Customer Reviews (1)

About This Book...
This is the out of print script (libretto) of the 1993 Sharkey musical "based on the Frank Capra film and the original story by Philip Van Doren Stern."

With 7 pp of prop plots, costume plots, notes on production, and a floorplan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great
This is no word for this book. It's touching, but still funny. The story teaches that the world is a better place with you than without you. Read this book when life isn't good, for it's very soothing. You will get a laugh too. This is a five star, two thumbs up book. That's why I highlyrecommend it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting Only As a Curio
This book is the result of an effort by a local Kentucky newspaperman to complete David Wark Griffith's unfinished autobiography.

Griffith had played out the string in Hollywood and retreated to his boyhood hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where he lived for a few years. In local circles, he was still something of a minor celebrity. Despite his past success as a director, he was considered passe after 1930. His methods of staging harkened back to the proscenium arched stages of the Nineteenth Century. The film industry had no further use for him after the close of the Silent Era (Griffith made only two talkies) and his final directorial credit, "The Struggle," a study of alcoholism, was poorly received and scarcely exhibited at all. Griffith agreed to write his memoirs solely for the money. He eventually abandoned the long delayed project without completing too much material.

Griffith imagined the story might be entitled "David and the Wolf." Throughout his life, the proverbial wolf seemed to be at the door as he faced imminent poverty. Given his proclivities towards embellishing the truth, many of the charming and fanciful episodes that Griffith described must be seriously discounted. Almost all of the text relates to Griffith's early life and his beginnings in the theater. There is precious little material from the feature film period of his directorial career in Hollywood. As such, the title is a misnomer.

Apart from Griffith's incomplete manuscript, the remainder of the book is a definite patch job. Numerous captioned still photographs round out the the volume. Taken as a whole, the book is eminently forgettable. If you want to learnmore about D. W. Griffith, you need to look elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
Traditionally identified with "screwball" comedies, Frank Capra has seldom been considered a conduit for populist concerns and issues. In this book, Gehring examines the influence of both Will Rogers and Frank Capra on modern populist movies, providing important background on Capra's links to the crackerbarrel personality of Rogers. He follows this theme forward, examining the populist roots in such films as The Electric Horseman, Field of Dreams, Dave, Grand Canyon, and others. A final chapter is a close-up of the contemporary, Capra-like director, Ron Howard. The inclusion of a bibliography and selected filmography makes this book an important contribution to film studies, popular culture, and American humor. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a unique study of the use of cinematic space by four important directors in American cinema from the 1930s to the 1960s: Frank Capra, Ernst Lubitsch, Josef von Sternberg, and William Wyler. Bowman examines each of their distinctive styles and diverse backgrounds and shows how these unique visual styles complement each other--representing the best in classic American cinema, from Ninotchka and Shanghai Express to Best Years of Our Lives to It's a Wonderful Life. ... Read more

Product Description
Although Frank Capra (1897-1991) is best known as the director of It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, You Can't Take It with You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, and It's a Wonderful Life, he was also an award-winning documentary filmmaker as well as a behind-the-scene force in the Director's Guild, the Motion Picture Academy, and the Producer's Guild. He worked with or knew socially everyone in the movie business from Mack Sennett, Chaplin, and Keaton in the silent era through the illustrious names of the golden age. He directed Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, and others. Reading his autobiography is like having Capra sitting in your living room, regaling you with his anecdotes. In The Name Above the Title he reveals the deeply personal story of how, despite winning six Academy Awards, he struggled throughout his life against the glamors, vagaries, and frustrations of Hollywood for the creative freedom to make some of the most memorable films of all time. ... Read more

Product Description
Tells the entire story of the film's production and presents us with an extraordinary wealth of original material. More than 200 photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A must-have for any "Lifer"
Jeanine Basinger has put together the definitive collection of primary source information available about "It's a Wonderful Life."

Anybody who considers him or herself a "Lifer" (a fan of the movie, usually an extreme fan such as myself) needs to purchase this book.

Almost everything you want to know is in here, from the original story the film was based on to interviews with Stewart, an introduction by Capra, pictures galore, the final script, script revisions, notes about suggested censorship, and much, much more.

There is even information in here you wouldn't even think about asking. An example is the name of the "stars in charge." One is named Joseph. What is the name of the other galxy (Hint: The answer isn't God).

I often get e-mails asking me questions about the film. If I don't have the answer, this is the first book I pick up. Of the many times I've been asked questions, I have always found the answer in this book.

This is the ultimate IAWL reference.

Wonderful in every way; just like the movie!
Could it be possible that a book written about the most inspirational American film of all time do justice to it?The answer is a resounding "YES!".Jeanine Basinger's "The It's a Wonderful LifeBook" is the ultimate tribute to the film that Jimmy Stewart, FrankCapra and millions of people all over the world call their favorite of alltime.

Diving into the archives of Frank Capra to tell the evolution ofthe movie from cradle to grave (though it will never die!), Ms. Basingermanages to tell the story with such sincerety, fascination and charm thatyou get the feeling that everything surrounding the movie was just aswonderful as the final product!Best of all, the details of the making ofthe movie are so vivid that you almost start to feel that YOU WERETHERE!

The first thing you realize as you read the story of IAWL is thatis was a really big movie from the gitgo.That is, Mr. Capra had highaspirations for it and did EVERYTHING in his power to make it his greatestand lasting achievement (little argument here) and that Hollywood waswatching.

Fans may know that the story started as a Christmas cardcalled "The Greatest Gift" which finally found its way into Mr.Capra's hands where, after many writes and re-writes into a script, got theCapra touch transforming it into his baby.Then casting began with eachactor painstakingly chosen to be the perfect person for each particularcharacter.

Anecdotes abound, starting with Capra's embarrassinglyjumbled explanation of the storyline while recruiting Stewart. (Fortunately, all Jimmy needed to hear was that Frank wanted him.)Then wehear the one about Stewart's shattered confidence in acting which isrestored when Lionel Barrymore pulls him aside for a peptalk.Finally,We're told that the famous phone scene where George kisses Mary was done ina single take AND THAT TWO PAGES OF DIALOGUE WERE SKIPPED!(Capra saw themagic and said "Print it!").

We also learn some fascinatingfacts about the production such as the 300-yard long set which made BedfordFalls' Main Street and how a record-breaking heat wave took place duringthe shooting of the snow scenes (in which a new technology was developedfor making more realistic-looking snow which won the crew an honorablemention at the Oscars!).Other incredible details are too vast to mention- you've gotta read it for yourself!

The book is worth it if just tolearn all of these amazing facts.Most amazing, though, is the LOVE thatthe two driving forces put into this film culminating in a"Capraesque" out-of-this-world PICNIC for the cast and crew.

The picnic's panoramic photo, which manages to miraculously includethese guys on either end of the crowd (they ran behind as the cameramanslowly panned from left to right) typifies not only the ubiquitousnesswhich Capra had to have to make IAWL a reality, but also how we can neverseem to get enough of our lifetime friend, George Bailey. ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Dziga Vertov, Leni Riefenstahl, Frank Capra, Joris Ivens, John Grierson, Xie Jin, Alexander Mackendrick, Humphrey Jennings, Alberto Cavalcanti, Roman Karmen, Gregory Ratoff, Veit Harlan, Mou Tun Fei, Compton Bennett, Wolfgang Liebeneiner, Fritz Hippler, Herbert Gerdes. Excerpt:Alberto Cavalcanti Alberto de Almeida Cavalcanti (February 6 1897 August 23 1982) was a Brazilian -born film director and producer . Early life Cavalcanti was born in Rio de Janeiro , the son of a prominent mathematician . He was a precociously intelligent child, and by the age of 15 was studying law at university. Following an argument with a professor he was expelled. His father sent him to Geneva , Switzerland on condition that he did not study law or politics. Cavalcanti chose to study architecture instead. At 18 he moved to Paris to work for an architect, later switching to working on interior design . After a visit back to Brazil he took up a position at the Brazilian consulate in Liverpool , England . Cavalcanti corresponded with Marcel L'Herbier , a leading light in France's avant-garde film movement. This led to a job offer from L'Herbier for Cavalcanti to work as a set designer . Film career In 1920 Cavalcanti left his job at the Consulate and moved back to France to work for L'Herbier; he was to be involved in the making of numerous films the most notable being L'Inhumaine . He was soon making his own films, in 1926 directing his first, Rien Que les Heures ( Nothing But Time ) a day in the life of Paris and its citizens. In 1927 he collaborated with Walter Ruttmann on a similar project set in Berlin , called Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt ( Berlin: Symphony of a Big City ). Cavalcanti took a job with Paramount 's French studios after the talkies came in, but he found himself making more co... ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra and loosely based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Journalism & Mass Communications Quarterly Rave Review
The Journalism & Mass Communications Quarterly Review highlights:

"One of the many strengths of this book is Saltzman's writing style. Like good journalism, the writing here is straightforward and clear. The result is a book that is accessible to both students and others interested in film, Capra, the image of the journalist in popular culture, or any combination of the three.

"Academics will find it a valuable resource, especially if teaching a course that examines the image of the journalist, a Capra course, or even a film genres course. In the latter case, the book offers professors an ideal opportunity to supplement genre-based texts in an unexpected way. What Saltzman cleverly does here is show how the journalist, like the gangster or hard-boiled detective...navigates his way through the urban milieu and represents another version of a 'cultural middle man.' Further he elevates the "journalist genre" to the ranks of other, more recognized genres like the gangster or detective, replete with its own codes, conventions, characters, and cliches, and clearly explains how Capra and his collaborators solidified and refined them...."

"Lastly, do not overlook Saltzman's endnotes, which include interesting production notes, additional analysis, comments on and evaluation of his resources, and other useful information. In short, the book could supplement a variety of courses and is an important resource."

"The first book of the IJPC project, Frank Capra and the Image of the Journalist in American Film, sets a precedent of excellence in scholarship, writing, and readability, serving academics, students, and film aficionados alike. Its attractive design, including full-page stills, will hopefully be retained for future entries in the series...."

Author Information on Frank Capra book
"Frank Capra and the Image of the Journalist in American Film" is the first publication of The Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture (IJPC), a project of the Norman Lear Center, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California. For more information, please see our Web site [web page] Publisher: Norman Lear Center, USC Annenberg, 218 pages including 25 photographs.

Critical acclaim for "Frank Capra and the Image of the Journalist in American Film":

"A dandy new book that recalls an area of his moviemaking not often cited." - Howard Rosenberg, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Critic, Los Angeles Times.

"Here is real scholarship and original research presented in a wonderfully readable style. Joe Saltzman's book will be consulted for many years to come by film buffs and media scholars alike. I was hooked from the very first page." -- Leonard Maltin, Film Critic-Historian, "Entertainment Tonight."

"(This book)is indispensable to any student of the American journalist, the mythical as well as the real one." -- Loren Ghiglione, Dean, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.

"Saltzman shows that we could reconstruct most of American journalism, at least as it existed in the middle decades of the twentieth century, through Capra's work. Saltzman convincingly demonstrates that the journalist in his films is the link between the private and public spaces of life - and that negotiating that gap between the heart and the mind, our souls and our jobs, the personal and the professional realms, is the challenge of journalism." -- Ray Carney, Professor of Film and American Studies and Director of the Film Studies Program, Boston University. General Editor: The Cambridge Film Classics Author, "The Films of Frank Capra."

"Although much has been written about Frank Capra's influence on American society, little of this attention has focused on Capra's treatment of that most foundational and fundamental of American institutions, the Fourth Estate. Joe Saltzman corrects that oversight with his carefully researched examination of
the depiction of the press in Capra's films. Saltzman's work, particularly his discussion of several lesser-known films by the director, is a significant contribution, not only to Capra scholarship, but to film and journalism studies." -- Richard R. Ness, Author of "From Headline Hunter to Superman: A Journalism Filmography."

"Joe Saltzman has written a lively and comprehensive account of filmmaker Frank Capra's contribution to the image of the journalist in popular culture." -- Howard Good, Author of "Girl Reporter" and "The Drunken Journalist," State University of New York at New Paltz.

In "Frank Capra and the Image of the Journalist in American Film, author Joe Saltzman looks at the colorful gallery of journalists created by director Capra and his writers who were responsible for much of what Americans thought they knew about their newsgatherers in the twentieth century. Capra's familiar "Stop the Presses!" images still focus our thinking today - the energetic, opportunistic reporter who would do anything for a scoop; the cynical big-city newspaper editor committed to getting the story first; the sarcastic sob sister trying desperately to outdo her male competition; and the morally bankrupt, ruthless media baron who uses the power of the press for his or her own ends. From 'The Power of the Press,' through 'It Happened On Night,' 'Meet John Doe,' and 'State of the Union,' Saltzman shows how the Capra films influenced the public's perception of who and what journalists are all about. an influence that continues to this day." ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Sonny Bono, Frank Zappa, Frank Sinatra, Martin Scorsese, Frank Capra, Joe Dimaggio, Al Pacino, Liza Minnelli, Vincent R. Impellitteri, Susan Sarandon, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Prima, Princess Superstar, Sal Mineo, Antonin Scalia, Vincent Schiavelli, Independence, Louisiana, Jack Valenti, Steve Buscemi, Frankie Laine, Morgana King, Joe Montana, List of Sicilian Americans, Joseph Barbera, Yvonne de Carlo, Jill Biden, Mario Lanza, Gene Sarazen, Johnny Thunders, James Maritato, Joe Cino, Rachael Ray, O'neil de Noux, Patti Lupone, Vincent Cavallaro, Philip Zimbardo, Dana Gioia, Natalie Merchant, Jessicka, Milo Ventimiglia, Eugene D. Genovese, Vince Colletta, Vincent Gallo, Guy Williams, Mario Savio, Joe Trippi, Imero Fiorentino, Dennis Farina, John Turturro, John Cazale, Vincente Minnelli, Judith Regan, Stacy London, Mike Carona, Victor H. Schiro, Dom Dimaggio, Angela Alioto, Leah Remini, Giovanni Ribisi, Joseph Alioto, Chazz Palminteri, Ben Gazzara, Angelo Badalamenti, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Joseph D. Pistone, Paul Malignaggi, Benedict T. Viviano O.p., Joe Alioto Veronese, Michela Alioto-Pier, Billy Barty, Ferdinand Pecora, Robert Maestri, Sam Viviano, Frank Vincent, Pietro Scalia, Nocera, Ahmet Zappa, Tommy Tallarico, Diane Di Prima, Hudson Brothers, Michael Barone, Joseph A. Mussomeli, Joe Kirk, Alan Dale, Iron Eyes Cody, Lino Graglia, Vinnie Paz, Henry Silva, Al Bandiero, Charles Castronovo, Johnny Dundee, Marissa Ribisi, Anthony T. Rossi, Nick Nuccio, Paula Prentiss, Joe Grifasi, Joe Conforte, Louis Vanaria, Avery Storm, Anthony Scarpa, Giovanni Capitello, Robert Giaimo, Vince Dimaggio, Frank Capra, Jr., Jerry Capeci, Daniel Frisa, Michael Gandolfi, Matthew Randazzo V, Frank Sivero, Frank Capra Iii, April Stevens, Pete Rugolo, Duke Mitchell, Cosimo Matassa, Don Dixon, Joseph Cataldo, Catherine Scorsese, Frank Lentini, Richard S. Castellano, Sonny Vaccaro, Chris Cillizza, Frank Viviano, Curt Cacioppo, Victor Anfuso, Tina Si...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=10672 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great magic history and charm!
A great magic history and charm!I am impassioned by Walter Lantz and everyone charmed that he created with its brilliant idea.That book is special.Very interesting and that the love that he had for its work overflows, for its wife and for its friends, and for the people and children of everyone.Walter Lantz is an example for me.It is my reference for my work. It is a book that needs to be at any library of the Wonderful world! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

If Elmore Leonard took a vacation in Greece...
All the fun and excitment of an Elmore Leonard novel, with the added flavors of mordern day Greece. This one sucks you in on page one and leaves you disapointed that it's over.

A Page-Turning Trip to Greece
This fast-paced international yarn follows a vivid cast from California to the Mediterranean and back to a fine ending, and is hard to put down.But the special treat is the author's intimate knowledge of Greece, where thisinternational chase pivots.Frost knows the food, wine, women, sunsets,villages, local phrases, even the bad manners of the tourists, bynationality.If you can't visit Greece, read DEAD PHILADELPHIANS.

A great read
This is a thriller that leaves you with good feelings.A young Greek American commits the almost perfect crime, leading to many trials, adventures, the discovery of his heritage and ethnicity, steamy sex, and avery satisfying conclusion.The portrait of Greek village life is verywarm and sympathetic (in contrast to Kazantzakis').The dialogue isperfect.

I look forward to the movie.I might even look up the author'sscholarly work.

wonderfully taut, fast-moving prose
Peter Green, in the Los Angeles Times Book Review (July 18), said "'Dead Philadelphians' is written in wonderfully taut, flexible, evocative prose: fast-moving, not a word wasted, always conscious ofrhythm...Contributing to the remarkable success of this first novel is thegritty and physical accuracy of detail on everything from prison life toGreek honor feuds, Berlin skinheads, and the polite hypocrisies of Zurichbankers. The net result is a compulsive page-turner that kept me up tillthe small hours. Welcome to an exciting new thriller writer." ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Enrico Fermi, Rudolph Valentino, Frank Capra, Franco Rasetti, Vincent R. Impellitteri, Tommaso Buscetta, Riccardo Giacconi, Isabella Rossellini, Mario Andretti, Joseph Glimco, Enea Bossi, Sr., Geno Auriemma, Charles Atlas, Russell Bufalino, Anthony J. Celebrezze, Licia Albanese, Virgil Cantini, Lidia Bastianich, Primo Carnera, Giuseppe Zangara, Alex Caldiero, Harry Bertoia, Joe Orlando, Guido Calabresi, Joseph Petrosino, Juan Rosai, Frances Xavier Cabrini, Giada de Laurentiis, Antonio Sabàto, Jr., Emilio G. Segrè, Emma Trentini, Guido Deiro, Joe Savoldi, Dan Mitrione, Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, Luigi Chinetti, Nino Marcelli, Henry Woodhouse, Ulderico Marcelli, Domenico Brescia, Ferdinand Pecora, Emilius R. Ciampa, Fulvio Melia, Pietro Deiro, Vincent Gardenia, Mario Procaccino, Luigi Palma Di Cesnola, Fortunato Anselmo, Laura Huxley, Federico Castelluccio, Giovanni Zenatello, Giuliana Rancic, Jason Acuña, Mario Salvadori, Anthony T. Rossi, Monty Banks, Maria Barbella, Alfredo de Palchi, Michael Fedele, Angelo Garzio, Aldo Andretti, Roberto Peccei, Marco Reginelli, Vincent Luke Palmisano, Alberto Giolitti, Lawrence Carra, Gaetano Salvemini, Pietro Frosini, Sal Rocca, Louis Capozzoli, Rudolph Altrocchi, James Desimone, Sergio Franchi, Paul Scurti, Angelo Pellegrini, Victor Anfuso, Giovanni Marradi, Giorgio de Santillana, Angelo Faticoni, Carmelo D'anzi, Lawrence E. Gerosa, Mauro Fiore, George Z. Singal, Giuseppe Prezzolini, Lorenzo Caccialanza, Aurelio Giorni, Arturo Castiglioni. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 417. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is a retired Italian-American automobile racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, In...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=271425 ... Read more