would be cool & fun!

   Leo Camarillo has a wife named Sharon & they live near Lockeford, California & continue to compete and win at rodeos throughout the country. Leo has a brother Jerold & cousin Reg Camarillo also conducts roping schools for aspiring ropers.

   Now when two cowboys rope a steer, they must brand it & let it go back to it's mother...

   I loved it!!!




2. i found this book at a time in my roping career where as most people get sometimes think they know it all and this book really helped me get back to the fundimentals and greatly improved my times, it also helped me with heeling where i was self taught and fairly concistent i am now as good a heeler as i am a header (almost). the book braught me back to the fundimentals, i think if it helped me it can help you.

No comments about Fosse: Plays Two (Oberon Modern Plays).

5 comments about Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed, and Other Surprising Movie Lists.

1. I was looking though this book and it's easy to look through--large type small sentences lots of white space, and found myself reading material I know this "author" did not write, because the material was lifted whole sale from items found on the internet and in books published prior to this one (try E TAILS volumes 1-3).
   
   The essays "Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character is doomed" and "13 Great Perks of Being a Movie character" and "9 rules of drinking in the movies" were Internet forwards. The man known as Roeper didn't write this, and I suspect, much of the rest of the book was swiped from the internet.
   
   I never did like this guy as a movie reviewer. This book "by" Roeper only confirms my feelings he's not much of a reviewer, not the least bit honest, nor worthwhile with dealing with.



2. Sure, I have read the other reviews on here where people complain that for such a quick read, $14 is a high price to pay, and if you would just read straight through this book once and put it down, I would agree, $14 is awfully steep, but that isn't the kind of book this is.
   This is a book you will pick up time and time again.
   Whether it is his list of movies in the AFI top 100 that didn't belong there, or his list of actress who went nude with no business doing it, it is great to hear someone with something of an authority on what is good in the movie world kicking overrated bunk off of its high pedestal and putting it in its proper place.
   Who else is going to dog on Jimmy Stewart's character in It's a Wonderful Life or say Helen Mirren really needs to learn to keep her clothes on on camera (she doesn't have the body she used to)?
   There is some great moments of humor, such as "7 Movies In Which Ben Affleck Cries Like a Big Fat Baby" and also some pleasant surprises, such as naming Life of Brian third best Easter movie ever. It also has the one thing every American wants to read, something that makes them feel like in some way they are better than the celebrities they seen on the big screen, which is provided to us through lists such as "Worst Oscar Acceptance Speeches."
   This is a great book to pull out and read from time to time. It will always bring a smile to your face.



3. This is a fun book. He has plenty of lists that are oft times humorous but sometimes rather banal. The "sure sign that you're doomed" list has been gone over so many times that we all know the jokes about characters that go down the steps to investigate the noise or who have important information to tell the protagonist. None of the lists are particularly illuminating, but many are funny and that's really all this book is aiming for. Unfortunately, this book is also so thin that it takes less than an hour to read. While that's great for a gift book or a book that you find in the dollar bin, paying full price seems ridiculous.



4. Know any film buffs? Chances are you do. It seems like they like to see movies just because they are movies. They are apt to be reminded of this scene or that line from some film most folks remember vaguely. They like to draw connections between seemingly unrelated movies, and they have a strong sense of the "man behind the curtain" of moviedom: the clichés, the stolen plotlines, the mistakes, and so on.
   
   Richard Roeper knows this audience well. 10 Sure Signs is a quite unique film buff's document. It manages to be a both a book that will please film nerds, but also one that will not alienate less devoted movie fans. This is no dry tome filled with pages of figures, dates, and unadorned quotes. It is as much a book of humor as a study of film.
   
   However, one should note that, since it is a book of lists, the readability is a little low. It is the sort of book that works well in small doses-great dipping into periodically, but not for that long evening at home. It may also become dated fairly quickly, as new films arise that belong on the list-but part of the reader's fun may be in thinking of those new films.



5. Mr. Roeper did a good job with this book. It was truly humorous and enjoyable. I also learned about what good movies have been made over the years, and also ones to avoid. Sometimes I didn't agree but I feel better equipped to go to the video rental store.

2 comments about The Making of Schindler's List: Behind the Scenes of an Epic Film.

1. I just finished reading this in less than a week! I loved this book. As a collector of books on this movie it is by far the best one I have found. I especially loved the color photo inset. I will watch the movie again this weekend to see the author playing a German clerk in the railway siding luggage scene where he asks everone to "clearly label your luggage and it will follow you." I never knew who played this part and how many "takes" it took to get the scene correct. I also never knew Spielberg was referred to as "the master" by his cast and crew. This book gives one many interesting little details about the making of the movie. Ones that really enjoys the movie MUST read this book. It's a must!



2. If you expect information about the "technical making" of this movie, you won't get much. If you search for true stories, heartwarming stories sometimes told by real characters behind the scene, you'll get more than you expect. At some points, it was hard for me to go forward without tears. For those who watched the movie, it does add much.

3 comments about Steve McQueen, the Final Chapter.

1. They say it's not how you run the race, but how you finish it and -- according to Grady Ragsdale -- Steve McQueen finished well. This book follows the last year-and-a-half of McQueen's life and ends just after his memorial service. Grady describes McQueen's failing health in detail, and even recounts his last visit to the bedside of the dead actor. You won't find much here about McQueen's fame (apart from a reference to Lee Majors) or his legendary love of speed. What you will find is a gentle tale, told with tenderness, of a man who said he'd done everything there was to do and now just wanted to be happy.
   
   What made McQueen happy? The answer might surprise you, as will the path he embarked upon in his last year. Everyone wants to be like 'The King of Cool'. But perhaps to become most like McQueen is to become like the man described in this book: one who loved his family, his friends, and God.



2. Just finished "Steve McQueen-the Final Chapter" by Grady Ragsdale. I couldn't put the book down, and will read it a second time in a week or so. A heart rendering story of a great movie star who was also a real human being most people would never guess lived behind the Hollywood glitter. Mr. Ragsdales book is a simple story, factual, and told from a very unique viewpoint. It's also a story about what happens when all the options run out on life, and you discover your days are really and truly numbered. Who do you turn to, where do you go? The story also illustrates that your own life may influence others by what you might consider inconspicuous actions. Actions you routinely do without thought, but someone may notice and take heart. I have no problem recommending this book to anyone interested in either this end time of Mr. Mc Queens life, or as a book of inspiration for those who may think "those who die with the most toys win" - that just isn't so. I'm happy to say that I believe Mr. Mc Queen won the last round after all.



3. Grady Ragsdale passed away not long after this his first and last effort as an author. Although it is written very simply and from the perspective of a big fan, Grady was Steve's local caretaker, helper, and all around gopher and he is accurate in his cataloging of Steve's last year alive. There are stories in here you won't read anywhere else and stories as yet not told in the McQueen saga, but Grady was a simple man and he tells it simply, like it was. Anyone who is a McQueen fan should try to get a copy of this book because it will show you a McQueen that very few people knew but the spirit of a man you will recognize even at the end of his days, when he realized his days were numbered and as is documented, he never gave up. The book focusses on McQueen's love of flying, his search into the next world and his creation of the dream, his last home, the ranch in Santa Paula. This book and Nolans book are perhaps the best and most accurate documentation of a man who while he was alive held back more information than he gave, except to those who observed him while he wasn't looking. What is missing in Grady's story is the side of Steve that Grady, being a country boy wouldn't have understood...but that is exactly why Steve allowed him in so close.

3 comments about Disappearing Acts: Spectacles of Gender and Nationalism in Argentina's "Dirty War" (New Americanists).

1. As a graduate student of Latin-American literature, and a history buff, I can recommend this book to any uninformed individual on the Dirty War and its origins. But at the same time I would recommend that you take some of Dr. Taylor's comments with a grain of salt. Her neo-feminist attitude and strict anti-Christian stance on U.S. politics would lead some readers astray in understaning the Junta and their torture, abuse, rape, and subsequent murder of over 30,000 desaparecidos (disappeared persons).
   She begins the book with her analysis of a play entitled "Paso de Dos" in which a woman, who represents the "Patria" is brutally abused in a sexual encounter with a uniformed man in a mud pit - not exactly an appropriate way to begin educating the ignorant reader about Argentine history or theatre. She could have begun differently. But after having read many of the plays of Argentina, and analyzing them in a University setting, I CAN say that Argentine theatre was written in order to be a metaphorical representation of Argentine history and "Paso de Dos" does indeed serve as an accurate metaphor.
   Dr. Taylor's basic argument - which is well-documented with pictures, plays, and other historical sources - is that the Dirty War's inevitability lies in the struggle of violence (particularly against women), and that the "feminization" of opponents of past regimes in Argentina coupled with the loss of basic rights to the more subaltern groups of the country when the military are in power, both worked together after the regime of Juan Manuel Rosas to produce the Dirty War.
   She gives a brilliant analysis of the Peron regime and the power wielded by both Evita and Isbelita (which had opposite results) and she also includes vivid "testmonios" when analyzing the claims of torture on the average citizens of the country from 1976-1983. I applaud her objectivity when describing the Junta and their homophobic and sexually charged desire to create an artifical definition of what it means to be "Argentine".
   Now to why I give it only three stars: she does an horrific job at comparing the torture of the fascist government and their murder of the innocents of Argentina to the actions of the religious right in the U.S.A. today. As a member of what many would refer to as "the religious right", I am aghast that she would even begin to think that right-wing Christians would be in favor of creating a government even remotely similar to the Junta. Her comments in the opening chapters and the last chapter expose her misunderstanding of what it means to be Christian - because none of her comments contain the use of any Scripture, they are made from the standpoint of being a spectator, and, like most ignorant academics, she probably confuses Biblical Christianity with Roman Catholicism and sees little to no difference between them because she does not know theology.
   Dr. Taylor should be ashamed at even thinking of bringing American politics into a book about Fascist Argentina thirty years ago. There is NO, I repeat, NO comparison to be made between the Junta and the religious right in the U.S.A. As a Christian, my goal is to show non-believers that they are sinners, that they diserve hell, that Christ died to pay for the penalty of their sin so that they do not have to go to hell, and that by a repentant faith in Him alone one can be saved from eternal damnation. I believe that homosexuality (because she brings it up in the book) is indeed sinful - but I would never torture a homosexual. Even if I considered homosexuals my enemies (which I do not), Christ commands me to love my enemies. I also would not slit the stomach of a pregnant woman who I planned to throw out of a plane to make her body sink faster, nor use electric shocks to torture "subversives", nor even think about mixing the Catholic church - or even my own Church - with the state of a country. The consequences of mixing church with state are evident in 16th century Europe - when under Bloody Mary thousands of Protestants were murdered at the stake. The last thing a Christian would want is to give the power of the state authority over the Church and vice versa - but try telling that to Taylor - she is more concerned with praising Hilary Clinton and other liberal women in a book that is supposed to be about Argentina. Go figure.
   So, in conclusion: read this while only paying attention to what she has to say about Argentina and its history. That is valuable. Her commentary is not.



2. Diana Taylor is a brilliant writer and an obviously informed expert on the Dirty War of Argentina (1963 - 1976), a writer who has composed a Doctoral Thesis approach to her well-informed information about this misunderstood atrocity that nearly destroyed Argentina. Yet sound as her thoughts are and intensely well documented though her theories prove to be, this book is not recommended as the first line of information about this subject.
   
   Taylor's premise involves theories as to how the Dirty War, or the atmosphere under the military juntas that replaced Peronism, are based on her observations as to how the public remained fearfully silent during this time of concentration camps, torture, atrocities, and most importantly the 'desaparecidos' (or disappearing ones) whose only voices were in the quiet marches of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. She informs us that the use of plays and spectacles attended by the Argentinians were in their own way a show of defiance to the manipulative military juntas. Performance, theatre, and poetry were the elected means of tacitly protesting the totalitarian military rule that choked this country until the fall of the juntas in the war over the Malvinas/Falkland Islands with Great Britain.
   
   While all of what Taylor has to say is interesting and novel and important, what is needed to gain the most from this heady book is more time spent educating the reader about the political and social history of Argentina. Though the "Dirty War' is at times referenced in conversations about South American politics, sadly most of what we as the general public know of what lead up to the military takeover of the government is what we glean from such feeble resources as the musical EVITA! Though Taylor attempts to reference the state of Peronism in contrasting the fall of Juan and Evita (and subsequently Isabelita) Peron as a period of hallowing the feminine influence of the 'weak' but loved leaders, she jumps too quickly into the theory of the military overthrow as a reaction to the feminine, the desecration of the female standard so toppled by the military in its abusive treatment of women and children.
   
   Where Taylor particularly shines (and there is MUCH to appreciate in this turgid, difficult to read book) is in her extended discussion of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. Here her theories all seem to gel. What is copiously discussed in the plays, poetry, and public spectacles (and Taylor is an experienced performance artist herself) is very important information, but draws excessive focus to the sedentary response to the Dirty War.
   
   This book is doubtless an important document about a too little understood period of Argentinean history and Taylor is careful to point out similarities of public response in the US and in other countries whose governments seem less and less For and Of and By the people. I would recommend starting with more basic book about this period in time to reap the rewards that Diana Taylor has to offer in DISAPPEARING ACTS: SPECTACLES OF GENDER AND NATIONALISM IN ARGENTINA'S 'DIRTY WAR'. Grady Harp, March 05



3. Taylor has created beautiful book out of a horrendous period in Argentina. She is a wonderful writer, and the book left me with a prfound sense of sadness and a desire to save the world. I am currently studying the Dirty War and I found this book has been the meat of my studies. She looks at the Dirty War at many different angles and ties them together masterfully. From its theatricality, its war against women, and what we, as Americans, must do as spectators to this Dirty War, Taylor urges that the spectators have the greatest role of all. Even twenty years after the war has ended, Taylor has created a book that forces Americans to evaluate our situation as spectators and contributors to the darkest period of Argentina's recent history. A must read...the book is easy to understand even if you know next to nothing about Argentina.

5 comments about Step Right This Way: The Photographs of Edward J. Kelty.

1. For the Circus lovers, this will make such a great gift! The book is out-of-print and whoever will open these covers will enter a strange, pleasant, gone world. See some other rare circus products!
   
   Vintage Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus Decal Set 1950
   
   Vintage Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus Decal 1950
   
   Vintage Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus Decal Set 1950



2. As the son of a former circus (Ringling Brothers, Al G. Barnes, et al) employee who has a Kelty photograph of his father in a circus from 1936, who himself took photos during his time in the circus, I found the Kelty photographs captured much of the same ambience as in my father's pictures. In other words, authenticity and poignancy.



3. If you wish you could go back in time to golden age of the circus (as I do), this book will at least make you feel a little closer. Kelty's photos are awesome considering the technology of the day and the prints look amazing!



4. Though this is a large book, you will probably finish reading it in one evening. The only text is a breezy 34 page introduction, with accompanying pictures. The rest of the book is mostly full-page pictures with very minimal captions. At least half the time, the captions are no more than what is already written on the original picture - it makes me think that the authors (presumably Barth & Siegel, though there is no text by them, the introduction was written by Edward Hoagland) were told that a published book has to caption the pictures, so they did the minimum amount of work necessary. For the pictures without information written on them, the captions consist of a year and a location, circus or performance house...very minimal!

   Though the introduction is a very nice read, it has no depth and skips all over the place, to wherever Mr. Hoagland thought to go next. It talks a little about some of the pictures, a little about Mr. Kelty, the circuses, the times and the challenges faced. This leaves the reader to look at the pictures and take them for face value, just like the people who came to the circus in the 30's. We have no background information, no introduction, and no inside information - all we can do is "stare at the freaks". I believe that is really the point of the book. Though I have no first-person reference, as the advertisement in the Introduction says:

   "We have the fattest women in the world, and the tallest man, and a girl who has no arms or legs, and midgets who are married! Have you ever seen a camel spit, or seals play catch, or elephants stand on their heads? A man with reptile scales who was once just like you! And the Good Lord made him. Can you finish your ice cream after you have looked at him?"...Good question!

   Looking at these pictures, I get an appreciation for the time and people. Cameras are new, and each picture is clearly an "Event". There are people who are very disturbing, some who are merely trying to disturb you, and others who just don't give a damn. Some of the people are no more weird than what you would find in any large city, others seem clearly different. Through the pictures, I get an appreciation for the packaging of weirdness.

   Though you could peruse the pictures quickly, and laugh like the people who originally went to the circus; I was left with questions about what these pictures say about these people, and about the people who watched them. What do these pictures say about America, back then and today? This book has provided food for thought for me. I am divided on whether I wanted more of the back-story, or if the pictures tell their own story. No book can be everything so, since I am still thinking about these pictures, for me the book was a success. For people who want to know more, this book would make a good accompaniment to a more scholarly work.




5. Although it is fascinating seeing the photographs of Edward Kelty, the author of the book has done nothing to contribute to the knowledge to be gained here. Surprisingly, the captions list nothing except the words that are printed on the photographs themselves. Here you have some of the most amazing "Special People" of all times, and none of them are identified unless it was written on the photo. It is not a mystery who most of these people were if the author had bothered to ask any of the wonderful resources he cites. I have only read one other book (out of print)- "Very Special People" and many of them are identifiable from that book alone.

   Edward Hoagland's intro is also a disappointment. Although he says he spent some time working in the world portrayed, I find it hard to believe that all the people therein were either pedophiles, itinerants and other seedy stereotypes to which he alludes. Many were lovely, talented people who overcame incredible hardship and handicaps and had optimistic and positive outlooks beyond belief.

   What this book needs are carefully researched captions and an index - perhaps someone truly familiar with the subject will write one. As interesting as the photos are, the book shows a lack of respect for the photographer and the people he photographed.

No comments about Performance Studies (Readers in Cultural Criticism).