5 comments about The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry And Magic of The 1939 MGM Classic - Revised and Expanded.

1. Shipped really fast, and the book was good for a paper i had to write



2. One word can adequately describe this book. FANTASTIC. I was in heaven (Oz) while reading this book. It is the best book ever written about the making of "The Wizard of Oz". Jay Scarfone has out done himself. I have gone back many times to look at many of the rare photo's he has included in this book. I got it for Christmas and it was my favorite gift. Want to learn something about the making of this beloved classic GET THIS BOOK NOW!



3. Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry And Magic of The 1939 MGM Classic is a colorful companion to the 1939 classic movie that brought Baum's famous children's classic of a magical world to vivid life. Black-and-white as well as full-color photographs and a text that explores the movie's creation from its initial design concepts to casting, shooting, and release in theaters. The expert collaboration of Jay Scarfone and William Stillman, The Wizardry Of Oz is a superb treasure filled from cover to cover with little-known behind-the-scenes stories and is most especially recommended for dedicated movie buffs with fond memories of going over the rainbow and entering Oz!



4. This is a truly great book and you won't be sorry if you get it, but I want to clarify that it is not huge and heavy. It is 8.5 x 11, normal paperback edition size and weight. The Judy Portrait in Art and Anecdote book, now that is huge and heavy!



5. This book is the greatest book I've ever seen on the 1939 MGM musical masterpiece. Any OZ lover will be in heaven over the vast amount of rare, and NEVER before seen photos -- all presented in top-notch quality, many of them looking astounding crisp and clear, like never before. Even the PAPER used in the book is thick and rich. The book is huge and heavy, and must be one of the bargains of the century. Only $19.95 list price? Astounding. You simply will be OVER THE RAINBOW when you read the insightful history of the production. These gentlemen are THE top authorities on OZ, and it shows. Click on the Buy Now button, and you will be so happy you did. If Ever Oh Ever a BOOK There Was, THIS One's THE One, the WIZARDRY one, Because, Because, Because, Because, BECAUSE : Because of the WONDERFUL Book It Is!

5 comments about On the Line - The Creation of A Chorus Line.

1. The Broadway hit A Chorus Line is returning to Times Square in a major revival this fall - and ON THE LINE: THE CREATION OF 'A CHORUS LINE' provides an oral history from the nineteen original cast members who recall how they become involved with the project, how it evolved from workshops, and how it made many of them lasting successes in their fields. Robert Viagas collaborated with original cast members Baayork Lee and Thommie Walsh to provide this memoir, which is a 'must' for any prior or present fans of the Broadway musical production. Many insider's views here can't be found elsewhere.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. Broadway is always exciting. It's constantly in a state of change with dozens of new shows every year. But it's only once in a while that a supershow comes about, and 'A Chorus Line' was one of those. It was the 'Phantom of the Opera,' the 'Rent,' the 'Wicked' of its day. And it's back. Go see it, but you go to the show, read this book.
   
   This book, originally published in 1990 is about the creation of the show, the actors, the people who put it on, and a bit about why the show was such a tremendous success. The book was expanded and updated for publication in 2006 to reflect what has happened to the people and the show since.
   
   The theme of the show is on a bare stage where casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. The field's been narrowed down to just 17 dancers. For these men and women, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for -- with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed of. Not to be the star, but to get the job ... to have the chance to dance and come through.
   
   The show illustrates getting onto Broadway in a better way than I can say. This is how it is, except the book is better, as one of the actors says, he looked around the theater and finally realized that he had accomplished what he had worked for so many years to accomplish.



3. The biggest Broadway hit is coming back this Fall, and the book that tells the story of how it was created back in the mid 70s has come back for a revival as well.
   
   The bulk of the book has stayed the same including the black and white photos. It is a collective oral history of the nineteen original cast members of how they got involved with the project, how they labored through the months of workshops that shaped it, and what its success has meant for their lives and careers. The new edition includes an update on the cast and what they have been doing for the past 16 years.
   
   This is a must have for any fan of A Chorus Line.



4. Viagas, Lee and Walsh, together with the rest of the original cast have made an insightful book which documents the life of this great musical. Filled with remembrances by the cast and with a good collection of photographs by several photographers their book is a treasure chest of facts and memories of Broadway's "Singular Sensation". It is nice to know that author Baayork Lee continues her association with the show after twenty five years, still directing companies of the show and now opening up a website dedicated to the show... I only hope that some day they will provide an updated version concluding with the gala final performance.



5. This book captures the show perfectly from people who were there: The Original Cast. This book never ceases to amaze, and move.

2 comments about Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook - Twentieth Anniversary Edition.

1. South-African born actor/diarist Anthony Sher writes the book on the physical process of character development with his excellent memoir on the evolution of his character for the title role in William Shakespeare's "Richard III".
   
   Sher drew upon the natural terrain in the Western Cape region of southern africa to inform the physicality of his character and to create one of the most memorable interpretations of Richard in Stratford history.
   
   This book is an invaluable source for working actors as well as for non-actors who wish to better understand and appreciate the intuitive actions of the artist in search of excellence.
   
   Antony Sher's other books include the memoirs Woza Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus in South Africa, with Gregory Doran (1997), Beside Myself (2002), Characters (1990), and Primo Time (2005); the novels, Cheap Lives (1995), The Indoor Boy (1996), Middlepost (1989), and The Feast (1999); and the play "ID" (2003).



2. "Year of the King" is a fine opportunity to watch an actor prepare for a role. In this case, the actor, Antony Sher, on the verge of leaving the Royal Shakespeare Company, is offered Richard III, one of Shakespeare's most complex and twisted characters. The book is Sher's journal, filled with a mixture of backstage anecdotes, evocative illustrations by Sher, and moments when the acting process becomes clear, inspired, and thought-provoking. Sher opens his life to the reader, taking us from the initial speculation ("Will they ask me to play Richard?") to the rehearsal processes and character work to the performances. Sher's writing is compelling, honest, and comfortably readable, without even the tiniest bit of ego that so often plagues this kind of journal. It is a glimpse into the process, both artistic and personal, that an actor endures in pursuit of a character. I have used "Year of the King" as a textbook in an acting class, as an example of how one can use a journal, and as a foundation for a course in theatre criticism. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in theatre and classical acting.

1 comments about Speak With Distinction: 75 Minute Audio Practice Cd And Booklet (Applause Acting Series).

1. see title - not a comprehensive cd at all. you're better off with the book and just listening to and watching good speakers when you can.

4 comments about Marisol and Other Plays.

1. Though Rivera's three plays included in this piece could very easily be described as extremely strange, they are most definitely worth reading, both for entertainment value and the thoughts behind the plays. Three plays included were; Marisol, Each Day Dies With Sleep, and Cloud Tectonics. I would encourage anyone interested in this genre of theatre or even anyone who just enjoys reading something that will really make you think to read these plays. Personally I found Each Day Dies With Sleep slightly disturbing but I believe that's part of the idea and I could definitely see where people would find Marisol to be quite disturbing as well, but if you keep an open mind and try to figure out what Rivera was getting at these plays are fun to read. I can't even imagine how amazing they must be live.



2. There's a quiet moment in "Cloud Tectonics" when Celestina, the lost pregnant innocent recites a love poem to the more worldly, slightly jaded male lead. She pours her love out to him in Spanish which, in true tragic fashion, he cannot understand. Each of these plays are about love, but not cliched. Its about sex, but not graphic. Its about art, but not pretension. He cries out to let us know New York, L.A., love, hope, and miracles exists outside of the facade of Hollywood and places dominated by collective commercial thought. Rivera seems angry with how race relations, interpersonal love, and culture in general is malformed by the intrusiveness of corporate agents. His anger never rants though and is carefully interwoven into the structure of the play. Having never seen one of his productions, I can only imagine his alternate worlds.

   Viva la imaginación, Jose.




3. Jose is one of the most brilliant playwrights of the 20th century. His ability for "magic realism" or whatever you would like to call it allows for some of the most honest, inspiring and beautiful writing I have ever experienced. I am so glad he writes for the stage....his plays are exactly what the theatre needs!



4. marisol tackles a lot of issues regarding the human spirit and its vulnerablity. it also touches on issues of religion and its place in our lives. i've never been a person to see or even read plays but i was absolutely and am still absolutely impressed with this play. it is beautifully written. and if you live near or in a big city its theme touches home.

5 comments about The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family.

1. This is the ultimate Simpsons fan's book. It has all of The Simpsons seasons 1-8 in air-order, so you won't have any problem finding them. There are a lot of pictures and colors as well. There are even a list of Homer's D'ohs, Couch Gags, and Chalkboard Gags for every episode. This is well worth the money you pay for it; definitely should be bought by any simpaholic.



2. I bought this book when it first came out, and have re-read it often (fully, and partially) since then. It is an excellent reference for any "Simpsons" fan for the first eight seasons of the show. The pages are full of episode summaries, quotes, and trivia facts from the show. It also offers profiles of characters, and a list of who does what voice. A great source if you cannot remember what guest celebrity voiced a character or any other information like that. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the "Simpsons" and wants to know more about the episodes.



3. Almost everything you could ever think to ask about The Simpsons is in this book. What was Bart writing on the chalkboard in "that one episode"? It's in here. The plots, inside jokes, behind the scenes tales and more await in this excellent resource for fans. This book harkens from the Conan O'Brien-era prime of the series, up to about the late 90's, when the quality (sadly) slipped big time. This was the golden age of The Simpsons, back before the series "became a cartoon." (Anyone who was a fan back in the day knows just what I mean.)



4. The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family is probably the best book on the Simpsons that I've read. It includes, and I am taking this right from the cover, characters, episodes, and secret jokes you might have missed from seasons 1 thru 8. The book was created by Matt Groening and edited by Ray Richmond. It details each episode and even has extras: The Shorts; Homer Says, "D'oh..."; Homer Says, "Mmm..."; Couch Gags; Seen around Springfield; An Itchy & Scratchy Filmography; Who Does What Voice; and Merchandising, Thy Name Is Krusty.
   
   The books dedication even reads:
   TO THE LOVING MEMORY OF
   SNOWBALL I:
   WE HOPE THAT
   THEY CHANGE YOUR CATBOX
   IN KITTY HEAVEN MORE OFTEN
   THAN WE DID DOWN HERE.
   
   My favorite saying in the book is on p. 64, "When Flanders Failed":
   "Hey, Barteleeboobely, care for a steak-a-rooney?" Homer, to Bart as he cooks on the grill that used to belong to Fladners.
   
   I definetly reccomend purchasing this book.



5. It is hard pressed to find anyone who does not like the animated series "The Simpsons". "The Simpsons" is one of the longest running tv series and one of the funniest tv series in history. Unfortunately the last few seasons have been rather inconsistent and lacks the creativity and magic of the earlier episodes, nevertheless the show is a lot smarter and cutting edge than most tv series nowadays. Thank heavens I can relieve the earlier episodes with this official guide to the popular tv series. "The Simpsons: a complete guide to our favorite family" covers the first eight seasons. This is a really excellent comprehensive guide to the show. As a big fan of the first several seasons, I love this book. I loved reading all of the couch gags from the first eight seasons. I didn't realize there was so many until I read them all. I also dug reading the highlights of each episode. I also loved reading the brief bios on the lesser known but equally funny characters like Cletus, Tattoo Annie, and Lionel Hutz. There is a great list of the actors and the cbaracters that they give life to. If you love "The Simpsons" and the first eight seasons, this book is a must have. It is a true testament to Matt Groening as well as the legacy of the show.

5 comments about The Fugitive Recaptured: The 30th Anniversary Companion to a Television Classic.

1. Certain television shows were so enormously popular during their original runs that they have been reincarnated more than once. THE FUGITIVE is one such drama. When Dr. Kimble began to run in 1963 in a three partnered minuet with Lt. Gerard and Fred Johnson, the American viewing public was so enamored of the chase that they refused to accept the judgment of THE JUDGMENT (the series finale) that the running had indeed stopped. Ed Robertson in his THE FUGITIVE RECAPTURED analyzes just what it was that made millions of Americans tune in every Tuesday night to watch Kimble run from one man only to pursue another. Robertson captures the essense of the spirit not just of the show but also of the social subtext of the show. In his Fuge Facts and plot synopses, Robertson well delineates the motivation of a doctor who, in his forced travels, became a collective Keroukian ON THE ROAD, with every watching viewer able to tap into the flip side of the American Dream, that out there in every dusty small town and bustling big city lay adventures that we could not aspire to but Kimble could. Roberston reviews every episode, judges its intrinsic worth, provides the needed Kimble trivia of both character and actor, and adds a handy list of names that Kimble used over a four year run. This list resembles a phone directory of a small town that Kimble must have passed through more than once. Reading THE FUGITIVE RECAPTURED made me think of the follow up success of the filmed version with Harrison Ford and the less succeessful small screen run of Tim Daly. It is not likely that the latter two will ever be considered worthy contenders for a pantheon of running heroes, but Robertson's literary paean to David Janssen serves as a perpetual reminder that for a spirit of a character or of an age to be recaptured, then that spirit must have been worthwhile in the first place. Robertson's book will not let Kimble ever run far enough or fast enough to escape our notice.



2. Ed Robertson's book is definitely the best. I also own "The Fugitive - A complete Episode Guide" by John Cooper and "My Fugitive" by David Janssen's former wife Ellie Janssen which is worth a read!
   Another amazon.com reader mentioned the Twilight Zone Companion. But where is the Peyton Place Companion? I'm missing a book on the TV series "Peyton Place" for several decades and wonder why there is still no book out there.



3. "The Fugitive Recaptured" was published in 1993, thirty years after the TV series, "The Fugitive", premiered on network television in 1963.
   
   This volume, by Ed Robertson, is just about all a "Fuge" fan could want in order to find out everything you'd need (or want) to know about this excellent TV drama, which was on the air for 4 complete seasons (120 episodes from 1963 to 1967).
   
   The book features an "Introduction" by horror author Stephen King, plus a "Foreword" by Fugitive co-star Barry Morse, who portrayed police Lieutenant "Philip Gerard", star David Janssen's chief rival and nemesis during the course of the series. A chapter detailing the origins and conception of the series is also, of course, included here. Interesting stuff too.
   
   Within these 208 pages, each and every episode of "The Fugitive" is dissected and examined in detail -- including cast lists, writing and directing credits, episode numbers, original air dates, episode descriptions, and verbatim "Prologue" and "Epilogue" text (the exact words spoken by series' narrator William Conrad at the beginning and end of each episode).
   
   Many fun "Fuge Facts" are also revealed for many of the 120 episodes. These "Facts" are bits of little-known trivia that make this volume an even more enjoyable read.
   
   In addition -- This book includes extended chapters on the series' Pilot episode ("Fear In A Desert City") and the two-part final episode ("The Judgment"), which remains to this day one of the highest-rated TV programs in the history of the medium.
   
   There is also an "Appendix" area of the publication, with "Appendix 2" consisting of some very interesting trivial facts and data concerning every Fugitive episode -- including every single "alias" that was used by "Dr. Richard Kimble" during the whole run of the series. This appendix is useful to mega-fans of the series, as it also contains information about the "Location" (City/State) of each episode, as well as Kimble's "Occupation" on each show. Example --- Episode 31 had Kimble pretending to be "Frank Borden"; Occupation: "Dishwasher"; Location: "Harrisburg, Pennsylvania".
   
   Many top-notch black-and-white photos are also scattered throughout this paperback publication, mainly publicity stills.
   
   "The Fugitive" (1963-1967) is one of the best TV dramas ever put on the boob-tube. The long-running cat-and-mouse game between Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) and the police officer who let him get away, Philip Gerard (Barry Morse), provided some of the finest tension-filled moments ever aired on television.
   
   "The Fugitive Recaptured" does, indeed, "recapture" the magic that surrounded this first-class piece of television entertainment.
   
   Very Highly Recommended.



4. I can certainly add my kudos to Ed Robertson for his labor of love in this book commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the famous television program. This work brings to life the entire four years that the series ran on network television, and gives the reader the feeling that he was actually "on location" with the cast and crew as they produced this first-rate series. Each episode is fully documented with full credits for the director and all principal actors in the series. The episode synopsis give the reader a feeling of being on the run with the Fugitive. The opening and closing narration for each episode certainly sets the tone for each nights program.

   If you are a fan of this great television series, then this book is certainly for you. I highly recommend it.




5. Mr. Robertson has written a book that was done with an obvious love of the subject matter. Though he admits he discovered David Janssen via his post-Fugitive "Harry-O" series, his thorough research makes this a "must read" for Fugophiles. I was truly impressed by the celebrity interviews. Barry Morse and Stephen King were excellent frontline introductions that certainly legitimized this meticulous account of this classic Television series. Insights from the guest cast ranging from Richard Anderson to Carol Rosser as well as show creator Mr. Huggins were truly informative. However, it is Mr. Robertson who has set the tone of this labor of love by concentrating on what fans of "The Fugitive" want and should remember. This is not a tell all scandal written anthology, rather it is a reminder that this was and is a classic that will endure.

5 comments about How Not to Audition: Avoiding the Common Mistakes Most Actors Make.

1. This is a great book. Ellie and Denny really know their stuff. I've been an Agent, Manager and partner in [...] and this is one of the best books I've read on auditioning. Actors face an incredible amount of rejection in their careers, it's unfortunate but it's a fact of life in this business. This book arms the actor with the tools they need to maximize the potential for success in each audition.
   
   Michael Packenham



2. Very informative. It discusses everything from unions, resumes, headshots, production roles, audtion after-events, and everything in between.



3. As a talent agent, I've had the pleasure of dealing with Ellie directly and I can honestly say that she's someone who really cares about actors. And let's face it. If you want a book about casting, you should buy one that's written by a real casting director, not an out of work actor. This book gets a big thumbs up from me.



4. Ellie Kanner and Denny Martin Flinn's book is mandatory reading for any actor smart enough to realize that it all starts with the audition, and can just as easily end there. How NOT to Audition is the definitive insider's guide to successfully navigating the complicated maze of auditions and landing that all-important role in film, TV and theatre.

   Kanner and Flinn detail the common errors that most inexperienced actors make when auditioning and help guide readers around the hidden pitfalls. How NOT to Audition gives details on proper etiquette during auditions and cold readings and includes strategies and techniques that will help any actor nail that part. While Kanner and Flinn can't guarantee actors a gig, they can guarantee that if they follow these simple guidelines, they will have a more successful auditioning experience.

   Ellie Kanner has been a casting director for the past 14 years. She cast the pilots of Friends, The Drew Carey Show and co-cast HBO's Sex and the City, among others.




5. Ellie Kanner is an expert and experienced casting director. Denny Martin Flinn is a skilled and successful screenwriter. Kanner and Flinn combine their respective talents and insights in How Not To Audition: Avoiding The Common Mistakes Most Actors Make. This outstanding and "real world" based advice guide for earning that crucial role offers the aspiring actor a wealth of practical suggestions, illustrative examples, and a hard-won wisdom derived from long years of personal experience. How Not To Audition is a superb guide which is enthusiastically recommended for anyone with a serious interest in establishing themselves with a performing career in theater, film or television.

5 comments about The Physical Comedy Handbook.

1. While Mr. Robinson's book is a nice description of basic comedy bits and the tricks that make them work, I thought the book cried out for illustrations. I had a difficult time understanding the directions. How much more informative the book could have been if someone had taken the time to illustrate (even stick figures) the wonderful classic moves.
   Still a good book. I hope they reprint it with graphics.



2. I'm a Jr. in High School, and am in a Play Production group, every year we do a One Act Show, full of one acts, I wrote a one act all about demenstrating physical comedy, this book is Awsome because I have learned so much, and the exercises are great, they really work, I really want every single actor/comedian to get this book, because then this would be a funnier world...



3. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful! Time and time again I have found the exercises in this book useful as a student of physical comedy. The book is well set out starting performers off with solo work and taking them all the way up to ensemble work, building the performers' physical vocabulary along the way. The book gives easy to follow, useful descriptions of technique. I can only hope that later editions will include step-by-step illustrations for some of the techniques. I highly recommend this book, and yes it is something you'll refer to again and again.



4. Davis Robinson is one of the most influential figures in my performing arts career. I studied with him at Emerson until his last year before moving on to Bowdoin College. I assistant directed with him as well as taking his movement and physical comedy courses. His knowledge and foresight are inspirational in this book and the excercises he shares are well-explained (here and in real life.) I think of him often and smile because his teachings are dead-on, direct, and completely originated from his extensive background in movement and theatre. He is the type of mentor who kicks you in the butt when you absolutely need it and empathetic when its appropriate. Buy this book and you will get a small glimpse of his artistic and technical prowess.



5. I have studied with Davis Robinson for a Year now at Emerson College, and I wouldn't trade this year of training for anything. He is one of the most brilliant acting teachers I have ever encountered, and I have had the pleasure of reading this book before it's publication date. I truly believe that this should become a standard for all acting classes and teachers for years to come. His brilliance and down to earth approach to this handbook is really something that any actor/teacher who takes their studies and work seriously NEEDS to learn from. I for one am going to keep this book in my back pocket for years to come. Davis Robinson is the Misner of our time, and his book is the perfect way to ring in the Millenium! Davis Robinson has changed my life, and if you read this book it will change yours as well! In fact, Yesterday I saw The Physical Comedy class performance here at Emerson, Davis' last class before he ventures off to Bowdain College, and it was probably one of the funniest things I have ever watched on stage. This book is an imperative item on anyones bookshelp who is serious about the performing arts and the technique behind it all! Buy it now. Read it Often!

5 comments about Titanic: James Cameron's Illustrated Screenplay.

1. When I recieved this book. I was amazed, the pictures are beautiful it had a lot of inside information about the movie I didnt know. It is a must have for any Titanic Collector!!



2. although i DID bring 2 dates to see this JOKE of a flick, there was always somethig that didn't sit right with me: the number of times "Jack" (Leonardo DiCaprio) says "Rose" (Kate Winslet) and VICE-VERSA! so on a drunken hunch i googled the script and copied and pasted it in ms word. Then, i did a text search for the word "Rose". And YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE what i found!!!!! The word "Rose" appears.... are you ready for this? 666 TIMES!!!
   
   that's right! SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX TIMES!! 666 666
   
   proof positive that Leonardo Dicaprio is the Anti-Christ!



3. If you are a fan of the movie "Titanic", I would have to say that you would be crazy not to own this screenplay! It's illustrated with tons of pictures from the movie, which alone would be worth it. But it also shows deleted scenes and lines that weren't in the final cut for the movie. I had a great time, looking through the book and finding all the things that were different from the movie! It also gives good information on behind-the-scenes action, even about ad-libs the actors had. You would be surprised at what they were! I found this book to be even better than "James Cameron's Titanic" even though that was good, also. But if your a true fan, this should definately be a book in your collection!



4. This illustrated screenplay is the greatest book ever. When you're reading it it is like you are watching the movie and if the movie makes you cry the book definatley will too. It includes photos from the film, the script and much more. It is an awesome book to have and I'd reccmend it to anyone.

   Helpful hint: buy it from a used book seller- the book costs $30.00 and i got it brand new for $3.95!!!!




5. 'Titanic : James Cameron's Illustrated Screenplay' is an excellent book! A must-have for any movie buff, Titanic fan, etc. The information and reference material in this book is wondorous! You get the *entire* script, even the deleted scenes, with many little notes, additions, rewrittem scenes, explainations, an extensive and exclusive interview with James Cameron, and over three hundred pictures, most of which are very original and not often printed! The appearance of this book makes it very desirable and collectible! The cover is beautiful and made from quality paper. The text, fonts, colors, and pictures inside this book set the mood and make this book very unique and precious. Buy this book, it's a must-have!!!!