Good/Great/Fascinating Books on Film.

Hey, Deb. Long ago I read a book called The Magic Lantern. It was about the beginnings of the film industry. I tried finding it on google with no luck. As I recall, it was fiction, but I'm not certain, now. If you have any luck, let me know, because I am anxious to refresh my mind.

Everything Pauline Kael ever wrote

Ebert's "Book of Film" offers essays by many filmmakers, critic and historians including Truffaut and Kael.

I am not a film buff in the league of some on A2K. I have always loved, "The Art of Alfred Hitchcock", by Donald Spoto.

Thanks folks - it's all going in the portal - so keep 'em coming!

If you're looking for reference books I "Leonard Maltin's video and Film Guide", Halliwell's Film and Video Guide" and any of the "Video Hound Guides, I use them all because I find if you can't find a film listed in one it's probably listed in one of the others
Other books I like are: "Agee on Film" by James Agee, "The Name Above the Title:An Autobiography" by Frank Capra, "A Short History of The Movies"by Gerald Mast, "Matinee Idylls" by Richard Schickel. They all deal with older films, I'm embarassed to admit that I haven't read much lately that covers any films newer than the 70's.

Theres a book called "Movie making: Master Classes" it's great, it's got interviews with master directors on how they make Movies from Woody Allen to Pedro Amaldovar. Great book.

Letty, it MAY be The Magic Lantern by Robert Carson?

I found it on Amazon - but there is no hint of what it is about.

If you care to follow up, and you feel like reviewing the book, it would be great - I was hoping to use it for the portal, but cannot, since it does not tell me what it is about nor what it is like!