
SYNOPSIS & CRITIQUE from the THEATER/CINEMA/TV SHELF (Wisconsin Bookwatch):
Synopsis: Billy Wilder (born Samuel Wilder; June 22, 1906 - March 27, 2002) was an Austrian-born filmmaker. His career in Hollywood spanned five decades, and he is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Classic Hollywood cinema. He received seven Academy Awards (among 21 nominations), a BAFTA Award, the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or and two Golden Globe Awards.
Critique: Illustrated with black-and-white historical photographs, "Magic Time: The Films and Scripts of Billy Wilder" by J. R. Jordan is an inherently fascinating and comprehensive study of his life and work. Featuring an informative Foreword by Austin Pendelton, '101 Motifs, Catchphrases, and More (From A to Z), and a three page Bibliography of books, articles, and on-line resources. While a core pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Cinematic History & Biography collections, it should be noted that "Magic Time" is also available in a paperback edition (9798887712505, $34.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
Editorial Note: J. R. Jordan has been writing about motion pictures for several years. He is also the author of Showmanship: The Cinema of William Castle and Robert Wise: The Motion Pictures.