Saturday, July 6, 2019

Horror, Dashing, Sci-Fi, Moore, Warner Bros. and Makeup


I’m a sucker for books about the movie and TV industries.

Anything and everything about the production, acting, genre and the like fascinate me.

That’s why I am so pleased that Globe Pequot sent me six titles (from various publishers) that feed my fascination with the cinema and small screen.

An Illustrated History The Art Of Horror Movies, edited by Stephen Jones and Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, presents an art and photograph gallery celebrating horror films from all over the world beginning with classic black and white and silent films.

Movie directors, producers, writers, film fans and others associated with the horror film genre contribute fascinating commentaries, little known historical facts and real insider looks at the making of the films.

The deluxe hardbound book is practically bulging at its covers with page after page of luscious poster, promotional, original and book and periodical art and photos.

There’s even some previously unpublished art included along with specially commissioned art just for the book.

If you are a horror film buff then this is the ultimate guide about the art for the films along with plenty of informative text.

It’s no secret that I believe that the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s were the best years for TV.  There are a few exceptions of course but by and large those three decades define good TV for me.

Maybe because TV was in its infancy and was just starting to grow up that made the shows so diverse, entertaining and in some cases unusual.

Not unlike we humans as we grow and mature.

Dashing, Daring, And Debonair TV’s Top Male Icons Form The 50s, 60s, and 70s, by author Herbie J. Pilato and Taylor Trade Publishing, delves into the macho men and masculine mystique from each TV show decade.

Comedians, dramatic actors, and variety stars: they’re all present in a wonderful collection of segments spotlighting each and every male star.

Learn all about their backgrounds, how they got into the business, what shows they starred in and so much more.

Each section includes color photos of such well-known stars as Adam West, Nat King Cole, Henry Winkler, James Arness and dozens of other stars from Westerns to Superhero shows.

What makes the book especially interesting is that it includes not just the rough and ready heroic stars but actors and other TV persona of all personality types.

The books provides hours of fun reading and after reading each entry readers come away with a real understanding and appreciation for each star’s life, career and contribution to TV and American culture.

So, you  think you know everything there is to know about science fiction films?  I don’t think so!

Modern Sci-Fi Films FAQ by Tom DeMichael and Applause Theatre & Cinema Books lets readers know all that’s left to know about time travel. alien, robot, and out-of-this-world movies since 1970.

Test you knowledge of pre and postproduction, actor and actresses biographies, behind-the-scenes activities, story synopses and everything else that has to do with Sci-fi films since 1970.

Trust me, you’ll come away with a whole new appreciation and head full of knowledge about each film and enjoy each and every minute of it.

I never particularly cared for actor Roger Moore’s take on super-spy James Bond.  He seemed too flippant and off-the-cuff for my taste.

But I absolutely loved him as TV’s Simon Templar in The Saint and many of his other TV and movie roles.

Never one to take himself too seriously or to exude self importance, Roger Moore knew and made it quite vocal that he was very lucky in his career...and it wasn’t necessarily because of his acting talent.

Roger (with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek) recounts his career from its high and lows to its gradual decline into retirement years.

In One Lucky Bastard Tales From Tinseltown, published by Lyons Press, he recounts his 70 years in the business.

Regarded as one of the nicest men in the acting profession Roger was known for his wit, charm and as a raconteur.

Filled with anecdotes and personal recollections, the book is a delightful a whimsical look at his long career as recalled by Mr. Moore.

As much as I love watching movies and TV shows I’m just as interested as to what goes on behind-the scenes, especially as it pertains to wardrobe, set design, backlots and other activities not seen on the small or large screen.

Warner Bros. Hollywood’s Ultimate Backlot, by Steve Bingen and published by Lyons Press, provides a first-person tour of the inner workings of the famous studio.

Archival and recent photos accompany text that recounts the history of the studio along with its many stars, films and TV series filmed at the studio.

Aliens, deformities, monsters, injuries, aging-these are just a few of the tricks makeup artists provide for TV and film.

One of the all-time great makeup artists is Michel Westmore.

In Makeup Man Michel talks about his amazing career and creations from Rocky to Star Trek,

Actor Patrick Stewart provides the foreword in this wonderful collection of makeup innovations Michel has created over the decades.

Readers are privy to his makeup secrets, some little known film and TV series incidents and the many hurtles and obstacles Michael faced from actors and actresses to studio executives.

It’s very up close and personal recollection of his career as only he can chronicle it in Makeup Man from Lyons Press.

You’ll come away realizing that makeup art is much more than simply applying powder and paint, it is a high-tech amalgamation of prosthetics, hairpieces and more with more of it share of human interaction thrown in for good measure.

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