Classic Film

In two past books that I have written, I focused on Forgotten Stars of the 1930s through the 1950s; that is stars who were pretty big movie stars in their time but that most people today would not be familiar with unless they were fans of classic Hollywood films of that era. I have also written books on great Western stars and on good and bad science fiction movies of the 1950s. In this book, however, I am concentrating on my favorite 100 movies of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. I have focused on American films only, with a few British films included also. (I am not an expert on foreign ...

Billy Wilder: A Complete Guide to the Life, Films, and Legacy of Hollywood’s Master Storyteller is the definitive resource for anyone who loves classic cinema and wants to understand one of its greatest creative minds. From noir masterpieces like Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard to beloved comedies like Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, Billy Wilder’s career spanned nearly five decades and reshaped the possibilities of film. This comprehensive book explores his remarkable journey from his beginnings in Vienna and Berlin to his rise as an Academy Award–winning director in ...

From the triumphant “Main Title” in Star Wars to the ominous bass line of Jaws, John Williams has penned some of the most unforgettable film scores—while netting more than fifty Academy Award nominations. This updated and revised edition of Emilio Audissino’s groundbreaking volume takes stock of Williams’s creative process and achievements in music composition, including the most recent sequels in the film franchises that made him famous. Audissino details his lasting impact and cements his legacy as one of the most important composers in movie history.

This revised and expanded edition of Eddie Muller's Dark City is a film noir lover's bible, taking readers on a tour of the urban landscape of the grim and gritty genre in a definitive, highly illustrated volume. Dark City expands with new chapters and a fresh collection of restored photos that...

This book looks at the contributions made by the actors and actresses who appeared in film noir, and the directors who made them: Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles, Joan Bennett, Dan Duryea, John Carradine, Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Edmond O’Brien, Van Heflin, Robert Ryan, Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, James Cagney, Ida Lupino, John Huston, Delmer Daves, Edgar G. Ulmer, Fritz Lang, Anthony Mann, Phil Karlson, Lewis Allen, Robert Wise, Henry Hathaway, John Brahms, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Jacques Tourneur, Alfred ...

The History of Slasher Films: From Cult Classics to Modern Horror Icons is your ultimate guide to one of cinema’s most enduring—and thrilling—genres. Whether you're a longtime horror fan or just discovering the thrill of the Final Girl, this engaging and in-depth book traces the evolution of the slasher film from its early roots in the 1930s to its 21st-century reinvention. Packed with fascinating film history, cultural analysis, iconic characters, and must-watch movie recommendations, this book explores how slasher movies reflect our fears, challenge social norms, and continue to ...

Mark Kermode’s compelling study of this horror classic was originally published in 1997, and then extensively updated and expanded in 2003 to incorporate the discovery of new material. This revised edition documents the deletion and reinstatement of key scenes that have now been integrated into the film to create The Exorcist: The Version You’ve Never Seen. Candid interviews with director William Friedkin and writer/producer William Peter Blatty reveal the behind the-scenes battles which took place during the production.

NOSFERATU – A Symphony of Horror The Cult Film Transformed into a Novel – Darker, Deeper, Unrelenting Over 100 years ago, F.W. Murnau introduced the world to the very first vampire film, Nosferatu – A Symphony of Horror. Now, the myth awakens once again – not on the screen, but on the pages of this novel. This adaptation not only honors the cinematic classic, it expands and deepens its terror, elevating the horror to a whole new level. If you’re a fan of vampire legends, Gothic horror, and classic tales of dread, this book is made for you. A Journey into Darkness Follow Thomas ...

Twelve dramatisations of the best love stories ever written, performed by star casts Treat yourself to this stunning collection of classic stories of love, loss, obstacles overcome and desperate attraction. This is a beautiful, moving and at times thrilling listen which takes you on a journey...

Long before Mary Poppins danced across the rooftops and into the hearts of millions, Robert and Richard Sherman were struggling songwriters in Los Angeles, trying to find their voices—and their futures. In this vivid and deeply researched narrative, author and Disney historian Todd James Pierce traces the unlikely path that brought the Sherman brothers to Walt Disney's attention, and how their personal history, musical genius, and emotional lives shaped the film's unforgettable songs and surprising storyline.

Dave Karger, Turner Classic Movies host and film expert, leads compelling and unexpected discussions with stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sterling K. Brown, Tom Ford, Carol Burnett, and many more, on their top film recommendations of decades past, comprising a...

Read the modern classic about a young witch and her clever cat that started it all! Nostalgic fans of the Hayao Miyazaki film, Kiki's Delivery Service and newcomers alike will love this exciting new translation of the beloved fantasy story. "A gentle story of magic-tinged independence."—The...

America’s most trusted and best-known film critic Roger Ebert presents two hundred brilliant essays on some of the best movies ever made in this two-book collection containing THE GREAT MOVIES and THE GREAT MOVIES II. Roger Ebert, the famed film writer and critic, wrote biweekly essays for a...

In this compelling study, Joshua Clover undertakes the task of decoding the film. Examining The Matrix's digital effects and how they were achieved, he shows how the film represents a melding of cinema and video games (the greatest commercial threat to have faced Hollywood since the advent of television) and achieves a hybrid kind of immersive entertainment. He also unpacks the movie's references to philosophy, showing how The Matrix ultimately expresses the crisis American culture faced at the end of the 1990s.

Ernest Hemingway's masterpiece on war, love, loyalty, and honor tells the story of Robert Jordan, an antifascist American fighting in the Spanish Civil War. In 1937 Ernest Hemingway traveled to Spain to cover the civil war there for the North American Newspaper Alliance. Three years later he...

The #1 New York Times bestseller and “frightening” (The New York Times) thriller from master storyteller Stephen King about a clairvoyant man who must weigh his options when he sees the terrible future awaiting mankind. When Johnny Smith was six years old, head trauma caused by a bad...

The bestselling science fiction series of all time continues! Frank Herbert's second installment explores new developments on the desert planet Arrakis, with its intricate social order and its strange threatening environment. Dune Messiah picks up the story of the man known as Maud'dib, heir to...

Ernest Hemingway’s classic memoir of Paris in the 1920s, now available in a restored edition, includes the original manuscript along with insightful recollections and unfinished sketches. Published posthumously in 1964, A Moveable Feast remains one of Ernest Hemingway’s most enduring works...

The #1 New York Times bestseller, Cujo “hits the jugular” (The New York Times) with the story of a friendly Saint Bernard that is bitten by a bat. Get ready to meet the most hideous menace ever to terrorize the town of Castle Rock, Maine. Cujo used to be a big friendly dog, lovable and loyal...

With an introduction written and read by New York Times–bestselling author Gabrielle Zevin comes this special 50th Anniversary Edition of the beloved children’s classic with more than more than 10 million copies sold. This program is read by renowned actor Alexis Bledel, celebrated for her...