Hollywood Studio Magazine (1976)

contribution to posterity is quite apparent. Thomas, Bob THALBERG, Garden City, New York, Doubleday ana Company, 1969. An examination of this book reveals that any bibliography of significant film-related books would be incomplete without it. Mr. Thomas has given us a detailed account of the life (from its horror to its challenging frustrations and joy-) of Irving Thalberg. Forty years after this man’s death, his presence continues to be felt. Hired in his teens as secretary to Carl Laemmle (founder of Universal Studios), the “boy genius” rose like a comet to become production head of that studio ... shortly thereafter to the same job at the new Metro-GoldwynMayer complex. Thomas’ book examines this man’s blanketing influence on the quality of films at not only his home MGM studio, but throughout all Hollywood during its burgeoning era. And he touches poignantly into the man’s life revealing both his physical and mental frailties. It is hard to imagine a silent or talkies era film scholar without this book on his shelves. No one ever adequately replaced Irving Thalberg. Curtiss, Thomas Quinn VON STROHEIM, New York, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1971. In his preface to this book, Rene Clair lists Eric Von Stroheim and Charlie Chaplin as the two great originals of the screen. This book by Mr. Curtiss becomes the definitive biography of this mercurial and enigmatic genius ... with credentials that include the fact that the author was a close friend of the subject. He replaces the legend with truth, basing his book on conversations, unpublished records, and original research. And it follows Von Stroheim’s career from a stunt man for Griffith’s BIRTH OF A NATION to his confrontations with Thalberg, Douglas Fairbanks, Laemmle and others in his egocentric existence. The story of his friendship with Greta Garbo, at the time of Von Stroheim’s exile from MGM, is one of the most moving in the book. A william Wyler ansen Robert Windeler film scholar will pencil this work in as required reading. Ketchum, Richard M. WILL ROGERS, New York, American Heritage Publishing Company, Inc., 1973. A lavish and lovingly-written book about one of show business’ great figures and of particular importance to the film student because of its wonderful illustrations and detailed account of Rogers’ life in films and among the pioneers of the industry. Will Rogers embraced Hollywood and became a major figure among its elite during his time as a chief box office attraction. But the man’s heart never left Oklahoma. . . and through it all, he never seemed the least bit tainted by the artificial glitter and hypocrisy. And there is no doubt that this book is among the handful of primary texts on this American legend. Madsen, Axel WILLIAM WYLER, New York, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1973. This rich biography, completely authorized by and written with the active help of this important director, covers the entire scope of the film industry’s 11-8 golden period. Wyler is a three-time Academy Award-winner and a nominee an almost-incredible twelve times. His films include BEN HUR, MRS. MINIVER, ROMAN HOLIDAY and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES ... and more recently, FUNNY GIRL. It is easy to see why this man’s contribution to the history of the motion picture is so significant. The book makes for exceedingly enjoyable reading and it includes a number of provocative photographs from Mr. Wyler’s personal collections. Most of the books that have appeared in this section of THE FILM BUFF’S HANDBOOK are relatively easilyobtainable from the important sources that cater to the film historian and buff (such as The Bijou Society). One the reader has acquired a representative collection of such works, he should make it a point to try to purchase some of the earlier books dealing with the film industry. In another section, the large array of magazines and periodicals dealing with motion pictures will be discussed.