No comments about Mandolin Scale Finder: Easy-to-Use Guide to Over 1,300 Mandolin Scales, 6 inch. x 9 inch. Edition.

5 comments about Charlie Chan at the Movies: History, Filmography, and Criticism.

1. For those seeking to separate wheat from chaff among the 44 Chan films Ken Hanke has provided us with the clear winner published to date. He tags 20 as being superior in this "whodunit genre" and goes on to make his cases in chronological order with full cast and credits, synopses and evaluations (even taking into account Charlie's Number One Son Keye Luke who truly enriches the manuscript with his insights). Under the scrutiny of Hanke's entertaining and equally skillful analysis we are offered the inside track on all things Warner Oland, Sidney Toler and Roland Winters (and even later knock-offs of Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto and Boris Karloff as Mr. Wong). And if you were ever under the impression that the sun rose and set on only one of these characters, I think you will find yourself in for a pleasant surprise!
   
   + Background info. on all series directors and supporting players.
   + Insights into the making of all Charlie Chan films.
   + The full story of why the series was brought to a halt in 1949.
   + An array of of the famous "Chan-o-grams".
   + Guilty parties are not disclosed in the book, keeping suspense
   intact if you are watching films for the first time.
   + Numerous B & W classic studio photos.
   
   As nothing more than a film fan from those thrilling Saturday matinees of yesteryear with no personal connection to author Ken Hanke, I heartily recommend this book as the perfect companion to one of the Charlie Chan remastered and digital film collections. Brace yourself for hours of thrilling and wholesome family entertainment!



2. If you want to get a quick sense of who is in a particular Charlie Chan movie and how that movie's plot and direction compare to other Charlie Chan films you've seen, you'll love this book. If you want to go much deeper than that, the book will disappoint except in sharing lots of Keye Luke's (Number One Son, Lee Chan in the Oland movies) memories.
   
   Mr. Hanke doesn't have appear to have much ability to comment on movies, so his views on the script, acting, and direction are pretty skimpy. In addition, I found that my views rarely coincided with his. If your tastes match his, you'll like this book better than I did.
   
   On the good side, Mr. Hanke is a fan and dutifully captures aphorisms and great sequences in much detail. In even the worst Chan flick, he'll find something good to say. I liked him for that.
   
   In addition, there are many stills or publicity shots from the movies.
   
   On the negative side, he tells too much in writing about the plots. If you haven't seen the movies, these summaries are filled with spoilers (except for revealing who the murderer actually was).
   
   The book is also poorly edited, filled with typos and missing words. Perhaps it's hard to write in standard English after you've been quoting aphorims that are missing adjectives and verbs.
   
   I don't know of a better book about Charlie Chan films so it's this one or no other for now.



3. The `Acknowledgments' thanks his wife Shonsa and many others for their cooperation and support. Hanke shows love and respect for the 44 films in the series. Keye Luke says they were "the best damn murder mysteries in Hollywood at the time" (p.xiii). Earl Derr Biggers' Detective never had a little beard and mustache. Glancing at the list of films I suddenly realized that this witty hero who solved crimes also traveled to a number of foreign places. Was this an inspiration for the "James Bond" series? Hitchcock also adorned his suspense tales with funny scenes. Too much tension may not be good for audiences. Yet this popular series is often banned from television (p.xvi).
   
   Part I covers the 16 films where Warner Oland played Charlie Chan. Oland was a distinguished character actor before starring as Chan. He had played orientals as villains in earlier films. Oland learned Chinese for his lines. He had translated Strindberg into English and lectured at Harvard; he also traveled to China (p.4). "The Black Camel" is the best of this series (p.12); it was shot in location in Hawaii. It followed Biggers' novel faithfully, like John Huston's version of "The Maltese Falcon" followed Hammett's novel. "Charlie Chan at the Opera" was very popular. Hanke gives a summary of each film with his comments.
   
   Part II covers the 11 films where Sidney Toler played Chan for 20th Century Fox. Toler had played comic dumb detectives (p.109), this was a big break for him. His version of Chan was more irascible than Oland's, and less humble (p.110). "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island" is considered his finest film: "fast, neat, compact, and clever" (p.123). "City of Darkness" was the worst (p.129). Hanke is wrong to call spreading disease germs "fantastic" (p.135). German agents tried to spread anthrax and glanders to horses and mules in WW I. The films often repeated earlier films, just like the "James Bond" series.
   
   Part II covers the 11 films made by Monogram. Sidney Toler continued as Charlie Chan. Their budget was much lower than before, and the films were not as smooth. The addition of a black comic attracted a wider audience (p.170). Chan's character is closer to Biggers' novels. The fact that the entrance of Chan is followed by murders was also true of the TV series "Murder She Wrote". "The Shanghai Cobra" was the best of this series (p.198). "Dangerous Money" was the worst (p.214). The Sidney Toler series ended with his death. "The Scarlet Clue" has to be the funniest satire on this series.
   
   Part IV covers the 6 films made by Roland Winters, the youngest man to play this part (p.220). Winters could turn a prosaic line into a rich melodramatic pronouncement (p.222). The "Docks of New Orleans" was one of the best in the series (p.229), with more quotable lines. Part V reviews the "Mr. Moto" series which were different from the Chan series (p.256). Peter Lorre is more callous and cold-blooded. Boris Karloff played "Mr. Wong" in three low-budget films, a more superior and worldly person (p.258). Part VI tells of "Later Chans" such as the TV series (one season). The society and world that made Charlie Chan possible is gone forever (p.261). All that is left are the old films. Some have been lost, such as the first film of 1931 "Charlie Chan Carries On". Hanke doesn't mention how the Chinese Revolution of 1948 and the Hollywood Inquisition may have put an end to Chan as WW II did to the Japanese "Mr. Moto".



4. I finally got a copy of this book, and I can't believe how terrific it is. The primary reason for my disbelief are the one-star reviews this volume has received. "Rather mediocre"--? "Not much help"--? Is there ANOTHER edition out there that I don't know about? I read this book cover-to-cover and I can find no fault with Ken Hanke's superlative coverage. I honestly don't see what the detractors are complaining about. Some whine that Hanke doesn't disclose the identity of the killers. I say THANK YOU. These are MYSTERIES after all, and I admire the fact that Hanke respects the reader enough not to spoil the fun. Speaking of fun, that describes Hanke's writing style--along with scholarly and informative. If anyone asks me to recommend a book on the wonderful Charlie Chan series, this is the one I'll direct them to. It's the Great Volume on the Great Detective.



5. Compare this book to the Charlie Chan Encycopedia by Howard Berlin, and this book wins out. Hanke gives in-depth information on each Charlie Chan film including a complete synopsis of the story, reviews, commentary, and actually includes a photo from each film, something the Berlin book failed to do. Nor does it wander off the subject as did the Berlin book.
   The paperback edition is $35. That may still be a little high, but if you're a fan of the Charlie Chan films, this book delivers the goods and is what you want.

2 comments about Dance Technique and Injury Prevention.

1. This is an indispensable resource for the physical therapist or Pilates instructor who works with dancers. It covers functional anatomy as it relates to the dancer, teaches the analysis of posture and movement as it relates to the classical dancer, the typical injuries sustained by dancers and their management and rehabilitation.

   This text, combined with Sally Fitt's, Dance Kinesiology, should be in every therapist's library. If the book has one fault, it is that is focuses almost exclusively on classical dancers.




2. This book written by Justin Howse, Consultant Orthepaedic Surgeon to the Royal Ballet Schools, The Royal Academy of Dancing and the Remedial Dance Clinic, London , and also by Shirley Hancock, Principal Physiotherapist to the Royal Ballet Schools, the Royal Academy of Dancing and the Remedial Dance Clinic ,London.

   This book is a study reading requirement for the Royal Academy of Dancing Anatomy paper.

   The foreward by Dame Ninette de Valois, says it all really. "This book gives us the opportunity to indulge in some serious reflection. It is full of highly technical observations on movement as related to the world of ballet and is accompanied by helpful instructions. A great deal of it should be rewarding to students, dancers, teachers, repetiteurs and ballet staff in general. I dare to add that in my opionion, it is also food for thought for choreographers. Today it is not customary for choreographers to give either scientific or practical thought to their choreographic demands. Let us recall that a composer has to remember to keep within the range of a singer's voice. It therefore seems right for a choreographer to study more carefully not only the limitation of dancer's limbs but also the limitation of their general stamina ."

   You will never regret spending the money on this book.I refer to this book often. It has excellent photographs also.

   I am fortunate in that one of my friends is a physiotherapist who works at the local medical centre.This book provides excellent back up.

No comments about An Introduction to the Art of Theatre: A Comprehensive Text - Past, Present, and Future.

2 comments about Drama, Skits, & Sketches.

1. Though I have not been through this book in depth, I had a hard time finding something that was not too preach-y, and with interpretive and doctrinal spins of the author. I will have to spend quite a bit of time adjusting material for a more open view. The scripts give start points to do this, though. Those with similar interpretations and doctrines will likely not have issues with this material. I notice the high schoolers I work with dislike being characterized as teens, in which adults develop material to speak to them on their ground, but frequently miss it. This book seems to do just that in many places.



2. This book has many wonderful skits and sketches for youth to use in youth group. Most of them are funny and will keep your youth intersted. The skits are a good length, most are between 5 to 7 minutes long and deal with a good number of youth issues. I particularly like the one entitled "Bible Broadway." This skit takes some Broadway tunes and gives them a spiritual message!

No comments about Performance in Life and Literature.

5 comments about The Music of the Arabs.

1. This is simply the best introduction to Arabian music written in English and one of the best introduction to this music ever written. Informative, accessible, and comprehensive. Highly recommended!!



2. I am a Syrian musician and also have studied my whole life the music of my culture and what i got from this book is that the writer covered a spectrum that took you back hundreds of years which was great because i learned about the stories I never knew such as the pearl divers and old islamic roots of music. For a person who doesn't understand music theory some pages are advanced with the maqam list and notation but for an arabic musician there is great historical information. My only issue is I feel that if you are going to mention "THE MUSIC OF THE ARABS" and only give 1 sentence about Sayyed Darwish, Zakaria Ahmed , 0 Information about Sheikh Abul ILLA Mouhamed also Briefly mention Umm Kolsoum "Saidet El Fen el Arabi", and Riyad Sunbati Mouhamed Abdel Wahab Farid "The Master" thats a rich history that is left out that didn't just changed arabic music but also helped every arab in tough times with the therapy the music brings to your soul. The book Is great for historical information to a musician and I enjoyed it and got a great history lesson on ancient arabic music.



3. Thanks God that the book doesn't mention Farid or Abdel Wahab, because Arabic music did exist before them, or before they changed it into Casino-like belly dancing arabesque musique rather than a decent creative music that didn't need their foreign and stupid influences such as Rumba and Tango, things that were cut and paste from the hollywood of the twenties, and that are so out of date now.
   
   This book focuses on the Arabic music as a traditional inherited music, and does an excellent job at describing it.



4. I agree with mimiqanun 100%. By the way, I have seen you play in SF and you are awesome.

   Unfortunately the author has some strong negative opinions about the post 1900 arabic music genre.

   In the book he writes:

   "The "Big Arabian Orchestra" of the present, which many Arabs look upon with obvious pride, is fundamentally a hybrid, neither traditionally Arabian nor authentically European in its structure... With a huge racket, it plays together in unison or - if it is an "up-to-date"orchestra in multi-voiced harmony, offering nothing better than a poor imitation of European orchestral style. Often, the orchestra accompanies a male or female singer who croons a pop song into the microphone. Through the mass media, and especially through Egyptian feature films, such singers have managed to achieve immense popularity."

   The author is a conservative musicologist that has no respect for anything that's not 100% "pure" arabic music. Although the book does a decent job of explaining the maqams, rhythms, and history, I feel that the author is stubborn, narrow-minded and rude for not showing a shred of respect to the arabic music genre which includes Farid, Abdel Wahab, and others.

   The author is also a hypocrit. While he repeatedly blasts any arabic ensemble that uses European instruments (like violin), and, while he condemns any composer that creates melodies with western influence, he spends 2 pages praising Um Kalthoum! oooooops!

   Farid El Atrache and Abdel Wahab are not mentioned once in this book. The Instruments Chapter includes a photo of Munir Bachir playing the oud, but no mention of Farid. Was Farid El Atrache not an arab? How can you write a book entitled, "Music of the Arabs" and not mention Farid El Atrache?

   The book should be retitled, "The Music of the Pre-1900 Arabs + Munir Bachir and Um Kalthoum."




5. I agree with mimiqanun 100%. By the way, I have seen you play in SF and you are awesome.

   Unfortunately the author has some strong negative opinions about the post 1900 arabic music genre.

   In the book he writes:

   "The "Big Arabian Orchestra" of the present, which many Arabs look upon with obvious pride, is fundamentally a hybrid, neither traditionally Arabian nor authentically European in its structure... With a huge racket, it plays together in unison or - if it is an "up-to-date"orchestra in multi-voiced harmony, offering nothing better than a poor imitation of European orchestral style. Often, the orchestra accompanies a male or female singer who croons a pop song into the microphone. Through the mass media, and especially through Egyptian feature films, such singers have managed to achieve immense popularity."

   The author is a conservative musicologist that has no respect for anything that's not 100% "pure" arabic music. Although the book does a decent job of explaining the maqams, rhythms, and history, I feel that the author is stubborn, narrow-minded and rude for not showing a shred of respect to the arabic music genre which includes Farid, Abdel Wahab, and others.

   The author is also a hypocrit. While he repeatedly blasts any arabic ensemble that uses European instruments (like violin), and, while he condemns any composer that creates melodies with western influence, he spends 2 pages praising Um Kalthoum! oooooops!

   Farid El Atrache and Abdel Wahab are not mentioned once in this book. The Instruments Chapter includes a photo of Munir Bachir playing the oud, but no mention of Farid. Was Farid El Atrache not an arab? How can you write a book entitled, "Music of the Arabs" and not mention Farid El Atrache?

   The book should be retitled, "The Music of the Pre-1900 Arabs + Munir Bachir and Um Kalthoum."

3 comments about Golden Boy: The Untold Story of William Holden.

1. Holden was such a great actor, but a poor family man. Alcohol is the demon here.



2. William Holden is one of the most underrated actors of Hollywood. Evidence by far is that this is the only book on his life. The book is a heartfelt tribute to what appears to be a caring, thoughtful and professional actor who always remembered the ensemble of people who helped him reach stardom. It is also a very sad tale of a person who never overcame his demons and was finally killed by them. His life and career were cut short and it is our loss.



3. golden boy digs deep into the torment of william holden's life.the rise of a bit part actor to oscar winner.the highs and lows of life in hollywood. achieving success in front of the cameras but ultimately failing in his personal life.this book is for any true fan of the golden age of tinsletown

No comments about Futurist Performance (PAJ Books).

No comments about Othello: Illustrated Classics Shakespeare.