Great Scenes and Monologues for Actors
by Eva Mekler Michael Schulman
Average Customer Review:
Mass Market Paperback (01 September, 1998)
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Reviews (3)

I liked the Wide Selection!
This book has a great many scenes and monologues, and nearly anyone can find one that works for them. While some of the plays that are excerpted are a bit obscure, I found this to be only a minor setback, thanks to themagic of online book purchasing.

Excellent addition to your bookshelf...
The first 15 pages are devoted to creating the character and I found them very insightful. A nice, wide variety of monologues & scenes and I really liked the addition of several Shakespearean monologues at the end ofeach section. It's a plus that there Shakespeare monologues that are notoften used. Some of the monologues/scenes in the book are from: An IdealHusband, The Three Sisters, Master Class, I Hate Hamlet, Conversations withmy Father, The Miss Firecracker Contest, Steambath, and much more...Ihighly recommend this book.

A wide range of material for all capabilities
I found that this book was really useful because there is such a wide range of material, however, I did find that when I found a good monalogue and wanted to read the whole play it was not available anywhere on the netthat I looked.This was bit annoying because it is impossible tosuccessfully create a character from just a monalogue and is even difficultwith the whole play.As I mentioned before there is a very wide range ofplays, from Shakespeare to the author himself. ... Read more

Isbn: 0312966547
Sales Rank: 27210
Subjects:  1. Acting    2. Acting & Auditioning    3. Anthologies (multiple authors)    4. Auditions    5. Dialogues    6. Drama    7. Monologues    8. Performing Arts    9. Performing Arts/Dance    10. Plays / Drama    11. Scenes and Monologues   

Art Of Dramatic Writing : Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives
by Lajos Egri
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 February, 1972)
list price: $12.00 -- our price: $9.60
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Editorial Review

For many years, Lajos Egri's highly opinionated but very enjoyable The Art of Dramatic Writing has been a well-guarded secret of playwrights, scriptwriters, and writers for television. Unlike many other books on playwrighting (several of which Egri criticizes during the course of this one), the author's systematic breakdown of the essentials for creating successful realistic plays and screenplays effectively demystifies the process of creative writing. Egri, who formulated his thoughts about "a well-made play" during its heyday (the 1940s and '50s), places a premium on an exhaustive analysis of characters and discussion of their psychological motivations. The writer is exhorted to find a premise to explore and to discover which characters will most effectively demonstrate this thesis, then is shown how most effectively to place them into conflict with each other. Conflict itself is also discussed, particularly how to create scenarios in which the crisis develops at a pace that feels unforced and natural. While Egri's view of the well-made play has little space for either the spare musings of Beckett and Pinter or the conscious excesses of non-narrative and other experimental writing, it nonetheless remains an essential text for writers drawn to realistic drama, and to any writer interested in the fundamental motivations of human behavior. --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Chock full of drama goodies
What Lajos Egri will show you:

* Formulate your premise. Premise is a statement, idea, or conviction that your story proves true. For example, the premise of Romeo and Juliet would be something like "Love defies even death."

* Choose a pivotal character who will force the conflict.

* Orchestrate the other characters. The unity of opposites must be binding. Polar opposites must form a dialectic which creates a unified tension.

* Be careful to select the correct point of attack. Every point of attack starts with conflict.

* There are several types of conflict, such as jumping conflict, but you only want rising or foreshadowing conflict.

* No conflict can rise without perpetual exposition, which is transition. For example, a character going about his daily life doesn't suddenly become a NAZI, it happens in gradual steps--transition.

* Rising conflict, the product of exposition and transition, will ensure growth.

* Characters must conflict--there must be some polarity.

* Crisis will lead to climax. Climax will lead to conclusion.

* Dialogue should come from the voice of the character, not the writer.

Many TV, film, and novel plots and characters lack compelling conflict. The characters are just floating by... until something big happens. Lajos Egri illustrates how to change all this.

BASIC FOUNDATION
This is an essential book for anyone pursuing the craft of fiction and drama. Egri's discussions of "premise" provide a solid foundation for understanding the techniques by which a commercial writer transforms feeling to the mechanism that moves an audience.

He gets important stuff wrong
I come with an axe to grind.I wrote two playwriting books of my own.But one of the reasons I wrote them is because I found so much in this one so wrong-headed.The idea of starting with a theme or intellectual premise is so bass-ackwards as to be jaw-dropping.

In my experience, you don't start with a theme, you find yourself attracted to characters in a situation that compels you to explore them and it.Sometime during the middle of the writing (if you're writing honestly), you may find out what the play's theme is.But theme should emerge organically, not be imposed from the beginning.To start with theme is like trying to build a skyscraper from the top down.It may be where you want to go, but, like building a building, you need to start with scaffolding and a foundation.

I trust that when I'm grabbed by character and situation that there has to be some underlying thematic pull.I don't want to force finding what this is out too early.If I surprise myself a little, I have a good chance of surprising and delighting the audience.

Now, there is a different craft to writing the first draft and doing rewrites.I suspect that some of Egri is more applicable to the second stage.

So, yes, obviously I prefer my own books (THE DRAMATIST'S TOOLKIT and SOLVING YOUR SCRIPT).Also, Thornton Wilder wrote a terrific short essay on the subject in which he talks about the differences between writing fiction and drama.Since he is the only writer to have won the Pulitzer Prize for both, he comes to the subject with credibility.

I mean, when is the last time you saw a production of an Egri play announced?

... Read more

Isbn: 0671213326
Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Drama    4. General    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Performing Arts    8. Publishing    9. Technique    10. Theater - Playwriting    11. Writing Skills    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / General   

Kiss Me, Kate (1999 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 January, 2000)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

This terrific new recording of Cole Porter's greatest show grabs you from the beginning: shimmering strings lead straight into "Another Op'nin', Another Show" before the orchestra takes over. Then it's on to many of Porter's best-loved melodies and wittiest lyrics, including "Wunderbar," "So in Love," "Always True to You (In My Fashion)," and "Why Can't You Behave?" Art imitates life in this story of a troupe's performance of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, as the stars quarrel as much offstage as they do onstage, and Porter's score reflects this with both contemporary '40s songs ("Too Darn Hot") and Bard-inspired stage songs ("I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua"). Similarly, Don Sebesky's marvelous new orchestrations alternate a jazzy band with Elizabethan-period drums and recorders. Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie (both alums of Ragtime) are in glorious voice as the feuding stars, while Amy Spanger and Michael Berresse shine as the secondary couple. Surprisingly, when this production debuted on Broadway in the fall of 1999, it was the show's first-ever major revival. The original 1948 cast recording is still great listening, but this is a Kiss Me, Kate for the new century. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (67)

zesty new revival of the Cole Porter classic
The 1999 Broadway revival of KISS ME KATE was a big success, running nearly 3 years and spawning a national tour as well as a London production (which was taped for DVD release).The cast album is a real delight.Brian Stokes Mitchell (KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, MAN OF LA MANCHA) is a grand Fred Graham, and Marin Mazzie is a thrilling Lilli Vanessi, the feuding ex-spouses starring in a musical version of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew".Michael Berresse and Amy Spanger add a playful sexiness to their performamces as Bill Calhoun and Lois Lane, with Adriane Lenox as a perfectly-belted Hattie.The orchestrations by Don Sebesky are bright and full of bounce; I especially love the bluesy arrangement of "So in Love".This cast album is highly-recommended if you already own the OBC with Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison and Lisa Kirk.

New orchestrations are revival cast album's undoing
The 1999 Tony award winning revival of KISS ME KATE managed to show there was still life in this 50-year old show. Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie are ideal as a modern day Fred and Lilli. Amy Spangler has the proper saucy style for Lois. There was some (needless, though minor) tinkering with the book and the show's famous Overture was dropped. (That Overture must be jinxed: on both the Columbia and Capitol cast albums it was replaced by the Entr'acte. The 1987 London cast uses a new Overture.)The "updated" arrangements by Don Sebesky are no improvement on the originals, although the use of Elizabethan styled music for the Shrew sections is appropriate. The new recording includes more dialogue than previous releases.The production moved to London after its Broadway run and that edition was taped and has been released on DVD and is well worth checking out.

great revival recording of the classic show!
I saw this musical in New York a few years ago, and completely loved it!the actors/singers are excellent, in particular Marin Mazzie.she does a terrific rendition of "I hate men!".truly a classic! ... Read more

Asin: B00003OP0U
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Showtunes / B'way   

Canon Sure Shot 105S Zoom 35mm Camera
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $219.99
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Editorial Review

For impressive performance features combined with great picture quality, the Canon Sure Shot 105S is the perfect fit. Outdoor shots are captured vibrantly through the multifunctional zoom lens, and indoor shots are equally colorful with the built-in flash. The flash slides out to the side to maximize its compact size. Red-eye reduction is standard.

The display on the back of the camera shows date and time, and is easy to use. Also, the camera dial can adjust to different types of shots, such as night, action, and stills. Fast and easy load access makes it even more comfortable and simple to use. ... Read more

Features

• Zoom lens
• Time and date display
• Built-in flash
• Red-eye reduction
• Multi-mode pciture settings

Reviews (6)

@$#&^*!
I bought this camera in July 2003. It stopped working October 2003. To be more specific, the display on the back went on the fritz. Canon suggested we remove the battery & try to reset the memory. No luck. So I will be sending it in for a warranty repair. I'll let you know how I make out.
Well, it cost [$$$] to ship it to Canon. Now they want [$$$] to fix it. [...] So I don't recommend this camera nor will I replace it with a Canon.

Canon is great.
I love my Canon. I'd marry it if it weren't against God's law.

You can do better...
After doing a bit of research, I decided to buy this camera.After 6 months and dozens of rolls of film, I'd have to say this was NOT a good buy for me.

First, I'll admit the outdoor shots are wonderful!Very full of color -- very vibrant -- the only reason this camera is getting its 3 starts.

Unfortunately, I'm extremely disappointed in the quality of the prints that I have taken indoors.My indoor shots are lacking much of the vibrancy that I see in the outdoor shots.And the red-eye feature...it stinks!I use red-eye reduction 99% of the time when indoors, and 95% of my indoor pics have horrible red eye!I have compared this with other pics I have taken at the same time with another cheaper Kodak camera, and the pics taken with the SureShot are definitely of lesser quality -- both in red eye reduction and color/crispness.

On another note...This camera does have a number of features.The display on the back of the camera where these can be manipulated is easy to use.My complaint here is that the "dial" can easily be moved.So, putting the camera in my purse or handling it has sometimes turned the dial to an unwanted setting. ... Read more

Asin: B00005LB26
Subjects:  1. 35MM (35 MM) Cameras    2. Date Imprinting (Coding)    3. 35 mm millimeter    4. Camera (Cameras)    5. 35 mm (millimeter)    6. Photograph (Photography)   

Lonely Planet Canada (Lonely Planet Canada, 7th ed)
by Mark Lightbody Thomas Huhti Ryan Ver Berkmoes
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 November, 1999)
list price: $24.95
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Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nervesof first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the mostjaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still givinginsights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations anditineraries for those with less time than money.

Whether you've got plans for stepping out in Montreal or kayaking Desolation Sound, this comprehensive guide will get you there in style.This guide offers places to stay and eat for all budgets, extensive coverage of outdoor activities (from sailing to skiing), Canadian English and Canadian French language sections, plus background on history, culture, and politics. Sidebar highlights include information on whales, totem poles, the Acadians, the Grand Banks, and the National Film Board of Canada. Check out the special flora, fauna, and national parks feature. --Kathryn True ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Best Among Seven Similar Guides
Picking a Travel Book on Canada

If you visit a large bookstore in Canada where I live one can find a broad selection of Canada travel books, all written in English. There are two types of books: the general guides (described here) and then there are other guides on specific topics such as provinces (example Quebec), cities, parks, restaurants, mountain regions such as Banff/Lake Louise guide, etc.

If you want information on hiking or similar and are new to Canada then buy two books, i.e.: a general guide and then say if you are going to Banff or Vancouver or Toronto - then buy a second book on just that area, city or park. Otherwise you will be disappointed. General country guides cannot cover a 5000 km wide country (3500 miles) plus 10 provinces and all the numerous parks, cities, rivers, lodgings, restaurants, etc plus all the other activities in one guide. It is a mistake to expect that fine detail in one of these books.

So these books are general introductory books and good for general trip planning - but not every detail. I did a bit of research and have compared and ranked 7 of the current best known guides. Many of these publishers such as Fodors have other guides for hiking, parks, restaurants, etc. In any case these 7 books cover all of Canada, they have maps, cover the major cities, have subway or similar guides, some restaurant and lodging information, and cover some of the politics, history, attractions such as parks, lakes, etc. and industries in each region.I rank those guides higher that have everything, i.e.: good text descriptions combined with good maps, sketches, photos, trip planners, etc. I am less concerned about small details such as particular hotel and its nightly rate. For that check the internet. None of the books are bad.

Coincidentally all of these books cost approximately $17., and vary in size from 400 to 1136 pages. Here are the rankings.

1ST Place - Ranked Best Overall.

1. Lonely Planet Canada, 992 pages, 1.4 x 7.7 x 5", sales rank on Amazon.com 20,196, published October 2002. This book is rich in text, maps, and high quality color photos. Covers most of the country with lots of information. Best overall value.

2nd Place - Tied For Second

2. Michelin Green Guide Canada, 461 pages, 0.8 x 9.4 x 4.4", sales rank on Amazon.com 626,192, published June 1, 2003. This is a well made book with lots of maps and photos.Short but well written. Slim and best made and weather resistant covers - to some degree.

3. Canada - Eyewitness Travel Guide, 432 pages, 0.8 x 8.7 x 5.2', sales rank on Amazon.com 14,893, published September 2003. Has the best photographs of any guide, acts as a souvenir instead of taking photos yourself. Stunning aerial photograph of Niagara Falls plus many more. Excellent history time lines and cut away photographs. I put it second choice only because it is just 432 pages. Best photos and other visuals. If I was in Canada just for a short trip or planning a trip - this would be my first choice.

4. Baedeker's Canada, 640 pages, 1.3 x 7.6 x 4.9", sales rank on Amazon.com 792,753, published December 1, 1999. This book is similar to Lonely Planet, but 1/3 smaller and now a bit dated. Since all he books listed here cost $17, I prefer the bigger and more up to date Lonely Planet or the Michelin Guide or Eyewitness Travel with better photos.

5. Fodor's See It Canada, 1st Edition, 400 pages, 0.8 x 9.1 x 5.3", Amazon.com sales rank 1,703,104, published June 1, 2004. Most recent available guide in this group (see 6 below), good maps and photos, large font with a slight cartoon feel and shortest of the group. Do not confuse with Fodor's 1000 page food and lodging guide.

3rd Place

6. Rough Guide Canada 5th Edition, 1136 pages, 1.4 x 7.8 x 5.1", Amazon.com sales rank 991,800, published June 22, 2004. Most text only information for the dollar. Lots of information and descriptions. Does not convey the scenic grandeur - no photos to speak of, but it has maps. I prefer the Lonely Planet because it has text plus good photos.

4th Place

7. Frommer's Canada ( Frommer's Complete), 828 pages, 1.6 x 8.6 x 5.1", Amazon.com sales rank 1,038,793, published May 17, 2004. Frommer has a number of books - this is the complete Canada guide. In any case it is similar to #6, the Rough Guide, but shorter.

Almost perfect
I used the lonely planet Canada for travelling from the West Coast to the East Coast.In most places I found that it gave me all the information that I needed on hostels and places to eat.

The section on the Canadain Rockies was not so good, and an extra guide book is recommened.

On the negative side of this book is that some of the maps are incorrect and I found myself walking the wrong way.

I don't have anything to compare the book to, but it did the job for me.

A Waste of Money
This book is a lot of things, and none of them good. The authors really don't know the country very well, or have failed to visit many of the palces they recommend. I buy a guidebook to learn what's good and what's not. But this book doesn't give that. It just lists the same information anyone can find on the internet or in tourist brochures. I want to know if the rooms are big, if they're clean, where they are in relation to local attractions. None of this information is given.

I used this book to seach out a hotel near Vancouver Airport, which was my arrival point in Canada. The text says that the Holiday Inn is "beside Highway 99.", with no indication where along this 30 mile long road it is.

When the author does add a description, it does nothing to inform. Or it's incorrect. My travels took me to Lake Louise. There are lots of good hiking guides to this region, but I figured the outlines in this book would get me going. I hiked 2 trails the author suggested. The descriptions of both were so wildly inaccurate as to be dangerous. The author thinks there is a teahouse at Mirror Lake (never, I was told). He or she highly recommends hiking the "popular" trail between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise when in fact one doesn't even exist!

The Lonely Planet description of Mt. Assiniboine Park sounded good, so I followed their lead which said "a gravel road takes you close to the park through the ski resort of Sunshine Village." I followed my map to Sunshine Village to be told the gravel road has never ever been open to the public.

The only redeeming feature of this book is that when the author hasn't bothered to visit a place, he or she admits it in a subtle way: In Lake Louise, the extent of recommendations for places to dine is "Eat at your hotel." (lots of great places here for all budgets including the best bakery I found in a month on the road). In Nelson readers are encouraged to "ask at the visitor center" for somewhere to stay. These type of entries make me doubt whether they even bothered to travel to many places they write about, let alone do any actual research.

This book has turned me off a guidebook series I have used for years. Never again. ... Read more

Isbn: 0864427522
Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign   

The Invention of Love
by Tom Stoppard
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 1998)
list price: $12.00 -- our price: $9.60
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Reviews (16)

not the Stoppard to begin with, but.....
If you've already read 3 or 4 Stoppard plays (& liked them), this may be a good play to read next. When I saw the (stunning) Broadway production, I realized why I hadn't liked the play too well myself (& I really like Stoppard): it's too long. TS needed a strong-willed editor who could have read the manuscript and said, "Tom, we have to cut about 20 minutes from this work to give it greater cohesion and a bit more rhythm--it'll make it a better play." But on one said that, and sometimes you do wish the play moved along a bit more.

In favor of the play, it provides an essential continuation of the debate developed in Travesties and Arcadia: the debate about the artist's role in society, the emotive dilemma of the very good artist who's overshadowed by the great, and the deluge of history that engulfs, erases, and distorts all alike. In some ways, if you want a more refined understanding of Travesties, you need to read Invention to better understand the Wilde/Joyce(/Byron) figure whose carreer obsesses Stoppard.

The Invention of Love Poetry
It opened in 1997, and the wind it brought to Los Angeles said, "Mr. Housman was queer."Well, no, the play says no such thing, these are not the memoirs of an old queen, although none other than Oscar Wilde is brought on toward the end as a figment of Housman's imagination to retail such goods in a shocking representation that puts me ahead of myself in this piece.

The actual subject of the play is the invention of love poetry by Propertius (or some other Roman poet) twenty centuries ago. This proceeds as a philological examination backwards, naturally, against an imaginary representation of Housman's life in his mind. The entire point is to create a simulacrum of emotions reflecting the condition of Propertius, by generating an elaborate masterpiece of artificial construction toying rather dangerously with the real.

It's all a game, but it grows more and more unstoppered until you have the real sense that Stoppard has let the play loose entirely: shame and confusion reign as Wilde is mocked (this is prepared with dazzling and daring care by introducing Bunthorne from Patience with the famous satire), until, in the best piece of writing Stoppard has produced, Housman unweaves the mess in the end.

The famous opening of Jumpers, involving a lady on a swing and a waiter with a tray, either has nothing on this, or amounts to what it all adds up to.

The Grove Press edition, which features on its back cover the pointed assertion that I am wrong and the wind had it right all along, rather humorously contains small alternate insertions (in parentheses) from the Royal National Theatre production, which give the text the incidental look of a variorum.

Beautiful play about art and homosexual love
I like this play because it blends the aesthetic with the dramatic.It's aesthetic because it discusses the great works of literature with the great writers and critics of that time.It's dramatic because this discussion provides an interesting background to an issue that makes difficult the lives of the main characters A.E. Houseman and Oscar Wilde: homosexual love.For Houseman the problem is unrequited love. For Oscar Wilde it is a charge of sodomy.

The point of classical scholarship is to study Greek and Latin works-that is the vocation of the scholars in this play.According to Oscar Wilde, to be an "aesthete" means to believe that all beauty emanates from Greek writing and sculpture particularly sculpture of the nude male form.In the play A.E. Houseman and his scholarly contemporaries-Ruskin and Pater--point out that much Latin and Greek poetry was written by one man who was in love with another. What makes the play ironic is how this aspect of these ancient cultures flies in the face of contemporary Victorian mores.To wit: the characters in the play are homosexual and that was a crime in 19th century England.

Every work of art must have a point or it's pointless.The point in this play is how the definition of love has come full circle since ancient Greece:what was once socially acceptable, boy love (i.e. pedophilia), is now anathema.And what is at best today grudgingly tolerated, homosexual love, was common practice in ancient Greece at least among the dramatists, poets, and philosophers. Stoppard writes:"Before Plato could describe love, the loved one had to be invented."Hence the title: "Invention of Love".

When Houseman died he had been successful in his career but not in his desire for eros: He says "the grave's a fine and private place but none I think there do embrace". ... Read more

Isbn: 0802135811
Sales Rank: 247743
Subjects:  1. (Alfred Edward),    2. 1859-1936    3. Drama    4. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    5. Housman, A. E    6. Housman, A. E.    7. Plays    8. Plays / Drama    9. Stoppard, Tom - Plays & Criticism   

Street French 3 : The Best of Naughty French (Street Language)
by DavidBurke
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (04 April, 1997)
list price: $17.95 -- our price: $12.21
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (2)

French Indeed!
An excellent introduction to "naughty French", this book contaons phrases and words that are both considered insulting as well as just those that are common in informal speech. Chapters on sexual terms,body parts, put downs, and so on make this book very useful as well asamusing to read. This is not only for the vulgar minded; a certain skill inunderstanding certain profanities is necessary so that one does notintentionally say something inappropriate. the author gives an example inthe introduction: an American teacher teaching English in France tells herclass that she "kisses" her husband everyday in the doorway ofher house. However, the word that technically means kiss, in the casementioned, can also mean "to screw". So you can understand howknowledge of such terms are used is a necessity if one is to communicateeffectively in French.

Naughty enough
Well, I'm not French, but I'm a certified francophile and I enjoyed the feeling of knowing what a typical French person knows, supposedly. Although there are some words that are probably region-sensitive, because one time,my friends and I wanted to have fun during a birthday of a French friendand he couldn't get the joke! Just like his other books Street French 1 and2,Burke tries to give a close translation to the words--not an easy feat.This book is definitely for those who might want to keep a vocabulary ofnaughty things for fun. ... Read more

Isbn: 0471139009
Sales Rank: 215893
Subjects:  1. English    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. French    5. French as a second language    6. French language    7. Language    8. Polyglot Phrasebooks    9. Slang    10. Textbooks for foreign speakers    11. Dialectology    12. Foreign Language Study / French    13. Language self-study & phrasebooks    14. Slang & jargon   

Guys and Dolls (1992 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 July, 1992)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

This 1992 revival cast rewrote the standard for Guys and Dolls, with costumes and sets decked out in splashy colors, a crack pit band conducted by Edward Strauss, and a perfect cast. In the classic setting of Damon Runyon's tales of the New York underworld, Peter Gallagher and Josie de Guzman excel in their respective roles as the suave Sky Masterson and the innocent but hopeful Sarah Brown, but Nathan Lane and Faith Prince are even better as the hopeless couple Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide. Walter Bobbie brings the house down with the grand showstopper, "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," and the other ensemble numbers, including "The Oldest Established," are also thrilling. Frank Loesser's score, of course, is one of Broadway's greatest ever, with "Luck Be a Lady," "Fugue for Tinhorns," "I've Never Been in Love Before," "A Bushel and a Peck," "More I Cannot Wish You," and "Marry the Man Today." The list goes on, as does Guys and Dolls, in this definitive recording.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording
• Cast Recording

Reviews (38)

One of the Greatest
This recording is definitely the best I have seen done for this musical.I know from personal experience portraying the role of Sarah Brown that this musical is a hit with audiences due to the up-tempo nature of the musical.The speed of some of the songs kept everything flowing and preventing a lag in an otherwise long musical.This recording is what my director used to base our tone and speed on, and I applaude her for it.The voices and performances on this recording are spectacular! Bravo!

GREAT Revival Recording!
Hi, I am currently doing a production of Guys and Dolls, playing Nicely-Nicely, and I decided to do some research on the various recordings of this show. This 1992 Revival Recording is fantastic, and a fun recording to listen to. The tempos of all of the songs are bright, fun, colorful and really breathe some life into the songs. The overall performances given on this disc are excellent as well...Nathan Lane makes a funny, and charming Nathan Detroit - one can see why Adelaide would put up with his nonsense for 14 years.....Faith Prince keeping with the tradition of nasal Adelaides with the Brooklyn accent does an excellent job here of portraying Adelaide with impeccable comic timing, and belt that can reach the back of any large Broadway house. Her "Adelaide's Lament" was a treat. Peter Gallagher and Josie De Guzman do a wonderful job here, although they are not the best Sky and Sarah I have heard, or seen. Walter Bobbie's characterization of Nicely-Nicely is just adorable and warm, and he does an incredible job on whatever number Nicely has to sing. J.K. Simmons was hilarious as well, with great comic timing.

I only give this recording 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel that sometimes some of the tempos were TOO rushed, to the extent that some of the clever lyrics might be overlooked and compromised, and a lot of the score has been drastically changed, when they didn't need any changes at all - "Runyonland", and "Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat" are a couple that come to mind immediately. I think Frank Loesser's score was good enough with out the changes and embellishings that were added to the score for this production.

I would recommend this recording just for the fun of it, but if I were doing a production of this, and wanted to hear an accurate representation of the score, or if I were doing research on this musical, I would either go with the Original Broadway Cast, or the 1995 Complete Recording with Kim Criswell, Don Stephenson and Emily Loesser. Both, especially the latter, give an excellent representation of how the score was initially conceptualized and represented. And how perfect it was, and still is.

Sue me!I love you!
This is probably one of the best Broadway revival soundtracks ever recorded.It truely captures the excitement and humor of a live performance.It's as if they're on the stage performing the show with microphones hanging all over the place capturing a classic performance than in a recording booth with them belting out songs.The biggest strength of this soundtrack is in the vocal characterizations as well the great atmospheric orchestrations.The casting was pure perfection.Nathan Lane, Faith Chance and Peter Gallagher are all in top form and you'd think they were all born to play their parts.Since this play has been performed in High Schools and community theaters for years, this soundtrack as well as the Broadway run had to distinguish itself from the amateur/semi-pro shows with such performances that would make it the definitive version.I think this soundtrack has acheived that and more.I'd buy this version over any other version any day. ... Read more

Asin: B000003FBL
Subjects:  1. Cast Recordings    2. Musicals    3. Pop    4. Show Tunes    5. Showtunes / B'way   

Anything Goes (1987 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

One of the leaders in the trend of big splashy revivals in the late 1980s and early '90s, Lincoln Center's 1987 production of Anything Goes was the perfect evocation of the 1930s, from the period pit band to James McMullan's striking poster art to the large photograph of Cole Porter that smiled over the stage like an approving spirit. While the score earns its share of authenticity by resurrecting numerous songs from the original score, it also tosses in a few ringers such as "Friendship" and "It's De-Lovely." (Porter himself did not mind when people staging his shows borrowed songs from his other shows.) Then-rising star Howard McGillin sings sweet ballads and the ensemble numbers are excellent, but the show belongs to Patti LuPone, who in the role of Reno Sweeney grabs the baton from Ethel Merman and never lets go. Her "I Get a Kick Out of You" is one of the great performances of her generation, and the title tune and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" make almost every other song sound like filler. LuPone was upset in the Tony race by Joanna Gleason, but the show did win for Best Revival. The booklet includes full lyrics, synopsis, production notes, and photos.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (32)

Decent Revival, But It Lacks Spark.
I played Moonface Martin in my high school production of ANYTHING GOES and since that time it has remained as one of my favorite musicals of all time (2nd only to BLOOD BROTHERS).The show takes places aboard the ocean liner U.S.S. AMERICAN as it travels to England. On the course of the trip, a six person love triangle develops and a wanted criminal, Public Enemy #13, gets a little bit of limelight. The songs are fresh and original and other than a few cultural references here and there, seem timeless. That's probably one of the reasons that the title song, "Anything Goes," opens INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM.It's hard to believe that the show first opened way back in 1934.

My favorite songs on the album include:

"I Get a Kick Out of You"

"You're the Top"

"Friendship"

"It's De-Lovely"

"Anything Goes"

"Blow, Gabriel, Blow"

"Be Like the Bluebird"

Though this 1987 revival edition of the original show did a decent job of freshening up this classic show and presenting it to a new generation, it does have some flaws.The wonderful song sung by Reno Sweeney, "Take Me Back to Manhattan," has been totally deleted.Also, "Be Like the Bluebird" just isn't the same on this album--the over-the-top rendition that is a Moonface staple is completely lacking; instead of the bullish, yet lovable man making a full of himself singing this song of happiness, we get an old man whimpering away with hardly any air left in his lungs.That omission and change might be slight, but they are enough to offset the other positive changes made on the album.Though the revival is decent, it just doesn't quite meet the standards of a Reno Sweeney show and for fands of ANYTHING GOES, I recommend the 1962 cast album instead.

really wonderful cast album
"Anything Goes," is a great musical and this version is updated and really in tune.I'd reocmmend it to any musical theatre fan.Howard McGillan has a great voice really, strong and perfect for broadway.The rest of the cast is good too.
It feature some great Cole Porter songs, and really a vibrent and beautiful score.

A Knock-Out In Every Possible Way
Although the 1987 revival of Cole Porter's legendary ANYTHING GOES plays fast and loose with both the original score and book, it's hard to be anything but enchanted with the show or the this cast recording--particularly when it includes the talents of Patti LuPone, Bill McCutcheon, Anne Francine, and many other Broadway notables.

The story of romantic follies aboard a transatlantic liner, the show opens with a scratchy recording of Cole Porter himself singing the title tune before the soundtrack segues into a dazzling overture by an excellent orchestra--and then proceeds to bounce out one great Porter tune after another: "I Get A Kick Out of You," "You're The Top," "Easy to Love," "Friendship," "It's De-Lovely," the title cut, "Blow Gabriel Blow," and "All Through the Night," to name but the most obvious titles.

While the entire cast is nothing short of brilliant, the show clearly belongs to Patti LuPone in the role of Reno Sweeney, an evangelist who does a little nightclub act on the side.LuPone hasn't been in better form since she dazzled New York audiences in EVITA, and her knock-you-flat vocal style is perfectly suited to both the role and the complex Porter tunes originally written for Broadway powerhouse Ethel Merman... and indeed, even Merman's memorable renditions seem to pale a bit in comparison.

Purists may complain about fiddling with the score, and it is true that this revival drops as many Porter classics from the original score as it adds from other sources; "Let's Misbehave" is particularly missed.But it's hard to argue with the addition of "De-Lovely" and "Easy to Love" (the latter of which Porter originally gave to Jimmy Stewart, of all people, to perform in the memorable 1936 film BORN TO DANCE.)And when Patti LuPone launches into "Anything Goes," you'll know it really does.Recommended as a knock-out in every possible way!

GFT, Amazon Reviewer ... Read more

Asin: B000002WBK
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Showtunes / B'way   

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (4th Edition)
by William Shakespeare David Bevington
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 January, 1997)
list price: $95.00
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Reviews (22)

Shakespeare Complete
This is truly a great book.Not only does it contain all of Shakespeare's works but it also has an enormous amount of information.There's a little bit on his life and a bit more about the theater during his time. There are also some great drawings in the beginning of the book.

Almost the best complete Shakespeare Collection
If you can't afford the Oxford Edition of Shakespeare's complete works than this is the next best edition you can find.

The Complete Bard
Bevington's Complete Works of Shakespeare is a priceless source for the writings of history's greatest author.All of the plays, sonnets and poems are contained, plus extensive commentary.An invaluable treasure for actors, producers, students, scholars, writers, and anyone else interested in Shakespeare.The Bard's canon is presented in an easily read format.Highly recommeded. ... Read more

Isbn: 0321012542
Sales Rank: 264232
Subjects:  1. Drama    2. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    3. General    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Literature: Classics    6. Shakespeare    7. Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616   

Zojirushi 14-Ounce Stainless Steel Tuff Road Commuter Mug, Stainless Steel
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $33.99
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Editorial Review

As its name suggests, this Tuff Road travel mug is durable and built for the bumps along the way. Its stainless-steel construction and resilient plastic base and outer body withstand high-impact spills. At the touch of a thumb, the rotating lid cover reduces splashing, although this lid comes off almost too easily during rotation. Dual openings in the lid also make the mug convenient for both left- and right-handed users. As for heat retention, this insulated mug does a fine job of keeping your beverage hot long after you've reached the office. --Marcela Broussard ... Read more

Features

• Five-year warranty
• 14-ounce mug for drinking while on the move
• Stainless steel with vacuum insulation
• Rotating lid cover reduces splashing
• Hand wash with warm water

Reviews (4)

Better than most, but...................
This is a great commuter mug.I will always grab this one off the shelf if I have a choice and I have a few.It keeps beverages hot for much longer than most commuter mugs that I have tried.The splash/spill guard works like its intended to although it is not spill proof.I have had mine for at least three years and although it shows some signs of its age, it works just like the day I bought it.Its problems:the rubber washer in the lid sometimes comes off in the dishwasher.I have been lucky enough to find it most of the time.The company will send you a new one for $1.60 (customer service was very nice by the way).But it will not seal without it.Also, there is a little hole in the bottom of the mug which fills up with water in the dishwasher.Not really a problem if you shake the water out before putting it away.If you forget, you will be reminded in the morning when there are little drip spots on your pants where it has drained out.Lastly, its size is a little small.When I buy another one by this company (and I will), it will be a little bigger.Keep in mind that my mug has seen some road time and newer models may not have these flaws.

Please Find Out How To Return Theres Travel Mug To Your Stoc
To Zojirushi and amazom I'm so sad that you have diconntinue this product from your main line of commuter mugs. This cup has a great value in the retail stores and was a great seller at costco stores. If there is any way you could find 2 of these cups for me please contact me at my e-mail or (510)715-7123.The Zojirushi 14-ounce Stainless Steel Tuff Road Commuter Mug

good on level ground
The body of this mug is very well constructed. The handle is solid and well-placed. My only complaint is with the lid. The sliding plastic cover is somewhat flimsy and can pop off if slid too far. Additionally, the lid cover does not provide much protection from leakage. I learned that lesson with a hot cup of coffee in the lap. If you plan to keep this bad boy on your desk, this is a great mug. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S57G
Subjects:  1. Travel Cups    2. Travel Mugs    3. Coffee    4. Tea    5. Cups    6. Mugs    7. Insulated Beverage    8. Thermal    9. Commuter Mugs    10. Commuting    11. Tumblers   

Jazz A Saint-Germain
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 August, 1998)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $8.99
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Editorial Review

Jazz à Saint Germain is a compilation of compelling jazz standards performed in tribute to the Parisian speakeasies that flourished during the German occupation in World War II. Espousing a free-spirited highlife as well as an existential and intellectual aesthetic, the French underground heartily embraced American jazz. Showcasing traditional styles as well as ambitious adaptations that reveal reggae, African, and even hip-hop influences, this collection is tasteful and eclectic. Angélique Kidjo's version of "Summertime" is gently evocative, as is Dee Dee Bridgewater's moving rendition of "Watermelon Man." The Jazz Passengers and Debbie Harry interpret "There Is No More Tomorrow," and French chanteuse François Hardy is joined by Iggy Pop for a version of "I'll Be Seeing You." With artists old and new, Jazz à Saint Germain is a vibrant, engaging affair. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Entertaining and offbeat
Sometimes you feel this CD is channeling the 40s and 50s, and sometimes it seems to be deconstructing the period and its sound, but it's almost always fun to listen to.I admit I needed time to warm up to it, but track 2 blew me away the first time I really paid attention to the bloodthirsty lyrics set to a funky death march.As a francophone, I enjoy it when I'm in the mood for hearing French, though Patricia Kaas or Paris Combo offer more subtle and sophisticated visions, if you can use that term for song. My only complaint is Debbie Harry's abominable French accent and her Ohio-flat American "r" spoiling a lovely song. I love her, am an old Blondie fan, but girlfriend should stay away from singing French.

A slice of History
The marketing gang at Amazon.com are certainly doing their job - at the expense of my pocket book.I picked this up from a multiple recommendations link.Unable to find Lainie Cooke's new cd locally I knew Amazon woudld have it.While ordering LC's CD I looked at the suggestions and was intruiged by Pink Martini's, Sympathique.While impulse ordering it, I saw the suggestion for Jazz A Saint-Germain.This disc is definately awesome.I must be getting really frustrated by recent pop/rock and am going full blown eclectic/world/retro - I'm sure it's not that I'm growing up!!Jazz A Saint-Germain isn't just a compilation of great music, but really takes you back to a time of the intimate, live jazz club.

If this is what you looking for - buy this album - all I've listed above as well as SoulSkin, and the latest kd Lang /Tony Bennett project.

No, I don't work for Amazon, but they should put me on payroll - don't ya think?

one of my favs
I am actually reordering this cd.
One of my favorties!
Great for whatever mood you are in! ... Read more

Asin: B000009RNT
Subjects:  1. French Pop    2. Jazz    3. Neo-Bop    4. Pop    5. Vocal Jazz   

Lonely Planet Italy (Italy, 4th ed)
by Helen Gillman Stefano Cavedoni Damien Simonis Sally Webb
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 February, 2000)
list price: $21.95
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Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

Explore the riches of Italy with Lonely Planet's essential guide.Featuring a special color feature on Italian art and architecture, this book also contains insider's advice on the best pasta and gelati; skiing and trekking information, notes on history, culture and current politics; as well as practical food and accommodation suggestions for every budget. Delightful sidebars add insight into the culture, with details on everything from gladiators tomushroom picking. --Kathryn True ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Disappointing
This is the first time I've been disappointed with a Lonely Planet publication.I found this guide to Italy superficial and not helpful.It didn't contain information about some quite large towns,information about reaching destinations in scant and maps are not easy to read.And I preferred it when Lonely Planet put all the general information in the front of the book followed by the specifics region by region.

Better books are available
We visited about eleven cities in northern and central Italy and we carried both the Lonely Planet Italy and the Rough Guide Italy with us.I had the Rough Guide Italy and had no problems looking up information.My companion had the Lonely Planet Italy and she eventually gave up on it.She found the LP to be lacking in basic information and basically a book better left at home.We would recommend the Rough Guide instead.

Incomplete and out of date
I bought the Lonely Planet and found it didn't even have a single word about my favorite place in Italy, a small gem of a town with an incredible hostel and scenery (I can't tell the place because I don't want everyone to go there.)It also was very out of date, all of the prices were wrong and I found the reviews of places to be hard to distinguish.It says everything is great so you are left confused about where to spend you time.I ended up using Let's Go which i preferred 100%. ... Read more

Isbn: 0864426925
Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign   

The Collected Writings of Zelda Fitzgerald
by Zelda Fitzgerald Matthew J. Bruccoli
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (30 March, 1997)
list price: $22.50 -- our price: $15.30
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Reviews (2)

My favorite book of all time.
Why do you ask?Because of all the other works of literature out there, this one is among the very few which commands my attention with its dizzying abstract imagery and depth.Zelda Fitzgerald was known chiefly as being Mrs. Francis Scott Fitzgerald, which was something she tried to overthrow by becoming a dancer, an artist, and a writer.For those who are interested in reading Zelda's work, this is the only book you need to buy, as it includes her novel "Save Me the Waltz", her play "Scandalabra", as well as her many short stories and articles.

"Save Me the Waltz" is a gorgeous book which Zelda modelled after her own life.Scott and Scottie Fitzgerald are David and Bonnie Knight, Judge Austin and Millie Beggs are Judge Anthony and Minnie Sayre (Zelda's parents), Joan Beggs is Clothilde Sayre (one of Zelda's sisters), Jacques Chevre-Feuille is Edouard Jozan, etc etc.The parallels are impossible to miss if you already know about Zelda's life.It is interesting to read Zelda's many descriptions, for you can actually imagine in your mind what she actually saw.

"Scandalabra" is a light comedic play which, if given a decent production and cast, would be a huge stage hit.Sadly, as far as I know there have only been a couple of productions and each of them were dismal failures.In order to inherit his wealthy uncle's fortune, a young, naive and happily married man must evolve into a scoundrel and paint his wife as an adulteress.All of the characters are careless beings trying to live in a serious world, and therefore it is hard to capture this strange balance on the stage.

Her short stories are all short and sweet vignettes, many of them were published under Scott's byline so they would earn more money rather than if they were only under Zelda's name.Among the best:"A Couple of Nuts", "Our Own Movie Queen" and "Miss Ella".Her articles were mostly done from the perspective of a celebrity's wife, and so naturally they are light pieces of fluff meant to build on the Fitzgerald myth.

If asked to describe this book in just one word, I would have to refuse.There is no single word that can do this collection justice.

a beautiful, surreal book
Zelda Fitzgerald spent much of her life trying to struggle out of the shadow of her famous husband.For many years she was both a literal and figurative inspiration for his work, often helping him with his stories. This book of her writings allows her to finally take her own place in thefiction world. Her novel, Save Me the Waltz, is an incredible book in whichlanguage becomes surrealistic art. There are two sides to every story, andit is interesting to hear Zelda's interpretation of her life withFitzgerald. The novel itself is a gradual emotional and physical breakdownas it documents a woman on her voyage of self discovery and artisticfulfillment.It has been said that Zelda was a true original and, onceencountered, was never forgotten.The same can be said about her work. Though she will unfortunately always be paired and compared with Fizgerald,her voice and style is all her own. ... Read more

Isbn: 0817308849
Sales Rank: 201073
Subjects:  1. 20th Century American Novel And Short Story    2. American - General    3. Fiction    4. Literary    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Women As Authors (American Literature)   

Life Is Beautiful
Director: Roberto Benigni
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (15 January, 2002)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $8.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Italy's rubber-faced funnyman Roberto Benigni accomplishes theimpossible in his World War II comedy Life Is Beautiful: he shapes asimultaneously hilarious and haunting comedy out of the tragedy of the Holocaust. An international sensation and the most successful foreign language film in U.S. history, the picture also earned director-cowriter-star Benigni Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor. He plays the Jewish country boy Guido, a madcap romantic in Mussolini's Italy who wins the heart of his sweetheart (Benigni's real-life sweetie, Nicoletta Braschi) and raises a darling son (the adorable Giorgio Cantarini) in the shadow of fascism. When the Nazis ship the men off to a concentration camp in the waning days of the war, Guido is determined to shelter his son from the evils around them and convinces him they're in an elaborate contest to win (of all things) a tank. Guido tirelessly maintains the ruse with comic ingenuity, even as the horrors escalate and the camp's population continues to dwindle--all the moreimpetus to keep his son safe, secure, and, most of all, hidden. Benigni walks a fine line mining comedy from tragedy and his efforts are pure fantasy--he accomplishes feats no man could realistically pull off--both ofwhich have drawn fire from a few critics. Yet for all its wacky humor and inventive gags, Life Is Beautiful is a moving and poignant tale of one father's sacrifice to save not just his young son's life but his innocence in the face of one of the most evil acts ever perpetrated by the human race. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• NTSC

Reviews (556)

El sabio (o tonto) que descubrió que la vida es bella


Compartir con la familia, reirse con los amigos. Podría seguir infinitamente, pero creo que es definitiva, con los ejemplos anteriores, la verdad expresada en la próxima frase: la vida tiene momentos maravillosos.
¿Pero, qué sucede cuando la tragedia toca nuestra puerta y se queda sin invitación? ¿Hace su presencia disminuir nuestro anhelo y esperanza de recuperar aquello que una vez nos hizo sentir tan plenos y felices? La respuesta del realizador italiano Roberto Benigni no podría ser más entusiasta y abrumadora, en su premiada cinta, La Vida es Bella.
Vivir tu existencia a plenitud, aprovechando todas las oportunidades, permitiendo al corazón ser el guía, y no pensar que los sueños son sólo ideas tontas; ignorar el mal que yace en el alma de otras personas y buscar en cada detalle ese tenue toque de magia que nos hace darnos cuenta lo afortunados que somos. ¿Podría todo esto ser verdad? ¿Por qué no? Benigni lo cree, lo predica en su película y lo contagia.
En los años previos a la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el destino de algunas vidas está a punto de cambiar, con la llegada al pueblo toscano de Arrezzo de Guido y su amigo Ferruccio. Guido (Benigni) es un hombre jovial, con la inocencia de un niño, volátil imaginación, y lleno hasta su último cabello de sueños. Poseer una librería y conquistar el corazón de una joven maestra, lo hacen vivir situaciones tan disparatadas y graciosas, que harían pensar al más serio de los hombres: "es absurdo, no hay manera de lograrlo".
Pero lo logra.
Con el paso del tiempo, no sólo Guido es dueño de su librería, también se casa con su amada Dora, y tienen un pequeño, Giosué, de unos 5 años. Pero el cuento de hadas se ve amenazado por la presencia de tropas militares anti-semitas, alertas al hecho que Guido es judío. Lo inevitable ocurre: meses antes de finalizar la guerra, él y su familia son enviados a un campo de concentración.
Enfrentar esta prueba no derrumba el espíritu infatigable de Guido, quien para proteger a su hijo, lo convence que están participando en un juego con ciertas reglas estrictas, pero con un premio fantástico para aquel que termine con éxito la aventura.
Desde las situaciones más ridículas y tontas, hasta las más dolorosas, esta cinta se las arregla para obtener un balance perfecto. La habilidad del humor para hacernos olvidar lo peor, la capacidad de imaginar una historia que proteja a un ser amado, son terrenos elocuentemente explorados en La Vida es Bella. Benigni ha escrito una fábula que, caminando la línea delgada entre comedia y drama, realza la dignidad humana.
Las actuaciones son destacadas, la fotografía y los escenarios pintorescos. El romanticismo en combinación con toques agridulces hacen de esta una obra para disfrutar. Y para meditar.
Meditar que, quizás los momentos duros sacan a flote las mejores cualidades de las personas que los viven, haciéndolos percatarse de fortalezas ocultas o ignoradas. O tal vez los pueden desmoronar y dejarlos sin un singular motivo para retomar sus vidas. Pero en esos momentos de desesperación, existe ese breve segundo, donde una sonrisa o una leve risa alivia y aleja el dolor experimentado.
Negación o una demostración inusual y admirable de fortaleza, podría hacerse un debate al respecto. Simplemente aceptemos, la vida es bella, y también lo es esta película.

A great portrayal of fatherly love
Grabs your attention from the begenning to the end.Great ending.("I won! I won!").Great story.Highly reccommended.

Comedy in Concentration Camps?
I watched this movie (the dubbed version) for my sophmore English class.We had recently read the short novel, Night by Elie Wiesel.My friend, who had seen the movie before, said it was really "cute".Cute?CUTE?How could a Holocaust film be CUTE?Needless to say, I didn't believe her.
But we started to watch the movie and it was!It was hilarious for the first part, at least.My favorite comedic scene was when he pretended to be a school inspector and talked about Italian bellybuttons.My other favorite scene is at the end of the movie.When the tank comes.The little boy was adorable.
And all of that led to the downfall.You just loved those characters so much and you found yourself rooting for them. Which made it sadder.
I loved.It provides a somewhat light hearted view of the Holocaust and for any high school teachers using a book with rthe Holocaust, I hgihly reccomend this movie. Our class was actually reacting and laughing. ... Read more

Asin: 6305426651
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Italian   

All About All About Eve : The Complete Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made!
by Sam Staggs
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (23 June, 2001)
list price: $15.95 -- our price: $10.85
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Like the movie it celebrates, Sam Staggs's All About All About Eve is good, gossipy fun. The book is exhaustively researched, from behind-the-scenes anecdotes to a talk with the original, mysterious "Eve" who sparked the dinner party conversation that inspired the magazine story that eventually became one of the best movies ever made. The book spirals outward from the movie as well, chronicling the subsequent careers of the principals (and an ingenue newcomer named Marilyn Monroe), the life of writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and even the ill-fated romance of stars Bette Davis and Gary Merrill. It is, of course, the legendary on-set cattiness that is the focus of the book's first half (Celeste Holm claims that Bette Davis responded to her initial "Good morning" with a tart "Oh shit, good manners," and the two never spoke again; cast members dish about George Sanders's then-wife Zsa Zsa Gabor), but the overall tone of the book is one of affection and a deep fascination for even the smallest aspects of the film. A true fan, Staggs analyzes the position of All About Eve in its own time and in the camp culture of today, notes its influence on innumerable subsequent films, and even chronicles the somewhat manufactured "feud" between Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead that developed over Davis's characterization of Margo Channing. To keep it from getting too weighty, Staggs punctuates the book with sidebars, paying tribute to the career of Walter Hampden, the elderly actor who presents the Sarah Siddons award, and even working in a match-the-famous-quote-to-the-French-subtitle quiz. All About All About Eve succeeds best in its main purpose--making you want to watch the movie one more time. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Title Sums It All Up
Sam Staggs does indeed cover All About "All About Eve". This is book is directly aimed at only those fans who cannot get enough and will seem too much for the casual fans (if such creatures exist) of the movie All About Eve. In other words, much of this book seems aimed at gay men who wallow in the high artistic camp of what All About Eve has become. In this respect, it is quite a thorough joy, as the history of the true story behind the movie is presented, the original short story, and then into the heart of the book, the filming of the movie (Celeste Holm comes in for perhaps too hard a time because of the author's personal feelings towards her and her attitude toward his book. Her actual celluloid performance was perfect.) The remainder of the book follows the growing legend of the film and the creation of the musical, Applause, based on it. It is a breezy, fun read without a single bumpy night in sight.

FORTHEFANS....
Fans of "All About Eve" will enjoy this exploration of the making of a classic. It's hard to put down and consistently entertaining. A perfect companion piece for the film as the backstage story of a backstage story of life in the theater from a life in Hollywood viewpoint. Celeste Holm's remarks are particularly revealing. You could say this is a bitchy look at a bitchy movie and it's well worth the read. Don't miss this one.

THIS LADY EVE DESERVES APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
Buckle your seat belts ... it's gonna be a bumpy night ahead! Bumpy because author Sam Staggs has written a warts-and-all, behind-the-scenes look at one of the Hollywood's greatest and wittiest films. The film won six Oscars, and was nominated for a titanic total 14 of the golden naked men, arecord broken only recently by "Titanic." All the bitchery, butchery and backstage babbleis here: From the performance that revived the flailing career of star Bette Davis to the introduction of a starlet by the name of Marilyn Monroe. Applause! Applause! ... Read more

Isbn: 0312273150
Subjects:  1. All about Eve (Motion picture)    2. Film & Video - History & Criticism    3. Performing Arts    4. Performing Arts/Dance    5. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    6. Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism