Blade Runners, Deer Hunters, and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies by Michael Deeley and Matthew Field (Faber and Faber, Hardcover) 288 pages £18.99 Published 2^nd October 2008 ISBN-10: 0571239196

 

The appropriately winding title links three seemingly unconnected cinema classics: Blade Runner, The Deer Hunter and The Italian Job. The throughline for these pictures is their veteran British producer, Michael Deeley. Deeley progressed from ground up in the film business, editing and then dubbing foreign films in the 1950’s. Producing his first pictures and then joining critically-acclaimed Woodfall Films, he journied onwards to produce pictures for Paramount getting acquainted with studio owner Charlie Bludhorn and that irrepressible kid, studio chief Robert Evans while producing the film, The Italian Job. Deeley then went on to manage British Lion Films which was then taken over by EMI. Deeley got a new perspective: that of heading a studio. He outlines the difficult creative and commercial decisions that come with the job. His involvement in The Deer Hunter which led to him winning the 1978 Academy Award for Best Picture was a filmic heart of darkness with director Michael Cimino becoming the Col. Kurtz of the piece. Despite his Oscar win, Deeley’s own personal creative height was the finding, nuturing and producing Blade Runner, Ridley Scott’s dystopian masterpiece which still resonates powerfully with audiences and artistes today. Deeley has remained in touch with the film industry via several advisory, consultant roles.

However, the book is more than just a run through productions. Deeley details life in London at the heart of the Swinging Sixties and laid-back Los Angeles in the 1970’s. He reminisces (sometimes pithily) about working with a galaxy of film-making stars: Peter Sellers, Stanley Baker, Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Peter O’Toole, Christopher Lee, Nic Roeg, Michael Cimino, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Ridley Scott and many others fore and aft of the camera. Deeley is a straight talking, ascerbic story teller who speaks from a position of intimate knowledge of all his productions and knows where the bodies are buried. He also enlightens us on a little explored subject of film-making: the role of producer. The nexus of show and business is entertainingly examined in this terrific tome by the man who came to shoot. The book has a forward by Sir Ridley Scott and sketches by himself and Sir Alan Parker with contributions by Sir Michael Caine and Lord David Puttnam. It also boasts over 30 unpublished black and white and colour pictures: Deeley being presented an Oscar by John Wayne, Michael Caine and Noel Coward at the Savoy, Deeley playfully challenging Peckinpah, Robert De Niro and Michael Cimino off set. Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott. Co-written by Matthew Field (Cinema Retro contributor and author of The Making of The Italian Job and Michael Caine, You’re A Big Man) the book benefits from a wealth of film research and knowledge. This is a must for the Cinema Retro reader.-

Ajay Chowdhury is the Editor-in-Chief of the James Bond magazine Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)

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Despite enormous publicity, Sean Connery's semi-autobiographical tome Being a Scot has been deemed a flop in the publishing world - primarily due to the fact that it is less about the man than his views on his Scottish heritage and Scotland's role in the world today. Connery aborted several other attempts to write a traditional autobiography because he was not eager to share intimate aspects of his life. Instead, he turned Being a Scot into a quasi-autobiography that many reviewers found a bit dry. The lack of gossip resulted in public disinterest and the book has enjoyed shockingly low UK sales totaling only 5,000 copies. Connery did very limited publicity for the book in contrast to Sir Roger Moore, whose recently published autobiography is being heavily promoted by the star.

There is literally no one in the film world with the pedigree of Ernest Borgnine when it comes to having honed his craft by working with true legends of the cinema. In fact, Borgnine himself is movie legend with a screen career extending back over half a century to his memorable portrayal of the villain Fatso Judson in From Here to Eternity. This was followed in short order by his Oscar winning title performance in Marty, the little film that could. In the ensuing years, Borgnine has become a familiar presence to any movie lover, regardless of their age. At long last, he has produced an autobiography - and unlike many of the ghost-written, self-aggrandizing volumes produced by celebrities, Borgnine's book- simply titled Ernie (Kensington Publishing) is as disarming and charming as its author. Borgnine is truly a man for all seasons when it comes to his ability to play a wide range of roles. Consider his turns as bad guys in films like Hannie Caulder and Emperor of the North and then recall he just as easily slid into the mode of hero in movies like Escape from New York and The Vikings. Even when playing a heroic type, Borgnine often made the character complex and flawed, thus far more interesting than the standard cardboard types found in many films.

Ernie is a true page-turner that is written in a witty by gentlemanly style. Borgnine's few negative comments about others are anything but vicious and he even gives a sympathetic nod to his "blink-and-it's-over" marriage to the mercurial Ethel Merman. Instead, Borgnine concentrates on his penchant for self-deprecating humor, as though he can still barely believe he has been so successful in a field he initially had to be pushed into by his mother, who originally wanted him to become a barber. Borgnine traces the tragedies and triumphs of his life with sentiment and wit, joking about his inability to find the right wife until he met his current spouse, his beloved Tovah whom he met 35 years ago. There are wonderful anecdotes about his stint in the Navy, losing his virginity at an advanced age, and his early days in the New York theater in which he actually gave up a big paycheck on Broadway to return to a stock company where he felt he could better hone his craft. However, the most enjoyable aspect of the book is, unsurprisingly, his recollections of starring in films like Bad Day at Black Rock, The Dirty Dozen, The Poseidon Adventure, the McHale's Navy TV series, and, of course, Sam Peckinpah's classic The Wild Bunch. The stories are priceless and often hilarious and Borgnine proves to be as talented a writer as he is an actor- which is no faint praise. It's the most enjoyable autobiography I've read in years hampered only by the fact I wish it were twice the page count because it left me wanting more. Although Borgnine is 91 years-old, it would surprise no one if there is a volume two in his future.- Lee Pfeiffer

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Hellraisers: The Life and Inebriated Times of Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Peter O’Toole and Oliver Reed by Robert Sellers (Preface Publishing)

Today’s generation of bad boy movie stars are complete wimps when compared to the likes of Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole, Richard Harris and – in particular- Oliver Reed. These blokes didn’t need to act like tough guys, they were the real thing. Ultimately, their incessant boozing, smoking, womanizing and brawling took years off their lives (though, thankfully, O’Toole is proving to be the exception), yet according to Cinema Retro contributor Robert Sellers’ fascinating new book, they would not have had it any other way. Sellers traces the lives of these iconic actors back to their roots but the bulk of Hellraisers is dedicated to the almost surrealistic exploits of the British version of The Rat Pack. The book is packed with anecdotes that range from the incredible to the hilarious. Here’s but a few: when Eddie Fisher called home to check on wife Elizabeth Taylor, he was astonished to find Richard Burton answering the phone. When he demanded to know what Burton was doing at his house, the Welsh lothario told him simply, “I’m fucking your wife.” Peter O’Toole once wanted a drink so badly that when he was refused service in a pub, he bought the establishment on the spot so he could serve himself. Oliver Reed was once clocked in at drinking 126 pints of lager in a 24 hour period in the same pub. The book is a mesmerizing page-turner and makes you realize how the days of legendary film stars are truly behind us.-  Lee Pfeiffer

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Mike Thomas looks at a new book by an old friend.

When I first moved to Los Angeles about a dozen years ago, the one person I wanted to meet was Robert Relyea. Now, this may seem like an odd choice since his is hardly a household name, but Bob Relyea’s credit was on just about every one of my favorite movies growing up. And if you’re reading Cinema Retro, the odds are these films are favorites of yours as well - “The Alamo,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “West Side Story,” “The Great Escape,” and “Bullitt,” to name a few of the classic movies he worked on.His nominal title on a picture like “The Great Escape” was assistant to the producer but this hardly begins to describe what he actually contributed to that film. He scouted locations, he was the production manager, directed all the night scenes (because John Sturges didn’t like working nights), he even flew the plane that James Garner piloted in the film and was courageous enough to take on the hazardous job of stunt pilot when the plane needed to crash. Oh, and that immortal shot of Steve McQueen jumping the barbed wire fence on his motorcycle? Yup, Bob Relyea directed that.

They say it’s best not to meet your heroes, that they will only let you down. Well, as usual “they” are wrong. I finally got to meet Mr. Relyea and it has been one of the great pleasures of my life to be able to call him my friend. A finer, more decent man I have never met and he is also one of the best storytellers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Now, with the publication of his memoirs of a life in the motion picture industry, “Not So Quiet on the Set,” you, too, have the opportunity to meet Robert Relyea and I urge you to do yourself a great favor and read one of the funniest and most moving books about the movie industry I have ever read. The style of the book perfectly captures the voice of the man I know - understated, honest, slightly amazed at the things he has seen and been a part of, and full of a puckish wit that infuses the incredible goings on. And what a cast of characters! Grace Kelly, Marlon Brando, Elvis, John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Frank SInatra, Steve McQueen, Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, June Allyson, Yul Brynner, Burt Lancaster, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Cliff Robertson, David McCallum and Peter Sellers, even the Beatles make an appearance. And the directors he’s worked with are here as well - Vincente Minnelli, William Wyler, Robert Wise, Blake Edwards, Peter Yates, Mark Rydell and his mentor, the great John Sturges. In fact, the story about how Sturges happened to make “Bad Day at Black Rock” is worth the price of admission alone, as they used to say. It’s hard to pick out a favorite anecdote, they are all so well told, but there are a couple of stories about the making of “The Alamo” that are priceless, including one about Relyea having a conversation with John Wayne as a horse proceeded to bite the Duke on the ass. Wayne turned around and socked his equine attacker squarely on the snout without missing a beat in the conversation with Relyea. And this was years before Mongo in “Blazing Saddles!” “I realized then,” Bob once told me, “He wasn’t acting. He really WAS John Wayne!”

“The Alamo” provides the book with some of its funniest moments as well as one of the most dramatic. During the long, arduous shoot, Relyea developed a bleeding ulcer that came within minutes of killing him. Thanks to the blood transfusions of the many stuntmen on the film, he survived, thanks to the massive infusions of stuntmen’s blood, almost all of it laced with copious amounts of tequila, Jack Daniels and Scotch. In fact, there’s a funny story that Bob Relyea once told me about that film, that isn’t in the book so I won’t be giving anything away if I recount it here. “On the first day of shooting, one of my responsibilities was to watch Duke play the scene, since they didn’t have video monitors in those days for him to look at after the shot was completed. Well, I got so pre-occupied with the set-up and and everything that I didn’t notice until we all saw the dailies that because he had lived so long with this project, Duke not only knew his lines, but knew every other actor’s lines in the scene as well. And when we saw the dailies, there he was, silently mouthing the other actor’s lines as they were delivering them. I was so focused on everything else, I missed it, and I can assure you that I caught hell for that one!”

Legendary sex symbol Raquel Welch has decided to let it all hang out, at least in the literal sense. The National Enquirer is reporting the 67 year old actress is inking her memoirs titled Secrets of Timeless Appeal that will reveal the steamy details of flings with Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Warren Beatty and many others. For more click here

Review: I Hear No Bugles By Robert Winston Mercy. (Merriam Press, 2008)

By Wesley Britton

Even in the first days of the silent movie era, film producers knew well the value of celluloid stories as propaganda. Before World War I, those opposed to America’s involvement overseas cranked out tragic tales designed to discourage any support for the then feared “Merchants of Death.” Just as quickly, once war was declared, Hollywood shifted gears and found itself a major contributor to recruitment drives. Scripts now starred small-town heroes including little girls exposing saboteurs in Grandpa’s lab and high-flying aviators shooting down fellow aces, all part of the vital effort to crush the Wiley “Huns” at home and abroad.

From that point forward, war movies resonated with the themes of valor, glory, and stoic self-sacrifice in which anyone anywhere could find themselves elevated morally and spiritually by doing their patriotic duty. Onscreen, whether battling Southern rebels, Indian tribes in the Old West, or German U-Boats, a soldier’s life was something to aspire to, yearn for, and a glorious death on the battlefield was preferable to returning home to a devoted sweetheart without having come of age in the trenches. The impact of so many films with these motifs is immeasurable, especially on the “Greatest Generation” which was moved into action as much by the gallant epics they saw in theatres as well as the newsreels shown after Pearl Harbor.

One story from these times is unique. The opening pages of a new memoir by Robert Winston Mercy, I Hear No Bugles, begins with scenes of a young American drawn into a soldier’s life due to what he had seen in moviehouses. Then, we learn about the life of a front-line infantryman in North Korea discovering just how war was never what was shown in dark auditoriums. Then, bringing his story full circle, Robert Winston Mercy came home to become first a stunt-man and then a contract player at MGM playing the very roles he’d grown up watching, only this time as military commanders in TV series like Combat!, Maverick, and Playhouse 90.

The first paragraph of I Hear No Bugles makes Mercy’s thesis clear:

“The effects of propaganda films cannot be underestimated, particularly in this era of contending political and religious dogmas that relentlessly threaten to make this century even more unimaginably bloodier than the last. Indisputably, film is second to literacy in the intellectual, philosophical and moral development of the human species. The defunct uniformed `press-gangs’ of history that `Shanghaied’ young men into military service have been supplanted by the more subtly hypnotic persuasion of TV and the movies. Every image, symbol and mode of, each delivered word is meticulously crafted to extract the desired emotional and moral support from its national audience. Those ships, planes, submarines, helicopters, tanks and the expended ammunitions of the armies of soldiers we see on the screen are freely given to the studios for that explicit purpose.”

In 1959, underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger blew the lid off the gossip industry with his book Hollywood Babylon. Not only did Anger tear off the veil covering the true stories behind celebrity scandals, he generously illustrated his book with rare photos of the crime scenes, showing celebs either in the process of being arrested or how they were discovered after committing suicide. The book rocked the film industry and all of a sudden a bad word in Walter Winchell's column no longer seemed scandalous. The book was reprinted many times over the years and remains a "must-have" in any film fan's library. Anger, whose gay-themed films caused scandals in their day, eventually wrote a sequel to the book in the 1970s and had planned to put out a third version of the book. He never got around to it and now authors Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince have decided to do it for him with a volume titled Hollywood Babylon: It's Back! which brings readers up to date on more recent scandals involving contemporary stars. Upon getting word of the new book, Kenneth Anger, who is terminally ill with cancer, was said to be so livid that he allegedly placed a curse on the authors. We'll take that one with a grain of salt, as it seems to be based on Anger's friendship with departed Satanic cult leader Anton LaVey. Nevertheless, the new book seems to carry on the spirit of Anger's original by giving the film industry the ultimate bitch-slap with stories that explore whether Lucille Ball was a hooker and alleging that Ava Gardner was addicted to visiting bordellos. (Lucky working girls!)
The publishers say the book's 1000 photos don't stint on both full male and female nudity - so, hey, there's something for everyone in the family! Don't forget, Father's Day is almost here and ol' dad would surely like this book more than that case of oil you were going to get him to keep his chainsaw lubed. Click here for more

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We recently received a review copy of a new book with a clever title that immediately caught our eye: Now Playing at a Theater Near Me. The book is author Tim McGlynn's debut effort and it's sure to have great appeal to anyone who loves movies of the 1970s. McGlynn has fashioned a fast-moving, witty work of fiction based on his upbringing in small town America and how the movies of this era influenced his life. The plot consists of all fact-based incidents with the names changed to protect the goofy. McGlynn recounts coming-of-age stories all tied in with film-related anecdotes including a real life debacle that occurred in high school when he and his friends attempted to film a tribute to Dog Day Afternoon that ends rather disastrously. Mixed into the yarn are insightful recollections and critiques of films ranging from The Laughing Policeman to The Exorcist. McGlynn also amusingly recalls the frustration of the pre-home video era in which long-suffering fans had to enure the cruel and often ridiculous censoring of their favorite films when they premiered on network TV. (He still carries an understandable grudge about how ABC butchered John Wayne's The Cowboys!). Best of all, however, McGlynn captures the charm of movie-going in a small town environment. Anyone with fond memories of such experiences should read this book. Hopefully, there's a sequel in the works. - Lee Pfeiffer

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What does retired The Price is Right host Bob Barker, martial arts icon Chuck Norris and the severely over-hyped and under-performing Snakes on a Plane have in common? They've all been immortalized on people's bare skin through commemorative tattoos. A new book titled No Regrets: The Best, Worst & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever displays the evidence in living color. It's bad enough these saps had the "artwork" seared into their skin in the first place, but they now want to share their human canvases with the rest of the world. The Radar magazine web site has a hilarious article about how the tattoo craze has morped into the mainstream- with tragic results. There's also a photo gallery of the worst-of-the-worst. (Can you imagine trying to pick up a chick by showing your Snakes on a Plane tattoo? What could be worse: Yahoo Serious in Young Einstein?) For the article and photo gallery click here

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Charles McGraw, Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy. (Mcfarland and Co. 2007.)

By Wesley Britton

“I'm all for new faces. And I'm not sore at the producers. They give a kid good direction and custom- written parts and sometimes the kids click. But I get my dander up at the way some of these kindergarten actors put on the dog. They let their hair grow long if they're a man or cut it off if they're a woman. They start giving out with their theories on picture-making and the theatre in general, when most of them haven't been closer to the stage than the one in the high school auditorium. They get interviewed and they say unusual things—and they make me sick . . . Trouble with kids today [is that] they don't want to be actors half as much as they want to be stars. The craftsmanship, the joy of doing something well hasn't half the exciting appeal as the dollars or the phony glamour.”

While the quote above might seem a perfectly appropriate jab at moviedom’s current rash of questionably talented box-office draws, it was actually made in 1955 by longtime character actor, Charles McGraw. He was fresh off his most recent role in The Bridges at Toko-Ri and spoke from a deep well of experience. After all, from 1942’s The Dying Monster to 1976’s Twilight’s Last Gleaming—his 68^th feature film--the much respected actor worked with virtually everyone in Tinsel Town. He would play the cruel slave-master Marcellus in Spartacus (1960) and suffer a broken-jaw when the film’s lead, Kirk Douglas, overdid it in one scene. McGraw played Sebastian Sholes in The Birds (1963) but would never work for Alfred Hitchcock again due to an ill-advised fat joke. He was among the all-star cast of Stanley Kramer’s 1963 It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and enjoyed a career comeback when he played the father of the psychopathic killer, Perry Smith (Robert Blake) in 1967’s In Cold Blood. But, as demonstrated in the title of Alan K. Rode’s Charles McGraw, Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy, the “working class” actor would never become a household name. Still, he left behind an impressive resume of work that stretched over three decades.

Doing Justice to Justice.

For those of our readers who are unfamiliar with the name James Robertson Justice, shame upon you. For those of you who are, then you’re in for a real treat.

James Robertson Justice: “What’s The Bleeding Time?” A Biography, by James Hogg (assisted by Retro’s regular columnist and author Robert Sellers, and also Howard Watson) is a wonderful insight into the life of this amazing and charismatic actor.

If you thought the lives of David Niven and Peter Ustinov were fascinating, then add James Robertson Justice to this elite bunch of theatrical raconteurs. Long-time friend of the Royal family, Justice saw action in both the Spanish Civil War and WWWII. He was a racing driver, a professional ice hockey player, and was elected Rector of Edinburgh University twice! However, it is his screen performances that we all remember and associate him with; those where he played a commanding figure in high authority, like the head of a college, or surgeon general of a hospital, especially that of Sir Lancelot Spratt in the famed British comedy ‘Doctor’ series.

I’m not going to divulge anymore, for this is a book you must read. Tomahawk Press, one of the best independent publishing houses of niche market title books in the world, are to be applauded for bringing this excellent tome to add to our library of movie books. Superbly researched, handsomely illustrated (both B&W and colour), I cannot highly recommend this enough. So far, my best book of the last six months. If you love British film history and British film comedy, plus want to read about the most eccentrics of actors, then this is for you. Oh, and when I said he was a ‘friend’ of the Royal family, then one only has to look to the foreword – it’s by H.R.H. The Duke Of Edinburgh. Need I say more? - Dave Worrall

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A recently published book from the University of Utah Press compiles dozens of essays relating to the films and career of Clint Eastwood. Titled Clint Eastwood: Actor and Director, the book is now available through the Cinema Retro Amazon Movie Book Store. Here is the description from Amazon:

Clint Eastwood, Actor and Director: New Perspectives is an anthology of essays by learned authors discussing Hollywood star Clint Eastwood, who has made a stand-out name for himself as a top-notch director through films such as "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby". Individual essays include "Mocking Success in 'Every Which Way but Loose'", "Irony as Absolution", "Mystic Moral Miasma in 'Mystic River'", and much more. The essays have a scholarly tone and a perceptive eye toward meticulous analysis of theme; Clint Eastwood, Actor and Director is especially recommended for film studies students and professionals who would learn from Eastwood's work, as well as cerebral Clint Eastwood fans.

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Author Michael Klossner has found an unexplored niche in the realm of movie books: cavemen! The author's book Prehistoric Humans in Film and Television covers the wide gamut of caveman movies and TV series including such low budget gems as Teenage Caveman to the slightly more upscale 2001: A Space Odyssey. There's also plenty of ink given to those liberated cavewomen, who despite having to fend off dinosaurs and sexually uncontrollable guys from the 'hood, still managed to remain perfectly groomed with shaved legs, coiffed hair and abundant makeup. For an interview with the author click here.

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You know we live in liberated times when porn queens write their autobiographies in the same type of breathless prose generally reserved for Hollywood legends. Yet, the porn industry has provided it's own hierarchy of royalty and one of the superstars of years gone by was Christy Canyon, who was voluptuous in an era that frowned upon store-bought bodies and the kind of plastic sex symbols that dominate the industry today. (Not that we ever watched any of her movies, of course!) Canyon's story is a familiar one: down-on-her-luck actress who fell into the industry out of desperation and emerged on top (so to speak). Her autobiography bears the witty title of Lights, Cameras, Sex!  and pulls no punches in exploring the ups and downs of surviving in an industry that requires a good many ups and downs. Here is the description from Amazon:

Christy Canyon's flamboyant debut into the world of adult video in 1984 rocked the porn industry like never before. Selling millions of copies, her videos quickly established her as the world's leading porn star. Take a ride on the wild side with her in this new, explosive tell all autobiography. Loaded with juicy behind the scenes details, Canyon describes her adventures and misadventures with other porn stars such as Traci Lords, Ginger Lynn, Ron Jeremy and Peter North, just to name a few. She also blows the lid off of her encounters with mainstream celebrities.

Go behind the scenes in this explosive autobiography!!

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Superman on Film, Television, Radio and Broadway by Bruce Scivally. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers; 2007.

In many ways, this is a book about a succession of tragedies. On the surface it is a scholarly hardback publication from author Bruce Scivally (who co-wrote the superb The James Bond Legacy and other film-related works) and it’s a welcome, informative addition to the vast amount of available Superman literature. While there is plenty of material out there on the Superman comics and the character himself, there has never been much written about the Man of Steel’s films and even less on the character’s appearances on television, on the radio, and his one-time attempt at a Broadway musical.

Scivally spends a brief early part of the book on the comics’ Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and how they created a legend… and lost it. For me, the first true tragedy of the Superman saga lies in the story behind these two men, for they were treated with disdain and received no appreciation from the corporations and entertainment business that eventually made millions off of their character. Much of this tale has been recounted elsewhere, so Scivally quickly moves on to the meat of the book—Superman’s evolution from comics to a radio program, the Columbia serials in theaters, and the television series (which enveloped yet another tragedy in actor George Reeves, who may or may not have committed suicide in the late fifties). Does anyone remember the unsuccessful Broadway Superman musical from the sixties? It was called It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman!, and the author enlightens the reader with its tales of woe. After covering the Saturday morning cartoons, Scivally recounts the successful blockbuster motion pictures starring Christopher Reeve in fascinating detail, treating the reader to the sometimes ugly machinations behind such Hollywood productions. And, of course, Reeve’s story ends in tragedy as well. The book ends with somewhat happier tales of Superman’s return to television—Lois and Clark and Smallville.

This is a terrific book and a must-have for anyone remotely interested in Superman and his life beyond the comics. There is one problem though, and it’s not the author’s fault. McFarland, the publisher, considers its books to be “textbooks”; thus, the retail prices are frightening. This thin, 240-page book with no color illustrations costs $49.95. I’m not sure how McFarland expects to sell this book to the fan community and I suspect they’re shooting themselves in the feet by charging so much. While it may be a “textbook,” and a good one at that, sadly it’s not being appropriately marketed to its primary audience. --Raymond Benson

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Author Matt Stone was given access to the Steve McQueen family photo archives for his new book McQueen's Machines - an indepth look at The King of Cool's obsession with motorcycles and sports cars. The book is a gold mine of rare photos showing McQueen working on and driving his favorite vehicles. Steve McQueen's son provides the introduction.

For an ABC News story about the book, click here

To order the book discounted from the Cinema Retro Amazon Movie and Book Store, click here

Chuck Norris is sure in the news a lot lately. He's now suing author Ian Spector in an attempt to get his new book The Truth About Chuck Norris withdrawn from distribution. Norris' lawsuit also lists Penguin publishers as co-defendants. At first glance, it might seem that the martial arts icon is being a bit thin-skinned. Spector's book is an obvious farce that centers on web-based Paul Bunyan-like tall tales relating to his image as a seemingly invincible action star. Among the witticisms found in the book:

• Chuck Norris can charge a cell phone by rubbing it against his beard.
• When an episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger” aired in France, the French surrendered to Chuck Norris just to be on the safe side.
• Chuck Norris was the first person to tame a dinosaur.
• Chuck Norris once visited The Virgin Islands. Afterward, they were renamed The Islands.
• Every piece of furniture in Chuck Norris’s house is a Total Gym.

Aside from these harmless yucks that only enhance Norris' tough guy image, there are others to be found on a web site run by Spector at www.chucknorrisfacts.com These play up the violent nature of his persona and imply he's an out-of-control killing machine. Still, anyone with an I.Q. higher than their shirt size would recognize these as purely tongue-in-cheek, affectionate tributes to Norris. Indeed, Norris has apparently tolerated all of this until publication of Spector's book. As with many celebrities, they are often happy to look the other way in terms of how their image is used on fan web sites, but the line is crossed when it becomes a commercial venture.

Norris' suit states that Spector's suit implies he has a friendly relationship with the author (they apparently met at some point in the past). Spector also insinuates that he had Norris' approval for the book, with his thanks to the actor "for playing along." Norris contends he has nothing to do with the book and never granted such approval. He maintains that many of the "legends" presented therein imply he is a violent wild man with a racist streak. A look at Spector's web site shows some curious aspects: there are T shirts bearing Norris' image that are for sale and some of the "legends" on the site are termed "Chuck's Favorites: Picked by the Man Himself!" There are also links to Norris' official web site at www.chucknorris.com and to his autobiography. The clear implication is that Norris is a participant in the site. Spector's site is devoid of any background information about who runs it or how to contact them - an oddity, given the fact that the site implies Norris approves of the concept.

Norris' suit claims damages to his reputation and seeks to get the book withdrawn from distribution. The book has been selling remarkably well and as of this date, ranks #376 on Amazon. According to Norris' suit, he had advised Penguin in advance that he had not authorized the book and advised them not to publish it. Penguin did so anyway, which brings up the cloudy legal area of books pertaining to celebrities. Anyone can author a book pertaining to a public figure, and as long as it isn't libelous, there is little the celebrity can do about it. However, if a celebrity's image is used in a way that might be deceptive or harmful to their reputation, then they may have legal recourse. Spector's book clearly implies Norris approved of it, based on meetings the author claimed to have had in the past with the action star. Whether Spector has a legitimate point or whether he interpreted some casual meetings with Norris as an indication of an actual friendship, remains to be seen. As of today, Penguin has not responded to the suit.

Norris has been in the headlines recently for filming a tongue-in-cheek political endorsement ad for Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Opponents scoffed when they saw the ad saying it was goofy and embarrassing, but in the weeks since it was released, Huckabee has vaulted from "also ran" status to being the frontrunner in the Iowa caucuses. Coincidence? Hmmm, never underestimate the power of Chuck Norris. Ironically, this anecdote would have made a good entry in Spector's book!

In the meantime, you can get your copy of The Truth About Chuck Norris from The Cinema Retro Amazon Book and Movie store by clicking here. Who knows? If Norris prevails, it might become a collector's item- Lee Pfeiffer

The drive-in movie theater brought together two distinct American institutions: cars and movies. Since the earliest drive-ins of the 1930s, these entertainment complexes have been an integral part of American culture. Their appeal stretched to people from all corners of the country, offering a place for social gathering and various amusements. Take a ride down memory lane in this entertaining look at every aspect of the drive-in movie theater: the architecture, the marquees, the cars, the food, and much more. Black-and-white and color photos, along with period ads and other memorabilia, provide a highly illustrated tour from the origins of the drive-in, through its heyday in the 1950s, its decline, and its subsequent revival.

TO ORDER FROM THE CINEMA RETRO AMAZON DVD AND BOOK STORE CLICK HERE

A tribute book to one of the film industry's legendary movie poster artists.

Here is the product description from Amazon:

The first monograph dedicated to the World's most famous monster artist.
• Introduction by Rockstar and The Devil's Rejects horror film director, Rob Zombie.
• Profusely illustrated with over 150 color and 50 black & white illustrations.
• Full-color on 160 heavy, glossy-stock pages
• Endorsed by the families of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Lon Chaney.
• Features commentary from the artist, his contemporaries and noted film professionals.

The Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos is a celebration of the career of the acknowledged master of film monster portrait art. To many fans of classic horror movies, the name Basil Gogos is as familiar as that of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi or Vincent Price. Gogos' paintings are as iconic as his subjects. This long-overdue retrospective features high-quality reproductions of many of his most famous paintings as well as many previously unpublished paintings and drawings of classic film creatures and actors. Gogos' early work in men's adventure magazine and paperback book art will also be examined as well as his works in movie posters and other areas. An in-depth career-spanning interview with the artist will accompany the illustrations and tributes by other artists and film professionals inspired by Gogos' powerful images. The book will feature an introduction by rock star, movie director and horror collector Rob Zombie.

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Sundown Entertainment's eagerly-awaited limited edition book THE ALAMO: A VISUAL CELEBRATION OF JOHN WAYNE'S CLASSIC MOVIE has been published. Written and designed by Cinema Retro publishers Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall, the book recounts the dramatic and inspiring story of John Wayne's obsession with making his 1960 film that recounted one of the most famous battles in history. The production was a challenge from day one, as Wayne was not only starring and producing, but also making his directorial debut with one of the largest budgeted American movies ever made. The obstacles were seemingly insurmountable and involved political battles, forces of nature and even a murder of a cast member. The book covers all aspects of production including the controversial Oscar campaign that became part of Hollywood lore.

We've seen the final copies of the book, which will be shipped shortly to those who have pre-ordered. The hardback edition is limited to only 1500 copies, each individually numbered and signed by the authors. The price is $110. The book contains over 650 rare color & b&w photos, many of which have never been published before. There are entire sections dedicated to international marketing campaigns and collectibles tied in with the film. This is sure to be a valued collector's item in the years to come.

If that special someone in your life loves epic movies, this will make the perfect holiday gift. It will not be sold in stores or on Amazon and must be ordered directly through the publisher. (Coonskin cap not included!)

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Cinema Retro writer Tom Lisanti is no stranger to fans of cult movies. He has written numerous volumes tracing the careers of character actors and sexy starlets. However, his latest book, Glamour Girls of Sixties Hollywood (McFarland, $39.95) is his most ambitious yet. The book is a treasure trove of interviews with and updates on the careers of second-tier sexy supporting actresses. We've often wondered what became of some of these starlets whose careers burned brightly but briefly - and now we know. In some cases, they simply retired to raise a family while others suffered more tragic fates. The book covers starlets from both film and TV series and includes fascinating insights about many of the actresses who appeared in our favorite spy films such as Beverly Adams (from the Matt Helm movie The Silencers) and Donna Michelle, Yvonne Craig and Thordis Brandt (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.). The diverse number of actresses also includes Hammer horror star Victoria Vetri, sexy Paramount contract player Michele Carey, beach movie favorite Mary Hughes and dozens of others. There are a total of 75 glamour girls' careers covered.

In the meantime, if you haven't checked out Tom Lisanti's popular web site that pays tribute to the films and stars of the 1960s, do so immediately by visiting www.sixtiescinema.com

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For a catalog of other film titles from McFarland Publishing got to www.mcfarlandpub.com or call 1-800-253-2187

Last month we reported on the book launch party held at London's famed Odeon Theatre in Leicester Square for the new book Pictures and Premieres (see Book News section). The volume celebrates the amazing photographs taken by famed London photographer Harry Myers, who covered seemingly every major premiere or celebrity functions in the city during the 1960s-1980s. The book was co-authored by Cinema Retro columnist Gareth Owen and John Willis. It's been making quite a splash in England due to the superb photos that are being shown here for the first time. Harry Myers had a knack for catching celebrities at their most natural and casual moments and his photos provide a wonderful time capsule of these eras. From the early James Bond premieres to publicity jaunts by The Beatles, it's all here. Now, London's Daily Mail has reproduced some of the most intriguing shots from the book (see below). To read the Daily Mail article click here

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The Making of the Sound of Music is a volume of very modest production values. Published by Routledge Press, it comes in at a skimpy 112 pages and features a sparse, but interesting selection of black and white photos. However, this is a book that should not be judged by its cover because author Max Wilk is able to shed some new light on the history of the legendary stage production and movie version. Wilk, described on the jacket as "one of America's leading theater historians" brings a unique expertise to the oft-told tale behind the creation of the show so saccarine that it's been referred to as The Sound of Mucus. Wilk was in the employ of the theatrical producer who first had the idea of turning the story of the Von Trapp family into a stage production. To his credit, Wilk candidly admits he was not a fan of the show in its first tryouts and advised his boss not to attempt a Broadway opening. Fortunately for his boss, he ignored the advice and doggedly insisted that this play might be loathed by critics but would be red meat to the general public. To his shock, Wilk confesses he was astounded to witness the fanatical audience response on opening night. He still finds the allure and charm of the story to be elusive, but that's what makes his book so highly enjoyable. Wilk knows his facts and presents us with a compelling, dramatic and often amusing story behind the story. Probably nothing illustrates the gap between critics and audience preferences like The Sound of Music does. For the record, we agree that diabetics should give it wide berth, but we're hopelessly hooked on it ourselves - even though the thought of seeing all those "cutesy " nuns isn't one of our favorite habits...pardon the pun. Add this book to your collection - you can read the entire tome in between the commercial breaks of your favorite TV show - and its well worth the time.- Lee Pfeiffer

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Tim Lilley, who ran the old Big Trail fan journal dedicated to the films of John Wayne has issued a revised and updated edition of Campfire Conversations, a compilation of interviews with friends and colleagues of John Wayne that had been conducted over the years. As many of these people have since passed on, this is one of the most valuable records of the Duke ever committed to print. The interviews are candid and enlightening, providing plenty of surprising and personal details of one of the most analyzed motion picture icons of all time. Among those interviewed: Maureen O'Hara, Ben Johnson, Denver Pyle, director Andrew V. Mclaglen, Wayne's long time stunt man Chuck Roberson and many others. For more details and ordering information click here

Some of the most legendary British actors and comedians ended their careers and lives in a shockingly tragic manner. How many people realize that the great comics Benny Hill and Terry-Thomas ended up destitute and virtually alone as they suffered from a myriad of health problems? Dudley Moore was widely considered to be an alcholic who brought about the demise of his own career through personal excesses - when, in fact, he suffered from a severe health disorder that left him dependent upon the kindness of strangers. If you ever wondered what ever happened to some of the great British actors who seemed to fade into oblivion, a book titled Fallen Stars Julian Upton will fill you in on their tragic fates. Among those covered in the book: Mary Ure, Rachel Roberts, Peter Sellers, Carol White, Diana Dors, Oliver Reed and many others. There is no greater evidence of how show business both makes and destroys its own.

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Author and Cinema Retro columnist Raymond Benson takes a look at two new books about a master filmmaker:

The Kubrick Façade—Faces and Voices in the Films of Stanley Kubrick by Jason Sperb (Scarecrow Press, Inc.)

The Philosophy of Stanley Kubrick edited by Jerold J. Abrams (The University Press of Kentucky)

Stanley Kubrick has always been one of those film directors who is often the subject of serious, scholarly study.  The reasons are simple enough—the late artist’s work belongs in that rare category of Hollywood-produced popular “art films,” made outside of the Hollywood system, that attracted spirited debates among critics and audiences alike.  No one Kubrick film ever received unanimously positive (or negative) reviews; no Kubrick film could be called a true financial “blockbuster” (but none were considered “bombs” either); and no Kubrick film elicits the same reactions from collective audience members.  More books have been written about the work of Stanley Kubrick than any other filmmaker except, perhaps, Alfred Hitchcock.  Two more tomes hit the shelves this year and both are again serious, scholarly studies published by non-mainstream, academic presses. 

After so many dirt-dishing, tell-all books about legendary stars, it's good to finally come upon one that was written by someone with a genuine respect for their subject. Author Thomas Santopietro's new 400 page biography, Considering Doris Day (Thomas Dunne Books) is a classy, well-researched volume that shines as an homage to one of Hollywood's last genuine legends. Nevertheless, the author does not steer away from covering the unsavory and controversial aspects of this remarkable woman's life. Day is all the more fascinating because she has shunned the spotlight for decades after entering self-imposed retirement. She has turned her back on the industry that made her an international star, preferring to live a quiet life and concentrate on her main passion: animal rights. Perhaps because she has not been on center stage in many years, her career has not been analyzed to the extent that her contemporary's have.

Things I’ve Said but Probably Shouldn’t Have by Bruce Dern, with Christopher Fryer and Robert Crane (Wiley, ISBN #0470106379, 304 pages, hardcover; $29.95)

Bruce Dern provides a breezy, entertaining journey through his decades as star of stage, screen and TV. The actor’s reflections are often brutally candid, especially when dealing with his fractured home life. (He came from a privileged family from which he became estranged.) The book’s fast pace skips through the decades at an often dizzying pace like Rod Taylor in The Time Machine and the tendency to not follow a linear narrative might be off-putting for those expecting a traditional tome. However, Dern’s anecdotes are as priceless as they are fascinating. It’s mind-boggling how many legends the man has worked with, from Kazan and Strasberg to Nicholson, Wayne, Hitchcock and Frankenheimer. Dern is also completely honest about the rivalry between actors who are friends: you wish your pal success, as long as it doesn’t exceed your own. This is particularly illustrated in a section in which Nicholson asks Dern to evaluate his performance opposite Brando in The Missouri Breaks. After Dern’s scathing analysis, one is surprised the two men are still on speaking terms. It brings to mind Gore Vidal’s statement that “Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little bit.” Dern bemoans missed opportunities (he turned down roles in The Godfather and Ghandi among others), and admits frustration that after more than 40 years in the film industry he is not considered a “star”. However, he continues to be in demand and has worked steadily for 50 years, continuing to hone his craft and improve his talents. Not bad for a guy who failed in his dreams to become a sportswriter because “I couldn’t write worth a shit.” Consider this a “must” for your bookshelves.

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Cinema Retro's Dave Worrall spreads the news about an important new film book:

British Film Posters – An Illustrated History is a must-have book for any serious student interested in the world of cinema and design. Covering all aspects of this fascinating subject, including design, printing, display – and even detailed biographies of all of the major artists of that period, author Sim Branaghan takes the reader back to a time when cinema was great – Cinema Retro time!

 CINEMA RETRO TEAMS WITH FOX FOR "THE GREAT FOX WAR MOVIES" BOOK AND DVD SET!

Cinema Retro publishers Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall have teamed with Twentieth Century Fox tp write and design the very first book ever published by Fox. The Great Fox War Movies consists of a unique book/DVD package containing new, double-disc editions of The Longest Day, Patton and Tora! Tora! Tora! plus and oversized, deluxe hardcover book giving the fascinating inside story on the making of these classic films.