Ernie: The Autobiography
by Ernest Borgnine
ISBN: 9780806529417
$19.95
Hardcover
Citadel Press
August 2008
A charming and approachable autobiography about Ernest Borgnine's long life and acting career. Read my review of it here.
by Marc Eliot
ISBN: 9781400052226
$14.95
Paperback
Three Rivers Press
September 2007
Don't listen to those reviewers who panned this. Eliot's biography of the late, great Jimmy Stewart is comprehensive and well-written. You will learn more than you will ever need to know of the man who made "Auw shucks" sexy.
Collectible Coffee Table Books
Lana: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies
by Cheryl Crane (daughter of Turner)
ISBN: 9780762433162
$35.00
Hardcover
Running Press
October 2008
This gorgeous, fully illustrated, over-sized hardcover book will make you want to become a Lana Turner fan, if you're not one already.
The Lost Collection of Ziegfeld Photographer Alfred Cheney Johnston
ISBN: 9780789313812
$40.00
Hardcover
Universe (Rizzoli)
October 2006
Beautiful sepia photographs of actresses and Ziegfeld girls shot by the reknown photographer Alfrey Cheney Johnston. You'll find Norma Shearer and Louise Brooks amongst others here.
by Peter Kobel
ISBN: 9780316117913
$45.00
Hardcover
Little, Brown and Company
November 2007
Gorgeous hardcover filled with stills, poster art and photographs from the silent film era. Silent film fans will want to caress this book once they lay their hands on it. It doesn't hurt that the writing is excellent as well.
For the Woman in Your Life
by Frank Miller
ISBN: 9780811863018
$19.95
Paperback with French Flaps
Chronicle Books
November 2008
The quintessential guide to favorite onscreen couples. Anyone who likes romance, will enjoy this book. Perfect accompaniment for viewing films on Turner Classic Movies. Read my review of it here.
For the Man in Your Life
by Warren G. Harris
ISBN: 9780307237149
$15.95
Paperback
Three Rivers Press
October 2005
This is a juicy no holds barred of the life and times of the King of Hollywood, Clark Gable. Gable was truly a man's man and reading about his exploits is just fun. Not for the faint of heart.
For Younger Kids
by Roxanne Orgill
Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch
ISBN: 9780763621216
$17.99
Hardcover
Candlewick Press
September 2007
Fans of Fred Astaire or even just kids who like to dance, will love this picture book biography of the brother-sister Astaire dancing duo. You can read an interview with the author here.
Written and Illustrated by Scott Nash
ISBN: 9780763639457
$5.99
Paperback
Candlewick Press
Candlewick Press
February 2008
Get the kids interested in Film Noir early with this madcap adventure. Private Eye Tuff Fluff is on the case to find Duckie's missing brain. You can download a fun activity sheet to go along with this book here.
For Older Kids
Written and Illustrated by Brian Selznick
ISBN: 9780439813785
$22.99
Hardcover
Scholastic
March 2007
A heavily-illustrated tome takes readers on a visual journey following the young orphan Hugo. Very influenced by early French cinema, this is sure to be a hit with young reluctant readers. Won the Caldecott Award for excellence in Children's Book illustration in 2008.
Fiction for Classic Film Lovers
by Winifred Watson
ISBN: 9781906462024
$15.00
Paperback with French Flaps
Persephone Books
February 2008
It has all the glamour and drama of a classic movie with a more direct and uncensored edge. A must-read! The novel became a major motion picture starring Amy Adams in 2008.
by Jon J Muth
ISBN: 9780810995222
$24.95
Hardcover
Abrams
April 2008
Fritz Lang's classic M (1931) comes to life in illustrator Jon J Muth's graphic novel. Read my review of it here.
Just Buy It Okay?
Just Buy It Okay?
by National Film Registry - Library of Congress
ISBN: 9780789317643
$13.99
Universe (Rizzoli)
August 2008
I know this isn't a book, but I had to mention it anyways. This is the best Classic Film calendar there is. I buy it religiously every year and have gotten it as a gift. It's a must-have.
by Leonard Maltin
ISBN: 9780452286207
$20.00
Paperback
Plume Books
February 2005
This is the OFFICIAL companion for any and all classic film buffs. It's an absolute must. And if your classic film fan already has one, a second back-up copy will prove to be infinitely useful.
Support the book industry. Buy books as presents this Christmas. And support your local independent bookstore. All links above are to the well-known and respected independent Powell's Books.
Raquel,
ReplyDeleteSmashing!
I go for the Jazz Age Beauties and Silent Movies by Kobel.
Where do I check out?
Jonas
I read the Jimmy Stewart biography and thought it was pretty good. The part that cracked me up was the part of Jimmy and Henry drunk and peeing. hahaha
ReplyDeleteI own Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide. It's a pretty good resource except I usually go to IMDb because its faster. I bought it off ebay about a year ago and flipped to the inside page to see Leonard Maltin's signature! Don't know if its legit though...
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great list. Some of those are definitely going on my Christmas list.
ReplyDeleteI love giving books as Christmas presents!
ReplyDeleteMy mom's giving me that Leonard Maltin guide...I have his regular 2008 one, but I'm not too wild about it. In fact, I'm not too wild about Maltin in general, but who else writes affordable movie guides??
...
The SILENT MOVIES, and the Gable biography would be my two other choices. :)
Raquelle: I've linked your list on today's post. Good job, and I found your picks very helpful.
ReplyDeleteJonas - I knew you'd be interested in those!
ReplyDeleteNicole - Oh I remember the part where Jimmy lost his, er um, flower to Ginger Rogers. Hee hee. I'll never forget that.
Genevieve - IMDB is nice, but I love the little summaries in the Maltin book. They are like amuse bouches that make me hungry for the full meal.
Princess - Yay!
Ginger - I'm so glad you like giving books as christmas presents. I do too. It's food for thought.
CK Dexter - Thanks! I appreciate the link. And yes this is an "exhaustive" list. It took me a quite a while to finish it.