The Sweeney broke the mould for British cop shows. Until it was broadcast, they’d been rather stolid, sometimes quaint, dramas like Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars and Softly, Softly about policemen – or even bobbies: not cops. They were about upholding the law: not breaking it: about smart blue uniforms, not kipper ties and long hair. They were about preventing or punishing violence – not about inflicting it with pleasure on villains. Then, in 1975, The Sweeney burst onto commercial television. Based on the notoriously corrupt activities of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad, it followed two dishevelled, uncouth detectives, Regan and Carter, played by John Thaw and Dennis Waterman, who hurtled around unsalubrious parts of London in a battered Ford Granada roughing up anyone who failed to spill the beans quickly enough. Where Dixon of Dock Green would bid his viewers “Goodnight all1”, with a cheery salute, this pair snarled “Shut it!” at toe-rags who spoke out of turn and “Put ‘em away, love” at gangsters’ molls whose boudoirs they’d burst in on. Philip Glenister’s Gene Hunt in Life on Mars is both parody and homage. Now Pat Gilbert has written the book on this cult cop show, interviewing dozens of people who made it happen, from screenwriters to stuntmen. It’s an essential companion to one of the DVD box sets.

There has been a tremendous amount of renewed interest in the output of Britain's Hammer Films. But there remain a great number of worthwhile British horror films, made at the same time by other companies, that have received little attention. The author provides a comprehensive listing of British horror films--including science fiction, fantasy, and suspense films containing horror-genre elements--that were released between 1956 and 1976, the "Golden Age" of British horror. Entries are listed alphabetically by original British title, from Vincent Price in The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) to Zeta One (1969). Entries also include American title, release information, a critique of the film, and the film's video availability. The book is filled with photographs and contains interviews with four key figures: Max J. Rosenberg, cofounder of Amicus Productions, one of the period's major studios; Louis M. Heyward, former writer, film executive and producer; Aida Young, film and television producer; and Gordon Hessler, director of such films as The Oblong Box and Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Of all the actors and personalities thrown up by that strangest of periods. The 1970s, surely Robin Askwith was one of the most 'of his time'? As star of the infamous CONFESSIONS films, as well as over 25 other movies, Askwith was huge. His cheeky, innocent face, his Mick Jagger lips and more often than not his bare arse -- he, possibly more than anyone else sums up a bygone era remembered fondly by millions. Today, Askwith is a cult figure. The CONFESSIONS films are still regular staples on British TV and around the world, especially in the Commonwealth countries. They are just as funny as they ever were -- classic camp British humour in the same language as the Carry On films. In this brilliant autobiography, the self-deprecating Askwith cuts straight to the chase, starting in the `70s as he auditions for CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER, moving on to CONFESSIONS OF A POP STAR and DRIVING INSTRUCTOR. His career was truly amazing and varied beyond belief. From IF. . . to NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDEF From CONFESSIONS to Zefferelli`s BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON and Pasolini CANTERBURY TALES. He was also great friends with the late Lindsay Anderson. In the end, Robin is most famous for his sex comedies and isn't embarrassed about it one jot. It`s a rollicking ride. Hold On Tight!

Love You Forever is the final book in the inspirational and otherworldly Sofia Trilogy by author Marilyn L Rice. What would you do if you thought you were going to die soon? In the first book, Look After Each Other, Sofia visits a clairvoyant. Her reading leads her to believe that she is soon going to die. The young woman decides to change her life around and live it to the fullest, making a “do-or-die” list and embarking on a liberating journey of mind, body, and soul. The second book, Sofia’s Legacy, follows Sofia after her death. From “upstairs,” she helps or hinders those still living. The story concludes with a totally unexpected ending. Now it is five years later and the year is 2010. The final book, Love You Forever, shows how dramatic and unimaginable events have changed the lives of everyone Sofia left behind at Haslington Towers. Even more surprising events occur that lead to devastating consequences. This stunning book series delves into karma, the afterlife, and more things in heaven and earth than you have ever dreamed!

For over 50 years, Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions has navigated the ups and downs of the volatile British film industry, enduring both critical wrath and acclaim in equal measure for its now legendary James Bond series. Latterly, this family run business has been crowned with box office gold and recognised by motion picture academies around the world. However, it has not always been plain sailing. Changing financial regimes forced 007 to relocate to France and Mexico; changing fashions and politics led to box office disappointments; and changing studio regimes and business disputes all but killed the franchise. And the rise of competing action heroes has constantly questioned Bond's place in popular culture. But against all odds the filmmakers continue to wring new life from the series, and 2012's Skyfall saw both huge critical and commercial success, crowning 007 as the undisputed king of the action genre. Some Kind of Hero recounts this remarkable story, from its origins in the early '60s right through to the present day, and draws on hundreds of unpublished interviews with the cast and crew of this iconic series.

The enduring success of the James Bond franchise has made the casting of a new Bond actor a very big deal in the film and entertainment industry. Tabloids and entertainment clickbait sites love nothing more than constantly speculating (wrongly of course) on who the next Bond actor might be. Taking on the part of James Bond is like playing the lead in Hamlet, Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes, or Batman. Others have played the part before you and others will play the part after you. Speculation about the next incumbent is therefore inevitable, unavoidable, and endless. It is a constant background hum even when someone else actually has the part. More people have walked on the moon than played James Bond. Despite the longevity of the franchise the Bond actors themselves remain a small and exclusive club. There are however dozens of actors who might potentially have played James Bond through the decades if only fate hadn't intervened. In the book which follows we will leave no stone unturned in an attempt to find out how many potential Bond actors there have been since 1962. There is a fascinating alternative cinema universe where the Bond actors are completely different from the ones we ended up with in our own familiar movie dimension. In this book we will explore what that alternative James Bond universe might plausibly have looked like.

Rising to fame in the West End, before finding further success in TV and film, Patrick Mower's urban sophistication and man-about-town image made him the epitome of style and established him as a national heartthrob. Here, he speaks of his exploits, while also assessing what pushed him towards behaviour that he was not always proud of.

Can you remember Hilda Ogden, Annie Sugden and Dirty Den or are you more familiar with the current soap stars who keep us hooked with the ever changing dramatic events that shape their onscreen lives? All your favourite characters from yesteryear can be found in this quiz book alongside those more contemporary villains television audiences just love to hate. The 1,000 testing questions in this book will have you arguing with family and friends about the many memorable moments that have defined the history of soap. Gripping plots, bad guys and girls, heroes, happy events and dark moments, loves and losses are all covered in The Soap Quiz Book and will refresh your memory of all the essential viewing moments from the soaps down the years. Packed with fascinating facts this book is guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment for soap fans of all ages. So whether you are a dedicated follower of Coronation Street, have never missed an episode of Neighbours or have just discovered Hollyoaks this quiz book is sure to prove a fun read.

'Enthralling . . . an essential read, particularly for fans of 007.' - Cinema Retro 'When Harry Met Cubby is a fitting tribute to two extraordinary men. If you love behind the scenes stories about the making of movies, there's plenty of drama to sate you here.' - Entertainment Focus Albert R. 'Cubby' Broccoli and Harry Saltzman remain the most successful producing partnership in movie history. Together they were responsible for the phenomenally successful James Bond series; separately they brought kitchen-sink drama to the screen, made a star out of Michael Caine in the Harry Palmer films and were responsible for the children's classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But their relationship was fraught almost from the very beginning. With such contrasting personalities, their interactions often span out of control. They managed to drive away their coveted star, Sean Connery, and ultimately each other. Loved and hated in equal measure, respected and feared by their contemporaries, few people have loomed as large over the film industry as Broccoli and Saltzman, yet their lives went in very different directions. Broccoli was feted as Hollywood royalty, whereas Saltzman ended up a forgotten recluse. When Harry Met Cubby charts the changing fortunes and clashing personalities of two titans of the big screen.

The 1970s were turbulent times and the films made then reflected the fact. Vampire movies--always a cinema staple--were no exception. Spurred by the worldwide success of Hammer Film's Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1969), vampire movies filled theaters for the next ten years--from the truly awful to bonafide classics. Audiences took the good with the bad and came back for more. Providing a critical review of the genre's overlooked Golden Age, this book explores a mixed bag from around the world, including The Vampire Lovers (1970), Dracula Versus Frankenstein (1971), Scream, Blacula, Scream (1973), 'Salem's Lot (1975), Dracula Sucks (1978) and Love at First Bite (1979) and many others.