BearManor Media News — book review

"A simply fascinating and extraordinarily informative combination of biographic and cinematic history, "Enchanted Disney: Stories of Walt, Hollywood, and Live-Action Film" is an extraordinary read from cover to cover. Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a section of black/white illustrations, an informative four page Introduction, a three page bibliography of Further Reading, five pages of Notes & Resources, and a four page Index, "Enchanted Disney: Stories of Walt, Hollywood, and Live-Action Film" is a strongly recommended and enduringly popular addition to personal, community, college, and university library Movie History/Criticism and American Biography/Walt Disney collections."- Midwest Book Review

"Synopsis: An introvert by nature, Robert Young found that he could overcome his shyness by taking on other personalities when he performed with his high school's drama group."Further schooling in theatre arts at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he appeared in many productions, led to a screen test and a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Louis B. Mayer, the top man at MGM, said, "Young has no sex appeal." Yet during his years with the studio Robert starred in dozens of films and had prime supporting roles in many others."After leaving MGM to freelance for several years, he branched out into radio and...

Book review courtesy of James L. Neibaur Back around 1970 there was an informative book entitled Clown Princes and Court Jesters that offered chapters on lesser-known comedians of the silent era. This included some of the true pioneers of the moving image, such as John Bunny, Augustus Carney, and Max Linder. Author Lisa Stein Haven’s new book from Bear Manor Media explores the life, career, and tragic end of Frenchman Linder, citing his lasting significance to film history. Max Linder began in films in 1905, making him the first world-famous movie comedian. Writing his own scenarios early on, Linder’s comic...

Reposted with permission by James L. Neibaur If ever a movie series demanded a book of its own, it is Ma and Pa Kettle. And it's especially grand that Lon and Debra Davis have chosen the project for BearManor Media.   This reviewer once held a free weekly film series for his townspeople at a downtown coffee shop. The bonafide classics of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, and W.C. Fields were well attended and enjoyed, but when I would show a Ma and Pa Kettle film, the place was so packed we worried the fire marshall...