The Complete Greed by Erich von Stroheim
by Herman G Weinberg 1972
This is pretty much my favorite film and my heart aches thinking of all that was lost. The author dug up studio photographs and arranged them with the screenplay, including scenes that were cut. It's the closest to von Stroheim's original vision.
The Film Till Now: A Survey of World Cinema
by Paul Rotha and Richard Griffith 2nd edition 1951
Originally published in 1929, I love the perspective brought to the table by someone who saw these films in their initial release.
Forgotten Films to Remember
by John Springer 1980
I haven't even begun to crack the amount of information in this volume. There are paragraphs after paragraphs listing less famous films and why he recommends them. It's too early to be a home video guide, so he must have written this from memory.
People Will Talk
by John Kobal 1986
As much as I appreciate Peter Bogdanovich's interview with important directors and actors, this collection also includes lesser-known contributors to film, such as photographers, choreographers and dancers. This is where I found
the quotes about Busby Berkeley.
Caligari's Cabinet and Other Grand Illusions: A History of Film Design
by Leon Barsacq
This is still my favorite film book. It's led me to so many films that I now count as my favorites. I especially loved learning that someone else shares my passion for film design.
City of Nets: A Portrait of Hollywood in the 1940's
by Otto Friedrich 1986
Golly, I bought this from the sale table for 25 cents and didn't put it down until I'd finished reading it. It includes the Los Angeles race riots, WWII rationing and other events happening at the same time Hollywood was making its classic films to remind us that movies were not created in a vacuum.
Screen Deco
by Howard Mendelbaum and Eric Myers 1985
Designing Dreams: Modern ARchitecture in the Movies
by Donald Albrecht 1986
Both are responsible for a lot of the images you've seen on my blog.
...because he's a damned good storyteller, and that is what movies are all about.
I've cheating here, because that is my due as a blogger. I'm in love with this series of little paperback books chiefly produced by Tantivy Press. They have so much information packed into small format. I refer to them all the time. I'm practically drooling whenever I find another and I must admit at times I've paid far more than they are worth. Such is the life of a film book collector.
And now I must tag five other bloggers. I choose these lovely learned ladies whom I love to read:
Fire and Music MoviesShe Blogged By NightHouse of Mirth and MoviesSelf-Styled SirenSpinster Aunt
