During the early era of cinema, moviegoers turned to women editors and writers for the latest on everyone's favorite stars, films, and filmmakers. Richard Abel returns these women to film history with an anthology of reviews, articles, and other works. Drawn from newspapers of the time, the selections show how columnists like Kitty Kelly, Mae Tinee, Louella Parsons, and Genevieve Harris wrote directly to female readers. They also profiled women working in jobs like scenario writer and film editor and noted the industry's willingness to hire women. Sharp wit and frank opinions entertained and informed a wide readership hungry for news about the movies but also about women on both sides of the camera. Abel supplements the texts with hard-to-find biographical information and provides context on the newspapers and silent-era movie industry as well as on the professionals and films highlighted by these writers. An invaluable collection of rare archival sources, Movie Mavens reveals women's essential contribution to the creation of American film culture.

Chanteuse “She was the kind of singer you’d like to walk in on, in a club, in a strange city, on a Thursday night.” Tom Butler, an irrigation-systems salesman from Iowa, begins the adventure of his life in Cincinnati, in the summer of 1985. The Fountain Room Cassidy, a burgeoning New Mexico artist, channels her great grandmother’s Apache courage as she confronts a crass opportunist with the help of a rodeo cowboy. Justice Delayed Crimes go unpunished on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Lives are ruined. A survivor’s plea for justice makes matters worse. When no one else seems to care, Anthony, an Episcopal priest, can’t let it go. Weightlessness Dalton, fresh out of grad school, returns to his hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Although grounded in familiar surroundings and a secure job, his yearning for a grand romance leads him down uncharted alleys of both disappointment and ecstasy. Sorina’s America Among the Yoopers of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Sorina discovers her new country is not what she expected back in Bucharest, Romania. For better or worse, her America must be what she makes it. While Waiting for a Deer Jack wants to be a wildlife photographer. Perched in a tree stand to photograph a handsome buck, events unfold beneath him, spilling craziness into his life. Amorous teenagers? A kidnapping? Will Norway pay the ransom? Eventually, Jack responds as any ex-Navy Seal would. The Fossa (A Novella) In this sequel to Volume I’s “Original Content” short story, newlywed author Evan Walker ventures to Costa Rica to research his next novel. Through a maze packed with exotic locations, colorful rogues, and a Danish vixen overachiever, Evan struggles to understand and capture the essence of his villain, the Fossa.

The Color of Her Shoes – Tangie, a young algebra teacher, discovers another side of herself when she meets Braulio and ventures into the world of Latin dance competitions. When slander threatens her reputation, Tangie must choose between saving her job and believing in Braulio, a long road less traveled. Graveyard Ultimatums – Confirmed bachelor, Frank Goretti, has a big heart but a lonely life. He's looking forward to retiring from the Sioux Falls Police Department when a drug smuggling scheme unravels around him. His two confidants, the widow Mrs. Addario and Melanie, the music teacher, seem to have his best interests at heart until Sonja, the smugglers' femme fatale, makes Frank question everything. Better than a Threesome – Jackie, the tale's 1980s Cinderella, isn't even looking for a prince. She's too busy climbing the ladder at a Chicago brokerage firm. Thankfully, Jackie's new housemates take matters into their own hands, proving the old adage "Opposites do attract." The Dragons of Westbury – In Westbury, a seventh-century English town along the Irish Sea, Emery dreams of becoming an architect and marrying his childhood sweetheart, Veronica. The evil Earl of Westbury has other plans. Eisenhower and Me – On a sunny afternoon in Santa Barbara, Roscoe Emerson, an up-and-coming certified financial planner, recalls his younger days when his golden retriever, Eisenhower, introduced him to a nurse he's been unable to forget. My Cousin Who Drowned – When Laurie, a party girl known for skinny-dipping at twilight, goes missing, only her cousin Carly learns the real truth. With an FBI agent in hot pursuit, Carly wonders if this truth will set her free or end her journalism career. Original Content – An old love affair rekindles when Evan, an aspiring writer, and Morgan, his ex-fiancé, find themselves caught inside a triple-con.

Kevin Smith is full of sh*t, and in this Deluxe eBook he introduces each chapter with a sh*tastic video—that’s over 25 minutes of bonus sh*t talking!That Kevin Smith? The guy who did Clerks a million years ago? Didn’t they bounce his fat ass off a plane once? What could you possibly learn from the director of Cop Out? How about this: he changed film making forever when he was twenty-three, and since then, he’s done whatever the hell he wants. He makes movies, writes comics, owns a store, and now he’s built a podcasting empire with his friends and family, including a wife who’s way out of his league. So here’s some tough sh*t: Kevin Smith has cracked the code. Or, he’s just cracked. Tough Sh*t is the dirty business that Kevin has been digesting for 41 years and now, he’s ready to put it in your hands. Smear this sh*t all over yourself, because this is your blueprint (or brownprint) for success. Kev takes you through some big moments in his life to help you live your days in as Gretzky a fashion as you can: going where the puck is gonna be. Read all about how a zero like Smith managed to make ten movies with no discernible talent, and how when he had everything he thought he’d ever want, he decided to blow up his own career. Along the way, Kev shares stories about folks who inspired him (like George Carlin), folks who befuddled him (like Bruce Willis), and folks who let him jerk off onto their legs (like his beloved wife, Jen). So make this your daily reader. Hell, read it on the toilet if you want. Just make sure you grab the bowl and push, because you’re about to take one Tough Sh*t.

Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008) was an author, archivist, agent, actor, promoter, and editor of the iconic fan magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland; a founder of science fiction fandom; and one of the world's foremost collectors of sci-fi, horror and fantasy films, literature, and memorabilia. This biography begins with a foreword by Joe Moe, Ackerman's caregiver and close friend since 1982. It documents Ackerman's lifelong dedication to his work in both literature and film; his interests, travels, relationships and associations with famous personalities; and his lasting impact on popular culture. Primary research material includes letters given by Ackerman to the author during their long friendship, and numerous reminiscences from Ackerman's friends, fans and colleagues.

The language of Hollywood resonates beyond the stage and screen because it often has inherent drama—or comedic effect. This volume contains a combination of approximately 100 expertly researched essays on words, phrases and idioms made famous by Hollywood along with the stories behind 30 or so of the most iconic—and ultimately often used—quotes from films. There are also sidebars that focus on other ways the entertainment world has changed language. For instance, stories behind stars whose names have been used for drinks (hello, Shirley Temple) or roses (there are ones named after Elizabeth Taylor and Judy Garland, among others). And, a sidebar on William Shakespeare’s unique contribution to the English language.

The Beatles produced five films during their time together: A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be. Some were cinematic successes, and some were not, but—along with subsequent reissues, bonus material, and Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back, a documentary companion to Let It Be—they comprise an endlessly fascinating document of key phases in the group’s career. In this comprehensive deep-dive into the band’s movies, author and longtime music journalist Steve Matteo follows the origins, filming, and often frenzied fan reception of projects from the 1964 premiere of A Hard Day’s Night through 1970’s Let It Be to the release of Get Back in 2022. Matteo explores the production process, original theatrical film releases, subsequent VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray releases, and bonus materials, along with the US and UK soundtracks. In addition to copious anecdotes and behind-the-scenes details, he also places these films in their larger context, a period of unprecedented artistic and commercial innovation in British and world cinema. Filled with stories and insights that will satisfy collectors, buffs, and casual fans alike, this is the definitive account of an underappreciated part of the Beatles’ creative output.

Los Angeles magazine is a regional magazine of national stature. Our combination of award-winning feature writing, investigative reporting, service journalism, and design covers the people, lifestyle, culture, entertainment, fashion, art and architecture, and news that define Southern California. Started in the spring of 1961, Los Angeles magazine has been addressing the needs and interests of our region for 48 years. The magazine continues to be the definitive resource for an affluent population that is intensely interested in a lifestyle that is uniquely Southern Californian.

While you may think the old adage about oil and water being unable to mix applies perfectly to the cinema of terror and the craft of great acting, many a grease-painted scare and fluid performance have been combined in the strange alchemy that is the horror film. From the silent mastery of Lon Chaney's The Phantom of the Opera to the cultured cannibalism of Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, the genre has seen an impressive number of noteworthy portrayals, far removed from the stereotypical leering monster and terrified maiden. Part One of this work highlights the stars of this screen style--those whose numerous roles and outstanding performances made their names synonymous with horror cinema. Part Two covers actors who, although not normally associated with the genre, still contributed to its history. Part Three covers the great actresses in horror films and highlights their acting achievement. An appendix lists all the Academy Award nominations and winners in the horror genre.

You will never again pass a mirror without a slight chill once you have read Mirror, Mirror… Elizabeth Mary Downing is a typical American teenager...almost. When she peers into a mirror, she sees someone else staring back—an image identical to herself in every detail save one: the mirror image has blue eyes. Elizabeth’s eyes are brown! She is told by her mirror counterpart, “Liz,” that she can enter any mirror she wants through “trans-starence” and when curiosity prevails over fear and she enters the mirror, trading places with Liz, the horror begins as Liz wreaks havoc with what was a normal life. Elizabeth’s attempts to trick Liz into going back into the mirror reflect both suspense and humor and just when all hope seems lost, she succeeds...only to discover she has to return to the mirror to reverse events and get her life back to where it was. She succeeds...only she leaves part of herself forever in the mirror. Praise for MIRROR, MIRROR: “Edgerton is one of the best writers around for inventing dire dilemmas for his protagonists, and here he’s at his best because he’s created a paranormal environment where he’s not bound by laws of physics, time, or space. Turn Les loose like that and you’re in for a scary ride.” —Carl R. Brush, author of The Second Vendetta “Fantastic! Fast-paced and written in Edgerton’s distinctive, take-no-prisoners-style. I’m not your usual YA fan, but this was right up my alley.” —Maegan Beaumont, author of the Sabrina Vaughn novels “This is Les Edgerton’s only YA book, and it’s a great one. It reminds me a little of some old-school Twilight Zone tales, in that Edgerton starts with an original premise and then executes it with precision and thoughtfulness. He keeps the tension bouncing along nicely, too.” —Rob Boley, author of the Scary Tales books